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The 'Mama Tried Motorcycle Show' Makes Biking a Year-Round Hobby

Locals and national bike enthusiasts know that Milwaukee is the epicenter of the American motorcycle universe. Harley Davidson is based here and draws hundreds of thousands of bikers on pilgrimages each year.  But the annual Harley trek to Milwaukee is in the summer.

Credit Mama Tried Motorcycle Show / facebook.com
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The Mama Tried Motorcycle Showaims to remind people that motorcycles are a big deal year-round. Running Friday through Sunday, the event features indoor races and a gallery-style show including hundreds of bikes. 

It’s put together by Milwaukeeans Scott Johnson and Warren Heir, who founded the event to "connect motorcycles, builders, fans and riders in the heartland, and beyond."

While motorcyclists and biker culture often portray rebellion and danger (the event name of the event itself based on a Merle Haggard song of youth gone awry), Johnson and Heir admit they don't do too much to counter this image.

"If you have somebody that walks through the doors that is pretty green and has never been around a motorcycle event, or a motorcycle, it probably looks kind of terrifying," says Heir.

Although the atmosphere can be intimidating at first for anyone who is new to the motorcycling world, Johnson and Heir insist that anyone can come and leave with a positive and unique experience.

This year will feature an indoor flat track racing - something that hasn't been done in the Midwest since the 1980s.

Johnson and Heir ultimately sought to bring together the different worlds of old school choppers and racing bikes to make a fun atmosphere and create a "common language."

"You know, it’s a big facade.  You start talking to anybody, and you’ll make friends for life, regardless of whether you’re into motorcycles or not," says Heir.