Perfect riding weather, women in bikinis-in October, nonetheless-short beer lines, and an awesome display of bikes and public partying: Welcome to Biketoberfest 2006. Celebrating its 14th birthday, Biketoberfest rocked Daytona Beach, Florida, October 19-22, with mostly sunny skies (at least no hurricane threats), which in turn meant happy crowds.
We split our time at Biketoberfest between Main Street and Daytona International Speedway, as well as Destination Daytona in Ormond Beach. There were plenty of vendors set up along Main Street, ample entertainment from just people watching, and cool places to kick back for a cold beverage and a show. We had a few good times at the Bank & Blues Club, rocking away to the live rockabilly music of The Razorbacks. Bloody Mary's from the Bank go well with any hangover. We made the short trip to Destination Daytona-a mini city in its own right-where we found many vendors, restaurants, bands, condos, and, of course, Bruce Rossmeyer's world's largest H-D dealership. We had fun getting transported from the parking lot to Destination Daytona (similar to parking at Disneyland), watching the bikini contest sponsored by the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse tour, and eating good grub.
Where did we find a lot of bitchin' bikes? Besides some being ridden, some parked, others were entered in bike shows, like the Rat's Hole, Willie's Tropical Tattoo, and the Boardwalk Classic. Back by popular demand, the Rat's Hole show returned to the Daytona Lagoon Water Park.
As Biketoberfest was winding down, just about the time our legs were giving out, we were able to squeeze in a few extracurricular activities. A ride down Florida's coast or a swim in the warm Atlantic Ocean is a to-do when you can make it there. Good times were had at Biketoberfest. Special thanks to Jim Nasi of Jim Nasi Customs.