Bike Week

First -- mea culpa -- I have been on hiatus due to uncontrollable factors, but I intend to come back with a vengeance -- and with pics.
Thanks
Jeffrey B. Roth

Attendance at Gettysburg Bike Week three times more than last year*
*
Despite more than 50 acres of land available to them at the Allstars Sports Complex, south of Gettysburg, organizers of the 5th Annual Gettysburg Bike Week still had to cancel its Bike Games competition, Saturday afternoon so that the field could be used to park motorcycles – and more riders were arriving by the minute.*
Hordes of bikers streamed by in waves, combing every square yard of the complex of avenues, thoroughfares and designated parking lots, hoping to find an abandoned niche large enough for ride. By 2 p.m., helicopter rides were curtailed because the relatively small landing site had to be sacrificed for parking. Just entering or leaving by the main entrance to the complex required a minimum five-minute wait time.*
John H. Summers Jr., president and chief operations officer for Bike Week, initially estimated that the event would draw around 15,000 riders, but speculated on Saturday that the actual number might climb into the 40,000-region. That number did not include all the bikers who came to the area but did not participate in events at the sports complex, he said.*
“This is the biggest and best crowd we have ever had this early into the event,” Summers said. “They started showing up at 8 a.m., even though we did not officially open until 10 a.m.”*
Volunteers, Steve and Annette Shipley, both of Taneytown, MD, said they are members of the Battlefield Harley-Davidson Hog Chapter, and have attended the event in the past. This was the first time they volunteered to help.*
“The people are really friendly here,” Annette said. “They are just wonderful to work with.*
The Shipleys said there were more people than they would have predicted. Despite the large influx of people, the event was still family-oriented, she said.*
Summers said there were more vendors and activities available than last year. The addition of a headline musical group, as well-known as Mustang Sally, was a major drawing card.*
“We also have more activities geared towards younger people,” Summers said as pointed to a Harley-Davidson motorcycle built with balloons. “There are a lot of families here with a lot of kids.”*
The Indian Larry Legacy exhibit was a focal point for many motorcycle buffs. They asked friends and even strangers to take photographs of them standing next to one of the unique motorcycle creations.*
While Indian Larry Desmedt, whose name engenders visions of one-of-a-kind, priceless chopped motorcycles, died in a motorcycle accident in 2004, his legacy lives on. Considered by many as an artist in the field, his business partner, Paul Cox, and one of the current owners of the Brooklyn, NY business said the exhibit features one the earliest choppers built by his friend.*
“We do shows every weekend,” Cox said. “This is our first time here, but it’s a real good venue and has a great atmosphere.”*
East Coast Kitty of Ridgefield, New Jersey, owned by Karen Badre and Anthony Campione, said they were thrilled with the turnout on Saturday. Specializing in custom T-shirts and other specialty items, said it was their first time at the event.*
“We had learned of the event through word-of-mouth, Badre said.*
Campione said they have been in business for about three years and travel to shows on both the east and west coasts.*
If Saturday’s attendance was any indication of the event’s potential for growth, it may not be more than a few more years before it becomes a week-long event, he said.*
For more information visit http://www.gettysburgbikeweek.com.*/