Stagecoach Rally 2023

February Fun in the Sun

By Robert Smith
Updated on October 30, 2023
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by Robert Smith

Discover the annual Stagecoach Classic Motorcycle Rally and hear all about the highlights of the 2023 rally, including several impressive classic bikes.

When most of the country is digging out from blizzards, sliding around on ice, or dodging showers, Southern California’s deserts are usually dry, sunny and warm. So it was for the second annual Stagecoach Classic Motorcycle Rally held near Julian in the Anza-Borrego Desert in late March.

Though principally for classic and vintage British motorcycles, all makes are welcome. This year’s weekend schedule included both on- and off-road rides, field events including a slow race, hot dog bite and slalom; live, classic rock from the Holy Frijoles; the Stagecoach Bike show; a movie night with classic motorcycle and bike racing movies on the big screen; and a wooden nickel hunt.

Rally co-sponsor JRC Engineering also offered to present a trophy, the Ton-Up Cup to the rally entrant whose motorcycle best represents the Ton-Up spirit and style, regardless of the age or marque of motorbike. Classic British Spares (CBS) and Law Tigers Motorcycle Lawyers were also major co-sponsors.

I arrived at the Rally site in time for the bike show, which many exhibitors had chosen as their time for a siesta during the afternoon heat. The first bike I noted was an early-1930s “cammy” Velocette KSS 350cc OHC single that was just leaving the site, ridden by Larry Luce.

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