Pitch, Putt And Peruse

Pitch, Putt and Peruse

ROUNDUP

ANYONE WHO HAS EVER ADMIRED CLASSIC BIKES CAN REJOICE IN THE return of two amazing events in 2010, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering at Quail Lodge Monterey, California, returns on Saturday, May 8, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday August 15.

Unfortunately, the short-lived Legend of the Motorcycle, which was held 2006-08 at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California, is another victim of the current economic recession. Efforts to move the event to Torrey Pines near San Diego never materialized. It was a premier event that will be sadly missed.

It may have been a glaring omission that the gold-standard of classic-car shows ignored motorcycles for six decades, but after a successful debut in 2009 (pictured at right), bikes will return to Pebble Beach's 18th fairway. "The histories of motor cycles and automobiles are intertwined and many people love both," said Sandra Button, Chairman of the Pebble Beach event. "So the addition of motorcycles to the Pebble Beach

Concours d'Elegance made a great deal of sense-it was perhaps even a bit overdue."

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering returns in nearly the same format established at its successful intro duction a year ago. The formula is simple: lots of manicured grass, white tents, classy bikes and good food, all in a resort destination setting~ Festivities include a vintage motorcycle tour through the Monterey countr~'side and a Bonhams and Butterfields auction. Cycle World is once again sponsoring the Elegance in Action award. For more information, visit www. quaillodgeevents.com -Robert Stokstad