2011 OBX Bike Week seemed more subdued

Russ Lay | April 25, 2011

Outer Banks Bike Week has come and gone. After several years of sustained growth, some observers and vendors say the turnout was less than in previous years.

The week kicked off on Saturday April 16 with most of the events taking place at Outer Banks Harley-Davidson just across the bridge in Currituck County. On Sunday much of the action moved to Lucky 12 Tavern in Nags Head, where the owner throws a free BBQ for the bikers every year.

One new addition at Lucky 12 was the unveiling of a locally built, 2,000-pound pig cooker built at home by Chip Reynolds.

Chip Reynolds with his 2,000-pound cooker.

Both pig and goat were on the menu this year, and the event was well attended. For the remainder of the week the action was split between OBX Harley Davidson’s location and other “Official Party Spots” (a different location each day) such as The Pit, Port O’ Call and Kelly’s. These venues, plus others, also provided live music for most of week.

Official vendor spots were located at Pigman’s BBQ, New York Pizza Pub, Lucky 12, Carolina Seafood, Colony IV Hotel, Longboards Island Grill, the Jolly Roger, Nags Head Harley-Davidson and Outer Banks Harley-Davidson.

This year a number of guided bike tours were provided, including a run to Tyrrell County to raise money for the Make-A-Wish foundation. Around the Sound, Knotts Island and the Ocracoke ferry were other tour destinations. Several religious services were also on the agenda, including a Palm Sunday service in Jarvisburg and a “Blessing of the Bikes” on Easter Sunday.

With the exception of some rainy and windy weather early on, most of the week was perfect for the biking crowd.

Georgia Satellites at RIFP.

The final Saturday, April 23 offered an afternoon-long concert at Roanoke Island Festival Park, headlined by the Georgia Satellites, whose top-40 hits includde “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” “Hippy Hippy Shake” and “Battleship Chains.” The paid attendance was reported to be about 400.

The idea of a concert at the Manteo amphitheater is a good one, a possible suggestion for 2012 would be to make it a night time event in the middle of Bike Week. A daytime concert on the last Saturday, when many bikers were down from Virginia on day trips or short weekends was probably not appealing to those who wanted to take in all of the event’s locations on an abbreviated schedule.

So, was the crowd smaller this year? It’s hard to tell. In years past, Bike Week attendees completed a circuit that began at OBX Harley Davidson in Currituck with a terminal point at Vertigo’s Tattoo in Manns Harbor. This year, Vertigo’s offered events outside of the “official” agenda and greatly scaled back its food and vendor presence.

Another former hotspot, Hooter’s, a natural biker’s destination, closed unexpectedly in early 2011 and did not participate. Most likely, if the final weekend was less-attended, the primary reason was its coincidence with Easter Sunday — which might have kept many out-of-town bikers away.

Lucky 12 was a popular Bike Week gathering spot.

Finally, Outer Banks Harley-Davidson stepped up its on-site events, with its own band stage sometimes competing with other live music events on the beach. Thus, many bikers stayed north of the Wright Memorial Bridge.

I drove past the venue several times during the week to try to get some pictures, but the lot was packed and cars had to park some distance away.

It’s not too late to plan for the 2012 Bike Week. Many local rental management companies offer special rates for rental homes, and some, such as Village Realty get into the spirit with T-shirts and sponsorships.

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See what people are saying:

ekim says:

WE SHOULD GET RID OF BIKER WEEK!(I like to call it whore out the beach week) it makes no one a dime except the motels an the beer joints we’re no differnt than Myrtle BEACH and VB when thay allow this crap.I mean its a family event when thay have coleslaw wrestling,Definitely want to take the kids to that.

on April 26, 2011 @ 7:55 am

Fed Up says:

I didn’t mind Bike Week as it comes at a time when our local economy can use the surge.

What I do mind is the sense of self entitlement that the bikers I have encountered, seemed to have.

Two times during this past week my wife or I have personally heard bikers basically demand special treatment, because they were bikers.

1. While getting gas at a local station, a group of bikers were upset at the fact that they had to pre-pay for gas (like everyone else). One biker actually sent another biker inside the store to remind the attendant that “hey jacka$$, does anyone need to remind you that it is bike week, release these pumps”

2. My wife and two children were in line waiting for a seat at a crowded local restaurant. Two bikers walked past them and 6 or 7 other patrons and told the hostess that he had a group of 8 bikers with him and could they get moved to the head of the line as they had some events to attend later.

