Have you ever leaned against a bar during a major event? The ride's one thing, the event another. I bellied up to a local bar and spoke to a veteran Florida resident and Daytona correspondent, Rogue, for Bike Week advice. He rode to Daytona in the '70's snorted angel dust and never left.
“Bike Week is officially the first full week in March,” Rogue said. “Over the years it has grown to ten days, including two weekends. Most of the country endures frigid weather during February and March making Florida a warm oasis on the coast of the Atlantic. Downright hot some years.” He shoved a thick Boothill shot glass my way and a fifth of Jack.
From my standpoint Daytona is an urban area of 64,000 and not prone to picturesque rides. It's a city. But who cares, there's races, girls, bike shows, bikinis, antique bike auctions, babes, grand openings, women and every bike related vendor mentioned in this magazine showing off their new wares.
There are adventuresome riding events available to the north through parks and along the coast, or south in the direction of Orlando to Titusville for air-boat rides past alligators snarling along the water's edge. Farther south there's the Florida Keys and one of the most fantastic waterside runs on earth.
Rogue ignored my date complaint and poored another shot. “The two complaints rattled most are the gouging prices and the over zealous law enforcement during bike week,” Rogue said, “but there's a way around high price tags.”
“As the event continues to grow it spreads to surrounding areas,” Rogue explained pushing the bottle across the table towards me. “This gives riders additional options for places to stay and things to do. Bike Week activities and businesses catering to bikers roam from St. Augustine to Cocco Beach on the East coast and to Orlando, on the West, to form the Bike Week triangle. With careful planning riders have a great time and save.”
“Chances are you will never go in the ocean,” Rogue commented taking the half empty fifth back. “The salt spray plays hell with chrome and paint. Traffic jams and cops, who are over-worked, flourish on the peninsula. Also, everything is over priced. Ya can't miss Main Street and A1A, but be careful. Plan to spend at least one day where it all began, downtown. Experience the Boothill Saloon, Froggies and the vendors who scored property on Main.”
If you have a Harley and need parts see Two Wheelers, and tell 'em that bastard Bandit sent ya. For new stuff see Daytona Harley on Beach street and Harley Heaven for Demo Rides near the racetrack. More and more activities are forming inland since Bruce Rossmeyer refurbished Daytona Harley-Davidson. Just down the street there's Carl's speed shop, Arlen Ness has a shop and there's more bike related businesses. Staying on the mainland side of the inland waterway prevents traffic snarls and run-ins with cops. I downed another shot.
“Planning is the key,” Rogue pointed out. “There are plenty of Hotels, Motels and Campgrounds but they fill up fast and bank on reservations from the previous year. Use your computer to find a place, and check with the Chamber of Commerce (http://www.daytonachamber.com).”
“Partying is every where,” Rogue pointed out slugging Jack from the bottle, “but if you have 'too much fun' you could join the, 'Come To Florida On Vacation, Leave On Probation Club'.” Don't ruin your trip.Watch your speed, especially on A1A and beachside. If you get stopped don't Argue. You'll go to jail. You can always fight the ticket later.”
“Wheelies, Burn Outs and Endos are a guaranteed bust, because of the threat to citizens,” Rogue kicked in again. “There are plenty of Bars with burn out pits. Showing body parts can also get you busted, and if you're boisterously encouraging the girls, you can be arrested for solicitation. If you roll outside of Daytona Beach there are unrestricted bergs and bars.”
I snatched the bottle back and filled my glass. Don't Touch Bikes Babes and Beer. If it ain't yours don't handle it. “Chances are you will be touched back and won't enjoy it,” Rogue added. “Don't give security guys a hard time, either. They're doing their job and don't like stupid shit.”
“As much as I like the Broken Spoke, Iron Horse, and Jackson Hole Saloon on Ormond Strip, I avoid it,” Rogue slurred. “The cops there have a zero tolerance for anything. We joke that they just pick an arbitrary bike to stop.
“Wait a minute,” I snapped at Rogue. “No negative waves.”
“Lock your bike and remember to unlock it before you leave,” Rogue cut in and pushed the fifth of Jack Daniels toward me. “Pay attention to the sandy roads. After rains the roads are slick, and it rains often.”
The shots were flowing and our voices muddled to a blur. We started to tell wild stories of sex and sin, so I'll let you experience Daytona on your own. You'll return, hopefully, with a handful of wild tales to tell over margaritas with your pals.
The bastard will read it, and perhaps post it for the world to see.–Renegade
DAYTONA UPDATES FROM ROGUE
Daytona Daily Beach Pass Fees Jump
Volusia County's Beach Advisory Board will consider recommendations next week to change the rates beach-goers pay for parking. Listed below are some key numbers among the recommendations, which will ultimately be forwarded to the County Council.
$10 – Daily amount nonresidents would pay to park on the beach, up from $5. Residents would continue to pay $5.
$50 – Cost of an annual pass for nonresidents, up from $40. Residents would continue to pay $20.
$3-$5 – Estimated cost for anyone to use off-beach parking, which is now free. Source: Volusia County.
Source: Volusia County.
The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student surfs at the county park almost every day. Parking is free, so it doesn't bother him to just drive away when the waves are flat.
But Rault's free ride may soon be over.
An advisory board is recommending that Volusia County charge $3 to $5 a day for off-beach parking at beachfront parks. The fee, which would apply to residents and tourists, is one of several recommendations that Beach Policy Advisory Board Chairman Glenn Storch plans to bring before the County Council on Jan. 22.
Money collected from off-beach parking would be dedicated to providing more off-beach parking, beachfront parks and restrooms, Storch said.
Among the other recommendations:
· Doubling the non-resident daily pass fee to $10;
· Increasing non-resident season pass to $50, up from $40;
· Preserving the tradition of beach driving, which is now permitted on 15 of the county's 47 miles of beach.
By CINDI BROWNFIELD and JAMES MILLER, Daytona News Journal
The tourist season is about to start in Daytona Beach with Nascar and of course Bike Week. Visitors should expect to spend more for every thing in the area. Bikers Plan ahead. Watch for reports on Bikernet.
–Rogue
