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.
“It’s the camaraderie and the friendship, and it’s a forever thing,” said motorcylist Lewis Leonard, who traveled from Florida for the event.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe
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.
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“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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A close up view of patches on Rudy Centola’s vest. Centola drove from Massachusetts to take part in the annual Laconia Motorcycle Week.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe
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.
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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.”
Don Carey poses for a portrait on his bike at the Laconia Motorcycle Week.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston
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.
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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.
Deo Schizas sews patches onto a leather jacket at the during this year’s Laconia Motorcycle Week at Weirs Beach. Schizas has spent that past 20 years going to biker rallies all over the country to sell and sew patches onto their jackets.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe
Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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