Daytona Beach Bike Week
For nearly 70 years, Daytona Beach has played host to an annual Bike Week each March (or late February). The event has big a favorite with motorcycle enthusiasts since 1937, the year the Daytona 200 enjoyed its inaugural race. (The Daytona 200 is a motorcycle race that had its start on the old Beach Road course, but was moved to the International Speedway in 1961.)
Over the decades, however, Bike Week took on a rather raucous flavor and in the late 80s and 90s, locals were sometimes even in fear of the bikers and the event in general. However, with some input from the county and assistance from the local Chamber of Commerce, Bike Week was transformed and is now a somewhat calmer 10-day event that expands throughout the county and still welcomes tens of thousands of bikers each year.
Indeed, Daytona Beach Bike Week is likely the most popular motorcycle rally in the country, and today, though the event isn’t without incident, the town is more comfortable with the bikers, and the local businesses open their doors with lots of special package deals and other perks to entice those arriving for this massive rally.
Lodging can be quite difficult to find during bike week for those who don’t plan ahead, so advance reservations are necessary. However, those heading to Daytona Beach have a number of lodging options from which to choose including hotels and resorts, condo and single home rentals, bed and breakfast establishments, and campgrounds. Many accommodations offer package prices for the entire 10 days or include special perks with Bike Week reservations.
Most restaurants and clubs are also eager to be of service to the bikers that arrive in Daytona for bike events, including Biketoberfest in October, a similar event to the annual Bike Week, held over an extended weekend. Happy hours, dance parties, and other special events are scheduled each night of both festivals and prices are generally reduced during this time.
Motorcyclists arriving in Daytona Beach for Bike Week are encouraged to take some time out to ride “The Loop.” This 22-mile-long stretch of open road is said to be a rider’s dream. It travels along the beautiful Halifax River, around the edge of Bulow Creek State Park, and through some of the prettiest scenery in Volusia County. There are a number of places one can stop along The Loop to enjoy a picnic lunch or just to lay back and enjoy the view.
Besides riding, eating, sunning, and enjoying each
others company, the thousands of bikers that head to Daytona for Bike Week
or Biketoberfest have plenty of other activities to enjoy. Vendors line up
to peddle any number of different items that appeal to the biker population
from apparel to motorcycle gear and much more. Vendors line the main streets
in town and are generally open for most of the day. Concerts, parties, and
street festivals are also commonplace during these biker events and, each
day, the activity continues until the wee hours of the morning.
Return to Daytona Beach Guide Home Page