{"id":2433,"date":"2008-05-01T00:00:52","date_gmt":"2008-05-01T04:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/2008\/05\/new-liskeard-bikers-reunion\/"},"modified":"2020-04-06T11:09:28","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T15:09:28","slug":"new-liskeard-bikers-reunion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/2008\/05\/new-liskeard-bikers-reunion\/","title":{"rendered":"New Liskeard Bikers Reunion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Outstanding<\/strong> is the first word that comes to mind describing The New Liskeard, Ontario Bikers Reunion. The motocross and free-style bikes, strongman competitions, vendors with motorcycle gear from A-Z, show and shine, western rodeo events, music and more, offers something for everyone. Add some of the most scenic winding Northern Ontario roads plus amazing motorcycle-friendly people and we\u2019re talking a biker\u2019s paradise.<\/p>\n

Next, Community-spirit<\/strong> describes The Bikers Reunion that takes place each Canada Day weekend in New Liskeard. The 2007 event raised over $80,000\u2014topping total funds for Temiskaming Hospital Community Care Centre, in excess of $250,000 over the past four years. Over 500 volunteers out of this small, close-knit community of 5,000\u2014from school teams to karate classes, fireman, police, seniors and church groups, merchants and business owners\u2014make the visiting motorcyclists feel welcome and ensure everyone has a good time.<\/p>\n

Family<\/strong> is the bottom-line with The Bikers Reunion. It\u2019s a motorcycle event on an international scale, that makes a clear effort to ensure toddlers to seniors, young and old, bikers and not, are equally comfortable and entertained. No, this isn\u2019t a light-weight party\u2014you don\u2019t have time to even reflect on the absence of a burnout pit or wet t-shirt contest, because there\u2019s just so much more going on. At the end of the day it\u2019s all about having fun while fighting a disease that has affected all families.<\/p>\n

For me, it began with the arrival of the first yellow Bikers Reunion sign at BikerTV HQ in the fall of 2006. Soon to follow was a myriad of emails, telephone calls and faxes. Then I started noticing yellow Bikers Reunion signs at bike shops and shows from coast-to-coast. The capper was when a transport truck delivered a massive crate of \u2018Bikers Reunion Wants You! \/ Biker TV\u2019 signage for our annual spring launch party. At that moment both BTV host Heather Ireland and I knew where we\u2019d be on Canada Day weekend\u2014meeting our new friend Barry Phippen, sign-maker extra-ordinaire and chairman of The Bikers Reunion.<\/p>\n

It was a brisk, sunny, yet windy Thursday afternoon of Canada Day weekend 2007 on Highway 400 north. We knew we were in the north country after the sun dropped during the two-hour home-stretch from North Bay to New Liskeard on Hwy 11. There was thick, icy fog in the hollows, but we were guided in clearly by the ever-increasing frequency of The Bikers Reunion yellow signs.<\/p>\n

Early Friday morning, the powerful dark, gray sky spoke rain, but the town of New Liskeard was in full-gear. The streets were closed to cars, but filled with people and motorcycles of every shape and size. Cruisers, sport bikes, customs and enduros with plates from many States and Provinces were rolling in from all directions. In the sea of riders, were large numbers of Yamaha Star Riders, Gold Wing and Valkyrie Clubs, plus Harley Owners Group members from chapters largely in Michigan and Ontario. Pins in a map of the world indicated visitors from as far away as Germany, Colombia and Britain as well as most states and provinces.<\/p>\n

Of course, dotting the landscape in all directions were yellow signs; welcoming bikers, thanking residents, thanking motorcyclists, offering advice, directions, paying tribute, telling stories, history tips and praising local businesses. They were literally everywhere.<\/p>\n

The scale and setup of the grounds was world-class centering around the \u2018Refuge Palace,\u2019 the biggest tent I\u2019ve ever seen. The Refuge Palace was an area for campers to congregate if the weather turned fowl. Colourful vendor and food tents lined makeshift streets, with all roads leading to the campground dubbed \u2018Tent City\u2014You Won\u2019t Find a Nicer Place to Rest Your Head,\u2019 marked, of course, with a huge yellow sign. The waterfront location of \u2018Tent City\u2019 on the shores of Lake Temiskaming was stunning, although with the daunting clouds in the distance, the dark choppy waters looked mighty cold.<\/p>\n

That afternoon, ten minutes into the Elk Lake \u2018Early Bird Ride,\u2019 I was stopped because of a torrential downpour. A few dozen hard-core riders led by members of the OPP Golden Helmets weathered on, including Heather who will never let us live that one down. I was thinking about the camera gear and I\u2019m sticking to it.<\/p>\n

Back to the waterfront, we finally met Barry Phippen, life-long buddy Marty Maille and many others of The Bikers Reunion organizing committee. They\u2019ve taken the event a long way from the first year with one BBQ outside Barry\u2019s shop to being one of Canada\u2019s top motorcycle events drawing more than 20,000 people and 3,000 motorcycles. They work 7 days a week, 12 months of the year to make it all happen and have no intentions of slowing down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe answer to why we do this is simple, when you look around,\u201d says soft-spoken, yet clearly determined Barry Phippen. \u201cYoung kids, grandparents and families all having a good time. It doesn\u2019t get better than this.\u201d I knew there was likely more to it, but that was good enough for now.<\/p>\n