When the hostess politely refused, the group of 8 bikers left the restaurant using profanity in the process.

While I do appreciate the bump in the economy, I have to ask myself if it is worth the self entitlement, loud obnoxious pipes, urinating on the side of the road, rudeness, groups of 15 bikes sight seeing at 20 mph down the beach road etc….

I can see this becoming a great nuisance in the very near future.

on April 26, 2011 @ 9:34 am

Lisa says:

I found Fed Up’s comments interesting, because most of the tourists who come here in the summer share that sense of self-entitlement. I have had the occasion to hear numerous visitors who were upset at the red flags on the beach tell me that, “I paid $$$ for this vacation, and I’ll swim if I want to!”

Perhaps instead of concentrating on the number of tourists we attract, it might be better to target visitors who will appreciate the OBX for its unique features, and treat it like the treasure we know it is.

on April 26, 2011 @ 9:47 am

jonh says:

ekim, I guess the motels and the beer joints don’t make any money in July & August when the so-called yuppie tourists come down here. The only difference between bikers and most of the “family oriented” tourists that come down here is that the tourists drive SUVs instead of riding bikes. I would love to see you tell an attorney, doctor, or business owner sitting on his/her Harley and wearing leather that you don’t want this crap down here. Since when did it become if you drive an SUV you’re welcome here, but if you ride a bike go somewhere else? I, for one, am glad I’m moving from here and won’t have to deal with those of you who have mightier than thou attitudes. Never in my life have I met a bunch of people who have such a ‘not in my backyard” mindset as I have down here.

on April 26, 2011 @ 12:37 pm

Nick says:

jonh – The average SUV or minivan would get ticketed if they made the noise of a single bike. I severely doubt that the bikes were manufacture that way. Further I disagree with you regarding the summer crowd, they are not as focused on specific areas such as the impromptu market adjacent to Port O Call. As for the NIMBY attitude of many I agree, that is a fairly widespread attitude but usually from those who came here and expect the community never to change. Otherwise, so long, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Fed Up – As the nameless faceless individuals who foisted Bike Week on all of us for their own benefit chose to hold it during spring break, the local economy probably didn’t need a boost that particular week.

ekim – I am with you by and large, sorry I missed the coleslaw wrestling though (no that wasn’t serious).

Before any of these events take place we need a permitting process based on a community cost benefit analysis. Does the community benefit and do those benefits outweigh the costs, policing, public safety and environmental etc.

on April 26, 2011 @ 2:01 pm

obxmom says:

OMG! I cannot believe that anyone that lives on this beach, which is NOT retirement community, could say the do not want ANY group to come spend money here! If you live, raise a family and work here in some small form you depend on those dollars to help keep your families fed! Granted it is a pain during the ‘season’ here, but it is only a few months of heavy traffic and not being able to eat out. Which I personally feel is a very small price to pay for living in such a beautiful place!
Get real, WE ARE A VACATION DESTINATION!!! AND WELCOME ALL!!
No matter of color, sexual preference or what you drive in…COME ON DOWN TO OUR BEACHES!

on April 26, 2011 @ 4:41 pm

jonh says:

Trust me Nick, I won’t be looking back and I have no regrets about leaving. And let me assure you, many of those bikes, as loud as you think they are, come that way factory equipped. And by the way, I have heard many toyotas and 4×4′s as loud or louder than thosr bikes that were here. And lastly, God help us all if it gets to the point that we will require a permitting process to allow a biker to use a public road or to park on private property.

on April 26, 2011 @ 5:49 pm

The Taxpayer says:

“ekim” is way off base, as usual. The bikers, many of them professional people with a passion for motorcycles, spent countless dollars renting homes, eating out, and shopping from Duck to Hatteras. The bikers I talked with were kind and appreciative of our community for hosting this event. Every business owner I spoke with was pleased with the turn out and success of the event.

on April 26, 2011 @ 8:52 pm

Paul B says:

Bottom line is we made a place that’s economy relies totally on tourism so if you don’t like it move!! I’m moving first chance I get. When I can earn enough money too. we all have about a good 4 months to make money then it’s time to hunker down for the year.

on April 27, 2011 @ 4:25 am

John R says:

I wouldn’t have a problem,if they had to be off the road by 9 or 10 pm.Some people like to sleep at night!

on April 27, 2011 @ 5:08 am

Manfred Nietsch says:

I used to go to Myrtle Beach all the time and the last time was the year the mayor was tightening the noose.Every establishment I went into was very concerned that Bike week was being cancelled. A few of the bars I was at said a lot of the local cagers were more rude than any of the bikers that entered his premises.He said the ones doing the most complaining are usually the ones that are spending the least.

on April 27, 2011 @ 7:20 am

ekim says:

Biker week is a joke take a survey not one of the business owners that i know made a DIME ask around! AS for the tourons yes they abuse the beach just as bad. Iam sure we can find better ways to help just afew folks make $$$$, did it help the plummer the painter drywaller the carpenter the landscaper the taxpayers NO! Iam sure the art galleries and surf shopes made the same.I love this little Island biker week abuses it for just a few to make big $$$. I feel the same way about the marathons, But at least there quite!!!

on April 27, 2011 @ 7:52 am

Chris says:

To ekim:
Not all bikers are the drunks and obnoxious you make us out to be. I will definitely agree there are a lot of bad attitudes but please don’t be so quick to judge ALL riders the same way. I just returned from overseas and rode my quiet touring motorcycle all over the island and spent a lot of money and although I went during bike week, I was not wrapped up in the whole “big bad biker theme”. I broke no laws or requested special treatment and I actually enjoyed how friendly everyone was to me. In fact I plan on riding to Hatteras again next week just because of the laid back lifestyle and welcoming people.
Just a little food for thought.
Semper Fi

on April 27, 2011 @ 1:47 pm

Canadian Eh says:

I know between the 6 of us we spend about 5 rand for the week. Multiply that by 10000. The retiries don’t spend that ina year, other than Geritol ,Depends and laxatives.

on April 27, 2011 @ 2:23 pm

bob knows says:

ekimberly–
Stop the whine whine whine. You are a grump and not happy about anything. Everyone of the trades you listed above profited indirectly from bike week. You don’t like anything. You don’t like tourists, bikers, marathoners or gays. You do like plastic bags and smoking in public parks. What’s your deal? Why do you live here again?

on April 27, 2011 @ 3:09 pm

Carol says:

Sorry to say this but it is a small number of A*&#)^s that take the mightier than though attitude and think they must have everything handed to them during bike week. The majority of us are just fun loving people, who love to ride, meet new people, and do not share that attitude. The vast majority of us DO appreciate the hospitality, and open arms extended to us when we come to OBX, whether it be during bike week or not.

on April 27, 2011 @ 4:28 pm

Anderson says:

Living behind Lucky Twelve and hearing the burnouts and loud pipes did get old especially after midnight. I do not mind the bikers but the noise is excessive.

on April 27, 2011 @ 10:29 pm

Windswept Sandie says:

Bike week did seem a bit more subdued this year — the selfish part of me says “YAY!,” but the vendor part of me pouts. OBX Bike Week might be an annoyance to some and does attract an element some of us would rather not see. For the most part, however, it attracts a large group of tourists who are ready to spend money at a time when OBX businesses can certainly use it! This year it just happened to coincide with Holy Week and the height of the spring break season — that’s usually not true. To those who had the misfortune of meeting up with the ugly and rude, I hasten to remind you that every visiting group contains such people — perhaps it was more disturbing to you because these people appeared to be “bikers.”

on April 28, 2011 @ 9:48 am

Bob Samuels says:

“I Love Jet (Biker) Noise”
People = money
Any of you bike haters ever talk to one these people. The ones who I met this week were parents, coaches, and other hard working folks who were spending their hard earned cash in a place that they wanted to be. I agree that the planning&scheduling for the future should not coincide with Spring Break.
Ekim – Is there anyone out there who you like (other than Sarah Palin)?

on April 28, 2011 @ 3:53 pm

ekim says:

Bob Sarah Palin is more a man than you,ll ever be! Biker week was alot quieter this year becuase there wernt that many of them, I’m going to ask some of the local biz’s on the way home from my real job , And lets see how fat everyones wallet got I know BOB made a fortune!

on April 29, 2011 @ 8:20 am

Starfish says:

bikers, many of them professional people ( who else can afford a harley or the womens 300 dollar harley jacket) with a passion for motorcycles, spent countless dollars renting homes, eating out, and shopping from Duck to Hatteras OOO and mind you so many do not Ride the bike here they CARRY the bikes in 25,000 dollar trailors to the 10,000 a wk house and then ride.I find yuppies vacationing here are way ruder drinking thier Martini ,which is nomore than a freakin BIG SHOT ole liquor, saying “I’m not waiting an hour to eat here ” I have things to do” your on vacation really you have big plans huh? But its cool to have DRAG night @ kelly’s huh

on May 1, 2011 @ 7:26 am

Starfish says:

