What's Happening at the 71st Daytona Bike Week 2012

 

Daytona Bike Week enjoyed nearly picture-perfect Florida weather, March 9-18, with temps in the low to high 70's. As usual, there were a couple rainy days.

Bike Week 2012 was one week later than usual, due to a scheduling conflict at Daytona International Speedway. So bikers mingled on the beaches and in the bars with spring breakers on the last weekend, but no one seemed to mind.

Cold beer, hot biker chicks, world-class racing, bike shows and hundreds of vendors draw an estimated 500,000 visitors to the Daytona Beach event every year. For upcoming rallies, visit the  Official Bike Week Daytona Beach.

Related story: 70th Bike Week Anniversary.

Click here for a Google Map of Key Bike Week event locations

Saturday, March 10th 2012 - many bike riders headed to DeLand (20 miles west on US 92) for the Pro-Am Bike Show & DeLand Rally that featured bands on two stages downtown and bike-only parking.

The historic downtown is filled with building-sized murals that make a beautiful backdrop for motorcycle photographs. 

Biker author, Edward Winterhalder was at the Seminole Harley-Davidson booth in DeLand on Saturday. He is also the creator and executive producer of the Biker Chicz reality TV series. 

Because NASCAR pushed the date of the 2012 Daytona 500 back one week, Daytona Bike Week 2012 started a week later in order to give Daytona International Speedway time to prepare for the Daytona Supercross and Daytona 200 motorcycle races.

Saturday, March 10th

Daytona Supercross by Honda.

The race draws the world's top Supercross riders such as Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey to battle on a course designed by five-time winner Ricky Carmichael.

Thurs & Friday, March 15 & 16, The Daytona Flat Track hosted  AMA Pro Flat Track racing on a quarter-mile lime rock track in the West Lot, just outside Turns 1 and 2.

First Turn - by David Uhl

Saturday, March 17th, The Daytona 200 kicks off the AMA Pro Racing season with a 200-mile battle on Daytona's road course with America's top motorcycle stars.

During Bike Week 2012, the artist David Uhl was juggling events at two locations -- the Uhl Gallery at Destination Daytona (Ormond Beach) and the new Uhl Works Patio at Beach Street Harley-Davidson, downtown Daytona Beach.

Tuesday, March 13, David Uhl, Cris Sommer-Simmons and Pat Simmons (Doobie Brothers) signed signing limited-edition giclee prints of David's latest masterpiece, "Leading Ladies," and Cris's new book, "The American Motorcycle Girl's Cannonball Diary," along with a solo acoustic concert by Pat. Special appearances by Gloria Tramontin Struck, David's new "Woman of Harley," along with appearances by Laura Klock and Jodi Perewitz. David Uhl painted "Leading Ladies" last year, but waited to release it until Cris had completed her Cannonball book.

Tuesday, March 13, the 5th Annual Harley-Davidson MDA Women's Ride rolled out from Riverfront Park on Beach Street at 10am and returned at 1pm. Details:  mdariders.org.

The 2012 Bike Shows

This year, the Limpnickie Lot of "next generation" builders was at Stone Edge Skate Park, 1848 S. Ridgewood Ave. in South Daytona, with Led Sled/ Street Chopper across from Limpnickie and a new lot at Iron Horse, 1068 North US 1, Ormond Beach.

Progressive International Motorcycle Show at the Ocean Center,  101 N. Atlantic Ave. - March 14 to 17 featured the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike United States Championship, affiliated with the AMD World Championship Competition. There were Smage Brothers Stunt Shows every afternoon, and  "A Century of Motorcycling" historic bike display presented by Motorcycle Magazine. Staff from the National Motorcycle Museum was on hand to answer questions and relive stories of the historic bikes on display. The show floor was open Wednesday, March 14, from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursday, March 15, 11 am – 7 pm; Friday, March 16, 11 am – 7 pm; Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Saturday, March 17 • Paul Teutul, Jr. of the Discovery Channel hit show "Senior Vs Junior American Chopper" unveiled a new custom bike and filmed an all-new American Chopper TV show that debuts March 26th on the Discovery Channel.

Victory Motorcycle demo rides weree open all week at Daytona International Speedway.Tuesday, March 13th, Big Engine was in concert for a Victory Motorcycle Bike Night at Dirty Harry's on Main Street.

Wednesday, March 14th was the 3rd Annual Victory Custom Bike Show at Volusia Motorsports, 1701 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach.

Friday, March 16th, Victory owners rode with Zach Ness. Kickstands up at 10am from Volusia Motorsports. The ride ends at Halifax Harbor Marina, where Victory owners are invited to a luncheon from noon to 2pm at the Blue Grotto.

Thursday, March 15th - Bike Builders Dave Perewitz and Paul Yaffe played host to this year's Biker Fusion "Salute to the Troops" benefit, 7 to 10pm at  Dog House Bar & Grill on Main Street that featured a live auction, entertainment and a number of great bikes from an impressive line-up of builders, moto-journalists and industry notables. 100% of the proceeds went to Soldiers' Angels, a volunteer-led non-profit that provides aid and comfort to active servicemen and women of the US military, as well as veterans and their families.
 
  

Thursday, March 15th, Willie's Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Time Show at 824 S. Younge St. Ormond Beach. (click link for photos and details.) 

