Rutt’s Ripper Old Bike Night Ride-In Show started in 2001 by an individual named Ron Zuck, and he ran it independently on a very, very, lowkey basis. At its peak in 2016 under Ron, there were about 25 bikes involved in the show. When he retired, three of my friends who’d also been involved at Rutt’s and I decided we weren’t going to let the show die. So, we decided to pick it up and run with it, and to do the ride-in show on a more professional basis. Prior to us getting involved, the show had no sponsors and it was organized on a very informal basis. I went around the local area and recruited sponsors, mainly dealers and small repair shops, and subsequently involved Rider Insurance Company and a national paint company, which has helped us further build and develop the show over the years. Last year, we had about 100 bikes that entered the show itself, with an overall attendance of about 1,000 bikes, and something like 1,500 people present in total. 

Rutt’s Hut is a real old-style diner. It doesn’t take checks. It doesn’t take credit cards. It’s cash only. It’s been going since 1928, and their signature dish is the Rutt’s Ripper, which is a deep-fried hot dog. If you go searching on Google looking for the 10 best hot dogs in the United States, Rutt’s Ripper is one of them. We’ve strived to make the show a family–friendly experience. The show includes categories for American bikes, Japanese, European, British, and more. All bikes that enter the show have to be over 25 years old because it’s called an old bike show – it’s kind of implied in the title! Our program also offers a rare category for the oldest combined age of a rider and their motorcycle. Last year’s winner had a combined age of 156 years. It’s just one example of the unique traditions that have helped make our show a favorite among vintage motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the region.  

Interview by Gregory Andrus  

Portraits of the Jersey Shore