Myrtle Beach Bike Week
Spring Rally 2005

Get Ready For All the Fun at This Year's Spring Harley Rally
by Claudea Treckeme

Myrtle Beach again hosts the Harley-Davidson Spring Rally from May 13-22, 2005, the first of three major motorcycle events that take place in the Myrtle Beach area annually.

This first biker event of the 2005 season promises to top last year's attendance of 275,000 people, or around 150,000 bikes riding into town.

Events for the Spring Rally take place all up and down the Grand Strand, from North Myrtle Beach to Conway and south to Murrells Inlet.

Harley-Davidson devotees come from all over the country to participate in nine days of events, entertainment and comradery.

Events include the Jack Daniel's No. 7 Show Car & Trailer May 17-18 at Barefoot Landing Vendor Village, live music from noon to 4 pm at Barefoot Landing Vendor Village, the Chopper Building Boot Camp May 16-19 at the Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort, and an appearance by Miss Budweiser on May 17 at the Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson Main Dealership and Barefoot Landing Vendor Village

One of the most anticipated events is the Texas Bikini Team who will appear for 9 days of fun, fashion and bike washes. The Texas Bikini Team is the world's largest touring swimsuit company and will have two shows daily and some Bike Washes May 13th-21st.

For bikers who love to shop for leathers, tee-shirts, bike accessories and jewelry, there will again be dozens of vendors up and down the Grand Strand selling everything bike-related. The crowds gathering around these vendors become events themselves, and locals join the visiting bikers, even if owning a Harley is only a fantasy!

Want to hang out with the bikers? The HB Spokes Saloon is located on Highway 9 on over 4 acres of land surrounded by the beautiful Waccamaw River. The Saloon is over 7,000 sq. feet and also has 10 outside bars and over 30,000 sq. feet of outside deck. The Saloon is famous for the Live and Kickin' music that is offered non-stop during Bike Week.

The Suck Bang Blow, located on Highway 17 Bypass in Surfside/Murrells Inlet started in a storage facility where the bikers rode up to order and the bartenders really did wear gas masks! They have come a long way, now occupying the old Pelican Lumber store across from the Inlet Square Mall.

And forget everything you ever thought you knew about bikers. These Harley riders are some of best and most courteous drivers we have ever encountered. They are a friendly bunch, always ready with a wave and a smile. Many of those we met last year are just your average folk from a variety of fields. We've met bikers who are lawyers, construction workers, doctors, dentists, teachers, truckers and accountants - people from different walks in life who share the love of their bikes and and the desire to meet up with others who feel the same way.

Come enjoy this year's Spring Rally, have fun, make new friends and, like the sponsors and vendors advise, please drink responsibly.