Griffith Park Sidecar Rally Separates The 'Bullshit From The Ice-Cream'

The 42nd annual Sidecar Rally is happening this Sunday September 15th, 2013 from 9AM - 3PM in Griffith Park, Los Angeles; we're told you should come early.

In 1969, Doug "Mr. Sidecar" Bingham started making sidecars and the same year, he created the Sidecar Rally in Griffith Park; it's been going strong ever since.

The family affair brings out more than 15,000 spectators. "There's nothing wrong with a wet t-shirt contest but there's a time and a place for that, this is a family event. You won't see any rides or contests” says Bingham, ‟we just get a bunch of people together who like sidecars and something unusual happens”.

Expect to see several hundred sidecars from Harley Davidson, BMW, Royal Enfield and of course Urals: vintage to modern to home-built.

If you're a Jay Leno fan, you can say 'hi'. He normally comes out from his warehouse close by. You may also catch a glimpse of Schwarzenegger and a few other Hollywood motorcycle lovers and celebs.

Bingham is ‟the” custom sidecar guy who started the event. Many of his own custom built sidecars or "hackers" will be showcased including a new build fresh out of the moulding, which would be something new for the Sidecar Rally this year.

Starting out as an AMA sidecar road racer, Bingham went on create a legacy in sidecars. He built the sidecars that shot a number of Olympic marathon races and is also inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Bingham compares a sidecar ride to "sitting in a lounge chair. The passenger can be seated comfortably with their legs crossed, reclining and drinking a coke. You can't do that on a trike!"

The appeal of sidecars as somewhat akin to travelling in a convertible. You steer like a car, and there's no leaning involved. In California, sidecar drivers need only a car license, no motorcycle license required and only the pilot needs to wear a helmet.

When we asked Bingham what he says to those motorcycle purists who look down on sidecars, he replies ‟I separate the bullshit from the ice cream! Did you ever ride one? It's like me telling your wife what it's like to give birth”!

Where a solo bike must be very careful, a sidecar can regale. Bingham explains that sidecars can actually do what solo bikes can't do. For example, if you take a 750 Honda and race it against a sidecar guy, but let the latter pick the course, the sidecar guy will win every time! He'd choose gravel on every turn, a dirt road and if it's winter, an ice trail. It makes sense doesn't it?

"The best thing of all is when you're riding a sidecar, you're a big spectacle. Everyone sees you, people slow down to let you in, no one cuts you off, you're a celeb."

I'm sorry I'm going to miss this one. If you go and want to display your sidecar, there is a $10 charge. Money goes to help defray advertising and show costs.

More sidecar photos at http://www.ridermagazine.com

Ride on!