CELEBRATING EVERY MODE OF TRANSPORT ON TWO WHEELS
Two Wheel Sunday, five years after starting off in a northeast parking lot, has become a major street fair celebrating everything related to motorcycling.
“We’re not putting on an event,” says Don Morberg of the Two Wheel Sunday organizing committee. “Rather, we see it as providing an opportunity for a motorcycle-based street fair to grow rather organically.”
When Two Wheel Sunday’s inaugural festival appeared on the scene in 2014, it was essentially the brainchild of Bobby Baum. Baum has been involved in promoting the sport of motorcycling in Calgary for most of his life.
The way Baum tells the story, he was talking to a friend about taking the pulse of motorcycling in Calgary. That’s when the original idea, to bring all motorcycle groups, shops, riders and enthusiasts to one place at one time, was first discussed.
Baum ran with the idea, sharing it with several acquaintances and local motorcycle groups who helped make Two Wheel Sunday a reality.
Some 3,000 people attended the first fair.
“That was essentially a learning experience,” Baum explains, “and we wanted to see what direction Two Wheel Sunday would go. But from the outset, we wanted it to be a family-friendly show, with no alcohol and no stunting.”
While still actively involved with the fair, Baum stepped down as chairman after the second year because he wanted to watch it grow under the guidance of someone else. Chairman of the 2018 event is Steve Grover of Grover Law Firm.
Last year, more than 9,000 interested enthusiasts checked out Two Wheel Sunday. With those kinds of numbers, it outgrew its original venue on 3A Street NE. It’s not moving far, and remains in the Greenview Industrial area, but it will now occupy a long stretch of 5th Street NE, including the grass boulevard and the parking lots of warehouses fronting the street.
“This gives us so much more room,” Baum says.
The location is conveniently located near three large motorcycle facilities, including Pro-Am Motorsports, Adventure Honda and Cycle Works. All three are involved in helping put on the 2018 show, but none have direct control. That, Baum says, will always remain in the hands of the Two Wheel Sunday organizing committee. But the involvement of these larger shops has brought to the show test rides, with several manufacturers presenting their sample bikes.
“And, at the Motorcycle Show in January, Harley-Davidson Canada approached us and said they wanted to be a part of Two Wheel Sunday,” Baum says. “So, this year there’ll be Harley-Davidson test rides on-site.”
Although Two Wheel Sunday has grabbed the attention of major stakeholders in the motorcycle industry including Honda, Indian, Kawasaki and Harley-Davidson, Baum says the fair will always be about the smaller, grassroots groups, shops and vendors.
“These are the people in the background of the industry, the small, independent vendors as well as the charities and the clubs,” Baum says.
“You’ll be able to see it, touch it, feel it and hear it, but with the test rides now available, you’ll also really be able to experience it.”
More than vendors and test rides, Two Wheel Sunday also provides a completely unorganized, yet extraordinary motorcycle show and shine.
“The cool thing about Two Wheels Sunday is so many of the visitors ride in,” Morberg adds. “It’s one place you can go and see scooters, bobbers, choppers, customs and trikes alongside original machines and vintage bikes. And this year, there are 10 blocks of bike parking to showcase such a diverse collection of machinery.”
The event supports the Calgary Poppy Fund and Veteran’s Food Bank. Over four years, Two Wheel Sunday has been able to give $25,000 to the charities. Cash and food donations are encouraged.