Calendar Dilemmas

Sometimes two compelling motorcycle events will be scheduled on the same day and you're left trying to figure out which one to attend.  Take, for example, June 25th.  It's five months away, but you have a big decision to make and it might seem particularly difficult if you live in or near Minnesota.

Option #1: Travel all the way to California and attend Born Free 8, arguably the premiere custom motorcycle show in the US, and possibly the world.

Option #2:  Head to a dusty dirt track in Owatonna, MN for Moto Mania 2: The Big Deuce.

First, let's assume money is no object and travel time is not a consideration so you are free to go to either event.  Ignore the cost of admission, whether camping is allowed, whether giant coolers full of your own ice cold beer are allowed, and any other expenses you might incur.

If you are confused on which one to attend, remember the HDSALAB mantra, "bikes, beer, grooming, gear."  Don't rush to pick Moto Mania just because it has the words "bikes" and "beer" on the poster.  That would be an amateur move.  Think about it.

Since the HDSALAB mission is to get more women interested in motorcycling, you must first think about which event is likely to have more women at it.  You must also think about where you can look your best as you demonstrate your well-refined techniques for standing around, looking at bikes.  Then you should think about media coverage and where you will be most likely to get national or international exposure, both online and in print, if you happen to be captured in the background of a photograph of a mind-blowing chopper. Remember that you want legitimate exposure, not just coverage on a random blog about rodents and dairy products.

Born Free 8 is the obvious choice.  You won't be standing in a thick dust cloud all day so you're sure to look your best.  There are hundreds, if not thousands, of beautiful bikes parked everywhere to stand next to.  Media coverage is off the charts.  Also, the handful of women at the first Moto Mania were clearly already interested in motorcycles because they were out on the track.  Your efforts to stand around and look interesting would be wasted and there would be nothing left to do but hop on your motorcycle and actually ride it.