Back in April 2017, Katy and I headed west for Spyderfest in Springfield, Missouri. It was one of those trips we always meant to put together and share, and it’s finally done. Grab a cup of coffee and ride along with us.
First, a stop in Logan
Before the road trip really started, we swung by the cemetery in Logan, West Virginia, to pay our respects to Katy’s grandparents. It was a quiet, meaningful way to begin, and it set the tone for the whole week. Then it was miles of highway west toward the Ozarks.
Spyders in the Ozarks
Spyderfest is a rally built around the Can-Am Spyder, and when you ride one, walking into a hall full of them is a good feeling. Vendors filled the building with everything from seats and luggage racks to lighting kits and custom windshields, and riders from all over were swapping stories and ideas.
The custom work was the highlight for me. Some of these machines are rolling works of art. I couldn’t stop taking pictures of the airbrushed paint jobs: wolves, eagles, flags, you name it.
Missouri spring weather kept us on our toes. We had a couple of soggy mornings, but a little rain never stops a Spyder crowd. The parking lot stayed full of three-wheelers the whole time.
A ride on Route 66
You can’t be in Springfield and skip Route 66. We rode out on the old Mother Road to Gay Parita near Ash Grove, a re-created 1930s Sinclair filling station that feels like stepping back in time. Seeing a line of Spyders parked out front of those old pumps is a picture I won’t forget.
The long ride back east
The ride back took us east through Tennessee and up through Bristol, with a lot of open highway in between. Those long stretches are where you really settle in and enjoy the ride. The highlights are in the video, trimmed down so you don’t have to sit through every mile like we did!
Looking back, Spyderfest 2017 was a great week: good people, good rides, and a lot of memories. If you ride a Spyder or have ever thought about going to Spyderfest, leave us a comment and tell us about your ride. And if you enjoyed the video, a thumbs up on YouTube helps us share more of our trips.
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