Live Fast Rally started the same way a lot of questionable ideas start.
A bunch of friends sitting around talking.
“A bunch of us guys were sitting around chatting and we sparked up the idea of, ‘What if we throw our own motorcycle rally in our hometown?’ and 'I want to drink a beer next to my bike at a motorcycle rally.'”
That was it.
No big business plan. No event experience. Just a group of guys who thought it would be cool to throw a motorcycle rally where they lived.
The first rally happened at The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez.
“The first one was held at The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez and it was a total hit. We knew we had to keep going from there.”
Now they’re heading into year eight.
What Live Fast Rally Was Supposed To Be
From the start, the goal was pretty simple.
Build the kind of event they’d actually want to go to.
“We wanted to be able to drink a beer next to your bike, we wanted it to be a party, and we wanted it to feel like a community.”
That formula ended up working.
People show up for the bikes, but they stick around because it feels different than a lot of bigger events. It feels local. It feels familiar. And every year you start recognizing more faces.
Also:
“Not to mention we throw the best slow race.”
Eight Years Later, It’s Still Growing
Events are hard.
Keeping one alive is harder.
A lot of rallies pop up, have one good year, and disappear.
Live Fast Rally didn’t.
“Lots of people try to throw these things and end up quitting after a year. We are now in year 8 of doing the rally and it’s only gotten bigger year after year.”
The part they’re probably most proud of isn’t even the size.
It’s seeing the same people come back.
“People get excited to come and we see a lot of the same people coming every year. That really says something.”
When people plan for your event months ahead of time and wear your merch year-round, you know you’re doing something right.
The Merch Became Bigger Than Expected
One advantage Live Fast Rally had from the beginning?
Good merch.
“We are lucky that one of our team members owns Authentic Leather Patch Co. so we have had some of the best merch in the industry from the start.”
The hats and apparel sell out every year.
And after thousands of pieces over eight years, you see Live Fast Rally gear everywhere.
That merch turned into more than merch.
“People recognize the hats, they chat about the rally, and who knows who may be coming to the next rally because of that hat.”
Advice For Someone Thinking About Throwing An Event
We keep it pretty simple.
“Create a fun vibe at the event and always be authentic.”
He also says don’t let sponsors completely take over.
“Don’t sell out to companies that want to put their brand all over your event. A little is alright, but make sure people know it’s your event.”
People can tell when something feels forced.
What’s Next?
Get to year ten.
Throw the biggest rally yet.
Figure out the rest later.
“Let’s get to Live Fast Rally 10, throw the biggest rally we can and then see what we want to do from there.”
For now, they’re focused on motorcycles, good people, raising money for Band of Brothers, and making sure people leave already talking about next year.
Follow @livefastrally on Instagram or head to www.livefastrally.com to see what’s next.
