Superstition meets leather & pipes, Lake-side in Port Dover.
If you are looking to partake in one of the more unusual biker rallies in Canada, point your wheels to small town Port Dover. Every time the calendar falls on Friday the 13th, the town hosts a biker rally like no other. So much for broken mirrors and black cats, this town gets out their bikes for one heck of a ride. The event has exploded in popularity and when the dates fall in the summer months you can expect the town of just over 6,000-residents to balloon into over 100,000-people and bikes.
The origins of a new tradition
It’s here in 1981 that a ramshackle idea amongst a few beer-buddies to get together on motorbikes for a ride around the area has been gaining traction over the years. Organized by Chris Simmons, of the well-known biker shop in Port Dover, “Biker’s Delight”. Chris is said to be rather infamous in the area due to his motorcycle passion, suitcase full of Friday the 13th newspaper clippings, and ability to draw such attention to his town. You could ask anyone on two-wheels in the area, and they’ve heard of Chris and the superstition-based event.
More than just a ride
With such a massive attendance they aim to do more than just ride bikes. There is the Budweiser sponsored stage with a number of musical acts geared towards the biker crowd. This is held outdoors in the warmer parts of the year, then they bring it all indoors when things get a bit cooler. With the proceeds from the entertainment acts going to support local associations like Port Dover minor hockey.
If you fancy yourself a foodie the town has a spread of options. Each restaurant gets in on the action with anything from typical burgers and dogs, to some local delicacies like the perch or pickerel fish dinners or the towns infamous celery bread. There is also a number of onsite vendors where you can pick up some motorbike geared goods or specific Port Dover Friday the 13th swag.
Whose invited you ask?
Perhaps you were not lucky enough to be from small-town Canada, in this case you will be happy to know all walks of life are invited with open arms, heck you might even sneak in with your Rav4. You can expect to see cruisers, customs, choppers and trikes on display. With a number of garage customs that will stop you in your tracks. Some of these designs featuring a spot for your pooch, skulls of steel, some nitrous boosters, bikes so low you question their capabilities and some Mad Max lookalikes. Check out some of my photos for a taste of the steel eye-candy.
It’s no coincidence that 100,000-people have grown to like such a unique event, and it has had me coming back time and again. Small town friendly atmosphere, local food, camping, a place to show off your motorcycle project or get ideas for your next dream-ride. Pack up your ladder and broken mirrors, spill some salt, and let the black cats loose on your way to the Port Dover Motorcyle Rally. When you’re looking for like-minded moto-enthusiast it’s the place to be. With one-hundred schedule dates from Friday November 13th, 1981, to Friday, January 13th 2040, you’ll never be unlucky again.
Have a look at my personal photos and click the links for what it’s like to be part of such a great event.
Friday 13 Motorcycle Rally 2013
Friday 13 Motorcycle Rally 2016
Friday 13 Motorcycle Rally 2017