Bikes, Beer and Babes: The 2012 Niagara Motorcycle Show

In past posts, I've mentioned different motorcycle shows and events that I think are worthwhile attending and how they can be the perfect way for you to find a bike thats the right fit for you. This week on Facebook I was invited to the 2012 Niagara Motorcycle Show, something I wasn't even aware that existed.  After looking at the shows website and FB group it looks like a pretty awesome event to check out if you have any interest in bikes, beer or babes.

Nick Lee

For $20 you can you buy a one day pass to the event which is held at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, or for $40 to you can get a three day pass.  The event is running from July 20-22 and has various components to it.  The event is classified as a trade show and along with its 250 venders there will also be live entertainment, celebrity appearances, stunt riders, a charity poker run and demo rides. If you're looking for a little customization like perhaps painting your motorcycle pink as I discussed two weeks ago, there will be custom shops present, along with leading manufactures and retailers.

Wall of Death

Even if you don't have a bike, or have no interest in purchasing one this event is still worth checking out.  Theres a food court, beer tent and even an award winning stunt show that I'm sure anyone can appreciate.  The "World Famous Wall of Death" will be present, which is a stunt show that has been running for over 30 years and has entertained thousands of spectators with its gravity defying act, along with Nick Lee and his famous 'World Burnout Tour'.  There also is going to be a 'Miss Niagara Motorcycle Pageant' which will feature 12 girls competing in various competitions to win the title 'Miss Niagara Motorcycle' and be featured on the cover of this years Niagara Motorcycle Calendar.


The event welcomes people of all ages, experience and both riders and non riders to come out, so whether you're there to shop for a new toy, appreciate some of the best bikes in town or just to drink a beer while watching a stunt show or the pageant, the 2012 Niagara Motorcycle show is sure to offer an afternoon or two of entertainment that anyone can enjoy.

"The Best Road... In the World"

I came across this road in a clip from a 2009 episode of Top Gear (see bottom), where the host,  Jeremy Clarkson, declared while driving a Austin Martin that this road was "the best road.... in the world".  While Top Gear shows this road from the perspective of a driving a car, its easy to imagine it would be just, if not more, as enjoyable on a motorcycle.  Despite its low speed limit of 40km an hour The Transfagarasan offers everything any motorcycle enthusiast could ever dream of.

So what makes a road the best road in the world?  This Romanian highway is a 90km long stretch of pavement through the tallest section of the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, connecting the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia.  It features constant twists and sharp turns, 5 tunnels, access to Balea Lake (a glacier lake that is over a 1000 years old) and reaches an altitude of 2,034 metres.

Built in in the early 1970s, it took four years to complete, used over 6 million kilograms of dynamite and claimed the lives of 40 workers.  It was used originally for military purposes; it was built as a response to the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union and used to provide quick access across the mountains.

The road now attracts motorcyclists, cyclists, hikers, drivers and thrill seekers from all around the world.  Along with the many bends, curves and natural beauty the road offers these ehnthusiastics some history as well.  Along it you can find the ruins of the Poienari fortress.  This castle was home to Vlad III the Impaler, who was the prince that inspired Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'.

So I guess to go back to the question asked earlier of 'what makes a road the best road in the world?' the answer is variety.  Where else other than the Transfagarasan road in Romania can you find this many twists, turns, tunnels, mountains, a glacier lake and some vampire history all in a 90km stretch of man made highway.