Harley Davidson and Bike Week

VitaBene · 01-03-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Yeah, but the parking lot is always wide open. Plenty of room for Harley to set up a display without hindering on any of the businesses there.

I think you and LR may be thinking of different parking lots. Annalee Dolls is on 104 in Meredith. I think IS308 is talking about the area over in Gilford near Patrick's on 11.

Or I am just confusing everyone!!

ishoot308 · 01-03-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaBene

I think you and LR may be thinking of different parking lots. Annalee Dolls is on 104 in Meredith. I think IS308 is talking about the area over in Gilford near Patrick's on 11.

Or I am just confusing everyone!!

You are correct Vitabene. Route 11 is where I was talking about.

Dan

Belmont Resident · 01-03-2011, 06:09 PM

Let the folks on the other side of the lake enjoy all the aggravation that goes with bike week and getting around.
I know I’ll get hell for it but you do not run into many locals who do not benefit from bike week that actually welcome it. Make it go away….

Cobalt 25 · 01-03-2011, 06:18 PM

Just curious, Belmont Resident, not trying to be argumentative, but is your source of income from the private sector, public service, retirement funds?

I'm just trying to get a sense of why folks support the positions they espouse.

Peter

Slickcraft · 01-03-2011, 09:07 PM

I agree that the large parking lot in Gilford would be a good spot, in past years other vendors have had a presence there. Another spot would be next to Lowe's over where the new Hanniford is planned.

Downtown Laconia has worked well for riders the past few years; ample parking and a pretty good ride route. Also not far from the Weirs. The former venue at the racetrack was too far away from other bike week activities during the week. And on race weekend it was pretty congested. It was an ok ride route.

Lakesrider · 01-03-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

You are correct Vitabene. Route 11 is where I was talking about.

Dan

Oh OK! I just read too fast and saw the Liquor store mentioned....

Yes the Lot whee the Hannaford's is planned would be great. maybe that is what they were thinking as well. Much closer to the Weirs activities as mentioned.
But when is Hannaford's planning to start building. I would imagine this Spring?

Belmont Resident · 01-04-2011, 07:53 AM

Lakesrider my opinions on bike week are based on the level of frustration that many of us who have no interest in the event deal with for those 9 days. I have to take days off depending on where the job is located. We also have to deal with the driving habits of those it brings into town. I’ve lived in this area for about 8-9 years and been a contractor for about 7 years. I visited bike week first when I was in my 30’s and was never really impressed. I’ve owned bikes and still do although not a Harley.
It is like the vacation crowd. They are here for 1-2 weeks. In that time they have a list of things to accomplish, in doing so they seem to loose all regard for any body or anything else around them.
The same goes for bike week.
Don’t get me wrong it doesn’t include everybody, but it sure does seem like there are more undesirables than not.
Many of the establishments that depend on tourism love the money it brings in, but talk to them one on one and you’ll find they don’t particularly care for the people it brings in.
But as always money talks…

lawn psycho · 01-04-2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

But as always money talks…

That's the ONLY reason Laconia and the State put up with the hassles that it creates. I went to bike week one time (one day actually) in the late 90s and just couldn't see what the fuss was all about. The traffic alone sucked the life out of me more than anything else.

Because of those two weeks we don't slip our boat in Meredith to avoid the bridge and traffic over there. Season is already short enough as it is.

jniff101 · 01-04-2011, 08:26 AM

It's only 9 days and it's not even packed for all those 9 days. Sit back relax, let the money pour in and it is over before you know it. Believe it or not many of those bikers are good people and get stereotyped because of how they look. Most of them are some of the most polite and courteous people I've ever met. Just my opinion.

Lakesrider · 01-04-2011, 08:49 AM

Well first off BR I think you were answering Cobalt 25. I have no issue with your reasoning. Sometimes the traffic is a pain for me as well. I just plan accordingly. I go food shopping, at Hannaford's, Lowe's etc the Friday before and try to get two weeks worth of food, knowing full well the traffic nightmare that awaits. Long lines at the stores, and at the gas pumps anywhere near the Weirs. One reason the Bike week has been a bit less of an issue is the Bikers are getting older. Just look around while you are there. Mostly 30-40-50-60 year-olds. No longer as many younger riders. Young folk just can't afford the over inflated Harley prices....Us older folk go to bed earlier and need to rest up more for those long rides...

01-03-2011, 06:09 PM	#3
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	Move to the other side of the lake. Let the folks on the other side of the lake enjoy all the aggravation that goes with bike week and getting around. I know I’ll get hell for it but you do not run into many locals who do not benefit from bike week that actually welcome it. Make it go away….

01-04-2011, 07:53 AM	#7
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	Private contractor Lakesrider my opinions on bike week are based on the level of frustration that many of us who have no interest in the event deal with for those 9 days. I have to take days off depending on where the job is located. We also have to deal with the driving habits of those it brings into town. I’ve lived in this area for about 8-9 years and been a contractor for about 7 years. I visited bike week first when I was in my 30’s and was never really impressed. I’ve owned bikes and still do although not a Harley. It is like the vacation crowd. They are here for 1-2 weeks. In that time they have a list of things to accomplish, in doing so they seem to loose all regard for any body or anything else around them. The same goes for bike week. Don’t get me wrong it doesn’t include everybody, but it sure does seem like there are more undesirables than not. Many of the establishments that depend on tourism love the money it brings in, but talk to them one on one and you’ll find they don’t particularly care for the people it brings in. But as always money talks…

01-04-2011, 08:26 AM	#9
jniff101 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 113 Thanks: 23 Thanked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Relax It's only 9 days and it's not even packed for all those 9 days. Sit back relax, let the money pour in and it is over before you know it. Believe it or not many of those bikers are good people and get stereotyped because of how they look. Most of them are some of the most polite and courteous people I've ever met. Just my opinion.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-03-2011, 06:18 PM	#4
Cobalt 25 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 230 Thanks: 231 Thanked 36 Times in 20 Posts	Just curious, Belmont Resident, not trying to be argumentative, but is your source of income from the private sector, public service, retirement funds? I'm just trying to get a sense of why folks support the positions they espouse. Peter

01-03-2011, 09:07 PM	#5
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,388 Thanks: 1,260 Thanked 2,148 Times in 983 Posts	I agree that the large parking lot in Gilford would be a good spot, in past years other vendors have had a presence there. Another spot would be next to Lowe's over where the new Hanniford is planned. Downtown Laconia has worked well for riders the past few years; ample parking and a pretty good ride route. Also not far from the Weirs. The former venue at the racetrack was too far away from other bike week activities during the week. And on race weekend it was pretty congested. It was an ok ride route.

01-04-2011, 08:49 AM	#10
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Well first off BR I think you were answering Cobalt 25. I have no issue with your reasoning. Sometimes the traffic is a pain for me as well. I just plan accordingly. I go food shopping, at Hannaford's, Lowe's etc the Friday before and try to get two weeks worth of food, knowing full well the traffic nightmare that awaits. Long lines at the stores, and at the gas pumps anywhere near the Weirs. One reason the Bike week has been a bit less of an issue is the Bikers are getting older. Just look around while you are there. Mostly 30-40-50-60 year-olds. No longer as many younger riders. Young folk just can't afford the over inflated Harley prices....Us older folk go to bed earlier and need to rest up more for those long rides...