Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events Myrtle Beach, NC Spring Bike Week 2012 US

Hey just wondering if anyone has attended in the past and if it's worth going to or not. Because of my work (military) it's kinda hard for me to take long trips and since I have never been to a bike week before and this one is only four hours away it would be feasible for me to check out for a couple of days... that is, if it's worth it. I'd rather go to an event like Georgia 2012, but logistically I think this is my best bet.

GA is way better.

Maybe I will try to swing Georgia if i can. Just out of curiosity, what are the major detractions from a "bike week". Is it the crowds or the commercial aspect? On another note, does anyone know of any cool rides I can go on around Jacksonville, NC? Love riding the bike to work, but I would love to stretch it to a day trip minumum one of these weekends. Thanks.

Well, not really. I haven't been able to get around too much while I have been here because of deployments. I will definitely look into an outerbanks ride since I have heard some other good things about it. Anything in particular that I should make sure to swing by or check out in that area???

Ocracoke Island and Cape Hatteras. I'm a fan of lighthouses and there are several along the coast of "The Graveyard Of The Atlantic". Heres a link
Lighthouses

Thanks I'll look into it

It's been a few years, but I've been in Myrtle Beach during bike week several times, but never on my bike. I'm sure something like bike week can be whatever you want it to be, but (as an observer) here's what I see when I've been there:

The roads in and around Myrtle Beach are pretty crowded that week, and riding in the area would be limited to "parade speed" most of the time. It's probably better that way because a lot of the people who come seem to be more interested in being seen than riding. The vendor areas are pretty cool to walk through. I've taken my kids there and we've never had trouble from anyone. There's a lot of bikes parked outside bars all day long, which means you's need to be a little extra vigilant on the road. Honestly, I think it'd probably be fun if you just think of it as a big party instead of a motorcycle ride. But the lighthouse tour Mike mentioned would be a whole lot more fun (IMO).

Also, I don't know if this is still an issue, but the city of Myrtle Beach passed some ordinances a few years ago to discourage motorcycles in the city limits during bike week (pipe noise limits, helmet law, public gathering restrictions, public drinking restrictions, etc.). At the time, everything just moved to North Myrtle Beach and other surrounding towns. Like I said, I don't know if that's still an issue this year.

Have fun if you go!

Will

Go up to Kinston and grab some bbq at King's Restaurant. Perhaps take a trip down to Wilmington and tour the USS North Carolina. Roll on up to Chapel Hill and see the nation's first state university and alma mater of Ryan7771. Some might recommend Surf City, but I have had some bad luck in that town. Well, my luck involved a Honda Civic and a nineteen year old college swimmer named Angie, etc. Also, never sing the Jan and Dean song "Surf City" to the local police force. They don't like Jan and Dean, or they didn't in 1988. Ahem. Love the areas and sites Mike mentioned. You cannot beat the options in North Carolina.