‘Ride or be left behind.’ Who came to New Hampshire’s iconic annual motorcycle rally? – The Boston Globe

It appeared alongside top New Hampshire politicians who showered praise on the event happening this week, which typically draws over 300,000 people to the state. That colorful cross-section of bike-loving humanity is a boon to the state’s economy.

Since Leonard first attended the rally in 1977, he said he’s been drawn back each year by the riding, the racing, and the people. He believes he’s only missed a handful of years since he started coming.

“It’s the camaraderie and the friendship, and it’s a forever thing,” he said. “We’re all from different walks of life, but during the rally, everyone is from the same place.”

Leonard traveled to the event from his home in Daytona Beach, Fla. At 65, he’s retired from a career that also revolved around motorcycles: working as a technician for Harley Davidson. But Leonard said he hasn’t retired from racing motorcycles.

Yes, accidents have taken a toll on his body over the years, he said. “But it’s still worth it.”

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Outside, on Main Street in downtown Laconia, a couple who identified themselves as Tom and Lisa said they’ve been coming to Laconia Motorcycle Week together since the ′80s. They declined to give their last names.

“We both ride, so it’s fun just to see everybody else,” said Lisa.

It’s less rowdy now than Lisa remembers it used to be. She said she misses the old days. “It’s gotten a little bit boring,” she said. But she still enjoys walking around, checking out all the motorcycles, and people watching.

The event organizers have heard that critique before. Jennifer Anderson, deputy director of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, said people are still partying these days, but they’ve relocated the merriment to their overnight accommodations. She said that’s helped reduce drinking and driving, which remains a major safety message state and local officials delivered ahead of the event.

Tom said he started riding when he was 10 years old after his older brother first introduced a bike to the family, to his parent’s dismay.

“My parents were dead set against it,” he said. It took some time, but eventually, he said, they came around to it. As a teenager, Tom said he would come to bike week and camp out with all of his friends.

Lisa started riding a motorcycle after she met Tom. “I didn’t want to be on the back,” she said. “I figured I’d be left home, so either ride or be left behind.”

Bike week isn’t for everyone. Some locals steer clear of the city altogether while the event is in full swing. Kristy Lavoie, 45, of Sanbornton, falls into that category.

“We don’t really get involved,” she said, while shopping in Laconia before the event began. “We avoid the area.”

Lavoie works in retail in Tilton, and she said it’s a busy time of year. But she’s not convinced all the traffic is coming from motorcyclists, pointing out that the region is also popular with tourists who are coming to spend time on the lakes during the warmer months.

In the 20 years Lavoie has lived in Sanbornton, she said she’s gotten used to the massive event. And luckily, she said she doesn’t notice more traffic in her hometown as a result of the event.

Motorcycle week is estimated to bring upwards of $100 million in business to the state, according to an economic analysis by the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association. The event runs through Sunday. On Thursday, there is the 31st annual POW/MIA Freedom Ride starting at 5 p.m., as well as a custom bike show, and a tattoo contest, among many other events.

On Friday, there is the annual city of Laconia Bike Show, a motorcycle rodeo, and Belknap County Nursing Home will welcome motorcycle week, inviting riders to meet the residents and show off their bikes.

A full schedule of events is available here.

Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.