In motorbike circles ‘Biker Mecca’ refers to the International Bikers Rally held annually in Faro. This year the ‘Faro 2013’, as it is known locally, takes place from 18th to 21st July and the Algarve is gearing up for this massive 32nd annual event.
Dig out your leathers and get ‘on yer bike’ for what is thought to be the largest bike meet outside of the USA. This event attracts tens of thousands of bikers every year for a four-day jamboree. Arriving from all over the world as well as from all over Portugal, thousands of bikers turn up before the rally starts, and many stay for a longer holiday after the event.
Organisation
Moto Clube Faro takes on the mammoth task of organising this enormous gathering each year with President of the club, Jose Amaro, leading the way. The meet is held in Vale das Almas just outside Faro airport where the grounds are maintained all year and prepared for the rally by Moto Clube Faro members and volunteers. A large camping area with toilet and shower facilities is set up, marquees and canopies for shade are provided and a massive stage with all its paraphernalia is erected. For months in advance volunteers work to prepare for the biggest party in Europe.
Rally entrance
The cost of the rally is met by a reasonable entry fee (€45 last year) and in return you receive a ‘doggy bag’ of gifts, including a T shirt, a badge, a sticker and coupons for free meals as well as tickets for a chance to enter the draw with grand prizes of a brand new motorcycle and a free week in Daytona. The entry also includes access to the camping grounds, all concerts and shows, and free shuttle buses to get around. For those wishing to only sample a little of the Meet, one-day passes are also available.
Both residents and businesses welcome the bikers, who give the local economy a big boost.
Biking events & entertainment
Stunt riding, custom shows and competitions, a huge Biker Market selling everything and anything related to bikes and biking, and of course the parades and rides through the region are part and parcel of the event.
Aside from the grand draw, the rally features wet tee shirt contests, tattoo artists and competitions, music and shows ranging from classical to rock, local dancing, clowns and stilt-walkers and much more. Friday and Saturday night are dedicated to festival style rock concerts with many bands performing.
The rally offers all kinds of food and drink available around the clock, and with beer on offer at around €2 for a pint, there is definitely a party atmosphere. Taking your own food and drink inside the event is also an option. People who have attended before say ‘It’s noisy, it’s busy, it’s friendly, it’s lively with non-stop entertainment – don’t expect to get much sleep!’
Kids can party too!
A large covered play area is fully staffed during the day-time and provides entertainment, fun & games, face painting, music, a play area and is an excellent secure area for kids to have a good time while their parents are riding or partying.
Heavy metal
We’re not talking about the weight of a fully customised motorbike! When the heavy metal band, Iron Maiden, headed the entertainment in 2011 for the 30th anniversary bash, there were 30,000 bikers and fans in attendance. The headliner for this year is British heavy metal band Saxon, who have firmly established themselves as one of the most popular metal bands across Europe. Expect a big turn-out!
Safety & Security
Volunteers step up as Marshalls at the rally and on the streets, while the local military and police are a visible presence. There is a fully staffed medical centre on site, and the local bombeiros (volunteer firemen) are also on hand. Past events have proven that everyone is there to have a good time and the atmosphere is wonderful with very few problems. Gate security and administration is managed by the Moto Clube and is very well organised.
Come to Faro and join the fun!
With each loud rev of the bikes, the adrenalin flows and the town is taken over for four days. The bikers are a gentle crowd whose only interest are their beloved bikes, which they love to show off to all and sundry. For four exciting days rock music, tattoos, leathers, bandanas and yes, bikes - rule!
Have you experienced the Faro International Bikers Rally? What was the best thing about it?
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Algarve International Bikers Rally
by Sun’s Dragon
Biker Mecca
In motorbike circles ‘Biker Mecca’ refers to the International Bikers Rally held annually in Faro. This year the ‘Faro 2013’, as it is known locally, takes place from 18th to 21st July and the Algarve is gearing up for this massive 32nd annual event.
Dig out your leathers and get ‘on yer bike’ for what is thought to be the largest bike meet outside of the USA. This event attracts tens of thousands of bikers every year for a four-day jamboree. Arriving from all over the world as well as from all over Portugal, thousands of bikers turn up before the rally starts, and many stay for a longer holiday after the event.
Organisation
Moto Clube Faro takes on the mammoth task of organising this enormous gathering each year with President of the club, Jose Amaro, leading the way. The meet is held in Vale das Almas just outside Faro airport where the grounds are maintained all year and prepared for the rally by Moto Clube Faro members and volunteers. A large camping area with toilet and shower facilities is set up, marquees and canopies for shade are provided and a massive stage with all its paraphernalia is erected. For months in advance volunteers work to prepare for the biggest party in Europe.
Rally entrance
The cost of the rally is met by a reasonable entry fee (€45 last year) and in return you receive a ‘doggy bag’ of gifts, including a T shirt, a badge, a sticker and coupons for free meals as well as tickets for a chance to enter the draw with grand prizes of a brand new motorcycle and a free week in Daytona. The entry also includes access to the camping grounds, all concerts and shows, and free shuttle buses to get around. For those wishing to only sample a little of the Meet, one-day passes are also available.
Both residents and businesses welcome the bikers, who give the local economy a big boost.
Biking events & entertainment
Stunt riding, custom shows and competitions, a huge Biker Market selling everything and anything related to bikes and biking, and of course the parades and rides through the region are part and parcel of the event.
Aside from the grand draw, the rally features wet tee shirt contests, tattoo artists and competitions, music and shows ranging from classical to rock, local dancing, clowns and stilt-walkers and much more. Friday and Saturday night are dedicated to festival style rock concerts with many bands performing.
The rally offers all kinds of food and drink available around the clock, and with beer on offer at around €2 for a pint, there is definitely a party atmosphere. Taking your own food and drink inside the event is also an option. People who have attended before say ‘It’s noisy, it’s busy, it’s friendly, it’s lively with non-stop entertainment – don’t expect to get much sleep!’
Kids can party too!
A large covered play area is fully staffed during the day-time and provides entertainment, fun & games, face painting, music, a play area and is an excellent secure area for kids to have a good time while their parents are riding or partying.
Heavy metal
We’re not talking about the weight of a fully customised motorbike! When the heavy metal band, Iron Maiden, headed the entertainment in 2011 for the 30th anniversary bash, there were 30,000 bikers and fans in attendance. The headliner for this year is British heavy metal band Saxon, who have firmly established themselves as one of the most popular metal bands across Europe. Expect a big turn-out!
Safety & Security
Volunteers step up as Marshalls at the rally and on the streets, while the local military and police are a visible presence. There is a fully staffed medical centre on site, and the local bombeiros (volunteer firemen) are also on hand. Past events have proven that everyone is there to have a good time and the atmosphere is wonderful with very few problems. Gate security and administration is managed by the Moto Clube and is very well organised.
Come to Faro and join the fun!
With each loud rev of the bikes, the adrenalin flows and the town is taken over for four days. The bikers are a gentle crowd whose only interest are their beloved bikes, which they love to show off to all and sundry. For four exciting days rock music, tattoos, leathers, bandanas and yes, bikes - rule!
Have you experienced the Faro International Bikers Rally? What was the best thing about it?
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.