Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Taking place each May at Quail Lodge in Carmel, Calif., the Quail Motorcycle Gathering is an annual event celebrating the past and present of motorcycling. As a founding sponsor, Bonhams has been actively involved in supporting this event. This year Nick Smith, Bonhams US Head of Motorcycles, led a small group from the firm’s motoring department on a 700-mile round-trip ride to the Gathering and back.
Consisting of Nick Smith, department representatives David Edwards – the legendary moto writer – and respected motoring publisher Tim Parker, the latter two also invited to be judges at the Gathering, the trio rode from Los Angeles up the coast to Carmel to spend the weekend with like-minded enthusiasts.
“Bonhams is not just an auction house,” said Nick. “We’re a company of people devoted to the subject of our professions – that’s why we love our work! The guys in the motoring department, whether that be motorcars or motorcycles or both, are riders, drivers, racers, collectors and enthusiasts and there’s nothing we’d rather be doing more than motoring, especially when it’s participating in events that support and promote the hobby.”
As part of the company’s corporate culture, Bonhams employees are encouraged to be actively involved but, as Smith says, “it doesn’t require too much encouragement to swing a leg over a bike, ride along the Pacific Ocean, admire exceptional machinery, meet fascinating people, and call it work!”
Testament to the department’s love affair with motorcycles, Smith and his team are already planning for the next Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction. As the largest motorcycle auction of the year, with new records continually being broken and set, the January sale is an exciting way to start off the New Year.
To learn more about the January 7th, 2016 sale at Bally’s Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, watch for updates at bonhams.com/vegas. To speak to Smith about consigning an important motorcycle to this auction, contact him at: nick.smith@bonhams.com or 323-436-5470.
