Posting may be sketchy this week.

Vickie, that sounds like fun! Take care of yourself and enjoy as much as you can.

Ah, St. Augustine.....I absolutely love it there! Although I haven't been in quite awhile, we used to go there every couple of years. It's a very special city - the fort, the lighthouse and the various houses and buildings have an aura around them that is indescribable. You feel as though you are in another place and time....ok, that's it, time for me to take the family on a road trip!

Have loads of fun and don't overdo it in the coming days. C:

St. Augustine, what a place. We have vacationed there many times over the years. One of my favorite places in Florida. And yes, Bike Week at Daytona, sheer chaos, lol.

david

Well I survived day 1 !!!

Matt there is no parking in Daytona during bike week!! Main streets and thru fares all closed to vendors,the entire International speedway holds wall to wall vendors as well as every empty lot,parking lot,parking garage,even Atlantic ave is closed to traffic other then bikes an pedestrians.

Very dangerous for bikers to mix with motor vehicles. Two motorcycles versus cars yesterday in the vendor area of the Daytona flea market where I was. Haven't seen the count for the city on its 1st day if the week.

It is sheer chaos alright.

Ga take the same crowd as race week an put them all on a motorcyclist an YOU have bike week.

They camp,every motel full,every field,people rent out their garages or basements and even back yards. Forget going out to eat lines out doors even at McDonald's.

It's like Mardi Gras except their on motorcycles.

This is survival for business. Many depend on bike week and race week to pull in their yearly profit. Well and Biketoberfest it's a smaller shorter version of bike week,lasts only 4 days versus 10 but close to the same amount of people here.

This year we had one week between race week and the start of bike week.

I came in at 7 ate pizza went to bed at 7:45

This will be my day for all 10 I imagine. Hopefully we'll worth 5 days in the World golf villa at St Augustine an no I do not golf,ever.

I just have heard so many fantastic things about the old ST Augustine and you all added to it. We are scheduled for a ghost walk at midnight in the old town. This should be interesting right? Lol

I won't respond much but will try to check in here and bring bike week and St Augustine to you that aren't here.

Everyone take care of your selves this week and each other.

Vickie

Hi Vickie -

Thanks for the updates :) I enjoy reading them..! But I am truly sorry you are in so much pain. I don't see you here online so I'm hoping the meds kicked in and you are sleeping!

Take care of yourself - and update when you can :)

--Tina

Well day 6 of Bike Week 2013,after today 4 to go and it will be those worst 4 of the 10. Another 10,000 bikers will start landing here in the next 2 days for the finale.

I think next year if I survive this one I will leave town!

It's a constant din of white noise no matter where you are and total temporary deafness when they all decide to rev up their engines. It's a noise like no other. Not to mention all the refrigerated semis parked everywhere as well running.

We have every big name seller of motorcycles and anything to do with them,and their parts,equipment,boots,hats,jewelry,exhaust,those different special effects people who put running light's,paint and apply emblems,and pimp the bikes out I guess. Food vendors? Anything yo can imagine in triplicate. Yesterday I saw a Cajun crawfish booth?

This city employees every extra police officer they can get their hands on for this event and we already have the city police,the sheriff's,the beach patrol(they are police with arrest powers) game wardens,campus police,and Volusia county itself has police divisions inside of the cities,holly hill,New Smyrna,Edgewater,they have jurisdiction as well all over Daytona,so the regular police force is huge.

During this event they are out in force on foot,bicycles,atvs,cars,horses and of course motorcycles. The thing is most laws normally in effect are suspended during this event. You can buy beer or wine on the streets from vendors and walk around drinking it. As long as your not being a danger to yourself or others no problems.

The emergency lane on the roads becomes the motorcycle lane,same for the bike lane. U turns are not a fining offense. No parking becomes a pay space of $5/bikes and $10/cars. Front yards,streets,business parking lots,anywhere a property owner can park a bike is $.

Motorcycle or as they're called bikini bike washes,every corner,girls in bikinis waving signs. Last year a few got permission for topless and rented tents to put them in and a few are back even after the big hoopla last year from residents. The city charges every vendor an astronomical amount for an event permit and now this year food vendors pay a sewer fee as well.

Obviously I can't post pics but Google it and will see all kinds.

The strangest I've seen this year was a motorcycle with a casket made. into the side car and 2 girls walking up US 1 in biker leather chaps and nothing under them. Butt naked on the highway. I personally think that's allowing too much leniency as children don't leave home when bike week starts.

Maybe I'm getting old,who knows,but I do think I will sit out next year and let the younger generation take over.

Vickie

Post Edited (nvrthesame98) : 3/13/2013 12:39:48 AM (GMT-6)

Its every bikers dream to be here. They follow an itinerary,Sturgis,biketoberfest,bike week,and have the shirts to go with it. Lol

Sorry you can't ride anymore,the sitting an hour in traffic here would put you outta the game.

I have met double amps that have custom bikes that actually carry their chairs on board. It's an inspiration to see these guys that dedicated to something.

How about maybe trading your hog for a trike? I've talked to many here that say thats why they went to the 3 or 4 wheel bikes. Their rides smoother and they have the wide custom highback seats much like a van seat. They pretty much look orthopedic in design.

You see many older and disabled riders going to them. It's not exactly like the free styles but you still ride with the wind in your face!!

We seem to have so much to have to give up I'm always on the lookout for alternatives to passions we all have. Simply trying to find ways for many of us to stay in the game awhile longer.

Something to think about.

Why are you up haunting the halls with me tonight? I don't sleep much at night these days and usually my best sleep comes from falling asleep in the recliner reading. The minute I start preparing for bed I am wide awake.

Too many night shifts for too many years. That and the pain monster visiting. Lol

Awww the life.

Vickie