The annual october motorcycle rally in Daytona Beach gets underway this coming Thursday. Biketoberfest is a key tourist draw in the otherwise slow autumn season. Having attended all the previous editions, I have witnessed the event struggling to grow since 2008 in the face of national economic woes, changing demographics and other competing motorcycle events around Orlando.
Traditionally, most of the participants reside in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. But this year, Americans are little bit more upbeat despite the seemingly constant onslaught of bad news. So, the Daytona Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau has increased its marketing budget for the 2014 rally in a bid to expand Biketoberfest’s appeal both geographically and with new demographics like women riders.
I will be on location to tell you if more people than last year attend the series of events and what vendors think of this new Biketoberfest edition. To be mentioned, Indian Motorcycle Daytona Beach is opening Thursday, kickoff of Biketoberfest, in the former Bruce Rossmeyer Harley-Davidson location at 290 N. Beach St. The dealer will offer demo rides and an opportunity to win a new Indian and for those loving vintage motorcycles and racing, vintage motorcycle racing returns to the Daytona International Speedway as riders compete on the 3.56 mile track. All events for the long rally weekend are listed at the Biketoberfest Official Website.
