Yankee Beemers Convene At Lime Rock

SALISBURY, CT – The sound of screaming Porsches driving on the racetrack provided an aural backdrop Friday afternoon as members of the Yankee Beemers Motorcycle Club rode into Lime Rock Park and began setting up tents. Between 60 and 80 club members and other guests were expected for the three-day rally and campout.

“They love coming here because of the beauty, the environment. It’s a motorhead’s paradise,” said Jack Phelps, who is co-chairing the rally with John Shields.

This is the fourth year that Yankee Beemers have come to Lime Rock Park, using it as base camp for rides in the tri-state area. The rally benefits Survive the Drive, a non-profit organization in Lakeville, CT that provides risk awareness presentations and safe driving instruction.

Coming over from Poughkeepsie, NY for just the afternoon was Michael Friedle, who had to go home to teach Motorcycle Safety Foundation classes over the weekend.

Michael Friedle and his 1977 BMW R 100 S

Friedle was riding a 1977 BMW R 100 S, but owns five other BMWs and two Nortons. This is the fourth year that he made it to Lime Rock for the Yankee Beemers outing. “It’s a great track. It’s a beautiful area,” he said.

Milo Geyelin and his 2016 BMW S 1000 XR

Milo Geyelin, who lives in Glen Ridge, NJ and is a member of the CitiBeemers in New York City, arrived on a new 2016 S 1000 XR. He’s owned it for a week and has put 300 miles on it so far. “I demoed it and I was just blown away by the lightness, the speed, the power,” he reported. This is his second time attending the Yankee Beemers rally.

Martin Lopez and his 2012 BMW R 1200 RT

First time attendee Martin (pronounced “Mar-teen”) Lopez of North Bergen, NJ, and also a CitiBeemers member, had a camping rig that not only offered him protection from the elements but also covered his 2012 BMW R 1200 RT. “In the rain, you stay bone dry,” he said, explaining that the tent only weighs 11 pounds and can be folded into a 21″ by 7″ package.

Rally co-chairmen John Shields and Jack Phelps with Ken Engelman

Riding up from Branford, CT on Friday afternoon to bring a little national perspective to the event was Ken Engelman, director of business development for the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.

The Yankee Beemer rally runs through Sunday.