Rider Magazine Insider

Ep. 10, Christian Dutcher, Director of Americade

Our guest is Christian Dutcher, Director of Americade, the Touratech DirtDaze Adventure Bike Rally and Rolling Thru America, a motorcycle tour company focusing on the Eastern U.S. Americade is the World’s Largest Touring Rally and takes place each year in Lake George, New York. Due to the pandemic, Americade was cancelled in 2020 and will move from June to September in 2021. We discuss what makes Americade such a special event, from the scenic rides and huge vendor area to the entertainment and family-friendly atmosphere.

Ep. 09: Melissa Holbrook Pierson, author of The Perfect Vehicle

Our guest is Melissa Holbrook Pierson, author of “The Perfect Vehicle: What It Is About Motorcycles,” widely considered one of the best motorcycle books ever written. Pierson is also the author of “The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing: Long-Distance Motorcycling’s Endless Road,” and she recently published an edited anthology, “Motorcycles Are Magic.” We discuss Pierson’s books, her love of Moto Guzzis, what it’s like to complete a SaddleSore 1000 and other topics.

Ep. 08: Rainer Buck, Edelweiss Bike Travel

Our guest is Rainer Buck, Managing Director of Edelweiss Bike Travel, a global motorcycle tour operator based in Mieming, Austria. We discuss what organized motorcycle tours are all about, from destinations to motorcycle selection to preparation to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime. Rider magazine has partnered with Edelweiss for a special “Best of Greece” tour, October 10-23, 2021, and Rainer gives us the inside scoop on riding in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. What better way to shake off any lingering pandemic blues than a bucket-list motorcycle adventure?

Ep. 07: Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing

Our guest is Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing, which includes Progressive American Flat Track as well as national hillclimb, motocross and ATV race series. Flat track racing is America’s original extreme sport, with more than a century of adrenaline-fueled history. We discuss manufacturer rivalries, legendary motorcycles and racers, and iconic tracks like the Springfield Mile. Michael gives us the low-down on Mission SuperTwins, AFT Production Twins and AFT Singles, as well as Mile, Half-Mile, Short Track and TT track formats. And he gives us a preview of the 2021 AFT season, which kicks off with a doubleheader on March 12-13 at Volusia Speedway Park during Daytona Bike Week.

Alonzo Bodden, comedian and motorcycle enthusiast

Join the editors of Rider magazine for Episode 6 of our podcast. Our guest is Alonzo Bodden, who has been a comedian for more than 20 years and rode his first motorcycle at age 7. Bodden’s stand-up special “Heavy Lightweight” is available on Amazon Prime Video, and he’s a regular panelist on NPR’s “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me.” He has done stand-up at clubs, festivals and events around the world, including motorcycle rallies such as Americade and BMWMOA. Bodden has been a guest on late-night talk shows and had roles in numerous TV shows and movies. A car and motorcycle aficionado, Bodden hosted Speed Channel’s “101 Cars You Must Drive” and Travel Channel’s “America’s Worst Driver,” and he has joined Jay Leno for several trips on his CNBC series “Leno’s Garage.”