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The 71st Daytona Bike Week enjoyed nearly picture-perfect Florida weather, March 9 to 18 with temps in the low to high 70s and only a couple of rain days. Bike Week 2012 was one week later than usual, due to a scheduling conflict at Daytona International Speedway. So bikers mingled on the beaches and in the bars with spring breakers on the last weekend, but no one seemed to mind.
Cold beer, hot biker chicks, world-class racing, bike shows and hundreds of vendors draw an estimated 500,000 visitors to the Daytona Beach event every year.
Related story: 70th Bike Week Anniversary.
Saturday, March 10th 2012 - many bike riders headed to DeLand (20 miles west on US 92) for the Pro-Am Bike Show & DeLand Rally that featured bands on two stages downtown and bike-only parking.
The historic downtown is filled with building-sized murals that make a beautiful backdrop for motorcycle photographs.
Biker author, Edward Winterhalder was at the Seminole Harley-Davidson booth in DeLand on Saturday. He is also the creator and executive producer of the Biker Chicz reality TV series.
Because NASCAR pushed the date of the 2012 Daytona 500 back one week, Daytona Bike Week 2012 started a week later in order to give Daytona International Speedway time to prepare for the Daytona Supercross and Daytona 200 motorcycle races. Saturday, March 10th
The race draws the world's top Supercross riders such as Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey to battle on a course designed by five-time winner Ricky Carmichael.
Thurs & Friday, March 15 & 16, The Daytona Flat Track hosted AMA Pro Flat Track racing on a quarter-mile lime rock track in the West Lot, just outside Turns 1 and 2.
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| First Turn - by David Uhl |
Saturday, March 17th, The Daytona 200 kicks off the AMA Pro Racing season with a 200-mile battle on Daytona's road course with America's top motorcycle stars.
During Bike Week 2012, the artist David Uhl was juggling events at two locations -- the Uhl Gallery at Destination Daytona (Ormond Beach) and the new Uhl Works Patio at Beach Street Harley-Davidson, downtown Daytona Beach.
Tuesday, March 13, David Uhl, Cris Sommer-Simmons and Pat Simmons (Doobie Brothers) signed signing limited-edition giclee prints of David's latest masterpiece, "Leading Ladies," and Cris's new book, "The American Motorcycle Girl's Cannonball Diary," along with a solo acoustic concert by Pat. Special appearances by Gloria Tramontin Struck, David's new "Woman of Harley," along with appearances by Laura Klock and Jodi Perewitz. David Uhl painted "Leading Ladies" last year, but waited to release it until Cris had completed her Cannonball book.
Tuesday, March 13, the 5th Annual Harley-Davidson MDA Women's Ride rolled out from Riverfront Park on Beach Street at 10am and returned at 1pm. Details: mdariders.org.
The 2012 Bike Shows
This year, the Limpnickie Lot of "next generation" builders was at Stone Edge Skate Park, 1848 S. Ridgewood Ave. in South Daytona, with Led Sled/ Street Chopper across from Limpnickie and a new lot at Iron Horse, 1068 North US 1, Ormond Beach.
Progressive International Motorcycle Show at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave. - March 14 to 17 featured the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike United States Championship, affiliated with the AMD World Championship Competition. There were Smage Brothers Stunt Shows every afternoon, and "A Century of Motorcycling" historic bike display presented by Motorcycle Magazine. Staff from the National Motorcycle Museum was on hand to answer questions and relive stories of the historic bikes on display. The show floor was open Wednesday, March 14, from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursday, March 15, 11 am – 7 pm; Friday, March 16, 11 am – 7 pm; Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 17 • Paul Teutul, Jr. of the Discovery Channel hit show "Senior Vs Junior American Chopper" unveiled a new custom bike and filmed an all-new American Chopper TV show that debuts March 26th on the Discovery Channel.
Wednesday, March 14th was the 3rd Annual Victory Custom Bike Show at Volusia Motorsports, 1701 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach.
Friday, March 16th, Victory owners rode with Zach Ness. Kickstands up at 10am from Volusia Motorsports. The ride ends at Halifax Harbor Marina, where Victory owners are invited to a luncheon from noon to 2pm at the Blue Grotto.
Thursday, March 15th - Bike Builders Dave Perewitz and Paul Yaffe played host to this year's Biker Fusion "Salute to the Troops" benefit, 7 to 10pm at Dog House Bar & Grill on Main Street that featured a live auction, entertainment and a number of great bikes from an impressive line-up of builders, moto-journalists and industry notables. 100% of the proceeds went to Soldiers' Angels, a volunteer-led non-profit that provides aid and comfort to active servicemen and women of the US military, as well as veterans and their families.
Thursday, March 15th, Willie's Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Time Show at 824 S. Younge St. Ormond Beach. (click link for photos and details.)
One of the biggest crowds, ever turned out for the 2012 Chopper Time bike show. Three bands performed this year: The Dirty Chucks, Hair of the Beast and The Kings. Bigger every year, excellent bobbers, choppers and rats, hot rods and hip place to spend the day: The lot is always packed, and is always a great "adult" party time, with BBQ and cheap beer -- noon to 4pm on the last Thursday.
Friday, March 16th, the 22nd Boardwalk Classic Bike Show @ Oceanside boardwalk at Main Street.
- 20 classes from domestic to metric with 50 trophies. Call Bill Chaffin at 386.871.0398.
Saturday, March 17th - the World Famous Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show celebrated a 40th anniversary at Daytona Bike Week with an all-day show at Daytona Lagoon: 601 Earl Street (north side of the Ocean Center.) Trophies in 23 classes.
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