(UPDATE 3/12/2020): As a precautionary measure done in effort to limit the spread of coronavirus, both Flat Out Friday and the Mama Tried Motorcycle Show have been postponed to a later date. The new dates have not been determined at this time. Here’s a message from Flat Out Friday on the matter:
“Due to COVID19 Flat Out Friday and The Mama Tried Motorcycle Show will be POSTPONED. We will have additional information on rescheduling once that becomes clearer, based on a fluctuating situation. Thanks to all the racers, riders, Builders, Sponsors, Vendors and fans for your support, but the most important thing is for everyone to be safe. And stop hoarding toilet paper.”
We can’t confirmed whether any of the other Mama Tried-related events listed in this article will still be happening. We recommend you reach out to organizers or hosting venues if you’d like any more information on the status of any event.
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Later this week, throngs of riders and motorcycle enthusiasts who have been cooped up since fall and whose choppers have been in storage for months will enjoy a brief escape from the cold, dark, dull bikelessness of winter. Mama Tried is a long weekend of motorcycle-related fun that features an indoor race on a track covered in Dr. Pepper syrup on Friday, an indoor invitational that showcases an amazing array of custom-built bikes, a film screening, Boonie Bike events, and much more.
Beyond the cycle-centric stuff, a wealth of Milwaukee bands, bars, restaurants, and venues are getting in on the Mama Tried fun, with pre-show performances and after parties (of both the official and unofficial varieties). If you’re looking to add more entertainment to your Mama Tried experience this weekend, here’s literally everything we know about what’s going on this weekend.
Wednesday, March 11
Boonie Bike World Series Kick Off Party And Race @ Elwood’s Liquor & Tap
This installment of Mama Tried brings the inaugural Boonie Bike World Series. There will five miniature bike races over the course of the festivities, starting with Wednesday night’s time trials at Elwood’s Liquor & Tap downtown. The race doubles as a Mama Tried kickoff party, complete with drink specials and on-site tattooing by Banjo from Ghost Light Tattoo Parlor.
Thursday, March 12
Mama Tried Official Pre-Party @ Harley-Davidson Museum and MOTOR Bar & Restaurant
What better place for the Mama Tried Official Pre-Party than Milwaukee’s own Harley-Davidson Museum? The event will feature a short track Boonie Bike race and a Brett Newski concert outside the museum. Inside, H-D Museum’s MOTOR Bar & Restaurant will offer up its Bike Night Koozie Special and a chance to talk shop with Flat Out Friday racers and Mama Tried bike builders who will be on hand for the festivities.
Infamous Mama Tried Pre-Party AFTER PARTY @ Fuel Cafe 5th Street
If you’re still revved up after the Pre-Party at Harley-Davidson Museum, (safely and responsibly) ride a few blocks down the road to Fuel Cafe on 5th Street for the “infamous” Pre-Party After Party. While the name could be confusing, the party is a simple blend of drink specials, tattooers, and “plenty of mini-bike shenanigans.”
The Unofficial Flat Out Friday Pre-Party @ Hacienda Beer Co.
Royal Enfield will unveil four custom INT650 motorcycles to be raced at Mama Tried by four women from Brazil, Oregon, Minnesota, and Toronto. From 6-10 p.m., there will be raffles for free Flat Out Friday tickets, a live DJ, and food and drinks. A portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit BUILD Moto, “a high school mentorship program that teaches kids STEM-related skills with motorcycles.”
Black Label Society + Obituary, Lord Dying @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Though we don’t believe this in an officially sanctioned Mama Tried event, The Rave was no doubt aware of who would be in town when they booked a Black Label Society concert. If you’re looking for some biker-adjacent tunes, head to The Rave before two more days of Mama Tried fun at the venerable venue.
Friday, March 13
Moto Brunch @ Fuel Cafe 5th Street
From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., gear up for a busy weekend with Fuel Cafe 5th Street’s Moto Brunch, which features classic menu items and drink specials.
