You can almost hear the motors running already.
Motorcycle enthusiasts ranging from full-fledged bikers to weekend warriors hit the road each spring for Daytona Bike Week. About 500,000 visitors are expected in the coastal town of Daytona Beach, Fla., March 6-15 for the 74th annual gathering, the unofficial kickoff to riding season.
First-timers can fuel up on the following suggestions.
Start in the park
Organizers say nearly 85 percent of Bike Week guests make their way to Riverfront Park, sitting at the corner of Beach and Main streets on the edge of the Halifax River. It offers one of the most scenic backdrops at the rally, as dolphins cruise by and a breeze wafts off the water.
Park your ride for free on the street or in the park, closer to the action. The official welcome center sets up shop there, arguably the best first stop to make. Grab a complimentary pocket guide full of event information covering the entire 10 days.
You can spend hours exploring the park. You might see the Budweiser Clydesdale horses or motorcycle TV personality and model Michele Smith.
Looking for a pin-striper, custom seats or LEDs for your bike? All can be found in the park. More than 40 vendors will be there offering services and related merchandise, including officially licensed T-shirts, gear and other souvenirs. This year’s logo sports the number 74 flanked by eagle’s wings. You can even get a patch sewn or your jacket and snag some legal consultation with a lawyer.
There’s also continuous entertainment. Bands take the main stage in the bar area from noon to 7 p.m. daily. Genres fit what you’d expect at a bike rally: Think classic and Southern rock, a Johnny Cash tribute and more.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and all points in between can be had courtesy of food vendors offering festival-style fare such as chicken on a stick, barbecue and cheesesteaks. And Zack’s Poppin’ Johnny Ice Cream churns its confections with a 1927 John Deere tractor motor.
As for motorcycles, Chopped Baggers will spotlight more than 75 bikes along the river March 14. Can’t wait until then? The park’s Builder’s Row will feature creations from six bike builders, including Misfit Industries, Azzkikr and Black Label Customs.
Those looking to ride away on a bike can buy from Daytona Wholesale Motorcycles. They’ll have about 100 bikes for sale in the park.
More activities elsewhere
Step across the street from Riverfront Park and you’ll find the recently opened Indian Motorcycle dealership, the flagship location and largest of its kind. Its parking lot will transform into a festival site during the rally with food vendors, live music from noon to 6 p.m. daily, and an appearance March 8 by Indian enthusiast Mike Wolfe from the History Channel TV show “American Pickers.” The popular Rat’s Hole Custom Chopper Show, celebrating its 43rd year, hits the Indian lot March 14.
There also will be plenty of window shopping opportunities for bikers in storefronts along Beach Street. Carl’s Speed Shop, Brigit’s Custom Works, the Trike Shop, Barney’s Leather and other retailers line this stretch of road.
Serious people-watching can be had during Bike Week along Main Street, with its near constant parade of tricked-out cycles and other imaginative vehicles.
Keep in mind the visuals won’t be for the timid. Bikini tops make a traditional fashion statement, and wet T-shirt contests and other fleshy competitions take place at venues along the main drag. Don’t be shocked to see a tattooed woman on stilts stomping along the sidewalk or a python resting around the neck of a sleeveless, ripped dude.
Main Street bars specialize in Bike Week revelry. Boot Hill Saloon will have live music from all-female rockers Dollface, and tributes to AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne and ZZ Top, among others. Both Dirty Harry’s and Full Moon Saloon will offer acts and events on indoor and outdoor stages. The Bank & Blues Club, housed in a former bank from the 1920s, will be the place for high-octane blues and rock.
Daytona International Speedway
Bike Week dates back to 1937 and the first Daytona 200 motorcycle race. Keeping the tradition alive, Daytona International Speedway celebrates Bike Week with beaucoup competitions. It all revs up beginning March 7 on the tri-oval grass section of the speedway, between pit road and the start/finish line, with the Daytona Supercross, featuring the biggest players in the American Motorcycle Association.
The staff will alter the track slightly for the Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross taking place March 8-9.
Yet another event makes use of the track March 10: The ATV Motorcross National Championship, a new addition to the Speedway’s Bike Week itinerary, will put the focus on the best four-wheeler riders in the country.
The Daytona Flat Track doubleheader, happening March 12-13, will move the action to the flat track located outside the speedway.
The American SportBike Racing Association and the Championship Cup Series will hold several road races March 12-15. The centerpiece remains the one that started it all — the 74th annual Daytona 200 will burn up the road course beginning at 1 p.m. March 14. All race tickets can be purchased at 1-800-748-7467 or daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
Just outside the speedway will be its motorcycle marketplace. Admission is free and there will be complimentary demo rides as well as vendor booths featuring after-market parts and accessories. Free bike parking can be found in the lot.
Where to stay
The Bike Week website (officialbikeweek.com) provides links to a wide range of accommodation options, ranging from the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort (the official host hotel a block away from Main Street) to more budget-conscious picks.
Rooms in Daytona proper tend to book quickly in advance. Since the festivities now have expanded into neighboring Volusia County, snagging a spot in the surrounding area isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
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