Bike Week in Daytona Beach Florida shook the pavement for 65 years and continues to grow every year. This year was no exception. With the increased amounts of people attending, it has spread out around the state and many are now referring to it as Florida 10- day Bike Week.
Bruce Rossmeyer’s new Harley-Davidson dealership “Destination Daytona” is the new hot spot in the Daytona area and all indications are it will continue to be so for years to come.
Conveniently situated at Interstate 95 and US1 interchange in Ormond Beach it drew traffic and businesses off US1 like Smiley’s-Broken Spoke-Iron Horse- the New Boot Hill Saloon 2 and others.
This has caused noticeably less traffic on Main Street and A1A in Daytona Beach as well as Beach Street on the mainland side of the river. Downtown is still a very popular area because of some famous bars and the Harley-Davidson show at the civic center. Reduced crowd made the historic main drag more enjoyable.
The famous Daytona International Speedway on RT 92 was busier than ever with motorcycle factory demo fleets and expanded vendor areas.
The Orlando area continues to grow with the numbers up to 150,000 motorcyclists visiting. The Harley-Davidson dealership is in their 6th year of providing Free Concerts, Bike Shows and other Entertainment. Seminole Harley just opened a new store in Sanford just off Interstate 4 and drew significant crowds.
Seeing the Multimillion-Dollar payoff from the Bikers population during Bike Week, other cities in the area are promoting anything and everything to draw traffice and income. Port Orange, New Smyrna, Edgewater and even as far south as Cocoa Beach on the east coast and luring riders.
Deland to the west launched their first event in 2005 and pulled 15,000. Rumor had it, they expected 30,000 this year.
There were reports of increased motorcycle activity as far South as Fort Lauderdale, Miami and also into the Tampa area. Florida is tourist friendly throughout the year and it is not hard to find entertainment, good food, fair priced lodging.
The people riding motorcycles nowadays have varied backgrounds and interests, so it wasn’t surprising that they will sought out other areas and activities to enhance their fun in the sun.
With the $744 Million dollars the visiting motorcyclist bring into the area it is not surprising that they are being welcomed with opened arms in many places.
When you get ready to run into Florida for either Bike Week or Biketoberfest check with Bikernet.com for what is going on and where. Chambers of commerce around the areas are supplying information so check with them it will be helpful. Making plans early always has a benefit. And ride safe, goddamnit!
— ROGUE
