Over 18
 

In Maine you are not required to wear a helmet if you are over 18 years old. Just a FYI.

I'm expecting non compliance so it should be a real **** show!

I admit to being easily confused, but your motorcycle riding friends are coming up but not leaving your house? No riding?

Groups of 99 are ok, but 100 are a risk. Who knew.


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Motorcycles are not my thing, but for the 17 summers I have been at the Lake, Bike Week has been fine.

I cannot in any logical universe see how Bike Week can be justified this year. Of course, riding around, taking road trips etc. is fine. BUT no official can really believe that putting up signs/ giving out masks, etc. will in any way influence the behavior in restaurants,bars, in crowds. The LDS seems to be reporting that the “officials” all seem to be saying that it is not in their ability to stop it, only the organizers can. The Governor apparently thinks it will be all right.



I can accept the premise that we “vulnerables” need to take care of ourselves

But, it is incomprehensible that any responsible official really believes that Bike Week this year is good for the community.

I was unaware of the new directive from the Governor when writing my comments. But, I still do not see the risk/benefit ratio benefitting the community.

Is that all is says ? 100 people in a room is different than 100 people outside watching a soccer game....

Good luck enforcing it.

That's right! They just aren't as wild as they use to be.
If any of them do want to visit Weirs I will tell them to go on their way home.

Your missing the point.You have “friends” coming up. You think you confidently know where the friends have been and what they have practiced before they arrive? This is not the year to be entertaining.

Yes, I know my friends well and most of them I've seen already throughout Covid-19. We are not taking a crowd of people. These are 10 to 12 of my closest friends all over 60 who I trust with my life.
We get together every 6 months usually December and June but this year June got pushed to August. They don't all still ride motorcycles, only a handful still do.
As a matter of fact I'm leaving right now to go out in Boston Harbor fishing with 4 of them.

Not 100% sure but I think ishoot308 said something like this in a previous post;

This horse has been beaten to death.

Please give it a rest!

The utter nonsense I have seen on both sides of this matter really makes me wonder how humans survive on a daily basis except that our breathing is automatic.

Clearly politics are a critical part of most posters perspective and utterly disgustingly so as the political digs are strategically planted in so many posts.

What little science that is being quoted or referenced is usually twisted beyond recognition.

I see the most bizarre concepts at work is if they were a reality (like beating or killing the virus as opposed to slowing the spread).

And what is mostly lacking is balance, common courtesy, the notion of taking personal responsibility for yourself, and respecting others decisions about their choices.

This endless and nonsensical banter is almost worse than the discussions about our politicians.

At this point I wouldn't dream of actually commenting on anything substantively related to this matter, or god-forbid my own opinion or preference. It would be an invitation to a public beating, regardless of what side of the matter I was on.

I'm beginning to think these exchanges are the new form of backyard fights from my childhood. We really haven't grown up, we just switched fists and wrestling in the dirt for typing insults and nonsense.

It must be a human craving to argue, one that if you have it, you rarely grow out of, like a sweet tooth or other compulsive behaviors.

Sure hope we find a better subject to debate, like Nitromethane vs Cam 2 or anything with a better outcome than this,,, :(

Boston Marathon 2020, now Paris Marathon 2020, cancelled
 

Just like the 2020 Boston Marathon, the 26-mile running event held in April was cancelled, now the Paris, France Marathon has also been cancelled. Regularly held in April, the 40-km Paris Marathon attracts 50,000 runners and was rescheduled for November, but now has been cancelled.

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Marathon

So, what do the Boston and Paris Marathon events know about this pandemic that apparently the Laconia Bike Week does not want to acknowledge ...... sometimes, infrequently, it is best to cancel out, and wait till next year ..... things like world wars and pandemics sometimes, unfortunately, get in the way.

Is better to cancel out and wait till next year, 2021. Charlie St. Clair can stay home and polish the gas tank on his motorcycle, or something, and look forward to 2021.

Sorry nothing is that simple.

Apples to oranges comparisons are not useful in my opinion and you make the assumption that the actions to cancel other events are in fact the right choice. Sorry, this is all debatable and political and mostly driven by people who are not personally impacted by the choices.

Politicians will not see their pay cut, will not be personally impacted by loss of revenue, will not lose their businesses or homes or lives based on their decisions.

So again I will reiterate the words of someone wiser then me:

This horse has been beaten to death.

So please lets all give it a rest, and "try" to discuss things that actually produce useful discussion and helpful information exchange. This is going nowhere except to use up server space,,,

ATB

Agreed, the old bikeweek days are long gone- hundreds of people would line the main roads watching the craziness roll by. We would slow roll in traffic for 2 or 3 hours at times to get to the Weirs from B.Maes (near Patricks Pub). On more than one occasion a passenger would flash for a beer from the crowd.

This week will be about riding and much smaller gatherings.

Yup...now a “boutique” event for families and T-shirt buyers...gone are the crazy days of Laconia...and I’ll never call it “bike week” as it was always simply, Laconia...and that’s okay because I experienced it from a commandeered camp alongside 106 and will cherish the memories, good and bad.

of course then it was just motorcycle weekend

Our club would send a truck to claim “our” spot along 106 on Tuesday before the weekend then members and friends would trickle in day by day...by Friday night it was party time! :D

Sorry I had to laugh; never did I think I would hear Laconia Bike week called "Boutique" but you are probably right about your description by comparison to what we had 25+ years ago.

