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A Century on Two Wheels: The Motorcycle TransAm Stops in Columbia Today

A Century on Two Wheels: The Motorcycle TransAm Stops in Columbia Today

Issue #549

September 07, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Weather - Sunny w/ High of 78, low of 49

🏍️ A Century on Two Wheels: The Motorcycle TransAm Stops in Columbia Today

📰 Tennessee Lands in Top 20 on “Most Fun States” List

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

A Century on Two Wheels: The Motorcycle TransAm Stops in Columbia Today

History is rolling into Columbia this afternoon. At 2:30 p.m., Columbia Motor Alley will welcome the riders of the Motorcycle TransAm, a one-of-a-kind endurance run that is as much about grit and spirit as it is about antique machines.

The TransAm is no ordinary road trip. It’s a coast-to-coast journey spanning 4,000 miles in just 16 days, from the sandy shores of Nags Head, North Carolina, to the rugged beauty of Oregon’s Heceta Head Lighthouse. Along the way, riders test not only their own endurance but also the limits of motorcycles that are at least 100 years old. To qualify, every bike must date from 1925 or earlier, making the lineup a moving museum of early American motorcycling.

Each day of the run is called a “stage,” with competitors expected to maintain an average speed of 45 mph and arrive on time at the day’s end point. These aren’t trailer-carried showpieces—they’re original, period-correct machines pushed across highways, back roads, and mountain passes. Riders can’t rely on modern comforts either. Rules prohibit assistance from personal support crews during the stages, so every competitor must handle roadside breakdowns, mechanical quirks, and the unpredictability of century-old engineering with their own hands.

Scoring is simple yet strict: one point for every mile completed under the bike’s own power, with deductions for lateness or missed distance. The champion will ultimately be determined not just by endurance, but by history—the oldest motorcycle earns the top prize, with tie-breakers going to the smallest engine displacement and then the oldest rider. It’s a system that honors the machines and riders who carry the deepest ties to the early era of motorcycling.

While the rules are exacting, the spirit of the event is pure adventure. Organizers describe it as “man and machine against time and terrain,” celebrating the perseverance required to coax century-old iron across the continent. The event draws riders from across the country, each with their own story of why they ride and what keeps them chasing the horizon on machines most would only dare to display.

For Columbia, today’s stop offers a rare chance to see these living relics up close. Expect to see motorcycles that pre-date modern highways, models with names and details rarely spotted outside of museums. Visitors will not only glimpse the bikes but also meet the men and women who ride them—individuals driven by a love of history, challenge, and the open road.

The TransAm began on September 4 and will finish on September 19, but each stop along the way is a celebration. Columbia’s Motor Alley is honored to be one of those milestones, connecting our community with this remarkable journey across time and distance.

If you want to follow the riders after they leave town, the official blog and facebook page track daily progress, stories, and photos from the road.

Tennessee Lands in Top 20 on “Most Fun States” List

When it comes to having fun, not all states are created equal. Some lean on nightlife, others on outdoor adventure, and a few seem to have a little of everything. WalletHub just released its annual ranking of the “Most Fun States in America,” and Tennessee holds its own with a blend of music, mountains, and unmistakable Southern charm.

According to the study, Tennessee ranked 20th overall in the nation, thanks to its rich music heritage, abundance of attractions, and welcoming culture. From Nashville’s honky-tonks and Memphis’s blues scene to outdoor escapes in the Smoky Mountains, Tennessee offers plenty of ways to play.

WalletHub compared the 50 states using 26 different metrics, from movie costs and nightlife options to access to national parks. Nevada topped the list once again, thanks in large part to Las Vegas, while California, Florida, New York, and Illinois rounded out the top five.

And while Tennessee didn’t crack the top 10, ranking 20th puts us ahead of many other states when it comes to fun. It shows that whether you’re into exploring the outdoors, catching a live show, or enjoying a night out, Tennessee has plenty to offer.

Fun, after all, looks different for everyone—and Tennessee continues to prove it’s a place where there’s something for all ages, interests, and lifestyles.