Sound Rider!

Sound RIDER! began as a monthly online magazine about motorcycling in the Pacific Northwest. It was founded by publisher Tom Mehren in 1999. The magazine features editorial about people, places and events associated with motorcycling in the Northwest region. In addition it features used motorcycle listings, and a number of databases specific to dealers, services and clubs in the area. The editorial content is archived for viewing past its initial month of publication.

In 2001 the magazine entered into the area of event promotion putting on the Northwest Motorcycle Display at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show held in Seattle. The display has been a staple of the show each year since. In 2002 the magazine hosted the first ever 3 Pass Blast ride taking riders on a time/speed/distance ride through the Cascades Range. The event is held annually.

2003 marked the birth of the Sound RIDER! Sportbike Northwest motorcycle rally. It eventually blossomed into three more rally events: Sport Touring Northwest, Dualsport Northwest and Maxi Scooter Northwest. All four events are held simultaneously each summer in the Columbia River Gorge [1]over a five day period and are sanctioned as the Northwest Regional Rally for the American Motorcyclist Association[2].

2001 also marked the addition of an online store to compliment the magazine and manage its event registrations. The store carries a selection of gear not typically found at most brick & mortar retail locations, but is commonly used by touring riders.

In 2004 Mehren published the Sound RIDER! guide to motorcycling in the Columbia River Gorge. Subsequent Sound RIDER! guides included Motorcycle Restoration 101 and Packing Light/Packing Right.