No More Myrtle Beach bike rallies?

[autopilot]

I apologize for the length of what follows, but some of you may want to know!

 

Everyone is aware of the annual Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson sponsored spring bike rally and the Atlantic Beach bikefest the following week in May. Well, it appears that the MB city council voted not to have them anymore. The county comcil is split at present, but will likely follow suit. Supposedly, there were a failrly large number of complaints about both and the cost to the city for OT, addt'l services, etc.

 

I don't generally go down there and mix it up during either event (did all that when I had my last bike.....doesn't do anything for me..I'm just not that interested), but I think it is short sighted and generally stupid to try to get rid of them. The city of MB wasn't the one to license many of the venues and temp. vendor permits anyway, so their basic statement was that they would "do things to encourage bikers to not come". I am beyond disappointed with these morons that run the local governments around here. There are millions of dollars pumped into the local economy by these events and these idiots think they can replace it with another % on the tax bill for us residents! There were some businesses that had complaints, but what about all the businesses that exist almost for the express purpose of serving those rallies?

 

Years ago, we had Hell's Angels and Outlaws coming and there was occasionally trouble. That has long since been the case, though! I'm not telling you anything you don't already know when I say that todays bikers run the gamut from Doctors to Lawyers to mechanics and retirees and millworkers. Some let it all hang out a little too much when they get hooched up, but that happens whether they're bikers or not.

 

More recently, but still maybe 7 or so years ago, the Atlantic Beach Bike event got totally out of control spilling over into Myrtle Beach and there were darn near riots when some of the businesses got antsy and closed up their establishments. Since then it's been much better, but many business are sick of having the NAACP breaking their stones over whether they are open or not during Bikefest and the constant complaining about traffic control & routing not being the same during the two events.(their description, not mine. I just happen to know a few of the business owners) If there are valid complaints..fine! I don't really care one way or the other as long as people act like they have some sense on the bikes, regardless of which event you're talking about.

 

My wife & I were talking about it and there are usually around 200,000+ bikers showing up for Harley Week. My question to her was: What are the city and county going to do, when 50,000 or 75,000 bikers show up just like every other year ( because they didn't get the message or because they don't give a rip) and there are no events and no venues for them. And they get informed AFTER they spent their money to rent their rooms for the week, that "Myrtle Beach city and Horry County don't want you here anymore". I see the potential for problems.

 

It ain't over till the fat lady sings and she's not up to the building just yet. I don't believe the public has had their complete say yet.

http://wpde.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=148876

 

I've been here more less continually since about 1979 and the area has changed alot. I don't think I much care for where it's going...This latest..It's driven by attitudes and misconceptions and on the other side there is a measure of antagonism and arrogance and an equal portion of attitude. There's many more stick-in-the-mud transplant retirees that move in and start trying to change everything. There is a strong yuppie wannabe presence. It's changed and is still changing...which it will..I just don't think I like it much anymore is all.

 

I suppose the bottomline is that regardless of what they decide, they can't keep bikers from coming to the beach if they feel like it. I don't know if I'm different from anyone else on this point, but if I'm not wanted...fine I'll go somewhere else. But, I'm going to try to convince as many of my biker AND cager friends to go elsewhere as I can in the process. (there was a time, though, when I'd have shown up just for spite and dared somebody to say something about it) I feel sorry for the business owners that cater to bikers, but I hope this whole thing backfires right in the face of the local governments. I mean for Pete's sake, it's one lousy week for each event. Control it if need be, make more and/or better ground rules and enforce them, but everybody has the right to a vacation and some fun at the beach with friends that they have a passion in common with, EVEN IF THEY ARE BIKERS. It should get very interesting!

 

Oh yeah, they're separately talking about doing something about spring break too! Go figure!

 

UPDATE: evidently the county has voted to go along with the city of Myrtle Beach in killing the bike rallies. (and I thought my district's county councilman was the only jerk in local government) It still ain't dead yet, vote or no vote!

Edited June 19, 2008 by autopilot

[Skid]

We just need to hold one of our VentureRider Rallys there next year.....

[nkbjones]

I went to MB this year for the first time and was relunctant to do so based on their attitudes on bikes. A group of friends here wanted to go to MB so I went along even though I had my reservations. I had a good time, but I am really ready to tell MB to kiss off and spend my money elseware.

 

The only time that they want motorcyles around is for bike week and now they don't even want that. My inlaws are renting a house there this summer and they don't allow bikes.................. I've got news for them, how do they think that I am going to get to MB? In years past I left my bike at home because of these rules, but not this year.

 

MB get over it and this will be the last year that you get any of my money.:moon::moon::moon:

[Sleeperhawk]

Heard about this on the news today and the 3mill levy they will be imposing on homeowners to 'Help' cover for the lost revenue. Wonder why businesses did not put up a fight to stop this I know most hotels and rentals are sold out those two weeks. Will be interesting to see what happens next year, and especially after a lousy year due to less 'Visators' due to the economy.

[BuddyRich]

They tried the same thing in Hollister CA a couple of years ago. Normally there are over 150,000 bikers show up. Well, It back fired, They tried to call it off andonly 75,000 showed up. But this time they had NO money coming in from vendors or taxes so it cost them more. Duh ,,,

[timk]

My 2 cents is bye bye to Myrtle Beach. it's not a good place for riding anyway. i got free lodging(my daughter), went 2 years ago, wouldn't go back for the rally. Just isn't as good as, say Americade.

