Las Vegas is the West Coast version of the city that never sleeps. Bars and casinos cater to your every need, and what they don't provide is usually just sitting a barstool away. Aside from the sins and vices,Nevada offers excellent riding and scenery.These are probably just some of the reasons that one of the best bike shows in the West happens to take place every Fall right in the middle of the city.
This past year marked the 7th anniversary for the Las Vegas BikeFest, held downtown in and around historic Fremont St. Like other bike events, there's bike shows, music, food, beer, babes, etc. But in this case the bike show is the inviteonly Artistry in Iron show, the beauty contestants are all 12s, and the party is just really getting started when most othersare put to bed. There were 300 vendors in the Vendor Village, including motorcycle manufacturers, production custom manufacturers, custom builders, and parts and accessories. Las Vegas BikeFest is one of the few motorcycle rallies that verify actual attendance through event registrations and ticket sales statistics. After the burnout smoke cleared, official attendance was 34,408. Part of the success was changing the date to make sure temps would be tolerable-not like the 100+ degrees of late summer. It worked, as the opening day temperature was a perfect 85 degrees and then dropped to 76 degrees for the weekend.
For those that drank too much on Friday night, Saturday had a walking poker run that leisurely toured Fremont. BikeFest registrants got to see former GnR guitarist Gilby Clarke for free. The always-gracious Count's Kustoms had the band Crash play at their Vegas shop.Fremont St. had live music all weekend as well as a bike show under the grid that covers the most infamous street in Vegas.If you or your significant other like dancing on the bar, then Hogs & Heifers Saloon was the place for you.
I think you are getting the idea that BikeFest is much more than a bunch of Greybeards riding baggers and eating at the buffet. In fact, there is too much to do during the festivities, the least of which is sleep.
Be there October 2-5, we'll be the guys with the bloodshot eyes.