Bike Week
How are the crowds this year?
Headed up tomorrow for a concert at Meadowbrook, trying to figure how much of a delay we will see heading that way from Center Harbor area. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Dan |
The most back up has been route 3 going south into the Weirs. Over the weekend it was backed up to the Meredith Bay development at times.
Weirs Boulevard has hardly slowed down thus far. Even over the weekend it might have backed up as far as the NASWA a few times but I doubt anyone lost more than 10 minutes in traffic. Endicot Street North has had some back ups over the weekend but today it didn't back up much at all. Overall, I would say the number of people and vehicles has continued the decline of the last 10 to 15 years. |
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I was just on rt 25 in Center Harbor, I would say it is dead, not much traffic. I do expect it to pick up tomorrow, but it is much less than I expected. I also saw a June 9 to 16 DWI checkpoint sign on 104, so don't drink and drive people.
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Tower Street Hill Climb
I took a short video this morning. Looks like a weekend crowd. Not bad for a Tuesday. Weather is always a factor.
This was the Hill Climb event on Tower Street. :cool: <iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AsHSQk4TTxU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe> https://youtu.be/AsHSQk4TTxU |
From Meredith I would consider going down Parade Rd (106) to Elm St. to Lakeport bypassing the Weirs.
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Wow... what a lame excuse for a “hill climb”
Not like I remember them... |
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This has probably been the best weather for bike week in a long time.
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Less nudity at The Weirs...
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And overall, as the biker population ages, their activities become more tame.
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The LDS has a good article about the hill climb:
https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...53d91f506.html |
It was a lot different...
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Then, as the bikers got older, they got money. The event became a viable part of the New Hampshire economic plan. The crowd I interacted with on Tuesday was very friendly, courteous and they bought a lot of pizza and hot dogs. A very large "burly" biker accidentally bumped into me and he couldn't have been more apologetic. I heard the Pres. of Harley Davidson, on a radio show, commenting/lamenting on the fact that younger people are not getting into biking so much and their client base is fading, and thusly, so is Laconia Motorcycle Week's attendance. |
I’m glad I was in my early 20s and able to enjoy it when the crowds were still big around 1999 2000. Was fun to attend and stay the week. I cannot imagine doing that now.
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Add to that the fact they everyone has their nose glued to their phone so meeting and talking to real people face to face is a lost art as well. Standing around and discussing some guys fully restored Indian or Yamaha with a Harley engine and kawasaki rear wheel is just not a thing any more. Too bad but times change |
Lol @ “heathens”
Maybe some of the HA but definitely not the majority...just working class guys letting off steam for a few days... |
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The biggest tell for me that it is aging and will die out is the fact that AARP is one of the biggest sponsors this year! :laugh:
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The weather has been terrific so most bikers are out on rides and not hanging at the Weirs
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The catheter tent was quite the shocker. |
Times change they always do. As the cost of hobbies goes up, people are forced to make choices. 30-40 years ago having a motorcycle and a boat was not unthinkable even in the Northeast were the season is short. But now, with the cost many people, like me make a choice... For me it was boating with out a doubt. I also have invested in a camper and love doing that with my family as well...
Investing in more toys when I already have 3 (Boat, Jet Ski, and Camper) that can be used only in the summer just doesn't make sense. I just don't have that much time. Not to mention my wife doesn't like Motorcycles, so it would be a toy for only me to enjoy.... Bottom line I love Bike Week always have, I have met many good people when I have had the opportunity to make my way to the Weirs....In years past I have been invited back to camp grounds and hotels to party... I have also taken people I have met out for boat rides... But people aren't as social anymore. Yes they are polite etc. but it is not as social as they used to be. Top the decline of the social part of the event, with new laws and an ever increasing Police Presence, the event will continue to dwindle. The problem is as the event dwindles, the "Heathens" will become more and more noticeable and draw more attention to the Bad aspects of the event. Thus we have a vicious cycle....... |
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Yes...
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And might I add this...
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Aging is for the young....
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Thought I'd share another...Not sure why they are posting 90 degrees off.
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This year there is a significant decrease in the number of police officers at the event. Several years ago it seemed that every 10th vehicle that went by was a police cruiser or motorcycle. That did not help attendance. There were also numerous officers on foot in past years but the number is considerably less this year. Bike Week is in decline and people tire of attending only to see the same T-shirts and leather gear every year. If something new is not done to stop the decline in attendance Bike Week will soon be a distant memory. It seemed the recent attempt to bring in concerts with big name performers may have had a positive effect but that disaster ended up losing $75,000. To some the decline may be a welcome change but to the Weirs area business who depend on that income to support them it may be another nail in the coffin. |
Two fatalities "so far"...