Unofficial Pre-Party @ Nick’s Anvil Inn (South Milwaukee)
For those of you in South Milwaukee (or looking to put on a few miles if the weather cooperates), Nick’s Anvil Inn is hosting a Mama Tried Pre-Party. It’s unofficial, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking it out sometime between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. before heading to Fiserv Forum.
Pandemonium In The Plaza @ Fiserv Forum Deer District
Before Flat Out Friday rumbles into Fiserv Forum on Friday, the so-called Deer District will play host to “Pandemonium In The Plaza,” which will offer attendees another Boonie Bike race (a Figure 8 mini moto race, to be specific), a jump ramp, DJs, giveaways, and plenty of places to grab a bite or beverage before the event a Fiserv shifts into gear.
Flat Out Friday @ Fiserv Forum
Motorcycle racers ride on top of a track that’s slathered in Dr. Pepper syrup and it’s fucking awesome. Need we say more?
Flat Out Friday Rider Meet And Greet @ Good City (Downtown)
Just after Flat Out Friday ends, venture across the plaza and enjoy a pint or two at Good City Brewing’s downtown brewery and taproom. While there, you can rub elbows with some of your favorite riders.
Flat Out Friday Official After Party @ The Cooperage
Downshift from Flat Out Friday events with the Official After Party at The Cooperage, complete with live performances by Hughes Brothers Band and Astral Hand plus, as well as DJs Jason “Bloodcreek” Robson and Kenny B Wangin.
Mama Tried Weekend with Wire And Nail @ Iron Horse Hotel
Iron Horse Hotel is going all out this year with a “Mama Tried Weekend,” that includes events March 13-15. Things kick off with a Friday night affair that consists of a Wire And Nail performance in the hotel’s Branded bar from 8 p.m. to midnight, tattoos by Moving Shadow Ink in the lobby from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and a $10 burger and tallboy special.
Saturday, March 14
Mama Tried Motorcycle Show @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Behold a sprawling indoor invitational that showcases an amazing array of more than 100 custom-built bikes on Saturday. Now in its third year at The Rave, expect big things from what appears to be the event’s largest venue to date. During Saturday’s event, a new flat track-focused film called Fast And Left will play on the hour, every hour at The Rave bar. The final round of the Boonie Bike World Series will also take place in The Rave parking lot between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. From 6:50 p.m. to 9 p.m., The Rave bar will also host an AFT Daytona TT Viewing Party.
Mama Tried Weekend with DJ Why B @ Iron Horse Hotel
Iron Horse is back at it on Saturday night with a 7-11 p.m. set by DJ Why B and the $10 burger and tallboy special at Branded. Additionally, there will be tattoos by Moving Shadow Ink in the lobby from 1-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. The lobby will also play host to a Milwaukee Boot Co. pop-up shop and Jim Beam Black tasting from 5-9 p.m. and belly dancing performances from 8-10 p.m.
Official Mama Tried After Party @ Fuel Cafe 5th Street
Walker’s Point will also host another After Party to keep the fun cruising into Sunday morning. Fuel Cafe on 5th Street will feature tattoo artists, DJs, and more. The kitchen will also be open until midnight. We highly recommend ordering a “Buttafuoco” sandwich.
FAST & LEFT – A FLAT TRACK FILM // OFFICIAL TRAILER from Evan H. Senn on Vimeo.
Sunday, March 15
Headbangers Brunch @ Iron Horse Hotel
Get fueled up for the final day’s festivities with Iron Horse’s brunch, music by DJ Bird, and $10 bloodies “with all the fixins.”
Mama Tried Motorcycle Show @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Day two, baby! The final day of Mama Tried features most of the same entertainment and custom built choppers as Saturday. There isn’t a film screening, Boonie Bike race, or viewing party. BUT someone will win a Mama Tried 1951 Harley-Davidson WR. You can buy raffle tickets here.
Official Mama Tried Wrap Party @ Iron Horse Hotel
Before calling a wrap on another year of Mama Tried, head to the Iron Horse Hotel bar for specials and camaraderie from 6 p.m. to close.