Bike Week Blog 2019

Racetrack RV

By Austyn O’Dwyer

 

Bike Week 2019 kicked off this week and runs through St. Patrick’s Day. For just over a week, Daytona’s quiet streets, sleepy boulevards, and oceanfront vistas will be commandeered by the largest gathering of bike enthusiasts in the country. If you have not experienced this grand spectacle of two-wheeled revelry, navigating the many events and taking it all in might sound like a daunting task, however, with a bit of insider knowledge, Bike Week can be an awe-inspiring event that will stick with you for years to come. We, at Racetrack RV, are veterans when it comes to Bike Week and are glad to share our knowledge with you, dear camper. So sit back, relax, and don some leather as we navigate Bike Week 2019 in this week’s blog post!

 

Official Calendar Of Events

No in-depth guide would be complete without a comprehensive list of events. Bike Week 2019 boasts one of the best event line-ups to date with live music, bike shows, group rides, and dozens of other unique activities that can only be found in Daytona. These events are dispersed among several locations in Daytona Beach with the majority taking place at (where else?) but the International Speedway. For a specific listing of event locations as well as additional details, we provided a link for your convenience.

• 2019 Daytona 200 MC Alligator Road Tour March 13, 2019 to March 13, 2019
• All Balls Dirt Drag Race Show March 13, 2019 to March 16, 2019
• Bull Riding Contest March 13, 2019 to March 13, 2019
• FREE Concert – SwitchBlade March 13, 2019 to March 13, 2019
• Miss Cacklebery 2019 Contest March 13, 2019 to March 13, 2019
• Perewitz Paint Show March 13, 2019 to March 13, 2019
• Slaughter at Dirty Harry’s March 13, 2019 to March 13, 2019
• 41st Annual Side Car and Trike Day and SHow March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• Absolute Queen March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• American Flat Track Daytona TT March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• Bike Week Bike Rodeo and Bike Show March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• Bikers and Bling March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• Daytona Biker Bash March 14, 2019 to March 16, 2019
• Daytona King of South March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• FREE Bike Week Concer tMarch 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• FREE Concert – Simply Redneck March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• Garage Build No Pros Bike Show March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• Halifax Humane Society Bike Week Ruff Ride March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• Parmalee at the Iron Horse Saloon March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• Tropical Tattoo Chopper Time Old School Chopper Show March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2019
• Daytona Bike Week’s 4th Annual Burning Bike March 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• 2019 Boardwalk Bike Show March 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• 5th Annual HOG International Rid March 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• Bikes N Bass Bike Show and Sound Competition March 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• Boogie East Chopper Show March 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• Cafe Racer, Classic Bike Day and Show March 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• Ride Forever Wedding Ceremony March 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• Team Money Cycles Sound Off Series March 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• Turner’s Custom Bike Competition March 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• V8 ParadeMarch 15, 2019 to March 15, 2019
• 47th Rats Hole Custom Bike & Chopper Show March 16, 2019 to March 16, 2019
• AMCA Vintage Motorcycle Show March 16, 2019 to March 16, 2019

 

Note: The events are current for the day of this publication (3/12)

 

Hidden Gems

 

Who said that all events had to be listed? Bikers are some of the most adventurous and tenacious bunch around, after all. These “hidden gems” of Bike Week 2019 might not be featured on the mainstream sites, but they are sure to add an air of mystery and unbridled exploration, even if it’s just for a few miles. These next few tips skirt the road less traveled but, hey, we like it that way.

 

The Loop

Bending listlessly through dense foliage and pristine waterfront, “The Loop” is 35 mile stretch of road that wayward bikers, hikers, and serenity seekers alike cruise on cool afternoons to take in the natural beauty that Florida has to offer. Starting on historic John Anderson Drive, “The Loop” offers some of the best views of Ormond Beach’s natural beauty. Bikers in-the-know spend hours with the salt wind in their hair and the asphalt under their feet and (understandably) keep this paradise under wraps for fear of overcrowding ( you didn’t hear this from us, okay?)

 

You didn’t see…anything…..

 

The Kennedy Space Center

Okay, so you might be looking at me funny here, but bear with me. If you’ve made it this far south, you’d be crazy not to take your steel horse on a pilgrimage to one of the most iconic coasts in the world. Kennedy Space Center has been the apex of off-world aeronautics and is a sight to behold. What better way to experience such a marvel of modern avionics and picturesque surroundings than from your beloved bike?   Thousands of bikers visit this landmark, merging the best parts of earth and space- bound transportation.

 

Bars, Bars, and More Bars

The term “biker bar” evokes many different images. From parties that last until the blue morning peeks over the horizon, live music so loud that it rattles the bones, and camaraderie found only in the crucible of iron and oil, the bars that bikers frequent are a sacred place that only the truly passionate might find solace. Here are a few of those places, usually jam packed with like-minded individuals looking to make the most of their Bike Week (responsibly).

 

The Iron Horse Saloon

 

Opened in 1980, this world-famous biker hangout is a favorite haunt of most visitors to Bike Week in Daytona Beach. Frequented by acts like David Allan Coe and Insane Clown Posse, thus pseudo concert/ party venue is a sight to behold, with a myriad of modge podge wooden stalls slapped together like some post-apocalyptic wasteland city locked in perpetual celebration. If you can weave your way through the garden of a million parked motorcycles, one of the greatest and most storied biker locations awaits you.

 

Boot Hill Saloon

 

 

“Come on in and have a seat, you’re better off here than across the street.” This saying, dating back to 1973, adorns the door portal of Boot Hill Saloon and reminds patrons that the cemetery, conveniently located in the adjacent lot, is a less desirable place to spend your time. The Boot Hill Saloon is another iconic biker bar in Daytona Beach that offers live music, bike shows, and plenty of cold beer. Boot Hill is one of those establishments that never seem to stop the party, and they’ll take that responsibility to the grave.

 

We hope that this week’s blog has inspired you to check out this year’s Bike Week activities, whether you own a bike or not, Bike Week is a spectacle not to be missed. Thank you for reading and, as always, have a wonderful stay!