SANDPOINT — Chrome gleamed almost as far as the eye could see down First Avenue as motorcycles of every make and model filled every available space.
Backed to the curb with headlights capturing attention — and two motorcycles held aloft by giant cranes — more than 300 motorcycles filled downtown Sandpoint as the first Sandpoint Showdown rumbled into town.
“Everyone is hanging out and having a good time,” showdown co-founder Shery Meekings said, smiling as the rumble from a motorcycle engine revving reverberated through downtown. “Loud pipes keep everyone safe, and it might be noisy for a day, but it’s our off-season, and the more things we can get to bring our community together, the better.”
Organizers said the showdown — a three-day event celebrating all things motorcycles — is the first of many. The event gives bike fans a chance to showcase custom motorcycles, compete in skills competitions, and connect with the community.
Lindsay Morgan, who works at the EnVision Community Resource Center, was among the hundreds of riders and motorcycle enthusiasts who filled downtown. As soon as she heard about the event, she said she couldn’t wait to be part of it.
The owner of a champagne pink Harley-Davidson, Morgan grew up riding dirt bikes on the family farm and was introduced to Harleys by her mother and stepfather. Past partners also rode, and eight years ago, Morgan decided she wanted a Harley of her own.
When she walked into Lone Wolf Harley-Davidson — a motorcycle dealer in Spokane Valley and one of the showdown’s sponsors — staff showed her different bikes and asked if she liked the color pink.
“Well, when you first hear ‘pink,’ you’re not sure what to think,” Morgan said. “Then they showed it to me and that was it — the end, sold. I’ve been riding it ever since.”
Morgan said there’s something special about riding a motorcycle — a feeling that’s hard to describe.
“To be honest, it’s about freedom, just having a space that’s my own,” she said. “You could just show up on your motorcycle with no expectations and just ride. I also find it super empowering to ride, especially as a female — to just get on something that’s so powerful and have absolute control over it. There’s something very soothing about it.”
There’s something about motorcycles that brings an instant connection with other riders, Morgan said.
“You’re a biker,” she said. “If you’re out on the road, on your wheels, then we’re buds. That’s kind of how the motorcycle community works, too. You’re just instantly friends.”
Bikers are a friendly, giving community, and it didn’t surprise her that the showdown is centered around helping a local nonprofit.
“There are so many nonprofit organizations that are motorcycle groups that dedicate a ton of their time giving back — especially to children, families and veterans,” Morgan said. “And the thing they have in common is that they like to ride and they have big hearts.”
Vendors at the event were also a diverse lot, with everything focused on motorcycles. Many travel from rally to rally, celebrating their love of bikes and gear. Organizers aimed to feature vendors offering items not typically found in local shops, giving attendees a chance to discover something new and encouraging them to visit downtown businesses.
Watching from his booth featuring colorful motorcycle-themed designs, Chris Loftis said he started his screen-printing business to celebrate his love for motorcycles. Soon, he was traveling to 60 to 100 shows a year across the country, including a recent show in Kansas City, Kan., and an event for Choppers Magazine.
Loftis was introduced to motorcycles by his dad. When he turned 18, he bought his first bike for $300. After fixing it up, he sold it to buy another. Before long, he bought a Harley and hasn’t looked back.
“It’s the freedom,” Loftis said. “It’s the open air blowing on your skin when you’re riding. It’s the joy of riding with other people and having this community. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from or how much money you have in your bank account — when you’re on two wheels, we’re all equal.”
He said he loves that the community has started a motorcycle rally and enjoys sharing why riders love bikes so much.
“We like to have a good time. We like our freedom, and we love supporting causes that help others,” he added.
The showdown attracted about 300 bikes — from vintage rides to showroom-new — filling First Avenue as well as portions of Cedar Street and Second Avenue.
The show featured 10 award categories, from loudest pipes to most patriotic to best overall. In addition to the bike show, the showdown included “slow races,” where riders try to go as far as they can, as slowly as possible, without putting their feet down.
Riders came from across the Inland Northwest — Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene and Spokane — as well as from California, Montana and Utah.
Walking through the show portion of the showdown, Meekings grinned at the colorful displays, diverse motorcycles and the occasional rumble of an engine.
She said she loved hearing stories from different riders — each a celebration of the joy they find in riding and giving back. Her favorite centers around a woman who often rode on the back of her boyfriend’s motorcycle until she asked, “Why am I riding on the back? I want to ride my own bike.”
Soon, the woman — 33 — bought herself a motorcycle and hasn’t looked back.
“You go, girl,” Meekings said with a grin. “I love hearing stories like that.”
In addition to the show and skills contests, numerous raffles were held to raise funds. Proceeds from the showdown will benefit Creations, a community art studio and playroom located in the Cedar Street Bridge. The volunteer-based nonprofit offers classes that inspire creativity and provide educational activities for children.
This year’s funds will support art classes for special needs students. Next year’s proceeds will go toward a train museum at the bridge.
The idea for the showdown came from conversations between longtime friends Meekings and Jones, who dreamed of bringing an event to downtown. This year, that dream became reality.
With the first showdown underway, Meekings and Jones are already exploring ways to expand the event. Possible additions include barrel racing, themed movies such as “Easy Rider” and documentaries, and a concert at The Hive.
“I think for a first-time show, first-time event, people are stoked,” Meekings said. “We didn’t know how to do it in Sandpoint or how it would go, so this year is a bit of a learning experience for us. We’ve got big plans for the years to follow.”
Marking the entrance to the show were two motorcycles held aloft by giant cranes — including one that belonged to Jose Gomez, who recently died in a boating accident. When Bleeding Hearts owners Jonathon Bates heard about organizers’ plan to hang motorcycles from cranes alongside the American flag, they approached the team with the idea to use Gomez’s bike as one of the two showcased.
“They wanted to honor him after he passed away, and we didn’t hesitate to say yes,” Meekings said. “It’s just a really special tribute.”