Americade , Lake George

[Scotiarider]

Was wondering how the Americade in New York state compared with the Laconia , New Hampshire meet?
Anybody have experience at any of these events?  Was thinking of going to the Americade this year. 

[Oss]

GO

You will have a great time  Lake George can handle the number of people much better than Laconia


Now the hard part will be getting a room.  If you stay out of town like Queensbury you should find a room that wont require a full week stay.  Queensbury is 10 minutes away and it is where the SILO is  great breakfast

[Big IV]

Go up to Lake Placid and stay at the KOA Kabins. Not crowded. Nice ride away.

[SteveL]

Last year the economy was beginning it's slide and you could get rooms on the strip (main drag) at Americade. Maybe moreso this year, as the economy is still tanked.

The main differences between Americade and Laconia:

- Americade has the better roads. No matter what direction you go in from lake George, there is no comparison as far as putting on fabulous miles and great roads.
- Amerciade also has more vendors and is probably a larger attendance.
- Americade is historically more of a Touring event and is much more a touring bike crowd with large attendance from both the Harley, Honda and German bike crowds.
- It always rains at Americade, but guess what, it's the exact same thing at Laconia. It's the Northeast in the Spring, bring your warm gear.
- Americade is a great event. Go, and have a great time. Go a little further out of town for better hotel rates, but they won't be bad this year. You can stay in Rutland VT for less and ride in, or as someone else mentioned, out by Lake Placcid, maybe an hour away.

Laconia is historically a Harley event. It is being held the week of June 13th through June 20th.
- Laconia roads are nice, and going north and west makes them even nicer, but they still don't compare to the Americade roads. The Kancamangus is a fine road, but if you go to ride, you'll like Americade more.
- Laconia had the bike races, but those aren't certain this year. Check into that if it is important to you.
- Laconia and Americade police aren't real happy with straight pipes, be aware of that.

They are both a ton of fun!

[big d]

This is the fifth year in a row that the wife and I are going to americade. Not only are the roads great but so are the venders. Traditionally not as rowdy as laconia, but either is a great time due to the area.

[Scotiarider]

Thanks everyone for the great info. This is just what i'm looking for as i've never been to either event before. Anyone know how long a ride it is from Calais , Maine to Lake George. That would be taking the scenic route as i don't care for the main drags.

[SteveL]

Google Maps says it's a 9 hour route that promises to be very beautiful.


Driving directions to Calais, ME
464 mi – about 9 hours 27 mins
Via US-2 - remove
 Lake George, NY

[TWT]

Looking forward to it also. I'm planning on going, leaving near London Ont.
I should be a great ride   

[ridgeman06]

I am a bit east of Springfield, MA. I go to both every year,but just for a nice full day trip though.
I prefer Americade. It is much more spread out. Easier to get around too.
If I had to guess, I would say that Americade is 50% Harley and the rest everything else. Laconia is much more Harleyish, but all are welcome.
It can be warm at Lake George in early June. Last year, it was in the nineties on the day I went.
Definately go to both if you can.
Take care, Eric

[Scotiarider]

Sounding better all the time.  I should have said that we live in Nova Scotia, Canada .  It'll be a long ride but from what i'm hearing ,will be well worth it. Lots of great scenery along the way makes it even better! All you got to hope for is good weather.

[Fathertime]

