Daytona Beach, Florida: Daytona Beach Rocks! (& Rumbles)

I'm in sunny, warm (& humid) Daytona Beach Florida. Twice a year Daytona is home to a large motorcycle event where hordes of motorcyclists descend like locusts. Just like locusts they arrive suddenly, in large numbers, eat & drink everything in sight,and then quickly vanish, only to be seen at the same time next year.

Unlike locust they leave a lot of money behind so local businesses are always glad to have bikers attend in large numbers.

Daytona Beach has been home to Bike Week, one of the largest motorcycle events in the country for decades. Held in late February/early March, Bike Week has arguably been the most popular motorcycle event in the world. Only the rally held in Sturgis, SD comes close in size and popularity.

Of course there are lots of motorcycle races at Daytona International Speedway that I hope to attend and get some pictures of the racers. I also plan to go to some of the custom bike shows and get pictures there.

So what do you do when you own the most popular motorcycle event held in the spring? You start a similar event in the fall -- which brings us to Biketoberfest, held in mid-October. Started in 1992, the event is now the third largest motorcycle festival in the country, just behind Sturgis and Bike Week.

My buddy Skip and I drove down on Monday, hauling our bikes instead of riding. I prefer to ride to events like I did with Harley's 100th anniversary party in Wisconsin, however Skip needs to bring some furniture back so we brought his trailer. Drive takes about 12 hours, slightly more when your travelling with Skip, the original 'tiny tanks'.

In any case, the weather has been mostly sunny with a few clouds and a even fewer showers. We are enjoying lots of riding as well as seeing the sights. Lots and lots of great sights.

We take rides during the day, take a swim and get cleaned up at the condo in the late afternoon, before heading out for an evening ride and dinner. Last night was at the famous (or infamous) Iron Horse Saloon, one of several 'must do' locations here in Daytona. Lots of food, beer, music and of course, motorcycle riders of every type, size and description. all enjoying a huge, non-stop party.

Skip had special lighting installed on his Harley. These lights provide a really special look at night. The kit allows different colors to be displayed and the lights can be set to blink or randomly change colors, etc. If you ride with red or blue lights, especially if you have them blinking on and off, the police will give you a ticket for impersonating a policeman. Wow!

I have tried to get my hands on the remote so I can change Skip's lighting as he's going down the road but so far he has kept the remote locked away! You never know, I may yet get a chance to get him pulled over.... only time will tell.

See ya!