Ramona Motorcycle Rally to feature bike show, races and games

by Julie Gallant

Motorcycles of all types will be riding into Ramona on Saturday, Nov. 1 for the ninth annual Ramona Motorcycle Rally.

About 2,000 attendees are expected at the family-friendly event set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 421 Aqua Lane in Ramona, said Motorcycle Rally Chairman Paul Zawilenski.

The first year the rally had about 25 people who showed up as part of the Ramona Country Fair on a Sunday morning, Zawilenski said.

“Now it’s grown into this big event,” he said. “We have people coming from all over Southern California. They get campsites. If you’re a motorcycle rider you travel to different events throughout the year. Some returning attendees have been coming to us for a number of years so that’s exciting.”

Courtesy Paul Zawilenski
Nine categories of motorcycles can enter a bike show and compete for prizes. (Courtesy Paul Zawilenski)

The event hosted by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce features a bike show, motorcycle races and biker games.

Nine categories of motorcycles can enter the bike show. The motorcycles compete for prizes for the best motorcycles in their class, said Zawilenski, a Chamber director and past president.

Following the awards, safe motorcycle games will be held. One will be a slow race for motorcycle riders to drive their bikes the slowest without tipping over, Zawilenski said.

The motorcycle races will be held in the rodeo arena.

“Everything from mini bikes to vintage motorcycles will be racing,” he said. “It’s very exciting and a lot of fun.”

Along with food and craft vendors, several bands will be playing throughout the day at the rodeo grounds pavilion. Performers include Beard and the Byrd, Ash and The Mondays, Michael Dean Goodrich and Ash Easton.

This is a very unique event for San Diego County, he said.

“We’re the only one that has done something like this that has grown into an event this big with all the different attractions,” Zawilenski said. “If you’re a motorcycle rider you travel to different events throughout the year. Some returning events have been coming to us for a number of years, so that’s exciting.”