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Mazatlan’s eleventh annual International Motorcycle Week is happening in
April, bigger and better than ever! The gathering has grown tremendously
since its inception, and now attracts “easy riders” from all over the world.
This year’s events will be centered in the parking lot of Sam’s Club, and
will be sponsored for the first time by the Tres Islas and Golden Zone Hotel
Associations, also Jack Daniels and Chivas Regal and, as usual, the Pacifico
Brewery. This year’s special events include drag races at the professional
racetrack north of town, a parade along the Malecón, several contests, four
nightly rock concerts featuring local and big time acts, guided rides to
El Quelite and Copala, as well as the raffling off of a new Harley Davidson
Softail Standard, a Kawasaki Ninja 500 and a Honda NX4 Falcon 400. Various
charities benefit from the festivities, including both the Boys’ and the
Girls’ Orphanages, the Old Folks’ Home, Red Cross and family assistance
institute DIF. It is worth noting that while in some parts of the world
the biker image may be associated with rebelliousness, drug dealing, violence
and so forth, here in Mexico motorcycle enthusiasts tend to be outstanding
members of the community. Mazatlan’s International Motorcycle Week is a
wholesome, family event. Motorcycle Week in Mazatlán began as the brainchild
of Hermes Escobar, who envisioned |
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“tourism on a
bike,” and the get-together grew with the guidance of Mazatlán motorcycle
club president Marco Antonio “Capitan” Torres, who used his Daytona Rally
experience to make the event an international attraction, one to look forward
to year after year. Under the leadership of Alberto Gallardo, who has served
as president of Motoclub Mazatlán A.C. for four out of the last six years,
attendance has skyrocketed and Motorcycle Week is now one of the city’s
major events, after Carnaval and Semana Santa. It is the number one motorcycle
get-together in Latin America, drawing thousands of enthusiasts to mingle
with the growing number of local motorcycle clubs such as Los Rucos, Olas
Altas, V-Twins and Los Gueros. It is a big family get-together, with plenty
of women and children of all ages present to contribute to the fun ambiance.
For active participants, there are two inscription packages offered: the
Silver costs 550 pesos, the Gold 1,000, and each includes mementos, coupons,
raffle tickets and entrance passes worth far more than the package price.
And you don’t have to own a Harley to register. Asian bikes and even scooters
are numerous and welcome, so sign up and be counted! Even if you don’t own
a motorcycle at all, there is plenty for everyone to see and experience
at the gatherings and, who knows, maybe you’ll catch the fever and buy one! |
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