From The Publisher
Back From Daytona …
The 67th Anniversary of Bike Week in Daytona was, as always a blast! We spent the first Saturday in historic downtown DeLand for their 4th Annual Bike Week Rally. The city of DeLand rolls out the red carpet to its guests for the day. This rally is very well orchestrated which shows as the turn out each year keeps getting bigger and better.
Sunday we rode the old black bike along the Atlantic shore on A1A headed to St. Augustine, the oldest city in Florida. This is one of my favorite places to unwind, it is loaded with history and charm. Here too, the city opens its arms to the rally.
Main Street USA in Daytona is the norm’, full-to-the-brim with colorful characters and lots of beautiful machines. Over many years starting back in 1988, I have attended Bike Week in Daytona from both sides of the arena. The first ten from behind the bar at Froggy’s Saloon on Main Street and ever since from the other side looking in.
One observation I have made is way back when, bike week was a rally that had the feel of a private party for bikers, a mutual meeting ground, if you will. Over time the invitation seemed to become more public and the streets have gone from hard riding bikers that in fact lived the biker lifestyle each day of their lives, to the next generation of weekend warriors. The rode hard motorcycles and worn leathered clad characters seem to have faded and the new leathers and chrome are abundant. One of my favorite stickers is: “If Bike Week Was a Family Affair It Would Have 4 Doors.”
Somehow baby strollers just seem like an inappropriate thing or place on Main Street. But as with everything, times change and bike week has a new look with a new attitude.
Speaking of attitudes, there is one thing that I wish and that is that people would be a little more aware of their surroundings. There are many merchants that keep their shop open year-round. The general public should have a little honor and consider spending their hard earned dollar and buy from the hard-working SOB that struggles to stay alive long after the sea of leathers are gone. Many of these shops keepers even sell American Made products, imagine that. Unlike the Joe Blow that comes into town with a special events vendors license selling T-shirts and other products made in who knows where, with alleged stolen design prints for cheap prices of 4 for $20 on every street corner. Do we even remember that we have men and women overseas fighting for our right to be free? How ‘bout we do our duty and show a little honor whenever possible to support this country the best way we can on our end? Yes I’m ranting, sorry this is something that just irks the hell out of me. Another bike week goes down in history.
continues
