Thunder in the Valley

In Johnstown, it’s the beginning of the one of the best weeks of the summer. It starts this weekend with a trickle of bikes blending into the local motorcycle population. By mid-week the city will be experiencing a steady stream of two-wheeled vehicles flowing through its streets. They come from all across the country, riders of every ilk answering a common call: participation in what has become known as one of the best motorcycle rallies of the year.

Area motorcycle enthusiasts are the first to tell you that Johnstown provides the perfect setting for a large rally. Cambria and surrounding counties are ribboned with motorcycle-friendly roads through some of the most beautiful scenery Pennsylvania has to offer. Each year Johnstown residents, businesses and government seize the opportunity to help Johnstown live up to its “Friendly City” moniker, welcoming visitors from far and near.

While Johnstown’s downtown is the heart of Thunder in the Valley activities, the event has grown to include communities throughout the region. This year there are activities scheduled in Ebensburg, Nanty Glo, Richland, Windber and Somerset.

Each year Thunder in the Valley provides a host of entertainment options for motorcycle enthusiasts, including organized rides, live performances, product vendors, demo rides, the Budweiser Clydesdales and so much more. Rally planners, the Greater Johnstown Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, do a great job making sure that the event is well-organized and fun for riders of all types. For complete rally details, including event schedules and maps, visit the CVB’s Thunder in the Valley section of their Web site.

Update

We’ve uploaded a handful of photos from this and previous years’ rallies, which you can view by visiting the “Thunder in the Valley” photo set on the Do Johnstown! Flickr photostream.

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