New England News

There’s nothing new on television, and the new reality special “Kaplan America” that is set in Connecticut is the latest example to confirm this thesis. It premieres at 10 tonight on The Discovery Channel and unabashedly cribs elements from “American Pickers,” “American Chopper” and even “Counting Cars” with self-imposed deadline …

FALLS VILLAGE, CT – The curtain came down quietly on Toymakers Cafe this afternoon after 18½ years of serving as a gathering place for riders in Connecticut and beyond. Here are a few pics as the eatery closed. The parking lot slowly emptied… A signature sweet potato waffle got served… …

New England Motorcycle Museum owner Ken Kaplan is putting on his “Kaplan America” vigilante crimefighter garb for a new television special that will appear on the Discovery Channel next week. In the just-released promo for the show titled “Kaplan America,” he introduces himself by declaring, “I’m a motorcycle-flipping, ass-kicking, American …

Laconia Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire concluded its run on Sunday and “The Laconia Daily Sun” has a wrap-up story: By Michael Mortensen, The Laconia Daily Sun LACONIA — When Laconia Motorcycle Week promoter Charlie St. Clair and City Manager Scott Myers were asked to give their assessment of the …

WALLINGFORD, CT – It has been a riding season without swap meets or motorcycle shows because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but members of the Eagle Riders clubs from Naugatuck and Wallingford stared down the death count today by staging a show for frustrated riders. “We were tired of sitting home. …

Attendance at Laconia Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire is down this week, possibly because of the reported spread of COVID-19 by the recent Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. “The Laconia Daily Sun” has the story: By Rick Green, The Laconia Daily Sun LACONIA — Normally, the NASWA Resort, the official hotel of …

EAST HADDAM, CT – He was best known for playing consulting detective Sherlock Holmes and he lived in an opulent, odd-looking castle above the Connecticut River. Off-stage, actor William Gillette was a motorcycle enthusiast and a new video debuting today on the YouTube channel of the non-profit organization Friends of …

Laconia Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire is underway and “The Laconia Daily Sun” has a report on how it’s going: By Micheal Mortensen, The Laconia Daily Sun LACONIA — Weirs Beach was bustling Saturday, the first day of Laconia Motorcycle Week, but it did not look like other bike weeks. …

FALLS VILLAGE, CT – While a date for publication and a price still haven’t been determined yet, work continues on the soon-to-be released cookbook from the owners of Toymakers Cafe here and the editor of RIDE-CT & RIDE-New England. As first reported in mid-July, Toymakers Cafe owners Ann and Greg …

Laconia Motorcycle Week gets ready to begin in New Hampshire and “The Laconia Daily Sun” has an update on how safety is being stressed: By Michael Mortensen, The Laconia Daily Sun LOUDON — At a time that has come to be known as the new normal, promoters of Laconia Motorcycle …

The biggest biker bar in the area won’t be open during Laconia Motorcycle Week, which begins Saturday in the New Hampshire town. “The Laconia Daily Sun” has the story: By Adam Drapcho, The Laconia Daily Sun LACONIA — With Laconia Motorcycle Week approaching, you might expect that bars in the …

With Laconia Motorcycle Week a week away, organizers are pushing the need for safety precautions, while declaring as misplaced any criticism of the event being held amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Laconia Daily Sun” has the story. By Michael Mortensen, The Laconia Daily Sun LACONIA — Organizers of Laconia Motorcycle …

NASHUA, NH – A trove of old motorcycles, primarily Triumph models, along with parts and tools will be up for auction Friday when J. Wood & Company dispenses with the inventory of Gate City Cycle Center. The shop’s owner, Jerald “Dude” Wheeler, died in September. “We’re going to start with …

City officials in Laconia, NH are saying that restrictions put into place for the upcoming Laconia Motorcycle Week (Aug. 22-30) will keep the rally from turning into a super spreader event for the coronavirus pandemic. “The Laconia Daily Sun” has the story: By Michael Mortensen, The Laconia Daily Sun LACONIA …

Editor’s Note: To help inform riders in New England and beyond of the changing situation leading up to and during Laconia Motorcycle Week (Aug. 22-30) in New Hampshire, “The Laconia Daily Sun” newspaper today graciously agreed to share its coverage with RIDE-CT & RIDE-New England. Stories today report that despite …