Motorcycle Rally Photos | Biker Radio | Motorcycle Videos | Monster Vlog | Class Photos

Every year in early March two-wheeled enthusiast from around the world gather to pay omige to their hobby, their excitement and passion of motorcycling. Like salmon returning to their stream, motorcyclist return to their major source of their energy: the commodery and fellowship of the motorcycle community. Daytona Beach Bikeweek, the first major event of the year has been going on for over sixty-six years. This year, after an exceptionally bitter winter int he northeast, the promise of a southern spring and the lure of the Florida sun made the trek south made it a no-brainer for over a half million faithful riders. A perfect Camber of Commerce sunny 78 degree week made this year's hallowed event even better than usual.

Given the superb weather, the real riders in attendance enjoy the beautiful beaches, citrus groves and rolling hills of Central Florida. The historic loop of Tomoka State Park also provided riders with a beautiful oak canopy ride among miles of pristine Florida wilderness. The unspoiled wetlants of Volusia County is something special and a most for bikers visiting Daytona. The old standby haunts that bikers have grown to love and visit annually like Gilly's Pub 44, Millers, the Cabbage Patch, the Last Resort and the Iron Horse Saloon all were rocking out as usual. With familiar bands like David, Allan Coe, burnouts and bodacious bodies the sun added to the regular shenanigans and fun.

On Main Street, the never ending parade of styling and profiling, gave party goers the usual kodak moments as anxious fellows begged the ladies for souvenir photos to take back to the great white north. As for law enforcement, the attitude seemed more laid back than in recent Daytona pasts. As always officers didn't seem to be too impatient with little improprieties like eye protection, pipe infractions and even a little body paint here and there.

Frankly the Main Street traffic seemed a little down from past years as parking spots were not that difficult to find and four-wheelers where allowed to travel Main Street even during the heavy hours. Restaurant waits weren't too bad and the lines at the beer girl attractions were tolerable. One guy complained that he barely got to know the beer girl before it was time for his beverage order. The vending errors on the Daytona Speedway were also a little off from the past.

The one major change that has occurred that has probably changed Bikeweek forever is the growth of Bruce Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona. After an ongoing tiff with city fathers, over the years resisting Rossmeye's innovated resurrection of the bikeweek festival Rossmeyer decided to move the party. And did he move the party! Not only did he buy 150 acres on I-95 and US1 in Ormond Beach he built the Taj Mahal of biker venues in all the world: Destination Daytona. Complete with enough vending space, food establishments, hotel rooms, condos, motorcycle shops and technical schools to help any Harley respecting biker forget about the old beach street.

Respected motorcycle names like Arlen Ness, Ducati, triumph, J&P Cycles and of course Harley Davidson have all been brought together by Rossmeyer to give the motorcycle community a perfect place to get your total Daytona motorcycle fix. Other ongoing projects like the Wyotech Trade School and the new Coca-Cola Amphitheater promise to keep the excitement building for many years to come.

After traveling to Main Street and noticing less traffic than usual, it was evident that the motorcycle in-crowd have all gone up the road to Destination Daytona. The traffic on US1 was so backed up you would've thought that you were at the World's Fair. Rossmeyer knows exactly how to handle this sort of crowd and provisions had already been made. Much like Disney World, parking facilities north of the Harley shop gave visitors not only a place to park but transportation via a tram to main vendor areas. Food Courts, Bands and tents for casual dining all made for a pleasurable experience at Bruce's new digs. The old adage "Build it and they will come" was never more evident because not only did they come, they all came in huge numbers.

Remember the old days when we went to Beach Street? Now they only place to be in the motorcycle world is Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona. Rossmeyer's vision and drive has given him the ultimate riding destination. Congratulations Bruce!