The Biketoberfest Rally in Daytona, Florida, is one of the best events of the year. There are hordes of people, but there isn't anywhere near the number there is during Bike Week. Now that may sound disappointing at first, but take into consideration that the wait to get a drink at the local bars is easily cut in half. This is also true of the wait for food at the many restaurants in the area. Plus, during Bike Week in early spring, most riders from the upper eastern states haven't ridden throughout the winter and are rusty. People seem to forget how to ride and are far more dangerous (I wonder how the accident rate compares between Bike Week and Biketoberfest). People ride better during Biketoberfest.
That said, we had a great time at Biketoberfest this year. Not only are the bars and strip clubs plentiful, there are a lot of great people to share stories with while slamming down your favorite alcoholic beverage (Jack goes with everything). The Broken Spoke is a staple in Daytona, keeping beer or some of the hard stuff within arms reach, but there are other going down within its walls. You can pick up a little ink at the mobile tattoo shop, check out the vendors, or enjoy the ever-present '70s cover bands playing all the favorite clich biker songs. Speaking of bands, if you really like music and are tired of hearing "Free Bird," check out the Razorbacks playing faster-paced psychobilly music (like rockabilly, but with a faster beat - sounds like punk/country) at the Bank on Main Street.
Sorting through the scattered bits of memories we retained from the trip, we recall lounging at Lollipops strip club almost every night - we either started or ended up there at some point. The girls were hot and the drinks were cold, but watered down. You learn to expect that once you become a topless bar veteran. One tip is to get drunk before you go. You'll save all kinds of money on drinks. Unfortunately, we can't offer any money-saving tips for lap-dances, but we're still researching that. Oh yeah, there were bikes and vendors there too, plus cool shows to cruise to, like the Rat's Hole Show. Most of the big names showed up like West Coast Choppers, your favorite pair of Pauls (the Tuetels from O.C.C., don't lie, we know you watch the show), Perewitz, Donnie Smith, Indian Larry's crew, East Side Customs, Eddie Trotta's Thunder Cycle Designs, Jim Nasi, and helluva lot more. The Harley knock-off trinket slingers and the cheap leather fringe and concho vendors were there too, along with a sizeable mass of typical "event food" designed to clear out your intestines with every bite of processed cat meat. Thankfully, there are good restaurants in the area, so you won't have to live on booze alone (but we tried anyway).
Special thanks to Mike and Dave from Eastside Customs!
A few tips for those who plan to attend Biketoberfest next year:1. Buy extra liquor (or beer) before you leave for the evening and stash it in your hotel room. When the bars close, so do the stores, you'll thank us when its 3 a.m. and you're still thirsty.
2. Don't use the ATM in any strip club.
3. Make friends with the owners of the bars. Sometimes they won't kick you out at closing time and might even serve drinks after hours. This tip is especially handy if you screw up tip number one.
4. ALWAYS carry extra condoms. After you've been to a few strip clubs and a bar or two, you're going to try to get laid, we know you too well. A green dick is not a fashion statement, and your wife is going to be pissed if you get another girl pregnant.
5. Buy extra liquor (or beer) before you leave for the evening and stash it in your hotel room. When the bars close, so do the stores. We figured out this one after learning the hard way.