OOOOOOOO ya and spring break business was improved by bike week.The beach needed something for those peeps to do after the beach day is over.College kids come here because the / a family has a house here, I always feel sorry for kids stuck coming here for thier break ,because I know there is nothing to do!

on May 1, 2011 @ 7:30 am

diver531 says:

I cannot believe the childish comments of some of these folks . Obviously OBX doesn’t sound like the place these folks need to be residing . OBX represents not only a small colony of full time residents but it promotes those very folks sharing what others don’t have and in return those visitors help out by spending CASH and telling their friends . I’m thinking the influx weekly of 350K worth of visitors in the summer is more of a pain in the butt than a week of possibly 5000 bikers but all in all I bet those bikers tell a good majority of folks that come down in the summer . Bikers , cops and the restuarant folks were all pleasant and I saw zero issue’s !!! Congrats OBX and keep promoting the island !!!!

on May 5, 2011 @ 9:59 am

coleman says:

bike week brings in money, if ya don’t like bike week, go on vacation that week, if ya don’t like the noise, get some earplugs….if ya don’t like bikeweek, too freakin bad

on May 5, 2011 @ 3:46 pm

VoiceofReason says:

I laugh at all the complainers on here! Ha! So many industries here in the OBX was working. Home rentals, house cleaners, pool cleaners, linens, rental equipment, restaurants, tourist shops, auto repair shops, county tax, etc… We do live in a destination location and we depend on every tourist dollar we can collect to get us through the rest of the off season. Bike engine exhaust pipes are the sound on cha-ching! It last 10 days of 365 days. What a great jump start to our season. There are always some rude bikers that attend just as there are rude tourist that come down here and act like they own the place. Actually, there are more of them here for a longer period of time than bikers! Think about it, was there any permanent damage to our towns? Did not think so. So for all the complainers, get out and enjoy your life while you have the opportunity to do so, life is short and people hate complainers more than loud bikes!

on May 6, 2011 @ 12:33 pm

Bill says:

Having lived on the OBX for 9 years I have an obseravtion!!!! It’s the same now as it was then. The bulk
of the complaining is being done by people who if you check,we’re NOT even born there. thier transplants with money.They seem to think that “THEY” own the place.
After working in the fishing industry on the OBX,and having had the chance to really get to know the local people. Ifound them to be hard working honest folks. Willing to give ANYONE a helping hand at a moments notice.They are gratefull for any influx of monitary help
for the local econemy.Be it from tourists,spring brakers, or Biker’s. The local people of the OBX are a friendly lot. I don’t know who all the complainers are, but I do know they are not locals. so next time you hear someone ranting and raveing—- ASK WHERE THEY ARE FROM (ORIGNALLY) I think you”LL be surprised.

on May 16, 2011 @ 6:02 pm

paroadglide says:

I’m one of the “bikers” who “took over” your town, I have a few observations. One, many of the people we met while there (for the 2nd year in a row) were quite resrectful and happy to be there. Yes there are a few bad apples but as stated before they come with every group. Two, while speaking to several law enforcement officers, they told me they experienced no more problems that week than any week during the “season”. Three, some of the folks who were playing “biker” that week were also locals, tradesmen, busuness owners, state employees, all promoting the OBX and the hospitality of North Carolina. Some of them took vacation, went out of their way to do the guided rides and help us out of towners feel at home. Many of the friends we made are planning to meet back there again next year, we’ll be back, riding into town on our Harleys (wwe don’t trailer) load pipes roaring, cash in hand ready to have a good time (and we are normally in bed by 10:30 lol)

on June 7, 2011 @ 9:10 pm

Charlie Moore says:

