Words by Hark - test

Pix by Hark, Flash, and Beerman Mike
Picture Commentary and other editorial remarks by Monk (in blue text)

Monk's preamble: I'm excited - I'm writin' this on March 29 and the 2006 Leesburg Bike Fest is only a month away. Yee Haw. To get you prepared for it, here's an article about if from 2004. Judging by the amount of pictures and e-mails we get about the Leesburg Bike Fest from y’all, it seems to be one of everyone’s favorite. Ours too, though we missed it this year. And to answer lotsa y’all’s question - where were Monk and Boots? We snuck off to get some rest and recuperation for Boots after her heart attack right after Bike Week 2004. Ended up visitin' the Laughlin River Run for a little out of Florida experience with Bobby and Biggy who were visitin’ from Germany (that story is here: 2004 Laughlin River Run). That event happens to be the same weekend as the Leesburg Bike Fest. It was cool, but Leesburg is better, by a large margin. Next year, we’ll be at Leesburg fer sur.We highly recommend this awesome event. Leesburg is located about thirty miles northwest of Orlando, FL.

   Here's Hark's article:

   Two weeks before the third largest bike event in Florida, The Leesburg Bike Fest, local newspapers were predicting that 100,000 bikes would roll into Lake County the last weekend in April and those riding the bikes would spend around $30 Million. Well, as it turned out, somewhere between 125,000 and 150,000 bikes rolled into Lake County!

   For the first time, and I’ve been to all eight Leesburg Bike Fests,  I saw bikes rolling in as early as Tuesday. And I saw license plates from nearly every state in the USA. I even saw a guy from France, and I’m sure that many other countries have joined in on the fun. And why not?  You can walk up and down Main Street with a cold one; cages aren’t allowed on Main Street; there’s absolutely no harassment from the police force; there’s no ripoff or gouging prices; and there's plenty to do. There were over 150 vendors this year; the Rats Hole Bike Show; bike games put on by Lake County and Clermont HOG; motorcycle drill teams; a great line-up of live entertainment... shoot, you name it, the Leesburg Bike Fest has it.

   As I was walking down the street I overheard a biker talking to a cop about how this reminded him that this is the way Sturgis started. Well, yes it is, and it is also the way Daytona started and now the events in both locations have spread out all over the place. Because I live here, I see that same thing happening in Lake County. The major difference is bikers are welcome in Lake County. The small towns, and great riding between them, make this area the best in our state to get out and ride. I foresee the day when the Leesburg Bikefest becomes a five day event. I personally will welcome that day. Bikers come to this area and we’re treated like great - what a change - we’re wanted. I remember the first Leesburg Bikefest: we had around 15,000 come to town. The second year we had over 30,000, and the numbers continue to grow every year. I anticipate next year’s event to surpass Biketoberfest numbers. This will make the Leesburg Bikefest one of the Top 10 events in the United States. 

  I attribute the success the Leesburg Bikefest to a handful of people. First I must start with a man that grew up in the area and started this whole thing. His name is Joe Shipes (below, pausin' for just a second durin' his busy schedule), and he's in charge of the Leesburg Partnership. Secondly, special thanks to Gator Harley-Davidson. They believed in the event from the start, supported it whole-heartedly and have invested a lot of money in the event so bikers could have a great time in a great location. Next up to thank is the Leesburg Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. It feels great when you can attend a bike event and you don’t have police officers taking the fun out of the event. They’ve been terrific, and I’ve seen lotsa times they’ve bent over backwards not to bust a biker. But, if you break the law, endanger others or yourself, you have it coming if you get busted. Kudos also to Lake County Development and Tourism. They’ve been a great supporter of bikers with both the Leesburg Bikefest and the State HOG Rally. I could never name all the people that help make this event great... but when it comes right down to it, the event is a great success because we, the bikers, attend. That’s because you treat us great. Pat yourselves on the back.

    My Dixie Biker Salute goes out to the city of Leesburg this month. Keep up the great work... there are no complaints from us... the ones that rode in, had a great time, and can’t wait to come back. What do ya say? Make it five days next year!

Right - Just part of the great staff at Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg. They were jam-up all weekend but always managed smiles and courteous service for the bikers.

Below right: Woody, a Leesburg Police Officer and good friend of Dixie Biker Illustrated and Bikers, with a partner - a Lake County Deputy. They do an excellent job. No hassles if you're havin' a good time and not botherin' anybody.

 

Dixie Biker Readers and Attendees Write

    Just a sampling of some of the comments received about the Leesburg Bike Fest. There's more available on their website.

Here's the link to the official Leesburg Bike Fest.

 

To: Leesburgpartnership@earthlink .

Subject:  Bikefest congrats!!

    Well... y’all did it again!!!  This was our 4th Bikefest and as allways it  keeps gettin better and better. Im glad to see that “our” small-town event has  grown and done so well. But I hope it doesn’t lose that small-town appeal and  atmosphere. As long as the powers that be don’t get greedy and try to gouge  everybody like the idiots in Daytona...I don’t think it will. Well I’m allready  lookin forward to next year....Thanks again.

Dear Leesburg Citizens:

  We cannot express enough how refreshing and enjoyable your town, it’s back yards  and your family citizens were and if you’ll have us back...We promise to attend  Leesburg EVERY year, too.  We left ONLY footprints and our money behind...we also  promise to repeat those values.  (We saw LOTS of garbage cans...YEAH!) As we no  longer attend or support ANY Daytona bike functions due to Big Brother Government  and their shady dealings, we will be glad to spread the news. LEESBRUG... the ONLY  place in Florida that bikers need bother to attend!  It’s all about FREEDOM you  know! Again thank you for holding such a fun event and please tell your citizens  and neighbors a BIG THANK YOU too. I’d put you on my Christmas list!

