Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally
Sep 17th, 2008 through Sep 23rd, 2008
Ruidoso, New Mexico has been the site of motorcycle rallies since 1971. At that time, a touring motorcycle rally called Aspencade was started by Til Thompson. This event so inspired Bill Dutcher that he got permission to name his fledgling touring rally Aspencade East in 1983. Aspencade East was renamed Americade in 1986, and has gone on to become the worlds largest touring motorcycle rally. Aspencade later became known as the Ruidoso Motorcycle Festival, but in 1986 Ron Andrews founded the Golden Aspen Motorcycle Association, and the event was named the Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally. This name only hints at the beauty presented by the annual color turning of the Aspen trees during this time.
Like its spring counterpart, AspenCash Motorcycle Rally, Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally offers the biker some great riding! Whether it is the mountain switchbacks that lead you close to the peak of the 12,000 foot Sierra Blanca, or the roads leading to ghost towns from a historic past, there is a destination for every type of biker. Top this off with a much larger trade show (over 86,000 square feet of vendors), and there is something for every biker to enjoy.
Motels and Camping Near
Typical Events at Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally
A partial list of events is provided here, but I highly recommend going to the official website, listed below, to get a detailed listing as well as a schedule.
- Bike Contests
- Motorcycle giveaway
- Free meals
- Poker Runs
- Live music throughout the event, at numerous locations
- Vendors - for about anything a biker would want
Official Website (for further information)
- Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally www.motorcyclerally.com/page4.htm
Motorcycle related laws to know while attending Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally
One of the common complaints when returning from a major motorcycle rally is about the law being rampant, and giving tickets out for every minor infraction. While we cannot stop all tickets from being given, some of those tickets are due to you, the attendee, not being aware of some of the standard laws in the state. Below are some of the most common laws for New Mexico. Be aware, though, that many rally locations have recently passed local ordinances that may be more strict than the state law. For example, a new noise ordinance was passed in Myrtle Beach just in time for the 2005 Fall Rally. I make every effort to keep this information up to date, but you may want to research them more just prior to going to an event, just in case they have changed.
| Helmet Usage | Required by law under age of 18, reflectorization required |
| Eye Protection | Required by law unless equipped with windscreen |
| Daylight headlights | Modulating headlight permitted |
| Passenger Seat | Required if carrying a passenger |
| Passenger footrests | Required if carrying a passenger |
| Mirrors | Required |
| Turn Signals | Required |
| Mufflers | No acoustical criteria |
| Max Noise Level | No acoustical criteria |
| Handlebar Height | No Restrictions |
| Riding two abreast | Not referenced |