Dave "Caveman" Crouch of Danville rides into Weirs Beach during the opening of Motorcycle Week 2003. Crouch is a national road captain for Covenant One in the Son, a Christian motorcycle ministry based in Ashland, Kan. (Citizen Photo/Kevin Sperl)

Bike Week revs up: Motorcyclists streaming in for anniversary of gathering

By BEA LEWIS

Staff Writer

MEREDITH — Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant has become a familiar stop for motorcyclists.

The hilltop eatery, which hosted the kick-off breakfast for the 80th annual Rally and Race Week, shares some similar roots with the event.

Opened in 1954 as a 12-seat restaurant that specialized in turkey sandwiches and dinners, Hart’s can now seat some 500 people and has become a major player in the hospitality industry.

Similarly, Motorcycle Weekend has watched its beginnings expand from a crude dirt track at what is now Gunstock to the majesty of the magic mile at New Hampshire International Speedway and attracts hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists.

On Sunday, motorcyclists began to arrive at Hart’s about 8:30 a.m., about a half hour later than if it had been a sunny day, said hostess Linda Brown who has witnessed her fair share of bike weeks. Brown like many other people who work in the hospitality industry in the Lake Region are predicting a good turnout for the event and say the proof is in the larger number of bikes that have arrived earlier.

"There are a lot of bikes around," she said.

"Enjoy your breakfast," she continues as she directed a steady line of motorcyclists into one of the restaurant’s main dining rooms to eat a hearty buffet breakfast of scrambled eggs, home fries, sausage, bacon, french toast, maple syrup, blueberry muffins, yogurt, danish, juice and coffee.

After rain fell during 21 of May’s 31 days, organizers are hoping the sun will shine at least occasionally on the legions of bikers expected to head to Laconia for the event that is now considering part of the triple crown of motorcycle events along with Daytona in Florida and Sturgis in South Dakota.

George Comeau, of Deltona, Fla., a retired pressman and field representative for the America Motorcycle Association, was among those who stood in the parking lot at Hart’s chatting with other bikers.

Comeau says his arrival in Laconia marked the start of a 28 day stint he’ll spend on the rode aboard his Honda Gold Wing attending a series of rallies.

"I like the comfort," he says, nodding towards the posh white bike with its wide seat, windshield and roomy fiberglass saddlebags.

Attending his first bike week in 1958, Comeau explained, he’s missed some intervening years but has been here for the past seven, riding to the last five.

The owner of 10 different motorcycles, Comeau concedes his heart is "in the vintage stuff."

He’s made some good friends while in Laconia and explains that he stays with a friend during the week and then returns the favor during Daytona.

Jim Sanangelo and his wife, Elaine, of Naugatuck, Conn., ate breakfast on Sunday at Hart’s with their friend, Gina Mellady. The Sanangelo’s each have their own bike, and Mellady rode as a passenger with Jim, a real estate agent.

While they encountered rain during the approximately three-hour trip to Laconia, the trio enjoyed sunny weather on Friday and a tour of the scenic Kancamagus Highway that stretches from Conway to Lincoln.

"It’s really beautiful," said Elaine Sanangelo.

The trio also made a trip to Franconia Notch to photograph the now empty Cannon Mountain cliff where the Old Man in the Mountain once protruded.

"I photographed him when he was still here. I figured I should take a picture now that he’s gone," said Jim lamenting that the state’s landmark has tumbled from his lofty perch.

While they’ll head back to Connecticut today, Jim plans to return later in the week to take part in next weekend’s festivities.

Hart’s now overlooks the new home of Meredith Harley-Davidson, which is still under construction. The Sanangelos say one-time "mom and pop" bike shops throughout New England are now rapidly expanding as part of efforts to woo more Harleys from the manufacturer — evidence of the spiraling interest in motorcycling.

Andy Ackerman, a restaurant owner in Newport, R.I., came to bike week with his son, Brett. They trailered Andy’s purple and white Triumph to the event, for Brett to ride and Andy rented a 100th Anniversary Edition Harley-Davidson from the Meredith dealership.

‘It’s fast," Ackerman said of the all silver bike that features a water-formed curved frame design.

An avid downhill ski racer as is his daughter, Ackerman is no stranger to the Lakes Region or to Gunstock.

Louann Breen of Meredith, and her husband, Jim, were among those who rode their Harley’s to Hart’s for breakfast. Astride her lipstick red bike, attired in a black leather jacket with fringed sleeves, black jeans and Harley logo boots, Breen is among the growing number of women who have exchanged their rear-seat view for a motorcycle of their own.

"I just love it," she said.

Bea Lewis can be reached at 524-3800 ext. 5969 or by e-mail merbur@ncia.net.