insideBIKEWEEK

Pathetically, even though we covered BF 2009, we have not done anything with the images. We allowed our other commercial interests to take priority, shame on us. We are leaving our 2008 info up as we regroup. We have our running shoes on now and a new dedication and so look for great things ahead for us.

2008 was the 16th anniversary of Biketoberfest® and although the crowds were a little smaller this year due, at least in part, to the uncertainty of the economic situation, those that made the trip were treated to remarkable weather and impressive camaraderie.  The insideBIKEWEEK staff experienced a wonderful atmosphere everywhere that we went with the only slight disappointment being the zealous application of a couple new laws specifically targeting bikers passed just in time for the local gendarmes to pad their city coffers during the event.  Most riders had no knowledge of the new laws and some paid dearly for their ignorance.  Not to say that the laws pertaining to the safety of the bikers and civilians aren't wise but it's hard to believe that law enforcement officers cannot read a license tag mounted vertically.  See our news page for a description of these new laws so you can be forewarned.

A little history of Biketoberfest® would be in order.  Whereas we are not specifically advocates for the Daytona Beach governmental organizations we acknowledge that without them the autumn biker event we love so much would probably not have been organized and nurtured to it's current embodiment, so we choose to give accolades where due.  We do recognize that the reasons they love the biker events and the reasons we love them are considerably different, yet these reasons and convictions can coexist graciously.   Biketoberfest® was established in 1992 under the guidance of Janet Kersey who was hired as the director of tourism and who remains involved in Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau as its Executive Vice President and COO.  The goal was to attract visitors to the Daytona Beach area during a time that the Chamber refers to as the fall value season, in other words a statistically slow tourism period for the beach community.  The first event was named "The Daytona Fall Tour" and drew about 5,000 visitors to the area that year.  The next year saw the name change to Biketoberfest® and the formation of the Biketoberfest® Development Committee.  The number of visitors tripled in 1993, just one year later, to 15,000.  How glad we are that they wanted to provide a superior biker event in exchange for our tourism and travel dollars.  Sort of a last bash for many before the dreary months of winter envelope the country.  By the end of the 20th century Biketoberfest® was recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of their top twenty events and the crowds had grown to about 75, 000 participants.  In 2007, the last year with estimates currently available,  the number of visitors to the area for the motorcycle event had grown another 100,000 since 1999 to about 175,000 developing Biketoberfest® into one of America's most recognized motorcycle events. 

We look forward to the seventeenth anniversary of the event which has been awarded top honors by the Southeast Tourism Society and the International Festival and Events Association.  The 2010 Biketoberfest® is scheduled  for October 14-17 and we look forward to another outstanding event.  We at insideBIKEWEEK hope to see you here this year because we know what a great time it is and really want all who can to experience an event that will never be forgotten.  See you in the crowds!