Interesting that no one ever mentions the loss of business by local businesses due to bike week. There are many tourists and secondary home owners who refuse to come to the Lakes Region during bike week due to the traffic, noise and overall hassle. Try and get a realtor to show properties in Meredith, Laconia or Gilford when bike week is on. Many agents take bike week off since it is nearly impossible to get through all the traffic, especially at the Weirs. Has anyone talked to Thurstons or Channel to see how their business is during this period? Also, vendors from national companies take their money with them.
As year rounders, we accept bike week as a major but temporary disruption. It gets frustrating, however, to hear people brag about the economic benefits without understanding the negative economic aspects.
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