Thursday, Oct. 01, 2009
the pilgrimage rolls on
"Not a Dime in '09" is still the war cry of many who support bikers, motorcycle rallies, common sense, business sense, American freedoms, and/or the South Carolina state Constitution. Boycotters are refusing to do business inside the city limits of Myrtle Beach after city officials unleashed attacks on, well, bikers, motorcycle rallies, common sense, business sense, American freedoms, and/or the South Carolina state Constitution. Locals have stayed vigilant throughout the year and out-of-towners have joined the fight by staying home, attending rallies elsewhere, or choosing to come to our rallies and stay outside the city limits. Despite the best efforts of a handful of megalomaniacal politicians and whatever underlying, dark forces are pulling their strings, the rallies have continued, albeit on a smaller scale, and I'm still here to be your tour guide if you're planning to partake in The Pilgrimage, our area's fall rally that continues today through Sunday.
LAWS
First and foremost, the fifteen anti-Bike Week ordinances enacted by the city of Myrtle Beach are under fire, but technically still in effect with the exception of the city's kangaroo court (administrative hearing) system. A state Supreme Court justice issued a memo to local officials declaring it "unconstitutional" and "repugnant" so the city quietly abandoned that one. Many of the helmet citations issued have yet to be tried. Bikers and self-proclaimed motorcycle attorney Tom McGrath eagerly await their day in court, but most have been met with delays or inaction by the city as many suspect the wheels are falling off of that one too. In short, the best way to avoid the ordinances is to just avoid the city of Myrtle Beach. But if you do travel through the city, make sure you wear a helmet.
VENDORS
While local governments have put new restrictions on the vendors both inside and outside the city limits, and many vendors have chosen not to come, there are still plenty to check out this year.
Nine vendors will be set up at the Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson dealership at 4710 S. Kings Highway, just outside the southern boundaries of the Myrtle Beach city limits.
More vendors, all motorcycles for sale by the local dealer and a sale of more than $250,000 worth of merchandise, will be available at the North Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson location at 4002 U.S. 17 S. in North Myrtle Beach. It's worth noting that North Myrtle Beach is a separate municipality with its own mayor, council and law enforcement and is not part of Myrtle Beach. North Myrtle Beach has taken a much more biker-friendly and rational approach to the rallies and its chamber of commerce has publicly supported and invited rally-goers to the city.
The shopping and entertainment complex known as Barefoot Landing, also in North Myrtle Beach, at 4898 U.S. 17 S., will host 25 vendors, according to Mike Shank of Festival Promotions.
Still more can be found at H.B. Spokes Saloon, a huge biker bar that also features two bandstands with live entertainment, a burnout pit, and plenty of rally food and beverages. H.B. Spokes is at 1111 S.C. 9 in Longs, north of Myrtle Beach.
HANGOUTS
Each of the places listed below will have live entertainment, merchandise for sale, food and drinks, and rally-themed games, contests or events planned just for fall rally visitors. They are also places I can assure you are biker-friendly and are outside the city limits of Myrtle Beach. Unfortunately, I only have a limited amount of space here, but you can pick up one of the many free area event guides at these locations for more details.
• Beaver Bar - 3381 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, 357-6969.• Beaver Bar at the County Line - 3534 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, 651-3838.
• Broken Spoke Saloon - 2340 U.S. 17 South, Garden City Beach, 651-5510.
• Captain Poo's Bar & Grill - 2200 Little River Neck Road, North Myrtle Beach, 249 7881.
• H.B. Spokes Saloon - 1111 S.C. 9, Longs, 399-2453.
• Suck Bang Blow (Original) - 3393 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, 357-9528.
• Suck Bang Blow (4 Corners) - 11980 U.S. 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet, 357-9528.
• Surfside Live - 803 U.S. 17 Business, Surfside Beach, 238-8507.
• The Rat Hole - 3833 Socastee Blvd. (S.C. 707), Myrtle Beach, 293-0515.
RIDES/SPECIAL EVENTS
In addition to shopping and socializing, there will be a number of rides and other biker-friendly events taking place during the rally in which you can take part:
• 2-6 p.m. today-Saturday - Charity Leather Auction, Jamin' Leather, 802 U.S. 17 Business, Surfside Beach• Noon Friday - Black Jack Bike Run, Jamin' Leather, 3830 U.S. 17 South, North Myrtle Beach
• Noon (10 a.m. registration) Friday - American Legion Riders Benefit Poker Run, American Legion Post 178, 3950 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet
• Noon (10 a.m. registration) Saturday - Sea Dragons Charity Ride for Veterans, The Rat Hole, 3833 Socastee Blvd., Myrtle Beach
• Daily - Motorcycle Rodeo/Biker Games Open to All Riders, The Rat Hole, 3833 Socastee Blvd, Myrtle Beach; call 293-0501
The information above should be enough to get you started. I hope everyone has a safe and fun fall rally. Despite what you may have heard, I truly believe the overwhelming majority of people and businesses along the Grand Strand love the rallies and those who attend them. We are glad you here.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions of bike-related topics send a "Big E-mail'' to surgebiker@yahoo.com.
