Observations and pictures from Bike Week 2007 in Daytona Beach
By Monk
Saturday, March 3
It was another cold, rainy, dreary day when we took off
on our way to our 4th Annual Dixie Biker Bike Week
Kick-Off Party at Trader Jack's Roadside in DeLand.
About 52 degrees and the rain was comin' down pretty
good. We were in the truck since we were loaded down
with give-aways and merchandise for the Party but, to
tell you the truth, I know Boots wouldn't've been ridin'
even if we didn't have to bring all our stuff. It's even
debateable whether I would've rode - it was really nasty.
And we came across an ominous scene just up the
road from the house - an accident scene involving a
couple of bikes. I'm sure the riders failed to negoiate a
turn which doesn't look near as dangerous as it is. It's
on The Loop, just after the drawbridge on High
Bridge Road at the intersection with John Anderson Drive if you're headin' East. Anyhow, if one continues straight towards the ocean, and doesn't take the right hander onto John Anderson, the curve is deeper than it appears, plus the road falls away to the rider's right. The banking is opposite what it should be, and we've seen many near misses on the intersection. It's best to sloooooow down, especailly if you're unfamiliar with the road.
As I often do, I was frettin' over the turnout for our Kick Off Party cuz the weather was so crappy. "Man, would you stop worryin' about it, honey," Boots exclaimed. "You know folks're gonna come out even if it's in a cage. They know they'll have a good time, and on such a crummy day, what better place to be than havin' a good time with good friends!"
Hunkered down and bundled up against the elements. It was nasty.
We went out Hwy 40 to Hwy 11 to DeLand. There weren't many bikes on the road, that's for sure. We made a quick run to downtown since this was the date for the 3rd Annual DeLand Bike Rally and we had a couple of hours to kill before our Kick Off Party started at 4 pm.
Well, unfortunately, it was pretty much empty - a ghost town. The rain was comin' in sheets and the vendor booths were all tarped up, a couple of bikes parked here and there, but nuthin' goin' on. That's sad cuz they do a good job with this deal and normally have several thousand folks out for it. And that made worry
about our party even more. Headin' North on Hwy 17 didn't make me feel much better when we rode by OB's 1750 North - there were six or seven
bikes parked there and
the place is normally
pretty packed. Three
miles further on and I
found out why there were
only a couple of bikes
there and downtown -
they were all at Trader
Jack's Roadside waitin'
on us! (below)
Dixie Biker photographer Chad and his lovely wife Jill pulled in just after us. They were soaked to the bone after the ride up from New Smyrna Beach.
Phil's jacket. I doubt it helped much on this day!
There were fifty or sixy cars and
trucks parked in the south dirt and
grass and mud lot, and there were
already three or four rows of bikes
lined up in the north paved lot, which
is reserved for Bike Parking Only. You
know ya gotta take care of the bikers
if you're a "biker friendly" establish-
ment. So of course the bikes got the
paved parking.
I unloaded the gear and junk from the truck while Boots and her girlfriends did the important things - got a bar tab set up and started huggin' necks and greetin' readers and friends. There were several hundred bikers hangin' out doin' what we do. Some inside and lots outside cuz Mike and Becky had the portable heaters blastin' out some warm air. And
as the propane tanks ran empty, Mike
and crew quickly swapped 'em out to
keep the flames burin'. Those heaters
got lotsa use today with folks dryin' out
gloves, leathers and jeans.
Since we didn't get to hangout in
downtown DeLand for the Rally we
were an hour or so early for our party
so we just kinda hung out gettin' right
with a couple of ABs (adult beverages.)
The band wasn't even able to play
cuz the rain was still comin' down pretty
good and equipment was shortin' out.
Andy, owner of Custom Iron (above) and the world famous Die Yuppie Scum Rat Bike (below) which always gets lotsa attention whenever and wherever he and Sandy ride in.
Well, around 3:30 or so there was a let up in the thunderstorm and it settled down to a drizzle and three kids, one still in braces, took to the stage and started poundin' out some awesom classic rock. These guys were friggin' awesome! Zepplin, Stones, AC-DC and lotsa other tunes. They're named No Circus and we're gonna try and get 'em booked into some of the places in next month's Thunder Rally in Crystal River. "That's my grandson on lead guitar," a lady told me. "They're such great kids. You know they're even honor students!" She was pretty excited and proud and she should be.
I really mean it - these kids were great the biker crowds let 'em know it. Their tip bucket was full, folks were hootin' and hollerin' and they sold a bunch of demo CDs with four cover songs on it.
We delayed the start of some of our games and contests to let the kids keep on playin' cuz everyone was havin' such a great time with 'em.
And there were still folks ridin' in to join' the party even though it was gittin' close to dusk. Maybe the poor souls heard we had heat and an awesome band and decided to come hang out.
We had a big group of those partyin' and ridin' fools from the Seminole County Harley Owners Group ride in, too. They know how to have a great time, regard- less of the weather circumstances. Thanks for coimin' out to party! We appreciate the support, but more imporatantly, like the fun y'all bring to the party!