Best weather for motorcycle week in years, but there will always be this damper…
https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...9fa5e18a5.html |
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I have said it again and again, its really not the vendors and the same merchandise that are the problem. The event has spread out over the state, there are people that never even come down to the Wiers.... The problem is one of having nice facilities. Putting together a nice set of warehouse buildings in one of the fields that is use for vendors, would help tremendously so that people can get out of the sun or rain and vendors will not be trying to cram everything in under neath temporary shelters... Not to mention these buildings could have other uses attracting more events to the area. Then top that off with a nice permanent stage that could be used for performances, and you would have a top notch facility right at the Weirs... The problem is there is no incentive for the land owners do develop the property.... The term I have often used, is for a convention center to be developed... with open area, some buildings and a stage... Car shows, bike week, boat shows, etc etc could all benefit from such an undertaking... but I don't think the city of Laconia wants that, or at least they are not willing to provide incentives to make an investor want to develop the land.... If I was an investor and had a sizable piece of land that sold out for bike week, and that paid my taxes plus put a few thousand dollars every year in my pocket... I wouldn't be looking to do more either, unless the State or City made it worth my while...... Bottom line the City and State need to make it worth while for investors to develop the weirs back into an area that people want to be... and event organizers want to flock too... until that happens, the Weirs, and bike week will continue to decline. |
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Incredible Video - Bike Week Vintage Footage!
Incredible Video - Bike Week Vintage Footage!
Completely unsure if this FaceBook video link will work, but it is incredible footage from the 60’s! <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fch opperchris1369%2Fvideos%2F1408014696011075%2F&show _text=0&width=560" width="560" height="373" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe> https://www.facebook.com/10000407674...8020516010493/ |
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While there are many things about Bike Week that are really cool, hundreds of loud bikes with a lingering whiff of bikers' bad boy history fall somewhere between irritating and intimidating for many non bikers. This is the opposite direction of where cash typically flows. |
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Agreed
The other issue is that the demographics of bike week are in the wrong direction. The millennial interest in motorcycles and the associated culture is much less than that of our generation. We went to the hill climb yesterday (great event) and the crowd was clearly in their 50s, 60s and 70s predominantly. So over time, this is going to be a losing proposition. In addition, there is an opportunity cost in that it does displace some of the normal seasonal revenue.
Redevelopment of the Weirs to be a more contemporary (and a bit more upscale) area would probably be economically desirable. This is what happened with Hampton Beach (although most of it had to be rebuilt due to a fire). Jetskier :cool: |
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The Weirs has stayed stuck in time not because of the persona of bike week. But rather because the business have limited time to make their money. The owner don't want to make huge investments, when they don't see their profits increasing... When government gives tax incentives, Like agreeing not to raise property Taxes for X number of years, after a major investment, it makes an investor think about improving the property, and be able to improve business revenue, and having breathing room to make that happen before getting a more expensive tax bill.... It would take a convention facility a couple of years to build up events, and generate a positive cash flow after making the initial investment... People have a stigma about bikers that is routed in a time gone by. They need to let it go... Yes there are some bad apples... but you can say that about boaters, hikers, etc.... If I had the money, I would love to by one of the larger pieces of land and develop it... It would be a risk worth taking... but only if the Town and State agreed to not riase taxes until I could get the building in place and start generate some positive income..... |
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Let us on the forum read it also..that is if you want to. Executive Summary Business Description Market Analysis Organization Management Sales Strategies Funding Requirements Financial Projections |
There should be a consolidated thread with all the other threads regarding what to do with the weirs.
Despite seeing it first hand it's still a little jolting to watch that movie and see many of the same places in the same spot 50 years later. All the plans come back to the same thing. How to make money in the 6+ months when there are few tourists or make enough in the summer to carry over. I took some people on a Mount cruise last summer who had never been to NH before and after they bought some fudge and a key chain they were done with everything the weirs has to offer in about five minutes flat. Too bad but I think nothing is ever going to happen unless there is a muti million $ effort to gut the whole place at once into some sort of resort destination. I could see a benefit in some sort of event park. A bunch of open air shed type buildings would not be too expensive and could be used for all sorts of parties, swap meet, concerts, car shows, etc and in the winter maybe boat storage. But where? Needs to be big and fairly flat and really no need to be near the weirs anyway. Gunstock comes to mind or maybe the top of the hill where shangrila used to be. Or airport plaza after that all folds up. |
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I think it's awesome that 60+ y.o. guys head out on the open road with their bikes and wives/girlfriends holding on. I especially admire the couples who are a bit infirm, but refuse to let that keep them off their bikes. But the last time I was at The Tamarack during Bike Week, it was literally impossible to hold a conversation across the picnic table because hundreds were roaring by throughout the entire meal. You're dreaming if you think that's not a turn off for 90% of the population. |
Every year for the past umteen years this same conversation appears on this forum how bike week is dieing...based on the crowds I saw this afternoon at the Weirs when I was there, it’s not going anywhere soon....
