Hudson Valley NY AMCA Road Run

[Buzz Kanter]

Here's a note I received from the Hudson Valley NY AMCA crew. Sounds like a blast and I am hoping to make the ride on one of my old bikes.

There is a whole new turn of events involved with our national road run. We would like to invite everyone to join us in the AMCA Hudson Valley Chapter's celebration of the 100th anniversary of Walter Davidson Sr.'s formal visit to the Hudson Valley, June 1908, for his participation in the national FAM endurance run. "A brief history"
The Federation of American Motorcyclists was a forerunner to the AMA today. I also need to mention that Walter Davidson Sr., was one on the then very young motor company founders! The national 1908 endurance run actually began here on Main Street Catskill, N.Y.; covered a good section over the Catskill Mountains down into Kingston then Newburgh hence covering the Hudson Valley South into Brooklyn to finish out on Long Island, N.Y.
The sixty three entrants of various US motorcycle manufacturers were all expected to cover a course of 356 miles total. Keep in mine that our roads in the Hudson Valley of 1908 were rough, rocky and at times covered in mud, very severe condition to say the least. A course a few could reasonably hope to complete. Truely an endurance run on these early machines.
As most of you are now aware Walter Davidson Sr.'s granddaughter, Jean Davidson will attend our Rhinebeck National Meet to take part in our program there. Jean will speak at our banquet, offer her book signing, also promoting her children's safety program ,Yell and Tell. Jean has also agreed to come early and attend our road run to take part in our formal 100th anniversary celebration event to be held in Catskill, N.Y., Wednesday afternoon, June 11th; opening ceremony 4:00pm ending at 6:00pm.
We are currently working out a designated arrival and set up time for our road run to climax in Catskill prior to the event. Due to anticipated crowds of spectators and participates, the overall plan of action is to close down Main St. for our event and ceremony on the actual site of the 1908 photograph of Walter Sr. now 100 years later his granddaughter, Jean at the same location. Needless to say the excitement is already brewing here with the Catskill Village officials helping us every way possible.
This should prove to be a road run AMCA members will remember and talk about for sometime to come. Any updates and additional information will immediately be posted on our Hudson Valley web site: www.hudsonvalleychapter.com, as well as our roadrun chairman, Steve Barber web site:www.the74shop.com