Laughlin River Run
Since it was founded, the Laughlin River Run has grown into the largest motorcycle rally in the West. In 2002, up to 80,000 bikers rolled into this casino town on the banks of the Colorado River in the Nevada desert. While most rallies are dominated by Harleys, in Laughlin, Harley is truly king. The rally was conceived by Harley-Davidson dealer Dale Marschke, who wanted to bring his customers on a fun weekend ride.
Ever since that first weekend in 1983, when 426 Harley riders came to this desert oasis, organizers and founders Marschke and Joe O'Day of Dal-Con Promotions have donated a portion of proceeds from the rally to various charities. In 2002, they formed the River Run Foundation to benefit various charities including Easter Seals, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Colorado River, the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Fund.
Women are a big force in Laughlin, where ladies don't just ride into town on the backs of their guys' choppers. These biker babes ride their own custom Harley hogs and have even organized their own charity event, the Ladies at Laughlin Ride for the Cure benefiting the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Unfortunately, the event was marred by gang violence during its 20th anniversary celebration in 2002, when biker gangs the Hell's Angels and Mongols clashed, leaving three dead and 10 injured. In 2003, the River Run was a bit quieter than in years past, but the weather was perfect and the violence did not repeat itself. Riders enjoy Laughlin's unique character, where they can ride through the desert, lounge along the river, and by night, live it up at the casinos.
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