95 years and counting! Dan |
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In the pic, note the billy club. |
Art is in the details...
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With thousands of bikes, a few things stand out, if you find them.
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I suppose there is an element of not being interested in what you can't afford also. Kids with giant student loans and worthless degrees are not buying much of anything except starbucks. growing up as a local pretty much no one in my circle had a boat other than something with oars. |
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Next chance I had, I had to buy at $210k... ya thanks dad! |
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First year I can remember that you can’t hear the continuous rumble from the other side of the lake.
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Ran home last night for my daughter's graduation. Coming back up this morning lots of bikes. My prediction is it bangs this weekend. Good weather brings bikes. Wish I was still on the bike but we rode hard this week. My back hurts..... good year for our crew
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Quiet yesterday because lots of bikes headed over to Bentleys.
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Motorcycle Week Video
I was at Weirs Beach Thursday afternoon and shot this video with my GoPro and gimbal as I walked around:
<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j0-L-q14kQ8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe> |
Bike Week
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Link doesn’t work for me. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
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Awesome video!
I'm not a biker (bass fisherman Actually)… looks like a lot of fun... and a great collection of custom bikes. I hope the tradition continues. Cheers... Gusman |
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This screen shot in the video is kind of interesting..the cop was probably just being friending.
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Speaking of cops, I saw this one cruising around on a Segway and asked if I could take his picture:
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I find it hard to take them serious when they roll up on this thing or a horse. Just seems weird to me. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
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I had some friends up for the weekend that still ride and surprisingly they wanted no part of going down to the Weirs. We hung out on my boat most of the weekend and they never got on their bikes again until it was time to go home. :confused:
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I don't like craft fairs, especially ones held out side, with the jungles of little white shelters... and I know I am not the only one... I don't complain about it, I just don't go around it. If people can't deal with a the single week of bike week, we have deeper problems.... |
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I noticed substantially more bikers using full-face helmets and safety gear than I've ever seen before, even on "cruiser-style" bikes where you'd normally see no helmet (or one of those pointless plastic yarmulkes) and no gear. That's a great trend.
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I've said it many times (and I'm sure other's have also), the Wiers has such potential, with it's unique charm and features: The lake, The Boardwalk, The Train, The Pier, The Beach, The Iconic Sign, The Mountains, The View!
If the business owners won't do it, the Chamber of Commerce should. There could be a (not that I personally like any or all of these):
Have events that bring people of different demographic and economic backgrounds, nothing will appeal to everyone. Once the area starts picking up, there will no longer be a need to have events to create a draw. Look at what Meredith, Wolfboro and Alton have done, their waterfronts look beautiful and have much less to offer. Or take a trip to Lake George and see how that area looks! Is it just that no one has any vision, or there just is no drive to do this? I'd think after a bit of time, those that own business's there would start to thrive, but all we have now is worn out looking arcades and such. It looks like some updates have happened, the boardwalk has been improved, the roads, curbs, etc. This is a start, but how can business be encouraged to clean up and improve things? Do they need a tax break or some other incentive to update things? At least those that purchased the Winnipesaukee Pier seem to have some vision and are slowly improving things! |
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It doesn't take luck or a huge income, just a little self discipline. No it's not always easy but it is doable. |
Haha I love the AARP tent in the video. :eek:
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They don't live lavishly so I don't think it's a case of living beyond their means. It costs a lot of money to raise children today. Both parents have to work and that means putting kids in child care, which is incredibly expensive today along with housing and food. They say inflation is low but I don't believe it! |
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I can't imagine not wearing a helmet - at least I stand a chance with mine on. This past weekend I did notice a lot more riders with helmets - maybe they were from states that require them, but it was nice to see. Then again, I'm glad that NH let's those who ride decide.