I just had to ask about all the yellow signs and just then the \u2018The Fabulous Banner Boys\u2019 entered; Barry\u2019s dad, Bun Phippen at 82, and his side-kick Eric Campsall at a young 84. They drive a colourful \u2018The Bikers Reunion\u2019 pickup truck that claims \u2018150 years of experience.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the fifty\u2014he\u2019s the one hundred,\u201d playfully jabs Bun.<\/p>\n

The two men are the chief architects of the most impressive signage I\u2019ve ever seen.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s really quite a powerful spectacle unto itself.<\/p>\n

Of course, one can\u2019t expect a straight answer out of these two ambitious pranksters, so I\u2019m ready when I ask them why they work day and night for weeks setting up hundreds of signs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you say no to a ten-foot Heather Ireland,\u201d chuckles Eric.<\/p>\n

Sure it rained on and off throughout the weekend, but it didn\u2019t dampen anyone\u2019s spirits.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Refuge Center\u2014Big Top\u2019 was constantly buzzing with great music, food and drinks. It was a spacious sanctuary to hundreds and just a few steps away from the colourful tents that filled \u2018Tent City.\u2019<\/p>\n

At times vendor alley was a hectic and crowded place, but beaming with country values and charm. Locals and visitors alike were having a terrific time and the vibe was not only positive\u2014it was electric. Rumour has it Elvis was even in the neighbourhood!<\/p>\n

On hand was local girl, Trillium Muir\u2014\u2018The World\u2019s Fastest Woman.\u2019 She grew up passionate about horses on her family farm just outside of New Liskeard. Now a Youth Correctional Officer in Sudbury, her interest turned to motorcycles in a big way and she recently set a world-record of 331.94 km\/h. Energetic and fun loving, Trillium is quite an inspiration. \u201cI tell many of the woman I work with that if a girl like me from a small town can set a world-record, there\u2019s nothing they can\u2019t do!\u201d she says with a grin and giggle.<\/p>\n

The Sunday highlight of the weekend is The Terry Phippen Memorial Ride. The \u2018Eight Miles of Motorcycles\u2019 was lead by Lise Grenier, veteran of the OPP Golden Helmets and a handful of her colleagues. \u201cRain or shine, this is what motorcycling is all about,\u201d adds Officer Grenier. \u201cMotorcyclists getting out riding for a great cause.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead of a poker or dice run, the 3000 bike column travels through New Liskeard converging on Temiskaming Hospital where all the patients and nurses are given a rose and a gift bag. Beaming smiles radiate from staff, residents and bikers alike. It\u2019s quite a sight.<\/p>\n

Outside the front door, Barry Phippen is clearly moved. \u201cWe brought my brother here on the back of a bike, he died shortly after. My Mom passed away weeks later from cancer as well. Everyone here today is riding for someone like my bro.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bikers Reunion Webmaster, Val Boal touched us all. After four years as a key volunteer, she was diagnosed with cancer in recent months. \u201cIt\u2019s the roughest ride you\u2019ll ever be on and you\u2019ll never know until you\u2019re there,\u201d Val states emotionally. \u201cIt just doesn\u2019t affect you, it hits your friends and family and every aspect of your life. I\u2019d like to thank the Temiskaming Hospital and The Bikers Reunion for their generous help. This ride really does make a difference.\u201d Sadly, after a tough, courageous battle, we\u2019ll be riding for Val as well on future rides.<\/p>\n

From the hospital we\u2019re back on the winding northern roads along lakes, rivers and many open fields for 120 km through towns like Cobalt, Haileybury, Earlton and back to New Liskeard. Hundreds of people lined the highway waving at the bikes and many displaying signs welcoming and thanking bikers. The weather held and the day was about as good as it gets.<\/p>\n

A terrific party followed with live music, food and the Grand Prize draw of a new Yamaha motorcycle donated by Yamaha Canada and its Northern Ontario dealers.The 2007 winner was Gord Wilson of Waverley, Ontario. Over Lake Temiskaming was the biggest fireworks display I\u2019ve ever seen and a massive good old campfire closed the event on Sunday night. A fine long weekend for a fine cause.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no surprise that The Bikers Reunion is growing to become one of Canada\u2019s biggest biker events\u2014it\u2019s got the biggest heart. It\u2019s one of the best-organized events anywhere and even better, the roads, scenery and people in Northern Ontario can\u2019t be beat.<\/p>\n

See you there!<\/p>\n

Be sure to mark June 27-30 on your calendar for The 2008 Bikers Reunion. For more information including maps and mileage charts go to www.bikersreunion.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Outstanding is the first word that comes to mind describing The New Liskeard, Ontario Bikers Reunion. The motocross and free-style bikes, strongman competitions, vendors with motorcycle gear from A-Z, show and shine, western rodeo events, music and more, offers something for everyone. Add some of the most scenic winding Northern Ontario roads plus amazing motorcycle-friendly people […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[373,39],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nLiskeard Bikers Reunion in Northern Ontario - Motorcycle Mojo<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The fun never stops at the Liskeard Bikers Reunion, with live music great food and friendly people every year is a blast!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/2008\/05\/new-liskeard-bikers-reunion\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Liskeard Bikers Reunion in Northern Ontario - 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