As part of our effort to encourage a true sense of community among motorcyclists, we'll post links to valuable and interesting websites here. If you'd like to be listed, please send an e-mail with your url to links@mortonsbmw.com.

CLUB SITES

BMW Bikers of Metropolitan Washington - One of the largest regional BMW clubs in the U.S., BMWBMW conducts monthly meetings at locations around the Washington area, holds its annual Square Route Rally in June, and offers a monthly newsletter and many other activities to its members and guests.

Richmond BMW Riders - Centered around Richmond, Virginia, this club offers monthly meetings and rides, its annual Sherando Lake Rally (just off the Blue Ridge Parkway), a monthly newsletter, and other activities.

Cheaspeake Riding and Beverage Society (CRABS) -- The self-described "World's Most Laid-Back Motorcycle Club," CRABS is the brainchild of Mark Byers, an avid motorcyclist, motorcycle marshal, and motojournalist for Backroads magazine. Check out their monthly online newsletter and their casual get-togethers and rides.

BMW Club of Hampton Roads - This club serves the large Hampton Roads / Newport News, Virginia area, and offers meetings, its annual Colonial Virginia Rally, and a monthly newsletter.

BMW Motorcycle Owners of America - The largest national BMW club, BMW MOA offers members a monthly magazine, an annual rally held in different parts of North America, an annual Anonymous Book of members willing to help other members on the road, and numerous other benefits.

BMW Riders Association - The other large national club, BMW RA offers a monthly magazine, an annual rally held in changing locations in North America, and other benefits.

Internet BMW Riders - The granddaddy of Internet BMW groups, the IBMWR pioneered the use of the Internet to join together BMW riders all around the world. It offers a mailing list generating hundreds of e-mails a day on all types of subjects, an online Marketplace to buy or sell goods, and a unique sense of international community.

American Motorcyclist Association - As the largest all-brand motorcycle association in the U.S., the AMA provides a monthly magazine, lobbying protection for motorcyclists at the local, state, and federal level, numerous racing and off-road programs, and many other benefits for members. Every serious rider should belong to the AMA.

Iron Butt Association - For the serious long distance rider. The IBA coordinates all manner of long distance riding events in North America and beyond, leading up to the big one -- the biennial Iron Butt Rally. The IBA website offers tips, calendars of events, and other useful information for those inclined to sit for long periods.

International Brotherhood of Motorcycle Campers - The IBMC is dedicated to those who live for the combination of motorcycles -- all kinds -- and camping. It coordinates member-organized campouts. If you love riding into the countryside and sleeping under the stars, check out the IBMC.

GENERAL MOTORCYCLE INTEREST SITES

BMW Motorrad USA - Main website for the official motorcycle presence of BMW in the United States, it includes information of the full line of BMW motorcycles, company-sponsored events and activities, a directory of dealers, and links to many other aspects of BMW life.

Motorcycle Virginia - Set up by then-Virginia Governor Mark Warner, this official state site promotes motorcycle tourism, safety, and businesses.

Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway - For riders in the mid-Atlantic area, the Blue Ridge Parkway is akin to the Holy Grail of motorcycling. Running from near Charlottesville, Virginia, to Cherokee, North Carolina, the BRP is a wonderful, two lane escape from the Interstate. With scenic vistas, historical resources, and tourist accommodations along the way, every rider should traverse it at least once. For those of us fortunate to live nearby, it's a regular -- though by no means common -- experience. This website promotes activities to preserve and protect the Parkway.

Motorcycle Safety Foundation - The MSF coordinates most of the rider safety courses in the U.S., and you can use this site to locate courses near you, as well as other motorcycle safety information.

MSF Dirt Bike School - A subset of the MSF courses, this site helps you locate dirt bike riding schools near you.

ADVENTURE / WORLD TRAVEL SITES

Horizons Unlimited - This site is the acknowledged clearing house for all things related to international bike travel. Want to know where to get a carnet du passage for Paraguay? Want to know what a carnet du passage is? Check the massive bulletin board section of the HU website. Whatever your questions, you'll find the answers here.

Edelweiss Motorcycle Tours - One of the most respected motorcycle touring companies, Edelweiss offers luxurious motorcycle vacations throughout the world.

Beach's Motorcycle Adventures - The Beach family has been in the motorcycle touring business a long time, and their excursions are first rate.

Globe Riders - Run by renowned world traveler Helge Pedersen, Globe Riders offers extended motorcycle tours through remote parts of the world.

Ultimate Journey - Chris and Erin Ratay spent more than four years riding 101,000 miles around the world on a pair of BMW F650 motorcycles. How was the trip? Find out here. The Ratays are friends of Morton's BMW, and we're happy to share their experiences with the world.

Adventure Rider Motorcycle Forums - This all-brand site focuses on rider forums and the sharing of information and opinion on almost any topic related -- sometimes rather tenuously -- to adventure motorcycling. It's not boring, that's for sure.

BMW Motorrad Enduro World - An online resource from BMW worldwide aimed at enduro / adventure motorcycle riding.

NON-PROFIT / CHARITY SITES

Wheels 2 Africa - This group -- started by a Morton's BMW customer -- focuses on raising money to provide small dirt bikes for medical professionals in back country Africa. The motorcycles enable doctors and other medical staff to reach areas and provide care that would otherwise be impossible. Morton's is proud to be one of the founding sponsors of this effort to bring medical care to those in need.

Ride For Kids - Nationally known for its fundraising efforts to treat pedriatic brain tumors, the RFK holds charity rides in communities across the country, including Richmond, Virginia.

Blue Grass Book Bank - The small, rural town of Blue Grass, Virginia, uses its old bank building as a children's library -- hence the "Blue Grass Book Bank." Every year, a local farmer hosts motorcycle riders for a weekend campout and music concert to raise money for the library. Morton's is happy to be the sponsor of this worthy event. Learn how you can help -- and join us in June for a shop ride to this year's event!

© 2008 Morton's BMW