Daytona Bikeweek 2023

[motogrady]

We got on the press release list awhile back,
and this showed up today……..

https://officialbikeweek.com/

[Fatfatboy]

Wow! 82nd annual. Hard to believe it’s been 32 years since I have been there for bike week.

[oldironnow]

Dang.
I'd love to go this year, but it's just too soon.

[hacksaw]

Strangely, I have never been there. Friends have gone every year for decades. I just never have gone.
I do want to go to the swap meets.

[motogrady]

hacksaw wrote

Strangely, I have never been there. Friends have gone every year for decades. I just never have gone.
I do want to go to the swap meets.

I tell ya Hack……I’ve only been once.  

And I’ve got the usual reasons this year not to go.

And I’m kinda pissed off with myself in that regard.
Effin letting my work, or situation in life at the moment, or others, or their feelings, or their wants, dictate
what amounts to a small space in my calendar year.  

I know one thing. When I went, I had to pretty much flip all that stuff off.

And am on the verge of doing it again.
Which, really, shouldn’t be that way.

I mean, so what.  I lose jobs to others all the time.
The world will not stop turning if I blow off a few more.
The bills will get paid.
And really, others pull the “I really want or had todo” whatever card at times.

So, should one really give a f$&k?

Hey, it’s not just the bikes.  Or swap meets.
Or the bikinis. Or watching glimpses of guys doing 160mph
from 200 yards away.

After months holed up in the house, under grey skies,
doing all the things a good guy should do, no matter how mundane, believe it, it’s good for the soul.

That week down there, the Sunshine, the warm weather, the smell of salt water, the green grass, the palm trees, the time off to just do whatever the hell you want, just the attitude of, well, fun, is something a guy should experience at least once.

At the very least.

[oldironnow]

^ That's a very good reason.

[oldironnow]

2024 for sure for me, or I'm not a motorcyclist.

[motogrady]

Lol…..I feels ya Oldironnow.

It is a cool thing even without the bikes that time of year.
I’ve got friends down there I’ve visited a few times,  and
did nothing with or concerning motor cycles.

Done correctly, that is taking 2 weeks off, and getting there early, I believe brings a lot of Vintage events into it. Stuff that isn’t listed on The official Bike Week Website.

Regardless, without including a Hillclimb National, it’s the only time all the major venues are in the same area at the same time.
Roadracing, Motocross/Supercross, Dirttrack, Dragracing,
Harescrambs, Enduro, Custom Builders, not to mention wet tshirts.  

One time a year, it’s all there.

[Fatfatboy]

ooohhh a hill climb... I'd love a good ol' fashion hill climb with panheads, flatheads, some injuns and beer a flowin.
Gosh, I grew up in the wrong error.

[Fatfatboy]

oldironnow wrote

2024 for sure for me, or I'm not a motorcyclist.

After reading Grady's post about giving it all the finger and just doing it I said to my self, "Self, why not?. I need a break from this place and all it's weight." The thought of riding in the warmth of the sun, walking through the vendors, chewing on a smoked turkey leg while watching the freak show and all that goes with it sounded like the right thing to do.

I started searching VRBO for a place to rent in the area. Found a small bungalow for around $1,800.00 for the week for the wife and I that would allow me to park my small bike trailer and bring along Gracie the wonder dog. Was just about to text the wife to tell her to pack some bags. Then I remembered that I can't hold up a bike, yet. Being at bike week without riding a bike would be like drinking a virgin margarita without salt.

Hey Grady, will you please type this same post 1/24/24?

[m143]

2024

That leaves enough time to plan.

A couple of years ago fatboy  and I rode from Savannah following the Flat Trackers toward Daytona.

I am strongly considering doing that again. Hopefully you're up to it Kirk.

[Fatfatboy]

m143 wrote

I am strongly considering doing that again. Hopefully you're up to it Kirk.

Oh what a good time that was and yes I would be up to it again.
Are you thinking Savanah to Florida again or straight to FL?

[m143]

Let's think about it.

Fatfatboy wrote

m143 wrote

I am strongly considering doing that again. Hopefully you're up to it Kirk.

Oh what a good time that was and yes I would be up to it again.
Are you thinking Savanah to Florida again or straight to FL?

[hacksaw]

interesting. but i am not too interested in the crowds.
octoberfest? is that the name?  seems to be what my friends do
now. the ones that haven't moved to florida.
i suppose i could hit the rats hole show. idk if anybody i know is still involved with that.
i would definitely like to hit the vintage swaps.
i still got one girl still playing softball. she grads high school in 2024 and is going to start college in that fall. she will be playing out of AIC in springfield ma. so she will play in florida that march of "25.
lol.

i haven't even been to laconia in 5 or 6 years. and the last few years i did go i enjoyed riding up north more than hanging at the Weirs .
actually i am just hoping i can ride. LOL!

my wife
is going to the Philippines
 in a couple of weeks. if it wasnt for my kid in high school i would be south right now.
Panama city fla has a great bike week. a little off the main jet route.
i cant go to Philippines either for that reason. i could have the club sponsor a moto on my farm property. maybe 90cc scrambles. that would be fun.

you guys got me dreaming.

[m143]

Some of us at the top of MT. Greylock.
My Old Lady took this pic. She couldn't stop telling me to "back up just a little more".

[Mad4TheCrest]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[motogrady]

Mad4TheCrest wrote

Ok guys, I am semi-retiring this year, which means no excuses for 2024. I am on for Daytona 2024, as well as whatever is at Laguna for 2024, AND the Barber round of MotoAM in 2024. 2025 watch out - MotoGP and road racing in the cards. I am going out in a haze of race gas fumes.

*Edited*
And guitar noodling ...

👍 Well alright then!

Best we start keeping’ track!

https://www.motoamerica.com/You 

https://www.motoamerica.com/tracks/

[oldironnow]

Mad4TheCrest wrote

Ok guys, I am semi-retiring this year, which means no excuses for 2024. I am on for Daytona 2024, as well as whatever is at Laguna for 2024, AND the Barber round of MotoAM in 2024. 2025 watch out - MotoGP and road racing in the cards. I am going out in a haze of race gas fumes.

*Edited*
And guitar noodling ...

That’s the SPIRIT !!!!

I’m on an Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin swing right.
It took six months in the making, but i pulled the pin at work on the last 28th at three a.m.
I am willfully unemployed and a pensioner.
50% cut in pay, but a 700% increase in vacation time.
I must cut expenses, but am itching to fly to this Daytona the day before the race, tough out the night, and fly home directly after the 200.

[Fatfatboy]

Good on you oldiron. That is monumental.

[oldironnow]

It’s feels terrifying and dense to walk away from paying work.
Like, guilty, of some kind of crime.
But there’s no trophy for staying until I’m completely broken.