DAYTONA 2012…..A RUN IN THE SUN……………..

Originally posted by Buck Lovell on Monday, 19 March 2012 in Buck Lovell’s – American Biker Blog

DAYTONA BIKE WEEK 2012

THE FIRST MAJOR RUN OF THE YEAR IS ALWAYS A HOOT!

By Buck Lovell

Daytona Bike Week started out with a rainy day, then a sunny day, and then on the first Wednesday on the week a fatal car versus motorcycle traffic accident that took the life of Amber Britton, wife of Keith Britton, inventor of the Diamonds Heads process, and founder of the Diamond Heads Company. Amber will be sorely missed by all of us who knew her. 2012 Daytona Bike Week attendance was slightly below what this writer considers average, which would be below the highest peak numbers seen in the past, but much higher than in several recent years. Higher motorcycle rider attendance during Bike Week is a good indicator that the economy is making a comeback, and the motorcycle industry is on the move towards the positive as well. The Fifth Annual Fusion charity event held at the Dog House on Main Street Daytona was jam packed. An as yet unspecified amount of cash was raised for Soldiers Angels a non profit group that benefits American service men and women. Main Street was just about as crazy as I have ever seen it for almost a week straight…..I only wish they would restrict main street to motorcycles only during Daytona Bike Week……4-wheeled vehicles have no place on the Main Street during bike week in my opinion.

The City of Daytona says Daytona Beach Bike Week is the “largest” motorcycle event in the world. I always wonder if they mean it’s the largest geographically, or in attendance. Motorcycle riders are seen riding from Main Street in Daytona, all the way out to Rossmeyer’s “Destination” Daytona and back, just for the ride. There are several routes, all with different scenery. This is the time of year in Florida when there are little or no flying insects to hit ya in the eyeball, no bugs to get stuck in your teeth. I would venture to say this year’s Bike Week had some of the best weather of the last ten Daytona events. None of that crazy ass wind-with-rain-stay-inside and don’t ride weather happened this year. I was in Daytona Beach for only four days, and every single day was sunshine and blue skies with Ansel Adams white fluffy clouds. As usual, there was far too much to do, and too little time to do it in. The bike show at the Convention Center was a must see. I cruised the Midway vendor area located in the front parking at the Daytona Speedway to see what’s new with such industry companies as Bourget’s, J&P Cycles, Vance & Hines and Kuryakyn to mention only four. Even the Go Pro camera company had a booth. Go Pro is the company that sells the small, stick-to-your-helmet-sports-action-video camera that no self respecting motorcycle rider should leave home without. As usual when at Daytona, I ate more than I should have, drank more than I should have, and had exactly as much fun as I should have. OK…… maybe some extra fun was had, but I didn’t have a hangover. Main Street Daytona always has more carnival food vendors than any three country fair venues that I’ve ever attended. I can’t resist those huge, spitted, rotating turkey legs that look over-cooked on the outside, but are perfectly delicious on the inside. Don’t even mention polish sausage, or bratwurst to me….you’ll make my stomach growl. If you missed this years event shame on you…..don’t make that mistake next year. Daytona Beach Bike Week is a barrel of fun, if you’re a biker that is….see ya next year.

Buck