One of the biggest crowds, ever turned out for the 2012 Chopper Time bike show. Three bands performed this year: The Dirty Chucks, Hair of the Beast and The Kings. Bigger every year, excellent bobbers, choppers and rats, hot rods and hip place to spend the day: The lot is always packed, and is always a great "adult" party time, with BBQ and cheap beer -- noon to 4pm on the last Thursday.

Friday, March 16th, the 22nd Boardwalk Classic Bike Show @ Oceanside boardwalk at Main Street.

- 20 classes from domestic to metric with 50 trophies. Call Bill Chaffin at 386.871.0398.

      

Saturday, March 17th - the World Famous Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show celebrated a 40th anniversary at Daytona Bike Week with an all-day show at Daytona Lagoon: 601 Earl Street (north side of the Ocean Center.) Trophies in 23 classes.

Daytona Beach Chamber of Commers is the official sponsor of Daytona Bike Week. 

Jay Allen Talks About The Original Sturgis Broken Spoke Saloon

Always a smokin' party at the Original Broken Spoke in downtown Sturgis, SD

Sturgis 2011 Rally photo by Sasha Mullins Lassiter.

As many of you know, Jay Allen is no longer involved in the operation of Broken Spoke Saloon properties in Daytona Beach, Myrtle Beach, Laconia or the Sturgis Campground, having relinquished his management role to The Target Companies based in Boston.

Jay's only comment was, "I hope they do well because I still have an investment."

You will find Jay at The Original Broken Spoke Saloon in downtown Sturgis, where it all began.

Music is always important, and the 2011 Sturgis lineup included Big Engine and Jasmine Cain. Jay Allen knows how to throw a party at the Sturgis Rally... something he's been doing for 20 years!

Join Jay for the Michael Lichter & Sugar Bear Ride CK out the full lineup, Aug. 4th to 13th at

The Original Broken Spoke Saloon.

"Sometimes you just have to step back in order to move forward to do the things that you really want to do," said Jay in a recent phone interview. "I want to race bikes and get back to shooting videos, like what I was doing with Johnny Chop and Indian Larry. In fact, I just got a new Johnny Chop tattoo on my back to go with the Indian Larry tattoo I have on my arm... And this time," Jay noted "I am older and wiser, I own the production company so I can continue to shoot footage at events all over the country and share everything I'm doing with the men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan because that's who I am. You know the people who serve in the military are always starved for entertainment and videos from back home."

Now that he is not tied to such a demanding schedule at the big four rallies, Jay is looking forward to visiting and getting involved in some of the newer events and rallies.

"I am one of the luckiest guys around, I have a wonderful family, great friends and the best job in the world. I get to go on some of the coolest rides and watch the history of the motorcycle industry happen before my eyes. You know, I don't feel like I'm getting any older..."

In 2009, Jay set a new Land Speed Record of 157.2765 mph in the MPF Class with this bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats, and later that same week, posted a 184.667 mph record in the 3000cc APS-PF class on his 2005 S&S 124 cubic inch engine, 6-speed Baker transmission racer. Jay continues to set new records.

Click here to connect with Jay Allen on Facebook.

The original Broken Spoke Saloon & Museum at 905 Lazelle Street was a lumberyard in the late 1980's when  Dave Iversen bought the property. He needed workspace and ample room for his collection of car and motorcycle memorabilia. The bar helped to pay the museum bills, but later became too much work. That is when Jay Allen became the owner, and the rest is history.

The Broken Spoke Saloon opened for the first time during the 1988 annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Races.  With the large open front doorway motorcycles were allowed to drive through the bar itself and park inside. Vendor spaces were created along the back and side walls that offered tattooing, mechanic repairs and food. Most available free space, high and low, was used for display. The small stage offered live music most afternoons and evenings.

The love of collecting is in Jay's blood as well and the museum part of the Broken Spoke is astounding. You will find a custom V-8 motorcycle sharing space with a 1920 original Harley. There is beer to be had in lots of spots in Sturgis during the rally but the original bar and museum is the most unique.

Posted by MJ Lloyd Reynolds/editor, MotorcycleEventNews.com

Get Ready for Sturgis 2010!

 

The Sturgis 70th Anniversary is almost ready to happen at Broken Spoke Campground - where Cycle Source Magazine and Limpnickie Lot crew of bike builders stay every year.

There's always something going on at the County Line -- Live music, cool pool parties, hot chicks, clean bathrooms, hot showers, killer sunsets and late night dirt track racing.

To entice you even more, this year you can get 10% off your tent, RV or cabin reservations. Just enter the "CycleSource" discount code when booking online at brokenspokecampground.com/reservations

or call toll-free at 877-653-6679 (8-SPOKE-ON-79.)

 Broken Spoke Party $$ - Spoke Bucks

 

For the 1st time, the Broken Spoke Saloon is issuing its own currency – Broken Spoke Bucks – that you can use to buy drinks inside the campground and at the saloon on Lazelle street in downtown Sturgis.

Here's how it works. Book your campground reservation online or on the phone and refer a friend. You will automatically earn Broken Spoke Bucks (issued in $5 denominations) when a friend books a reservation that includes your first and last name in the "How Did You Hear About Us" section.

Click to enlarge flyer. $20 in Broken Spoke Bucks for every Tent Camper that you refer. $30 for RV reservations, $50 for Cabin reservations.