Vintage motorcycles are roaming the streets of the Ozarks this week — motorcycle enthusiasts from California, Colorado, New York, and one from Italy.
This week's “Ride” is called Small Bike, Big Adventure. The bikes were trailered in because they are small, with under 350cc engines, and older than 1972. The engines can not handle interstate speeds, and the riders are very careful to treat the antiques with love and care.
A special support crew follows the bikers to provide oil and tools; some even bring spare bikes.
Some of the bikes are Sears and Roebuck motorcycles. The Puch, Austria bike company, made the bikes for Sears, which rebadged them in the 1950s and 1960s.
Montgomery Wards also had their version of the Benelli Bikes from Italy during the same period.
The bikers were taking off for the Twisted Lady Loop, which would be 200 miles in total on Tuesday.
Biker Todd Wallis said, “This is an endurance event of like-minded bikers. We will put in 1,000 miles by the end of the week.”
The Explore Harrison team is famous for its Motorcycle Guide, which is requested by thousands of individuals interested in riding through the Ozark Mountains. Steve Shelby said a group of their bikers spied out the area last spring and knew it would be a great place to ride.
The 47 riders said they were really enjoying Harrison and thanked the community for hosting their time in the Ozarks. They are staying at local hotels and take off around 8 a.m. for the day’s ride if you’d like to watch them in action.
