The 67th Annual Daytona Bike Week is running full throttle February 29th thru March 9th with just over 500,00 bikers in attendance.
As usual BikeWeek events fill most of the hotels and campgrounds, so make your plans early.
The first charity event this year was actually in Ocala, when home town biker and "down to earth actor" John Travolta, helped to raise $15,000 for tornado victims in Lady Lake by charging $300 for everyone who wanted the privilege of riding his or her motorcycle thru downtown Ocala to the local preimere of "Wild Hogs". Travolta matched it with another $15,000.
The second major event benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association was the annual Harley-Davidson Ride-In Show Contest at the Ocean Center. A cash prize of $500 and a trophy was awarded to the "Best of Show" winner in each catagory.
The 13 catagories were:. Radical Custom, Street Custom Big Twin, Show Custom Big Twin, Street Custom Sportster, Buell, Full Dresser, Custom Trike, Sidecar, Antique, VRSC (V-Rod), Sport-Touring Street and Sport-Touring. The awards were presented by Motorcycle Hall of Fame member and H-D designer Willie G.
At the 35th Annual Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show was back at the Daytona Lagoon water park for their biggest show ever. The big event this year was the V8 Chopper Build-Off. this year and the first lucky 5,000 people will received a free 35th Anniversary pins.
Fatalities are down this year with with only three tragic accidents so far.... Last year between 50-60 bikes were stolen by organized theft rings. A sting operation is underway by law enforcement using bait bikes with hidden GPS tracking devices. So far, only five bikes have been reported stolen.
