After a few weekends ruined by rain, the weather was perfect for the 2011 Biketoberfest at Daytona. The event runs from Oct 13-16 which is Thursday thru Sunday and my schedule allowed me to check out the action on Friday and Saturday. I like to park just off A1A and take a walk south to the center of action on Main Street in Daytona Beach. There was a custom bike show Friday on the boardwalk and even with a small turnout it was fun to walk around and check out some really wild creations. One of my favorites was a bike created with a jack Daniels theme. It looked too uncomfortable to ride so I think I would be just as happy to just sit and sip a Jack and coke while staring at it parked in my garage. They've been trying hard to clean up the boardwalk area since the crazy days of MTv at Spring Break in the 90s and with the pending addition of a Joe's Crab Shack Restaurant on the newly renovated Daytona Pier it looks to be a destination. From there its just a matter of crossing A1A and heading to the real show.
Main Street is were the action is and you could do laps from one end to the other all day long and see something new each time around. I'll do a lap or two but usually settle into a few key spots and let the action come to me. Everyone drives by at least once so there is always something to photograph. The sidewalk is just as entertaining and the ultimate for someone that likes to people watch. The people that attend this event are both stylish and creative which makes for a great picture and the fact they love to be photographed doesn't hurt either. I don't like to carry a lot of gear with me so I usually just have my camera in hand. This time I brought my GoPro Hero HD camera which I used to grab some video to make the clip above. It works well and i think I'll get someone to get some onboard bike shots with it at the next Bike Week. The galleries below show what one might see on a walk to and then down Main Street. With any luck you too might see Samantha the beautiful red head or get flipped off by a crazy Nun on a trike!
