2010 Rallies & Events
‘Screw It, Let’s Ride’ Arizona Bike Week Shines Part 1
Story and Photos by J. Joshua Placa
The 14th annual Arizona Bike Week (ABW) somehow poked through the prevailing economic gloom and shined with an unprecedented energy and good-time vibe. Five warm-up “pre-rally” days kicked things off starting April 9th with ABW’s signature scenic and city theme rides, dealer hosted parties, barbecues, tattoo contests, and biker queen pageant eliminations. Those events were the prelude to the main event, Cyclefest, which ran from April 14 to 18.
This Cyclefest edition, held at Scottsdale’s sprawling special event’s facility named WestWorld, may have been the best yet; surprising in a year when everyone is broke and no one is supposed to be having any fun. Maybe Harley-Davidson’s “Screw It, Let’s Ride” ad slogan carried the crowd.
For whatever the reason, ABW 2010 featured a record 200 vendors, factory demo fleets, beer girls, bike games, a silent auction, some naughty bad fun called the Jager Games, People’s Choice Bike Show, the Miss Arizona Bike Week finals, and an all-star, “world famous” wet T-shirt contest that gave the crowd the event climax they wanted. There were also live bands performing daily under the big tent, otherwise known as the HandleBar Saloon. George Thorogood topped the bill this year.
Organizers estimated that the Cyclefest attendance topped last year’s total of 40,000, but the biggest upward trend in this year’s event: women. There were noticeably more of them, walking and riding their own bikes in pairs or small groups. It’s a healthy balance that is missing from most major rallies.
Arizona Bike Week will reconvene next April, dates to be determined. Cyclefest ticket prices are not set, but aren’t expected to vary much from this year’s tariff of $20 per day per person, or $55 for the week. For more information, call 480-644-8191; visit www.azbikeweek.com