It’s all a part of Daytona Beach Bike Week, which in 2020 celebrates its 79th anniversary.
Taking place March 4-13 in Daytona Beach, Fla., it is either the largest or second-largest gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts in the world. The other huge one is Sturgis, which in 2022 is Aug. 5-14 in South Dakota. Each attracts an estimated 500,000 people. Which one is bigger can be discussed in one of the many bars at either event.
“We like to call it the Super Bowl of motorcycle events,” Mike LeFiles, General Manager of Indian Motorcycle Daytona Beach, told the Daytona News-Journal about Daytona Beach Bike Week. “We get thousands of people in from all over the country.”
In Daytona, the 10-day event involves bikes cruising up and down Main Street as well as on the beach, racing and events at Daytona International Speedway and hanging out at Bruce’s, officially known as Bruce Rossmeyer’s Harley-Davidson. Known as Destination Daytona, it’s THE hangout place for bikers during Bike Week.
The official welcome center is at One Daytona, the shopping and entertainment complex across from the speedway. Still, the traditional Riverfront Park – the event’s headquarters for its first 77 years – remains a focal point of attention among bikers. The beachfront park is soon to undergo a renovation and there is a large construction project on Beach St., forcing its relocation. It’s about 10 miles from the beach to the speedway.
Bands play at local bars and various events and there are bikinis and bike babes all over this small beach town along the upper-middle east coast of Florida.
There is also Riverfront Park along the Halifax River, which is home up more than 40 vendors, a food court, tiki bar and more bands.
Most of these events are free to attend; notable exceptions are the Supercross races at the speedway.
Bike Week has become so big that it has spilled out into neighboring towns but make no mistake, Daytona Beach remains the centerpiece of it.
There are always hotel rooms available for last-minute “hey let’s go!,” party people.
Here’s the event’s official website: officialbikeweek.com
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