The Leader Of The Ride Has Died, State Rep. Charlie St. Clair, D-Laconia

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org, InDepth NH

LACONIA, NH — Leader of the ride since 1991 for Laconia Motorcycle Week, Charlie St. Clair, who was also a Democrat Laconia State Representative, has died as a result of his injuries while making his way on a motorcycle to his 50th rally to the nation’s largest gathering at Sturgis, South Dakota, following a catastrophic accident with his rear wheel exploding on an interstate highway.

A man who would who would correct this reporter that this was not an “event” but many events across the state, bringing thousands of riders to its epicenter at Weirs Beach the third largest in the nation, crashed after a rear wheel tire blew out on his motorcycle in Avon, Ohio.

A post on Facebook confirmed the news on Saturday.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte said: “Rep. Charlie St. Clair dedicated his life to serving the people of Laconia — from serving on the Planning Board to representing the city at the State House. Charlie loved our state and was proud to welcome visitors from around the world to New Hampshire during his 35 years as head of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association. Joe and I are praying for Charlie’s family, friends, and fellow riders as they mourn his loss.”

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, said “I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Charlie St. Clair. He was the heart of Laconia Bike Week and a passionate advocate for his community as a State Representative. Billy and I are keeping his family and friends in our thoughts.”

A previous article about the accident is here: https://indepthnh.org/2026/08/07/nh-rep-charlie-st-clair-laconia-motorcycle-week-leader-suffers-life-threatening-injury-in-ohio-crash/

Tears poured online this weekend in the Lakes Region at the news, as St. Clair who was ever the optimist in spite of weather, that this gathering meant something to so many people. He traveled across the country, often on his motorcycle without a trailer or help, to promote this event so that businesses and others could enjoy a gathering every early summer in June. For many businesses, this is the shoulder season and margins can make or break a good season.

There would be estimates that during his tenure more than 300,000 people would come to the state from all over the globe to enjoy the camaraderie and riding opportunities the state offered in its lakes and mountains.

Jenn Anderson, who has been second in command behind St. Clair, could not be reached for comment Saturday night.

However, as he would have wished, Laconia Motorcycle Week continues and is the oldest rally in the nation, next June https://laconiamcweek.com/

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.