Ever since we went to Daytona Bike Week last year for the first time, Pudge & I have been aching to go back. In March, it was time! March 4-13, 2005 marked the 64th anniversary of “The World’s Largest Motorcycle Event” and with more activities than ever, it was a blast!

Having been to Daytona last year, we were a little more familiar with what was going on and where events were taking place. Main Street, the prime drinking and partying location, was the happening place to be as always. During the last night that we were in Daytona, I saw three different female riders bare it all and gain their rewards of hollers, whistles, and beads.

A lot of the custom bike builders set up shop on Main Street as well. During the day, when the locals who see Discovery TV Shows about motorcycles and think that they know everything crowd the streets, it gets a little tight. But at night, most of the builders, like Kendall Johnson, the staff from Choppers Inc. and Exile Cycles, are just part of the biker crowd at Daytona. They just want to party and drink like everyone else.

This year, the bars of Main Street brought in some really great bands and the sounds of Skid Row, Slaughter, Jackyl, Big Gun (an AC/DC Tribute Band) and Crazy Train (an Ozzy Tribute Band) filled the streets into the wee hours.

Across the bridge from Main Street is where Daytona Harley Davidson’s shop is. In the grassy lots that border the Halifax River, vendors are set up by the tractor trailer load, including our friends, Balls of Steel Stunts. One of the stunts that the BOSS riders do is to have three riders circle the inside of the ball while announcer Skeeter stands inside. Sometimes, Skeeter takes an accomplice into the ball with him. I had been waiting for this opportunity for quite some time, and Daytona was my chance - I got to stand inside the ball of steel while three riders on dirt bikes circled around me in all different vertical and horizontal directions! It was the most incredible thing all week long!

Elsewhere on the strip, riders circled The Loop, had an opportunity to see some of the local sights, and just cruised. What more can you ask for in March - to cruise in 80 degree weather and just chill - it’s the ultimate relaxation vacation!