  May be a little late, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents worth also.
  Both events, IMHO, are well worth the trip but the atmosphere of the two, at least to me, are very different.  Either event will give you the opportunity to meet loads of other riders, see tons of different bikes and spend your hard earned money along with some great riding opportunities.  There is no doubt that Americade is for the touring riders and I think much more "family" orientated.  Laconia on the other hand has a reputation for being a bit more rowdy and "adult" in nature with some of the events.  Friday night on Weirs Beach Road will show you what I mean.  That being said, I will also say I have never, ever, had a problem in NH.  If you go looking for trouble, trouble will find you where ever you go.
  One thing I do not like about Lake George is that you have to pay for just about everything.  Parking, special events and visiting the vendor area.  Perhaps its just me, but I refuse to spend money to go and spend money. LG is also a bit more condensed, most of the activity taking place with in a 5 mile radius of Canada Street in the village where NH is quite a bit more spread out.
  Laconia on the other hand is mostly free, and in my mind free is good.  Free parking at Weirs beach, no cost to visit vendors. The only cash you'll have to spend is for food & lodging, new toys for the ride and some of the organised rides such as Poker runs.  These rides BTW tend to donate the proceedings to a local charity rather than a for profit group.  If you do go to NH, you have got to take the "Ride to the sky" up Mt. Washington.
  The riding at either event is outstanding.
  I disagree with a prior comment, and it is my opinion that NH has tons more vendors.  They may be spread out more but there are more of them.  Up and down Weirs Beach Road, behind the beach and across the road at the Drive In theater are tons of vendors, not to mention pockets around the area.
  One issue that always seems to come up is the local LEO.  At either event if you do something stupid, you will have a chat with the friendly guy with the funny lights on top of his car.  Appear DWI and you will have issues.  In LG if you lift the front, smoke the rear, go too fast or have loud pipes you will get a summons.  NH keeps an eye on things also in those regards.  Park in the wrong place in NH and you will be towed.  In LG you'll get some paper on your wind shield.  Last year NYSP set up a "Safety check point" on Rt 87 and handed out a lot of tickets along with generating a load of ill-will.
  The communities at both events welcome bikes with open arms.  Hey, they know we spend tons of money and we boost the economy there for a week!  Its the local government in LG that seems to be attempting to put the brake on expansion of Americade, but thats a whole nother story.
  Yes, I enjoy Laconia tons, but I also make it a point to go to Americade every year.  Its just two different takes on the same idea and the two communities just do it a little different is all.
  Go!
  Have fun!
  Oh, I almost forgot,,,,,  Saturday at Americade I'm attempting to organize the first annual AARRG! (Adirondack Americade Rib Run and Greet)  Search my name for a prior posting for more information.

[Scotiarider]

Hey Fathertime,  thanks for the heads up.  Great info on both sites.

[Ivo]

By you Handle your from Nova Scotia.My wife and I are going with about 12 bikes from our GWRRA Prince Edward Island "A" chapter.From what they tell me its a
great time.This is our first trip in 21 years and looking forward.We are leaving
good old PEI at 9:00 May 30.maybe we will meet out on the road. We ride a
Standard Valk.   

[Scotiarider]

Good to hear from you Ivo.   Yes i'm from the Pictou area of northern Nova Scotia.  I ride a \97 standard , yellow/ black Valk.  I don't see many Valk's when i'm riding in my area. Maybe we can get together sometime . Our local Tim's seems to be a gathering point for bikes , at the rotary.

[Lil D]

i love americade - pretty area, plenty of areas to ride; tons of vendors.  Folks are nice - go every year.

Ride on!

[Scotiarider]

Hi, this is the real Scotiarider!!!!  Don't know who is replying using my handle. NOT IMPRESSED !!! Get a life !!!!!!   Ivo , i do live near Pictou NS.  Will tell you that when we drove from Lake George to Bangor, we did it in a day ride no problem. Please feel free to reply. Hopefully the person using my handle will get lost .   Scotiarider.

[FPG52]

I cannot speak for Laconia only Americade...well worth the ride...just to see 10's of thousands (I believe last year's number was 60,000 bikes).  this rally was originally named "Aspencade" as it was a 'wing' rally.  As it grew and many types of cruisers showed up they changed the name making it more generic to Americade.  I like it because you can ride the mountain roads, easy to get to, and not as rowdy as some of the other rallies; however you can find it all...local bars with bands every night  or nice restaurants; boat rides, Fort William Henry to tour too, so there is much to see if you want.  but ALL the major vendors are there so you can spend  a couple days just visiting them.  Also the additional cost is not that bad...yo can but a parking/vendor multi-day pass or just one day.  I have attached a link to the Americade site.  If you go to the "FORUM" questions under "General" message board I had started a post called "maps". Check that out because I received replies form locals who detailed nice rides, listed maps etc. 

http://www.americade.com

If you have never been you won't be disappointed...the hardest part is finding a room  I am staying in Warrensburg this year...about a nine mile ride up the road.  good luck
FPG