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Both parents don't HAVE to work, I know the wife and I have managed on a single income since we were in our 20's. No it's not easy but it can be done even on a very modest income. It's no secret, get and stay debt free but that is a lifestyle choice many these days can't seem to grasp. |
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After reading this it makes me wonder why anyone would ride without a helmet. Even the ones where they couldn’t say if a helmet would have prevented injury/death seemed to shout “should have had a helmet.” I understand the “see better w/o” comments but I’m thinking if a lid provided 10% better survivability I’d sacrifice a little vision (or get fitted for a better helmet). With all the four wheels out there driven by people who use only mirrors and never turn their head it seems more “when” than “if.” Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
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Dan |
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Let's just take the big three: Cost of a house, in 1975 that mortgage would have cost you 9.45% APR so as a percentage of income it the P&I payment in '75 was more expensive when comparted to both today's dollars and current interest rates hovering at less than half of that. OK I'll concede the cost of a new car is twice that of 1975 BUT BUT BUT… I will point out a couple key differences. Anything that was made in 1975 was a piece of crap you'd be lucky to get 5 years and 75K out of before the stuff fell apart, rusted all to hell or just plain broke to the point of having to replace it as engineering back then was awful. Now a days one can easily buy a 15K used car and arguably it would far surpass the longevity and reliability of say your average 1975 Ford Pinto or Chevy Vega. Buying new these days is just plain dumb, not when you can buy off lease cars for a fraction of what they cost new. It gets even better when they hit 100K which is where I love to buy them then drive them another 100 or 200K. College these days is expensive but I'll tell you what my daughter just graduated this spring from Manchester Community College with an Associates degree, where her credits are 100% transferrable into the state school system to finish out a 4 year program, and most will be accepted anywhere else. Cost you ask? 14K for both years combined. So it begs the question why would you send your kids to a place where they are racking up 30, 40, 50K + per year especially over the first couple of years? DUH? It is about choices and it can be done. |
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All in all in the end since 1975, the big ticket item costs have increased further than the inflation rate and salaries have not kept up thus the younger generation is taking a double hit. |
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My son inlaw told me a few weeks ago that a family of 5 needs to make at least $300,000 a year to live in Metro Boston today. He works 2 jobs and my daughter works full time with three kids. They want more than just to get by. So with out actually asking them how much they make I'm assuming they make at least that if not more. Could they make it on one salary, maybe but I doubt it. |
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However I would prefer looking at a graph that shows the cost of living difference. |
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My sincere apologies.... as I am only a mere low life high school graduate. :emb: |
More about Bike Week from WMUR:
<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4bmrqhoiBb0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe> |
The tables with rows also doesn't include child care, which was almost free compared to what it is today. People making $15 to $20 dollars an hour, with a few kids could save money by not working, you can say don't have children then, but You can't compare anytime to the in recent history to what it's like starting out today, It's not even close. Now that's not an excuse to live like an idiot but there's no comparison. Also I know people who don't carry a balance who use there card for every single purchase to clean up on the rewards, I'm sure that's not the average user though.
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I’ve been looking but can’t find any data to back up your claim. 30% of all traumatic brain injuries are caused buy auto accidents & 14% of the auto deaths of 14 - 25 year olds are caused by traumatic brain injury. Nothing about auto deaths caused tbi. Can you direct me to your info source? I’m willing to bet that a much much higher % of motorcycle deaths are caused by tbi then auto deaths. Bottom line is I have a far better survivability in a car being hit by a car then on a bike being hit by a car. Mass & physics. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
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The question was a loaded one and the answer is "comfort". We don't wear helmets when driving an automobile because they are uncomfortable, they are hot, they get in the way, whatever you want to call it and 99% of our law makers and the general public allow comfort to supersede safety when it suits them. I find it rather hypocritical when these same lawmakers and public supporters try to force their safety mandates on motorcyclists. In 2017 there were more than 40,000 automobile deaths in the USA, if even 10% could be stopped by wearing a helmet (i'm sure many more would be the real number) when driving that would be just about equal to all the motorcycle deaths that occurred in 2017 with or without a helmet. So if way more lives can be saved by wearing a helmet in an automobile, why don't we?? As an fyi, I personally do wear a helmet (most of the time) when riding my motorcycle but I want to be the one who chooses when and where... Thanks! Dan |
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Anyone who says a helmet resticts their line of sight is either full of crap or is wearing an improperly fitted helmet.
I've always worn a full face helmet and not once had my vision obstructed by it....this was both on the street and during my time as a licensed racer (where full helmets are mandatory). Sure, there are riders who will balk at the cost of a halfway decent lid yet their excuse is usually along the lines of "it's restrictive, can't see, too hot, etc" but the $300 to $600 every 5 years seems to me like cheap insurance. I've had the pleasure of whacking my head on the ground while wearing a helmet. It's not fun but it's why I'm alive and posting. I'd rather sweat than bleed. To each their own. |
A Success?
The city proclaimed that Bike Week was a success this year with great weather and large crowds.
I was in the Weirs area every day and the crowds and traffic still seem to be less every year, including this year. Coupled with the fact that there were numerous accidents, including three fatalities, I am not quite sure that I would be so quick to call it a success. I guess it depends on your perspective. https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...7ae6d5824.html |
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In the end, though I don't ride, I think it's a cool event that, with some investment--both for the week and area as a whole--could be even better. Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk |
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