The State Liquor Commission and the city of Laconia enacted strict guidelines for establishments serving liquor with heavy enforcement planned during Bike Week. They had meetings with local business owners and warned them of the consequences if there were any violations.

There is the threat of loss of the liquor license and a cost of many thousand dollars to get it back if there is a violation.

Because there will be no beer tents and no vendors the only place left that may have been a gathering spot is The Broken Spoke. With the overwhelming scrutiny of authorities in mind the Broken Spoke will close for Bike Week rather than risk being cited for a violation.

So, I guess any bikers that do show up will pass through without hitting the brakes. Too bad, the revenue for businesses and the meals taxes would have helped the cause.

Live Free or Die?

Irony
 

In the past, Laconia used revenue from vendor licenses to offset police overtime and other expenses. Now they've given up the revenue and promise strict enforcement of harder to enforce rules. Now, the people who made August reservations will find lots of closed restaurants, and people hanging around with "nothing to do". A perfect set-up for the city council to eliminate Bike Week 2021, which is what they have really wanted for many, many years.

I don't believe that the majority of the City Council wants to eliminate Bike Week. They are aware that the early season cash infusion helps many Weirs area businesses get through the summer.

In a traditional year, the June Bike Week patrons fill motels and restaurants when many businesses need the revenue badly. As Bike Week attendance has declined over the past 15 years the impact on full time residents has declined substantially. The positives such as increased rooms and meal taxes and all of the money that comes in to the area and the whole state during Bike Week help the economic picture.

Let's see....no beer tents,no bands,no concessions,no events such as hill climb etc.
Add enhanced enforcement which allows inspectors to close down a business,impose a $1,000 fine or even enter your home unannounced for such violations as standing at a bar or not wearing face masks.
Should be interesting

I agreed they're likely headed for a downer of a party, and that this could reduce attendance in the future. But why do you say an inspector could "enter your home unannounced for...standing at a bar or not wearing face masks."?

Emergency order from Gov Sununu....giving health officials,local and state police as well as NHLC agents power to fine violators or even close them for serious violation

https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/...y-order-65.pdf

Thanks. I see, it's not masks at the bar that relates to homes.

As I read it--if you have a party for 100 people at your house, and it does not appear that people are socially distanced, they can shut you down. Sadly, that seems appropriate to me. Similar to loud music at 2am

Cancelled without cancelling
 

They effectively cancelled bike week without saying it. Spoke and Bob House closed for the week. Roads will be clear for riding.

It’s a little like politics used to be...if no one is happy with the legislation, then it probably hit the “sweet spot.”

My crew and I are happy to ride all day and relax on the Island with the BBQ going. Maybe a dinner by boat incognito with shorts and sandals, we'll call it undercover bike week. For us it's more about getting some riding in and enjoying some time away from the grind.

I can understand why many establishments are unwilling to remain open for bike week. For those that are open I am hopeful the rides are thankful, visit, and leave enormous tips! Riders, this is your opportunity to shine. You got this. Have a great weekend


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This will be more like motorcycle weekend of old where guys just ride and hang out. It's turned into just a commercial enterprise.

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Agree. Enjoyed those weekends. Stay safe all


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Hummm,,, Not sure what motorcycle weekend of old you are remembering, turning the clock back some 30ish years ago when guys were driving their bikes into their hotel rooms, and often trashing some, campgrounds full and plagued by wild all night parties, and least I not forget all the smokeshow burnouts and donuts. I recalling one person literally out of his head doing donuts and got pissed when he popped the motor, threw the bike down and pulled out a gun (revolver back then) and unloaded it on the bike before his buddies dragged him off somewhere,,,

Thats my memories of motorcycle weekend of old,,, It was a bit frighting, a bit fun, and kinda exhausting overall.

Your memories may vary,,,

BTW, we were at the Weirs and around Paugas Bay all day yesterday and if yesterday is any indication of whats to come, it will look more like old home week than bike week, and thats ok. Mostly saw lots of over 50 dudes just chillin. There was a group we passed at the cabins with the wading area just past the Weirs bridge and they were just too funny and really enjoying themselves. Went by them 4 times in 2 different boats and by the last time they were calling me green shirt as I had on one of those lime green hi-vis tee shirts.

Also Tiki boats were running nonstop, looked almost like all young woman, those boats make me laugh every time, GREAT idea!

Exactly!...Back when it was fun!


Dan

Two words - Animal Hill...... was 18 the first time I went. I was scared that's my memory of "the day"

boys roll in tomorrow we'll put 1000 miles on next week and have a ton of laughs. Too bad for the businesses that will not make money. Been having fun at Bike week for a lot of years and look forward to many more

Spent one bike weekend at the old Shalimar in Tilton. Little sleep as they used the incline in front to do burnouts all night long.


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Yup, "the good old days"

Well some of it, but I wont admit to any participation,,, :D:rolleye1::cool:

I have photos and film


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hoping age will mask my previous boyish good looks,,,

oh sorry never had boyish good looks.

well hoping my gray hair will be enough to muddy the waters on any alleged participation

"30ish years?" That puts you around 1990...I believe the heyday was the 70's...those are the years I was camped on 106 and the years I remember...somewhat of a blur after that...:D