Have a great Veteran’s day!

Ride FREE

The rally takes place Thursday, April 23rd through Sunday April 26th this year and from the initial response from bikers, this rally is going to be BIG! Many riders have decided to forego the hassles of Myrtle Beach and opt to spend their time and money in the Outer Banks where they’re welcomed by all the towns and locals in the area.

The Outer Banks is a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands along North Carolina’s northeastern coast. It offers some of the most scenic bike riding in the state, including four lighthouses, a ferryboat ride to Ocracoke Island, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the mysterious Roanoke Island and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Always in America’s Top Ten Beach listing, the Outer Banks ranks up there with Maui and Kauai Hawaii.

There will be over 100 venders at 3 different sites and live music all over town including a stage at Kitty Hawk Harley-Davidson. Bike shows abound at three locations. Other highlights include a poker run, BBQ cook-off and beer tasting at High Cotton BBQ, chopper builders, stunt riders and of course every night one of the local clubs is designated as the Official Party Central.

Don’t forget to ride to all 4 dealerships in the area for the 4 to Score contest. You will be entered to win the $2000 Harley-Davidson shopping spree that will be given away during Bike Week.

This year Outer Banks Bike Week™ will be sponsoring both a co-ed Best Body in Leather, and the Miss Outer Banks Bike Week™ bikini contest. Ladies, the prize this year is a Diamond Necklace from the classy Diamonds N Dunes jewelers in Kitty Hawk.

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is the presenting sponsor of the new touring event- OBX Passport. Visit 15 of the 20 listed sites and you may be the winner of the grand prize, a free vacation for next year’s Outer Banks Bike Week™ including a beach house and restaurant gift certificates.

Vertigo Tattoos will be a part of Bike Week again this year with their 4 Days of Mayhem at the shop in nearby Manns Harbor, a short ride coming out of Nags Head, crossing Roanoke and then the blackness of Alligator River. Each day will featured a different genre of bike show and crazy contests centered on humans instead of machines. The burnout pit and the Wall of Death Stunt Show will also be back this year.

Nags Head Harley-Davidson hosts one of the bike shows and will also be the place to test ride a Harley®. The Harley-Davidson Demo Fleet will be on hand at this location to satisfy the curiosity of old and new customers.

“No matter whether you carouse at an “official” party or not, it’s hard not to have a good time while in the Banks. Despite the party atmosphere offered by the bars and nightclubs, no rally is worth the effort unless it has good riding. And the heartbeat of this rally remains the motorcycling opportunities. Whether it’s the narrow strip of sand up north that cuts through Duck and Corolla ,or the deserted expanses that comprise Cape Hatteras down south, excellent roads within easy distance abound. The weather is generally a pleasure and the seafood so fresh you’d swear the cook’s fishing waders are still wet. That’s a combination hard for any biker to resist.” Robert Filla, Editor Thunder Press

House Bill 1873, sponsored by Del. John Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake), would authorize the holder of a Virginia driver’s license who is a member, the spouse of a member, or a dependent of a member of the United States Armed Services to be issued a motorcycle endorsement by mail if the holder successfully completed a basic motorcycle rider course approved by the United States Armed Services and is stationed outside the Commonwealth of Virginia. [AMA SUPPORTS this bill]

House Bill 1906, sponsored by Del. Ward Armstrong (D-Martinsville), would permit motorcycles to be equipped with a brake light that varies in brightness for not more than five seconds upon applications of the brake(s). [AMA SUPPORTS this bill]

Senate Bill 115, sponsored by Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville), would classify as a Class 1 misdemeanor any traffic signal violation that is the sole and proximate cause of death of another person. [AMA SUPPORTS this bill]

Senate Bill 556, sponsored by Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg), would provide for a reckless driving conviction of a vehicle operator found guilty of certain right-of-way violations that result in death to another person. [AMA SUPPORTS this bill]

You can check the status and read the text of these bills at http://leg1.state.va.us.

Use the AMA “Issues and Legislation” area at http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp to learn who your elected officials are, then contact them to make your concerns known about the legislation above.  Click on the “StateWatch” link to stay informed of legislation that could impact your right to ride.  By entering your Zip +4 Code in the box provided, you’re just a few steps away from the contact information you need.  Make a call, send a letter or email message, and/or visit your elected officials so they know your ride, you vote, and you care.

Enjoy!

I am thankful for my wife, my kids, my friends, and my job.

I am very thankful for the men and women of the US armed forces that are out there keeping us safe by protecting our freedoms!  THANK YOU!  Be safe and come home soon.

Take Care – Ride FREE!

Enjoy your day!