Roads remain safe during Laconia Motorcycle Week

LACONIA — So far, Laconia Fire Chief Tim Joubert said, emergency response has been minimal and there’s been very few safety incidents during the 102nd Laconia Motorcycle Week. 

Local leaders also warned riders about inclement weather, asked the public to remain on the scene of accidents and encouraged Canadians to come to the rally at a press conference Thursday morning at the NASWA Resort. 

“Everything’s been going very smooth,” Joubert said.

“Traffic seems to be flowing very smoothly, all of our visitors are very cooperative — great conversations and relationships with the people on Lakeside Avenue, coming up and speaking to us, really appreciate the help from everybody.”

But Joubert reiterated his appeal to the public not to leave the scene of accidents, whether they’re involved in one personally, or if they witness a wreck and call it in to emergency services.

Joubert made a similar statement at a press event Tuesday morning. A pedestrian-versus-motorcycle accident apparently occurred in the Weirs on Saturday, but police officers were not able to locate the driver or pedestrian immediately upon their response, Police Chief Matt Canfield previously told The Laconia Daily Sun.  

On Wednesday evening, during the period Gov. Kelly Ayotte was visiting the NASWA to celebrate the rally’s 102nd year by cutting an anniversary cake, firefighters received notice about a motorcycle crash in the area of the High Octane Saloon around 5:15 p.m., but nobody involved was present when they arrived. There are no known injuries associated with that accident. 

“If you happen to see an accident and call 911, please stay with that accident, so we know exactly where to go, I would like to reiterate,” Joubert said. “Please, it’s very, very important. We had another accident [Wednesday] that was called in, and we weren’t able to find anybody there, so if you happen to see it or call it in, just wait there until we arrive.” 

Moving forward, Joubert said he and Canfield agree changing weather conditions are one of their concerns. Thursday was anticipated to be hot and humid, with temperatures expected to peak in the 90s, according to a heat index.

“We really want to remind people, make sure you hydrate and have a place to get out of the sun. When you’re sitting on your motorcycle and the traffic is really backed up, it gets very, very hot,” Joubert said. “I remember two years ago, we had numerous people have heat-related issues, falling off their motorcycles. We want to make sure that you’re hydrated, you’re staying cool and have the ability to get out of the sun.”

Potential thunderstorms Thursday afternoon prompted additional warnings to vendors at the Weirs to make sure their tents were secured to avoid airborne hazards in a busy area.

“Besides that, everything is going great for us,” Joubert said. 

“Even in the overcast for part of the day [Wednesday], folks at the [Gunstock] hill climb were sunburned,” Laconia Motorcycle Week Association Deputy Director Jennifer Anderson said.

Rally Executive Director Charlie St. Clair said a smaller contingent of Canadians are in attendance this year compared to previous rallies. 

“I’ve had several people from the media and a bunch of rally-goers who have come up and said, ‘Where are all the Canadians?’” St. Clair said. “As if they didn’t know.

"We love all our visitors, obviously, and fortunately many of the people from around the country do stop by at rally headquarters, and we’re able to find out where they’re from, or they just tell us.”

Lots of riders from western Pennsylvania and Ohio, specifically around Cleveland and Columbus, made the trip out to Laconia Motorcycle Week this year, St. Clair said. 

In other anecdotes, Anderson said the Gunstock Hill Climb was a great success and drew an enthusiastic crowd. She credited the staff at the mountain and the volunteers from Ridge Runner Promotions for making this year’s event one to remember. 

A covered bridge ride Wednesday which snaked 50 riders through at least six covered bridges went well, and Ayotte’s appearance at the NASWA attracted local and state politicians and was well-received, Anderson said. The night was capped off with fireworks at Weirs Beach. 

“That was for the 102nd anniversary celebration, with cake,” she said. “That was really nice to have [the governor] come over, she took the time to speak to all of the visitors and all of the local folks that came over, so that was great.”

“We thank the Makris family for hosting our press conferences,” Anderson said.