Above - Phil, SCHOG.
Right - Michelle, Seminole County ABATE. What in the hell is that on your beer bottle, girl!! Too funny watchin' you suck it down. heh heh heh
Raindrops keep fallin' on my. . .
fairing.
Folks were gettin' warmed up and dried out, the rain had let up a
little, Boots and her girlfriends AKA "the Shot Glass Bandits" (right) were gettin' primed up, so we figured it was time to do a little ol' contest while No Circus broke down their equipment and The Halftime Band set up theirs. What better way to get things goin' then doin' a "Toss the Baloney" contest? It's always a hoot and Becky's friend Lindsey had a first-class target to aim for. Becky points out the target area, below, while Boots explains the rules.
Right - Boots does the play by play while Jill shoots. . .
. . . and scores!!
And the crowd went wild. Ya hadda be there!
We had quite a pile of baloney after this one was finished up.
The Half Time band entertained us with more Southern Rock, folks were up dancin' to most of their tunes and whenever they took a break we did a contest or gave away some Dixie Biker gear or something. Never a dull moment. And while the band was playin' we got to hang out with the best folks in Florida - our readers. Shook lotsa hands, hugged lotsa necks and talked about this an' that. It was great, y'all, and we appreciate it.
At the bands halfway through the night break, we had the semi world famous vibrator races. That was a hoot, too, but I didn't get any pictures cuz I was too busy tryin' to MC the event. It started to drizzle while we were settin' up the dildo speedway and the dang vibrators didn't wanna run well. No problem, though. We just put out a call for some "Rain Coats" and got lotsa response since 'bout everyone had some rain gear on this day.
So, with condoms on a couple of the vibrators and some without, the races began. But we hadda stop the first event cuz some of the folks with rainsuits on their vibrators complained it was slowin' their entry down. We removed the rubbers and restarted the race. One nicknamed "Pink Runner" won the event and two lucky winners split the humongous prize fund - $20.
Craig and Dana from Inverness with a Dixie Biker Hello to y'all.
Seminole HOG.
John, Robyn and Rob, Bogart's, Dunnellon-Ocala.
Ft. Lauderdale group with Lori, Seminole Harley.
The Halftime Band had 'em all dancin' - even Tex.
The Halftime Band took a break and we did another iteration of the Baloney Toss which they enjoyed immensly. But when you check out the target, you'll know why they enjoyed it. First Class eye candy, thatsfersur!
Tee, from Jacksonville (below) , looked a little sleepy just before he got fully awake to toss the baloney, right ---->
No need to waste the bologna. . . we got a couple of slices of white bread, some mayo and made a couple of late-night sandwiches.
Brian, from New Hampshire, says Good Night - it's time to go. There was a break in the rain and chance to ride and not get soaked so they saddled up and rode out. Thanks for comin' by and helpin' us have a great time!
Just as one group rode off, it seemed like another group rode in. But that's the way it always goes with our parties. Always new faces comin' in to share road stories with us, swappin' lies and have a great time.
These folks rode over and joined the fun. Julie and Mike are from DeLand, and David and Ashton, on the right, are from Lewiston, Maine.
"What's it take to get my buds from Maine in DBI, Monk?" asked Mike. "Just what ya just did," I replied. "They know about the magazine?"
"You betcha," Mike said while swallowing a sip of Bud Light. "I mail it to 'em every month so they don't miss an issue."
I got to meet Swamp Rat and Biscuit (a bike week virgin) who rode down from Kingsland, GA. I asked him, "You read DBI?"
"Betcherass, bro," he said. "I ride down to the Miss B Haven Bar in Jax the first Saturday of every month to pick up copies for me and my buds."
Well thank you very much for readin', and for comin' out and introducin' yourselves. Y'all're the reason we do the magazine. I also got to meet and talk to John from Ocala and Matt from Jacksonville who are gonna start contributin' stories and pictures to DBI. That's cool, y'all. Thanks.
Newt and crew from Chapter 1, COBB outta Kissimmee came in and partied and played their kazoos all night as did Marie and Mark from Myrtle Beach
(below left).
The Halftime Band played
until around 11 or so and then DJ Danny took us home to the wee hours. Around about midnight we gave away the last Dixie Biker "No Hablo" tee shirt to the first lady that would come up and put it on. Well Biscuit took the challenge and made everyone's night. Thanks, Hon. We'll see you at the old school biker deal Tee and Donna are puttin' on in Kingsland in May. It oughta be a fun one, too!
Well, that about finishes day 2 of Bike Week 2007. Thanks to our fine readers for such an awesome time, and turnout, on such a crappy day. Y'all warmed us to the core with your support and all the good times and good words you threw our way. We sure appreciate it. See ya on the by-ways or at our next party at Rumble Row on Friday, March 9th at Seminole Harley-Davidson. Ride safe this week!!
Bike Week 2007 Main Blog
Bike Week Day 1 - Friday March 2, 2007