     Millicent H., Blue Flashing Shoes, Orange Park, Florida

       

 

   All of Lake County seems to benefit from our invasion. Right - a shot on the deck of Big John's on Lake Harris (It's been sold since this shot was taken and is still a very friendly place for Bikers. It's not called The Hideaway. One of the great spots to enjoy what we enjoy doin'. Lake County is full of great ridin', great places to stop, and great people.

Awright, already! I know it's time for a gratuitous sexy chix picture. So here ya go: Below - Contestents lined up for the Miss Leesburg Bike Fest Contest on the Main Stage. Wow. They're all gorgeous.

Subject: LEESBURG BIKEFEST

Just a quick note to let you know that we came to the  Bikefest for the 2nd year and we have really enjoyed it !  The people that live in  Leesburg are very pleasant, the town itself is very nice !  The event is well  organized.

Thank you!

  Chris Larzelere

 

Below - It's all about a good time. That 22 ounce Bud cost a whoppin' $2. Yeehawww! 

Dear Leesburg Partnership,
   Excellent job organizing the bike fest.  This was my 1st  year and plan on attending many more. Do you know where I can get 2004 Leesburg  Bike Fest T-shirts, if still available? Sincerely, Keven Kern Tampa, FL

 

Right - Oh boy, do we love the Bike Games, 

or what!?! 'Specially the Weenie Bite.

Subject: Bikefest 2004 
   Well, Leesburg, you've gone and done it again.  What a GREAT  BIKEFEST this year.  Each year it just gets better and better.  Woody and his  "crew" were, as usual, superb.  We had such a good time and it was made even better  by the Rat's Hole Bike Show, where Radical Randy did another fine job (of course it  didn't hurt that my husband took 1st place in the Touring Class, either).  Just one  question?  Have you considered doing another one in the fall.  I talked to a lot of  people this past weekend and they said they wouldn't even consider going to Daytona  if y'all had a show in the fall.  I know we would come to Leesburg, cause y'all  know how to treat people with respect! Thanks again for a great event!

   Dave and Lee "Red" Harrison Cape Coral

Right - Oops. . . nice miss. Just blame it on the driver for goin' too fast and not knowin' proper technique. That's what Boots does. . . blames it on me.

City of Leesburg:

  What a GREAT job with this years BikeFest. It keeps getting better and better every  year. Outstanding!

  Everyone is made to feel welcome and the police have such a  great attitude. One officer stopped his golf cart, came over to where were having a  great time and shot the breeze with us for quite some time, telling jokes and just  having fun himself. Can't wait until next year.

   Len Pinelli Ocoee, FL

Left - Omigoodness. Hon, if you ain't spoken for, I know 'bout a thousand dudes that wanna meet ya. How big's your ol' man?

 

Below - The Bike Games put on by Lake

County and Clermont HOG Chapters.

First up, the ballon toss. Yep, it went SPLAT! 

Dear Joe:
  I understand that the 2004 Leesburg Bikefest was an even bigger success than  previous years. I've heard many positive comments from participants as well as the  business community. It was especially gratifying to see how much financial benefit  was directed toward local non-profit organizations.
  The revitalization of the Leesburg downtown area has spread benefits throughout  the city and beyond the city borders, and the Leesburg Partnership has certainly  played a mahor role in that process.

  Best wishes for the Partnership's continuing success.

  Sincerely,

    Welton G. Cadwell

    Commissoner, District Five

.

  

More of the bike games, left and below

  

  

Below - The youngest, and prettiest, rider we saw all weekend. We received this note from her grandmother after she made the cover of the June Issue of Dixie Biker Illustrated:

 

Dear Dixie Biker:

   Hi!  My grandaughter’s picture is on the cover of June’s issue. Thank you so much - she’s thrilled, as are we. We lost the pictures we took - is it possible that you have more pictures? If so, would you please post them or if possible mail them to me? I would so appreciate it. Thanks so much. My name and address is: Patricia M., Oviedo. By the way, her name is Ciara  and she had just turned seven on that day. Again, thank you! Hope to hear from you soon!! The pictures were taken on April 24th 2004 in Leesburg.

 

   Thanks for the info on our “little cover girl.” I’ve e-mailed Pat all the shots we had - and there were lots of them. I guess she was pretty popular on her little bike. The cover shot (above left) was  taken by Beerman Mike. Right - Ciara with her proud Mom and Dan, also by The Beerman. On a side note, less than a year after he took these shots, The Beerman died after suffering a heart attack at the beginning of Bike Week 2005. He was only fifty, and we miss him very much. Jeez. Just proves you hafta live each day to it's fullest, you never know when your time's up. We have a Memorial page for The Beerman on our magazine's website here: In Memory - The Beerman.

 

Below - Best use of a T-shirt we saw all weekend. From Frank at Just Details.

Below - They look like they're havin' too much fun!! But, then again, I don't reckon that's possible. There ain't no such thing as too much fun. 

  

Right - Trials rider Adam Holbrook did his thing all weekend with several shows a day.

	Caption here
Tatoos!	Harley Twins

Below - It's a family affair. Good times for everyone.

Since you made it all the way down here, I figgered I'd reward ya with another gratuitous picture of the love ladies in the Miss Leesburg Bike Fest Contes. They're so lovely we hadda give y'all another shot. 

    And you can betcher ass we'll be in Leesburg April 28 -30, 2006. It's a great time and if ya can make it, we highly recommend it. Even if you only ride over for a day.

Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site.. Such material will be removed
Name:
BBCode:
Comment:
	Enter what you see: * tips: hit Reload page before writing a text if you have difficulty reading characters in image

Powered by AkoComment 2.0! and SecurityImage 3.0.2