Daytona Bike Week
As winter winds down, bikers flee their snowbound hometowns and head to Daytona Beach to bask in the Florida sunshine and party with their brethren every March. But Daytona Bike Week isn't just about fun in the sun. Home to the Daytona International Speedway, this rally has a serious racing side.
Bikers who head to Daytona Bike Week are not all necessarily Harley enthusiasts. This rally attracts speed demons who ride bikes affectionately known as "crotch rockets." They'll need the speed if they want to compete in the Daytona 200, held at the speedway.
The first Daytona 200 was held in 1937. The race, also called the "Handlebar Derby," challenged bikers on a 3.2-mile beach and road course. The race was called off during WWII, but enthusiasts still showed up in Daytona for an unofficial "Bike Week" party. The race resumed in 1947, and combined with Bike Week, has grown to the massive proportions seen today.
Estimates put annual attendance in Daytona at around half a million. Hundreds of events, concerts and vendors keep bikers busy. They can head to the famous Big Daddy Rat's Custom Chopper Show to check out the latest bike designs, or stop at the Cabbage Patch for the infamous coleslaw wrestling matches. Of course, the long, sandy beaches are one of the main attractions at Daytona, good for cruising or just relaxing.
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