You folks have totally missed the mark. Bike Week is no longer what it was during the peak of the easy money.

NH can market itself to do WAY better than Bike Week. Just because something has been done for "X" years means that's as good as you can get. We don't build cars like they did 88 years ago either ;)

Go look at annual revenues from boating and other tourism activies versus BW. Tons of events can be held that don't create the issues BW does and spread it out over the whole summer. There will be significant resistance to changing things around but it can be done.

If anyone does not like my opinion, too bad. I am one of those "tourists" who gets to decide where to spend my money.

Business is down because of the economy but also because everyone is tired of the same junk and activities at the Weirs.

All I know is I can get reservations RIGHT NOW if I wanted too for July 4th weekend on the lake and have been able to do that for many places on Winni for a long time. Maybe the business community should take heed of what I am telling you. Lakefront development is changing the scenery if you get my drift. The Bike Week scene as it exists is a tired idea. Look around the country at other places that re-invented themselves rather than being lemmings.

You can try and use me to vent your frustrations about why the numbers are down but Bike Week is not all win-win.

Carry on

Edit: For those on the fence about alternatives to Winni, look around. There are TONS of options right in NH (and many not in the Lakes Region). May not be as big but way more friendlier to boaters.

It sounds to me like BW has spread out quite a distance from the original epicenter of Laconia, and Weirs Beach. That's probably a good thing. It is what it is. Most seem to either like it or tolerate it, businesses obviously love it, and would love a bigger one ;)

There's something strange in this thread though, which goes way beyond the back and forth. