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Tuesday 3 September 2019

2019 Cherokee Blue Ridge

2019 Cherokee Blue Ridge/AMD Qualifier Custom Bike Show
Cherokee, North Carolina - September 6th - 8th 2019


By Bob Kay


The Cherokee Blue Ridge/AMD Qualifier custom bike show is back at the Cherokee Fairgrounds in Cherokee, North Carolina again this year. This year's entertainment line-up will feature great bands, DIY demos on the Grease and Gears Stage, dare devils of all types, flat track racing and some of the finest riding in the country on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There will be more than one bike show - from the AMD World Championship Qualifier to daily ride-in shows.


The winner of the AMD Freestyle class in 2018 was Tim Dixon and he, along with Larry Moore, will be headed for the 2020 AMD World Championship at INTERMOT Customized in Cologne, Germany, (October 2020) to represent Team USA and compete for that illusive number 1 custom bike builder world champion prize.

The 2019 Cherokee Blue Ridge/AMD winner will be the third member of Team USA, with a possibility of four builders going to Germany in 2020.

Anything goes in the AMD Avon Freestyle class - qualified bikes will have a two or three-wheel drivetrain/chassis motorcycle configuration as defined by the DMV. The only limitation is the builder’s imagination and resources. This is the class for those who want the chance for the opportunity to compete in the AMD World Championship in Cologne, Germany.

It is the direct path to the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building finals and a chance to challenge the best builders in the world. The Blue Ridge/AMD Qualifier winner gets $2,000 cash on site, plus another $8,000 for expenses when they show at the 2020 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. There will also be trophies to 5th place and for the winners of the Custom Street and Custom Classic class.

Some of the other bike shows include the Perewitz Custom Paint Show, the Cycle Source Ride-In Show and Southern Bikers' Ladies Ride-In Show. The Antique Motorcycle Club of America will hold a vintage gathering and a KickStart Ride.

Check the website - blueridgerun.com - for all the bands that will be presented by Jay Allen, the master of ceremonies. Of course, the American Motor Drome will be back, cruising the death defying walls of wood. The Fearless Flores Thrill Show, Teach McNeil, Adam Holbrook and Circus Una round out the entertainment - not to forget flat track racing will be coming back at nearby Riverside Park. If you like to play all night, Harrah's Casino Resort just happens to be around the corner.

We are expecting a great turnout, and if the interest from the builder community is any kind of an indicator, it is going to be a great weekend. We have builders from Massachusetts, New York, Florida and all up and down the east coast. It is such a pleasure to work with Mark, Yvonne, Kevin and the whole Cherokee nation team, this has truly become one of my favorite rallies.