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car review
TED LATURNUS
Special to The Globe and Mail

This article was published more than 12 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

It's time once again to reconnect the battery, change the oil, check the tires, fettle the carb, wash and wax the tinware and take the bike out for a run. Here are some motorcycle events going on in and around Ontario this riding season:

Vintage Motorcycle Invitational

The Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG) is holding its annual vintage motorcycle invitation at Wheelsport on Youville Street in the capital city.

Ducati Owners Club of Canada 2011 Mosport Motorcycle Festival

Ducati owners will get to test their mettle on the track if they have registered beforehand. Non-Ducatisti are welcome as well.

Wings And Wheels Heritage Festival

Although it's not strictly for bikes, there is plenty to see at the sixth annual Wings And Wheels Heritage Festival. Organized by the Canadian Air And Space Museum, it will feature all kinds of things that fly and travel on the ground, including a bevy of vintage cars and various OPP bikes and "stealth" cars.

Bayfield Old Bike Day

The CVMG is also hosting an event welcoming "all vintage motorcycle riders to an unorganized early summer run." Apparently, you just show up on Main Street in the morning, and off you go.

WROAR Ride VII

The Women Ride Out Against Rape annual fund-raiser starts in Vaughan and ends in Caledon. Coffee will be served at the beginning of the run and the route will take riders through "some wonderful curvy Ontario back-roads."

Bobcaygeon Community Bikefest

This inaugural family-oriented event takes place on Bolton and Canal Streets in the downtown core.

Ride for Sight

There will be camping, a beer garden and various activities at this annual event, with live entertainment by Chilliwack. Go to: rideforsight.com.

Third Annual Hot Ride

The Breast Cancer Support Services' fundraiser starts and ends at Philthy McNasty's in Oakville, and travels through the Halton Hills area. The idea is to collect pledges and raise as much money as possible. Women especially are invited, although the event is open to all genders and all makes of bikes.

CVMG Paris National Rally

Those busy dudes at the CVMG will hold their vintage national rally for the 39th time and it goes all weekend. It costs $40 and if you're an old bike aficionado, this is hog heaven.

Parry Sound Bike Rally

Formerly known as the Parry Sound Sport Bike Rally, this event is now aimed at all riders regardless of what they ride.

The 911 Ride

One of the biggest events of the year, this ride goes rain or shine. It gets under way at Woodbine Race track, and early-birders can grab breakfast at 7 a.m. This event is hosted and supervised by various first-response personnel, including police, and the line of riders can be as long as four kilometres when it gets rolling. The ride ends in Vaughan and organizers remind participants to show up with a full tank of gas.

Ride for Sick Kids

This annual fund-raising ride will wind its way in and around Port Perry and Oshawa. There will be a Harley-Davidson Nightster XL 1200-cc auctioned off and the event is definitely family-oriented.

Red, White and Blue Knights 33rd Annual Toyride

The Red, White, and Blue Knights (police, fire, and ambulance workers) holds its annual toy run, and the first bike departs at noon from Nathan Phillips Square. Because this is the 10th anniversary of New York's 9/11 terror attack, there will also be a memorial ceremony from 9:45 to 10:45 ahead of the ride.

Amazing Ride for MS

Billing itself as "not your standard motorcycle race," this event is patterned after the hit television show The Amazing Race. That said, organizers hasten to remind all participants that it is not a race, but a fun event, to raise funds for multiple sclerosis. It costs $35 and a pledge form can be found on the web site.

Motorcycle Ride for Dad

This event raises money and awareness for prostate cancer and, in total, there are rides in 31 cities across Canada - making it the nation's largest annual motorcycle event.

Haugen's Motorcycles Cruise-in

Don't forget the season-long bike cruise-in at Haugen's Drive-in. Every Thursday is bike night, and, according to the proprietors, sometimes as many as 1,000 bikes show up to hang out.

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