This is almost funny, I have been to this event for past years and whomever is counting the bikes and making the determination of how big this event is has lost there mine. I can only assume they are counting the same bikes over and over (hahahahaha) The problem with this area is it is mainly a beach house rent enviroment. Also the vendor counts are very small. With all that said I bet that if you ask a merchant whom they would rather have visit there establishment, a bunch of 35 to 60 year old bikers or a bunch of 21 year olds on spring break! Also if you ask the merchants I bet they can tell you that yes we come in groups and at the end of the day they are not concerned that we are going to skip out on the tab or not tip well over traditional amounts to a waiter/waitress that gives us good service. Also I bet the workers can tell you that we realize it is a large group and we except the fact that service cannot be at it’s peak during those times. And finally yes I would attend a cole slaw wrestling match in heart beet. If that is so bad then you better take that computer and tv away from your kids and your spouses hahahahhahahaha

on November 18, 2011 @ 8:46 am

Henry Vullings says:

my wife & I have made plans for 2012 bike week but you people make it sound like we should take our group of 16 some where else we are renting a house $2400 dollars ! week of eating out twice a day gas in the bike gifts for family sight seeing all week long we will spend an easy $2000.00 ourself in your comunity. But hey treat us bad & we will not be back there is always some where else to ride to in april..

on December 24, 2011 @ 9:03 am

screamin eagle says:

My wife and I have been to the OBX three times in the past two years. The first time on our bikes during the regular season. We enjoyed it so much we drove back down in october for another weeks stay and returned last year with our children and grandchildren. I’m beginning to think like one of the more recent posts and wonder if we didn’t make a big mistake booking a home for a week during this years (2012) bike week! I hate to think we will spend our time and money in a location we are really not wanted. I’m glad we took out the insurance so we can weasle our way out of this if the local attitude toward us continues to sour. Unfortunately, this will very likely convince us to look elsewhere for our family vacations and week long private getaways. If we’re no good for the OBX when we are on our bikes then I figure we’re ( our money) no good any other time of the year!

on March 5, 2012 @ 11:07 pm

Big Al says:

Dang!!!! Screamin Eagle! You sure shut em’ up with that one….High five!!!!

on March 23, 2012 @ 4:24 pm

Russ Lay says:

Just as a reminder. this site gets between 8,000 and 10,000 page views per day. Of that total, less than 0.5% submit comments. Trust me, if the local population were against Bike Week it wouldn’t be invited back! I suspect the vast majority of locals and merchants are fine with Bike Week and welcome the additional visitors and the revenue. My brother in law, a cop and a Harley guy comes every year.

on March 23, 2012 @ 6:39 pm

harleygirl says:

This will be my 4th year working bike week, it is funny to see one main person writing their complaints and making it seem like the whole OBX feels this way. I didn’t know we all voted and made you our voice!!!! I personally talk to most of the buisness owners on the OBX and have had very few complaints. During Bike Week you can ride down the road and see all the signs that say, “Welcome Bikers”. Ekim knows nothing about the bikers or the buisness they bring, so pay no attention to the bull. WE LOVE THE BIKERS AND WELCOME YOU!!!!!!

on March 29, 2012 @ 7:29 pm

screamin eagle says:

Russ and Harleygirl make good sense… See you there and BTW, we’ve convinced my brother to ride in from Ft Wayne Indiana and stay the week with us. One more biker and one more wallet!

on April 2, 2012 @ 10:13 am

wildhogs says:

I rode my bike through your town three years ago i told my friends about it and we are all coming this year for bike week hope the town makes tons of money and makes new biker friends

on April 5, 2012 @ 10:25 pm

Biker says:

Ekim, despite your NEGATIVE coments, a bunch of us working folk rode down to YOUR OBX, we met a few like YOU that disliked our presence, but very few! We ALL work for a living, save our $ and use our vacation to do something WE enjoy. NO we didn’t join in the slaw wrestling, drinking or being out late. You are stereotyping. Check out the $ of a motorcycle sometime, you can’t be a drunken dirtbag & ride a motorcycle! We rented a house, ate out 2x/day and there was a group of 10. Maybe see y’all next year, 2013!

on April 29, 2012 @ 8:10 am

screamin eagle says:

Thank OBX!!! I had reservations about some of the negative comments above but we had a FANTASTIC time! We spent a ton of money, ate well and met some great folks. The condo’s we stayed at just happened to be holding their home owners association meeting the Saturday that we left and although none of them rode bikes, nearly everyone stopped to say hi to us and invited us back to stay in their community. I can tell you first hand that the following businesses made money because of our visit; Kitty Dunes, Tortugas, Barefoot Bernies, Chips, Hurricane Moe’s, Port O Call, Longboards, CVS, The Theatre, Klassy Nails, many vendors and on and on. We will be back again!

on May 7, 2012 @ 8:06 pm

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