There is a laid back feel to a small-town motorcycle rally. Most everyone is friendly and supportive; even the cops can see the economic value of scores of enthusiasts spending money in their town and actually seem to serve and protect rather than harass and ticket.

Fortunately for Winslow and event organizers, the local constabulary didn’t see the need to tack on a lot of letter-of-the-law, parking or moving violations fines to the town’s bottom line, unlike many other municipalities have grown to do with ruthless flair. We don’t need to mention names, such as the, er, the Laughlin, NV Gestapo. Oopsie.

In the early 1970s, Winslow not only caught the eye of wandering minstrels Jackson Browne and the Eagles, but of the railroad. Until the 1960s, it was the largest town in northern Arizona but the sad demise of Route 66, which still runs through it, almost turned it into a ghost town.

But Winslow is the town too smart to die. It lobbied for and received two new exits off the brutish Interstate 40 and restarted its tourism industry. Town officials now consider Winslow to be in a renaissance, with renewed arts and business interest despite a stalled economy. The town has retained its welcoming, earthy charm, stated gracefully by the women of Winslow.

A popular myth about motorcycle rallies is that they are chock full of single, wanton women—cool, leathered and laced biker chicks just waiting for a hot ride. Inked and pinked, they’re stand around like some kind of luscious biker candy. This, sadly, is untrue.

Although some 23 percent of new Harleys are bought by women, and the gender is gaining presence not only at dealerships but motorcycle events, motorcycle rallies remain mostly coupled up, even at the sociable Rockn’ 66. There are, of course, the sexy vendor girls hawking biker wares, and the women on the wet T-shirt, bikini or pole dancing contest circuit, but they’re usually too busy, tired or otherwise involved to do anything more than smile and flirt. It’s mainly a professional, almost clinical, kind of, “buy our stuff and move on” kind of vibe.

This is not to say there wasn’t plenty of eye candy; there was. There were hotties at the bikini and pole dancing competitions and a bunch more showing almost more skin than is legal at the tattoo contest. Then there was the drunk who kept following me around as I shot photos for this story, interrupting, deliberately standing in the way, and demanding to know who I was while repeatedly insisting the only way I could “get” women is to pay them to model. Some guys just don’t get it. It’s not about getting over on a girl, but simply enjoying their company.

I think the enjoyment of these events is based a lot in your attitude. If you’re there to share the camaraderie, have some fun, do some people watching, maybe make some new friends and buy a T-shirt then you’ll have a good time. If you expect much more, you’ll probably be disappointed, and worse, spoil it for the people around you.

For information on next year’s event, scheduled for August 24 through 26, contact PT’s Rock’n 66 Rally organizers at 928-289-0707; visit www.ptsbarwinslow.com; on Facebook, “PT’s Bar.” Organizer Tom McCauley can be reached at pts2@cableone.net. For Winslow visitor information, www.winslowarizona.org; 928-289-2434.