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AMA Gypsy Tour filled with motorcycle history and fellowship

Motorcycle rally
June 12, 2017

If you've attended motorcycle rallies or followed them online, you have likely come across the term AMA Gypsy Tour.

On the most basic level, the AMA Gypsy Tour events are special gatherings of motorcyclists, sharing the like-minded love of riding and all things motorcycle. Today, we commonly call them rallies or bike weeks. There are historical roots to these types of events that date back to the earliest days of motorcycling.

Origins

In the early years of motorcycling, small groups of riders would gather and organize an overnight ride to a special location or event, such a race or endurance ride. It's very much like we do today with our riding buddies. These events received publicity, and since long distance riders would camp on their journeys to and from the event, the term Gypsy Tour was coined to describe them.

Early years

In 1913, the Good Fellowship Tour was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event was wildly popular with motorcycle riders. This event formed a pattern for other events across the country.

The first official Gypsy Tour event was in Laconia, New Hampshire, in July 1917. It was sanctioned by America's first national motorcyclist organization, the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM).

The federation ceased operations in 1919, due to declining membership. The Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association (M&ATA), a business trade group, recognized the need to support motorcycle clubs, riders, and events. The M&ATA began a Registered Rider Division, and then started supporting Gypsy Tours in 1920.

American Motorcycle Association

On May 24, 1924, the M&ATA Registered Rider Division became the American Motorcycle Association (AMA). In 1925, there were 212 separate Gypsy Tour events held across the country on June 20–21.

Whether organized around races, hill climbs, field meets, and games—or just good old fashion fun and great scenic riding—these events grew in popularity until World War II.

Most motorcycle events, including the Gypsy Tours, were suspended during the war years. The Gypsy Tours started again postwar, but the AMA stopped using that name in 1957 as a result of a growing trend of trouble, such as the incident in Hollister, California, in 1947. The Hollister riot started the whole Outlaw Biker media phenomena.

AMA Gypsy Tours today

Today the AMA recognizes events that most closely reflect the traditional format of the original Gypsy Tours under the banner of the National AMA Gypsy Tour. Here are some of the remaining AMA events for 2017:

  • Laconia Motorcycle Week, June 10–18

  • Roar on the Shore, July 12–16

  • Rally in the Gorge, August 23–27

  • Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally, September 13–17

  • Las Vegas Bikefest, October 5–8

  • Lone Star Rally, November 2–5

Celebrate the great history of motorcycling by riding to some of these events. Become a part of living history!

Till next time, ride safe!

Related links

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The general information in this blog is for informational or entertainment purposes only. View our blog disclaimer.

*Data accuracy is subject to this article's publication date.

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