Posts filed under 'Motorcycle Rallies'
Thunder Beach Spring Rally in Panama City, FL, is now in full swing. Now in it’s ninth year, this rally has shown a rapid growth, and a huge influx of money into the local economy. This year, expect the numbers to top 65,000 bikers.
The Panama City News Herald wrote a good story on this rally yesterday. There was no negativity in the story at all, a welcome relief from some of the other rallies I cover. This story discusses things like how this rally is expected to “pump more than $30 million in sales into the local economy primarily in lodging, restaurants and retail sales”, and how it has grown so much that a sixth venue was added this year at Frank Brown Park on the north side of Back Beach Road. Also noted is the fact that local charities benefit from the motorcyclists who attend.
Rap Peavy, VP of Thunder Beach Productions, Inc., was quoted “We’ve promoted this as the Southeast’s most friendly and free rally”, and from the writeup and what I already know about Panama City, he is right.
May 4th, 2007
I ran across an article describing the Hawgs of Texas Motorcycle rally and how the mayor of Somerville, TX saved what may have become another casualty. The news story says that Mayor Tommy Thompson, who took office in May 2005, and three other bikers bought the rally in May, 2006, Mayor Tommy was quoted as saying:
We were getting ready to lose this rally. But this community thrives on it. It’s a real moneymaker.
My initial thoughts were “Wow, a town politician that actually admits that the biker community can offer more than they take! Someone realizes the economic benefit of being the host to a motorcycle rally.” But some things did not quite add up.
If this was the third annual Hawgs of Texas motorcycle rally, that means that it held its first in 2005, about the same time that Mayor Tommy took office. The article says that Tommy had been associated with the Dawgs on Hawgs rally for nine years, until a private investor bought the rally rights in 2004. The Dawgs on Hawgs rally continued through 2006, and was only canceled this year because the US Army Corps of Engineers revoked their permit. Could one politician use his influence to drown out the competition?
Was there competition in the first place? The article stated that the mayor had worked with Dawgs on Hawgs for nine years. Then why was this years’ seventh annual rally the one that was canceled? Was there a Hawgs of Texas before the Dawgs on Hawgs, which might explain the difference of two years on the annual for both events?
Questions only, but I would really like answers. Anyone reading this that can enlighten me?
Anyway, glad the rally was saved; I will definitely keep my eye on it.
April 28th, 2007
The other day, I was bringing my brother-in-law, Jack, back home after a doctors appointment. I looked in my rear view mirror, and saw a motorcycle coming up on me. As I switched lanes to let it pass, I commented to Jack how the rider appeared to be awful small. Turned out it was a female rider that passed us. I looked back at Jack and said “Nice bike, huh?” He just grinned and said “Sure. Uh-huh!”
Friday, I read an article “Free Time: What Draws Women To Motorcycle Riding?“, which explored some of the reasons for the increased presence of women in the motorcycle riding community. This article concluded that it was all about freedom and control… really the same as why anyone that has taken up riding loves to ride.
When I first started riding in the early 70s, I very rarely saw women in the control seat of a motorcycle. Most enjoyed just packing. Yes, during a lot of the rallies some of the women riders showed up, but they were still a novelty. But that does not mean that they weren’t there riding just the same. Motor Maids, laying claim as the “First Motorcycling Organization for Women in North America”, was founded with over 50 members in 1940, and received their AMA charter in 1941. Women on Wheels has been going strong since 1981, and the Spokes-Women MC since 1989.
Women also have their own rallies, too. Femmoto, this year held in Las Vegas between October 5th and 7th, states on their home page:
Femmoto began in 2001 as a women only track day, but has quickly evolved into much more. Today Femmoto is an organization that looks to fill the void for women motorcycle riders who are looking not only to improve their riding skills with on-track instruction, but who need information, contacts, and specialty services/products.
Also, as previously posted, there is the Women’s Sportbike Rally, held in Western NC, Eastern TN. I am sure there will be more events to cater with the growing interest of women, no longer content with packing behind their ol’ man, getting behind the wheel and feeling the wind in their faces.
April 17th, 2007
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