Twice a year Daytona Beach and the surrounding cities host events for bikers. Around the middle of October approximately half a million bikers from all over the world roar into Daytona and the surrounding cities to enjoy the shortest of these events, Biketoberfest. For four days the roar of motorcycles fills the air. The ground vibrates and throbs with the sound of motorcycles.
This was my initiation at driving my Harley Davidson XL883C in heavy biker traffic having only had my license since March. Prior to this I was always on the back of Marks’ Harley Ultra Classic. Obviously I had my hands full and therefore have no real photographs to share. Here are some images, screen captures taken from my and Marks’ Drift video helmet cameras as well as some from the live web feed on Main Street, Daytona Beach where a lot of the action takes place.
First pass through
Joey as Leader of the pack
The above was taken early on Friday morning. Here I am leading a pack of bikers onto Main Street. At this time we could putter through at a constant slow speed. This would change later in the day.
Later on and it’s getting busier – Marks and I side by side
Later on Friday as it’s getting busier. Pedestrians line the side walks enjoying the sights and sounds. Cars are still sightseeing up and down Main Street but around the middle of the afternoon Main Street is closed to vehicles making it safer for bikers. Main Street is a narrow street about half a mile long and this time around it took us about 20-30 minutes to ride or sometimes inch our way through.
Taken from Marks’ helmet camera – Main Street Daytona Beach
From Marks’ viewpoint a screen capture from his Drift helmet video camera. I’ve got the white helmet on. You can see it’s really starting to get busier as we inch our way East on Main Street.
Screenshot of Marks from my Drift helmet video camera
Driving through Beach Street
Another screen capture from Marks’ Drift helmet camera showing Beach Street where a lot of the vendors set up tents to display and sell their t-shirts and other biker paraphernalia. The trike (three wheeler) next to me has a 350 cubic inch race car engine in it and sounded “BAD to the BONE”!!
Main Street transformed at night
Rest stop – a “Nikon” moment
Stopping to take a break on our ride through the famous “Loop”. This ride takes in some of the beautiful woods in Central Florida. This area is usually very quiet but during Biketoberfest the deer and hog take cover as the drumbeat of Harley Davidson motorcycles fills the air.
Harley man Marks
Sunday afternoon rolled around and it was as if someone had flipped off a switch, the air grew quiet and the usually sleepy cities of Daytona, Ormond and Holly Hill settled back down to a normal rhythm.
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