AMA Riding announces five AMA Grand Tours for 2009.
The AMA Grand Tours Series with KOA Along the Way is growing this year, offering even more fun for riders all over the United States. This year’s Grand Tours will challenge, surprise and entertain riders, while giving them an excellent excuse to see some of the country’s best roads and most interesting places.
"We had a great season in 2008, with more riders joining more of our tours than ever," said AMA Riding’s Dave Hembroff. "This year, we are expanding the opportunities for riders to experience the fun and excitement of these self-directed riding competitions."
AMA Grand Tours are unique road-riding contests that lay out a unique list of requirements and a deadline by which participants must complete them. The events are popular because they allow riders to accomplish the goals on their own schedule and at their own pace.
The AMA Grand Tours Series continues to grow with the backing of Kampgrounds of America (KOA) and the series’ other prize sponsors. Five AMA-chartered riding clubs will each present a uniquely themed Grand Tour.
"These clubs have years of experience with road events," Hembroff said. "With their help and imagination, this is looking to be our most rewarding Grand Tour season yet!"
All participants in AMA Grand Tours receive a year-long discount card for stays at KOA Kampgrounds in the United States and Canada, as well as other gifts from the promoting clubs. All riders who finish an AMA Grand Tours Series with KOA Along the Way event will earn one entry in the series grand prize drawing to be held in December. Riders who complete at least four of the five Grand Tours will receive a Master Grand Tourer certificate from AMA Riding, as well as an extra entry into the grand prize drawing.
More information, as well as an online sign-up form, can be found at www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/GrandTours09.asp.
The five Grand Tours that will make up the 2009 AMA Grand Tours Series with KOA Along the Way are:
The Color the World with KOA Grand Tour presented by the Midnight Riders
Riders are required to find at least 30 destinations with one of 10 colors in their names, such as White County or Silver Creek, and take a picture of their bike there. The surprise comes in that you won’t know how many points you’ve earned until the end of the Grand Tour, when the Midnight Riders will draw cards to determine how many points will be assigned to each color. The rider with the most points wins a prize. Some riders will hedge their bets and collect many colors. Others will gamble and collect several of one. Participants in this Grand Tour will earn bonus points for visiting KOA’s motorcycle-friendly camping resorts. For details, visit www.midnight-riders-mc.com.
The Grand Tour of Ireland presented by the Irish Riders Motorcycle Club
You won’t need a shamrock for luck as you take on this AMA Grand Tour because the Irish Riders will provide all the direction you need to visit destinations harkening back to the ol’ Sod, earning points along the way. Participants in this Grand Tour will earn bonus points for visiting KOA’s motorcycle-friendly camping resorts. Find more information and to sign up, visit www.irishridersmc.com.
The American Roadside Attractions Grand Tour presented by Road Winders Motorcycle Club
What could be more American than an 11-foot ball of twine or an auto graveyard known as Carhenge? Do you want to find out? The Road Winders want to help you find as much real American roadside kitsch as possible. Make sure you have your camera ready and get on the road! Participants in this Grand Tour will earn bonus points for visiting KOA’s motorcycle-friendly camping resorts. E-mail hogman19053@yahoo.com for more details.
The Ride with the AMA Classic Grand Tour presented by the Dayton Motorcycle Club, celebrating the AMA’s 85th Anniversary
Do you know what the towns of Jamaica Plain, Mass.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; and Panama City, Fla., have in common? Well, for starters they’re all stops on this year’s AMA National Grand Tour. They’re among the 400 cities and towns in the United States that have "A-M-A" somewhere in their name. Last run in 2003, this year’s Classic Grand Tour celebrates the AMA’s 85 years protecting and promoting the interests of motorcyclists. Participants in this Grand Tour will earn bonus points for visiting KOA’s motorcycle-friendly camping resorts. Dust off the atlas, do some planning and come along. Find out how at www.daytonmc.com.
The USA Four Corners Grand Tour presented by the Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA)
This Grand Tour is for serious-mileage riders only. The point of this extreme Grand Tour is to visit the four geographic corners of the United States. Easy, right? The catch is you have 21 days to do it. If you feel up for it, the four official checkpoints are: San Ysidro, Calif.; Blaine, Wash.; Madawaska, Maine; and Key West, Fla. Complete rules and a sign-up form are available at www.usa4corners.org.
