Set up on Thursday is a smooth, madhouse of activity. All the custom guys set out their bikes for the attendees to enjoy and maybe purchase. Spike, Seth’s number one guy, is on the ball spotting vendors, putting out fires, and generally taking care of business. One of the biggest surprises I had, though, was finding a metric manufacturer taking up the “prime spot.” Like I’ve said many, many times before, the metric bikes are growing in numbers at rallys, it ain’t all Harleys anymore.
The California Highway Patrol had a display extolling “Watch Out for Motorcycles” and “Don’t Drive Drunk.” Now I gotta go along with the Don’t Drive Drunk theme as it applies to everybody. It just seems the Watch Out for Motorcycles campaign didn’t need to be at a motorcycle event, but where normal citizens congregate, the ones who need to watch out for us.
Under clear skies Saturday, the crowd arrived to see the bike show, kibitz with the vendors, and mainly hang out. The music was good and varied. People spent the day hanging in front of the bandstand. Lots of campers in the back 40 just spent a weekend with their buddies. If there were police present (besides the CHP exhibit), I never saw them and they weren’t needed. I think most people come to rallies to hang out and shop. Speaking about vendors, I’m very impressed that all I spoke with didn’t have a bad thing to say about the promoter. Seth’s relationship with vendors, exhibitors, and the general public seems to be a positive one.
Sunday, perfect weather brought another bunch of people to enjoy the show. What can I say when everything’s great? See you next year!