With the 73rd Annual 2014 Daytona Bike Week in full swing, I decided to head over on Wednesday to catch some of the action. The weather started out cloudy as I rode over from Orlando, but was clear and sunny by high noon.
For some, Daytona Bike Week is broken up by Bikes, Music, T-Shirts, Beer, Bars and Boobs!
All of that which come in Every Shape, Size, Color, Excitement Level.
If you have never been to Daytona during Bike Week it can also be broken down by location as well.
To the north of Daytona we have Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona which has a very commercial vibe to the Bike Rally but also includes music and beauty contests.
Just down the road from there as you head towards Daytona Beach is the Iron Horse Saloon with more music and entertainment to include mostly Classic Rock and Outlaw Country. This is what you might call a true classic biker bar.
Out by Daytona International Speedway you have the test track and motorcycles of every variety to help you get an idea of your next Hog purchase. My buddy Capt. Fireball spends most of his time here dreaming of the new motorcycle his wife keeps telling him someday he’ll get.
Further South of Daytona heading towards New Smyrna Beach area, you have a mix of several Biker Bars that spring up just for this event and / or are tried and true Biker Bars year round. It’s the perfect ride for those that just want to Bike Week Bar Hop. Here you can see all kinds of mostly local bands and every kind of female biker outfit imaginable.
Further out still from Daytona is Sopotnick’s Cabbage Patch. This sleepy little stop light of a farming community becomes a small city all during Bike Week and also features ladies Cole Slaw Wrestling! This is one of those “I have to go at least once” to check it out type of places. They also feature a lot of biker related vendors to help you get into your biker vibe going.
I usually post up at the Main St. Station, which is right next to my other favorite spot the Legendary Boothill Saloon. Both are located directly across the street from Pinewood Cemetery and right on Main St. Daytona Beach. These two locations provide great bands all week long and Main St. Station being one of the best places to offer up all the people watching you can handle, and listen to live music right on the main drag. This year I was able to see one of my favorite bands appearing there all week called The Living Deads, which is a high voltage twist on old and original Rock-A-Billy and Classic Country. They also play in Orlando when they pass through Florida so you will want to keep an eye open for them.
After they appeared, the next band to follow them at Main St. Station was another favorite of mine Microwave Dave and the Nukes which is a blast off journey of Electric Blues and Classic Rock thru musical time. Plus, he has some of the coolest looking homemade guitars you’ll see.
I mostly stay in the Main St. area as that is where all the true action for Bike Week exists. All along Main St. you have several vendors and bars with great music and something for just about everyone and of course, almost everyone has to take a run down Main St. to show off their ride.
In some eyes it’s toned down a bit from what It was back in the day but at times can be just as crazy as always especially at night!
It’s still cool to at least check it out even for non-bikers as you can at least say that you were in Daytona during Bike Week and also get in some of the most unique people watching you’ll ever see anywhere.
Maybe next time I’ll see you there!
As always Bigdawg “Keep it Between The Ditches”
