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What's New - EVENT NEWS
Double the Fun at Outer Banks Bike Week™ 2009
May 12, 2009
Outer Banks, NC….A month before the rally you could sense that the 7th Outer Banks Bike Week™ was going to be really big.
More hotels and cottages were booked, more emails and phone calls came in asking for event schedules, and more riders called wanting to know if the towns actually wanted them to come.
The town of Myrtle Beach had recently “cancelled” their back-to-back May rallies and threatened to enforce new biker restrictions. Riders wanted to be sure the Outer Bank’s law enforcement would not harass them for minor issues and would instead appreciate their tourist dollars.
And all the indications were right on. Bikers came in record numbers, despite the economy.
Estimated by door swings at the Harley shops and revenue reporting, more than 20,000 motorcycles showed up and many of them showed up on Monday, 3 days before Outer Banks Bike Week™ even started.
Kitty Hawk Harley-Davidson in Currituck County, the focal point for riders, was jammed throughout the week. The Kitty Hawk HOG (Harley Owners Group) Chapter volunteers manned the information tables where lines formed daily to find out what was going on and to pick up rally guides, maps, contest brochures and restaurant coupons.
All three Harley-Davidson dealerships in the area (Kitty Hawk Harley-Davidson in Currituck, Nags Head Harley-Davidson in Nags Head and Outer Banks Harley-Davidson in Elizabeth City) were the hosts for Outer Banks Bike Week™. Started 7 years ago with a simple bike show and poker run, no one ever imagined that it would become a major motorcycle rally so quickly.
Although riders came from all over the U.S.A, there were large numbers from the east coast states of Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina and South Carolina. Many of the bikers had never been to this area before and were elated to find this treasure.
Many motorcycle rallies are centralized in big fields and most everything happens there, similar to major festivals. But Outer Banks Bike Week™ is a riding rally. There is much to see and do in the area… 5 lighthouses, fishing charters, Wright Brothers Memorial, Hatteras National Seashore Park, pirate lore, 100 miles of scenic beaches to ride and ferries to the various barrier islands. In fact the Ocracoke Ferry broke all records. They had over 1200 bikers take the ferry both Friday and Saturday.
The Outer Banks Passport Run sponsored by the Outer Banks Tourism Bureau took riders to 15 different locations scattered throughout the area. Marlene Mclamb the lucky winner from Salisbury MD won a full weeks vacation in the Outer Banks for next years rally. A rental house from Elan Vacations and over $200 in local restaurant gift certificates was the grand prize.
Greg McElroy from Virginia Beach was more than ecstatic to learn he had won the $ 2000 Harley Shopping Spree by visiting all 4 participating Harley shops. He already had his wish list of pipes and chrome picked out.
There were lots of vendor goodies to check out, the parties were great fun, the bikini girls were hot, (the beautiful Shandi Lester was crowned Miss Outer Banks Bike Week™ 2010) and the local bands River City Gang and Pawn Shop Lifters who played originals won over a new group of fans.
More riders than ever joined with friends to rent the many houses available on the Outer Banks. It was a way to cut costs and have a great place to visit and party with friends.
Although rider interests varied, everyone wanted to get to know the Outer Banks. The guided tours, OBX Passport Run, and poker run got bikers out doing what they like the best…riding.
But it was the way the locals and the local businesses embraced the bikers that will leave a lasting impression. There were hundreds of signs welcoming bikers and offering Bike Week specials throughout the area.
Everyone in town wanted to get involved and everyone found a way to be part of the fun. Retail shops, hotels and restaurants wanted and needed the business but many were just happy to have these well mannered riders show off their motorcycles and share their enthusiasm for riding.
The towns and riders alike made it perfectly clear what they wanted for Outer Banks Bike Week™ 2010.
By demand, Outer Banks Bike Week™ will be a full Sunday to Sunday, April 18-25, in 2010.
By demand we will have more vendors and events to fill up an entire week.
By demand we will order up the same fantastic weather.
We ask you all to come back and enjoy a great time with friends, old and new, at Outer Banks Bike Week™ 2010.
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