Biketoberfest 2002

Ahhh, friends, neighbors, fellow bikers, Biketoberfest 2002 has come and gone. Stringent and prudish new laws put quite a damper on people's spirits. The gestapo tactics used by local LEO's, (I heard stories of women getting physically lifted and carried away in cuffs for merely flashing) created the most paranoid atmosphere I've yet seen on Main Street. Most griped that they would take the party elsewhere. Unfortunately, as rooted in tradition and "Heritage" as the cruiser-riding community is, I don't see it happenning. And that's precisely what the city government is counting on.

Biker's opinions don't matter unless they live there and can vote. Forget "Welcome Bikers", they might as well have put up a banner across Main saying: "Just give us our share (taxes) of your beer/hotel/restaurant/T-shirt money and Go Away."

Even the merchants were tightly leashed as to the time they could set up and do business. And don't think they didn't pay dearly for the privilege - some fees reportedly doubled. One bar had it's outside beer-tub sales outright eliminated simply because it was too close to Atlantic Avenue. They want to make it a Family Oriented Event? That's why we have Disneyworld and the Winter Park Art Festival, where yuppies and mini-van moms can go buy paper sculptures and paintings of clowns. Well, if the bikers don't come, it'll be a Non-Event.

But the spirit of Biketoberfest lives on! Nevermind your straight pipes, your chrome grips and your wallets on chains. Away all ye vile poseurs and conformists! These brave women are the true rebels!
All Hail the Babes!