[Venturous Randy]

Will be interesting to see what happens next year, and especially after a lousy year due to less 'Visators' due to the economy.

__________________

You hit that nail on the head because there are going to be a lot of people rethinking their vacation plans due to the cost of everything. I was in Pigeon Forge about a month ago and the real cheap room rates that usually pop up on outside banners on Sunday afternoon were up all weekend.

Given this area is about 5 hours from MB, it is a big vacation spot for families that want to get away from the mountains every year. This year many are staying home.

BTW, the "Visa" thing was neat and very true, sleeperhawk.

RandyA

[Riderduke]

I went to MB this year for the first time and was relunctant to do so based on their attitudes on bikes. A group of friends here wanted to go to MB so I went along even though I had my reservations. I had a good time, but I am really ready to tell MB to kiss off and spend my money elseware.

 

The only time that they want motorcyles around is for bike week and now they don't even want that. My inlaws are renting a house there this summer and they don't allow bikes.................. I've got news for them, how do they think that I am going to get to MB? In years past I left my bike at home because of these rules, but not this year.

 

MB get over it and this will be the last year that you get any of my money.:moon::moon::moon:

Yup,

We vacation at Wrightville beach every year for the past 6 years, Craig, Kimberly and I always take our bikes. We ride every morning till about 12-2 then we hit the beach. Last year we decided to look into MB for a change. Every place that was big enough for the two families said NO MOTORCYCLES. So we are at Wrightsville Beach again this year. If MB don't want our money then we will spend it else where!

[roadwarrior]

I wish they had the balls to stand up to the specfic Bike rally that is giving them problems(Atlantic Beach) instead of going after both rallys.I have a condo there and understand what the problem is but do not penalize the ones that are not causing problems.There was a murder this year of a business owner during the Atlantic Beach rally that got this rolling.

Edited June 20, 2008 by roadwarrior

[Steve S]

I wish they had the balls to stand up to the specfic Bike rally that is giving them problems(Atlantic Beach) instead of going after both rallys.I have a condo there and understand what the problem is but do not penalize the ones that are not causing problems.There was a murder this year of a business owner during the Atlantic Beach rally that got this rolling.

 

I have never been to MB and really don't care to go. With their attitude toward bikers, I can think of a lot more places to spend my money. I have done the "Sturgis" thing and have no desire to try that again. Now Daytona I enjoy. It seems to be spread out enough to be able to get around to the different vendors and shows. The crew that I go with is usually in bed by 9:00 so we sleep through the rowdy times.

 

I do have a question about the Atlantic Beach Rally. I have never heard of it. Where is it held, what group sponsors it and who attends?

[roadwarrior]

I have never been to MB and really don't care to go. With their attitude toward bikers, I can think of a lot more places to spend my money. I have done the "Sturgis" thing and have no desire to try that again. Now Daytona I enjoy. It seems to be spread out enough to be able to get around to the different vendors and shows. The crew that I go with is usually in bed by 9:00 so we sleep through the rowdy times.

 

I do have a question about the Atlantic Beach Rally. I have never heard of it. Where is it held, what group sponsors it and who attends?

I will paste the link: http://www.lightningcustoms.com/blackbikeweekend.html

[Steve S]

After checking out the link in the message above, I have a really, really stupid question here. If the moderators think it is too sensitive, please delete it.

 

Why would a "White Bike Week" be considered prejudiced and racist, and a "Black Bike Week" not be?????????? :think:

 

I'm not trying to start any political debates, but it has always bothered me that some groups can advertise this way and others can't.

[roadwarrior]

Good Question

[Venturous Randy]

After checking out the link in the message above, I have a really, really stupid question here. If the moderators think it is too sensitive, please delete it.

 

Why would a "White Bike Week" be considered prejudiced and racist, and a "Black Bike Week" not be?????????? :think:

 

I'm not trying to start any political debates, but it has always bothered me that some groups can advertise this way and others can't.

 

Because that is just the way it is and we condone it.

RandyA

[SaltyDawg]

It's funny how people who haven't been to MB Bike Week are condemning it. I go every year and really enjoy it. I have yet to run into the 1%'ers mainly because they stay down in Murrels Inlet and I only go there once during my visit. Even then everybody is great, polite and for the most part well behaved. My wife feels safer amongst the biker crowd than she does walking through a shopping mall.

 

Myrtle Beach is PO'ed because the main rally was moved from the Myrtle Beach Convention Center out to Hard Rock Park. The city counsel can cry and moan all they want, but in the end they will have to listen to the local business owners who will lose millions of $ if Bike Week doesn't go on. Every local merchant I talked to this year "LOVE" the Spring Rally, it's ABB that they leave town for. One guy said that last year during ABB his place ran out of food one night and they almost burned it down. You never hear of that happening during the main rally. He said he was going to take vacation during that week along with 60% of the rest of the local merchants.

 

A lot of Bikers bought time shares in MB just for Bike Week. Imagine how angry they will be if their sole reason for purchasing a time share was taken away. The wife and I almost bought one and thought better of it.

[roadwarrior]

Agreed Wayne.All the local merchants look forward to the main rally andit is a boost to the economy but the city is also grapeling with the ABB which forces businesses to close and scares off the tourist for memorial Day weekend.