MARKHAM, Ont. — Since 2003, motorcycle museum L’Épopée de la Moto has been at the forefront of motorcycle heritage in Québec. This year, the Canadian International Motorcycle Heritage Museum Foundation (CIMHMF) recognizes the museum’s unique contribution with the 2012 Bar & Hedy Hodgson Award.
L’Épopée de la Moto will receive this prestigious award on Nov. 3 as part of the Seventh Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Banquet & Reunion at the Delta Centre-Ville in Montreal.
Honouring a person, group or organization making a significant contribution to the preservation of Canadian motorcycling heritage, the Bar & Hedy Hodgson award was created by the CIMHMF Board of Directors to recognize exceptional contributors to motorcycle culture. The CIMHMF’s mission is to record and preserve the history and heritage of the motorcycle and motorcycling activity in Canada, and to recognize, honour and celebrate those who have achieved excellence or made significant contributions to the advancement of motorcycling in Canada.
For 30 years, brothers Jean and Francois Gagnon have shared a passion for motorcycles, acquiring an impressive collection along the way. In 2003 they realized their dream of opening a motorcycle museum, the acclaimed L’Épopée de la Moto. Located in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli along the cliff-side banks of the St. Lawrence River, the museum has seen more than 30,000 motorcycle enthusiasts walk through its doors in the past nine years. It boasts a collection of 100 bikes dating back to a 1903 Clément 150 and a number of unique thematic displays. As the first motorcycle museum in Québec, L’Épopée de la Moto will be honoured as a forerunner in motorcycle heritage preservation.
Hall of Fame chair Kellee Irwin stated, “We are thrilled to celebrate L’Épopée de la Moto’s phenomenal achievement. Jean and Francois Gagnon’s dedication will continue to draw people to Québec to appreciate the fascinating history of the motorcycle.”
The Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2012 is an accomplished group of men and women who have achieved excellence in one or more competitive disciplines or made a significant contribution to the well-being, advancement or general positive image of motorcycling in Canada.
Founded by Bar and Hedy Hodgson in 1999, the CIMHMF preserves and promotes Canadian motorcycle history for the benefit of the motorcycling community and public. Since the first induction banquet in Toronto in 2006, almost 100 distinguished motorcyclists have been inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
For more information about the Seventh Annual Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and Reunion, contact Daniel H. Tessier at daniel@motorcycling.ca or at (647) 920-1334.
–From the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada
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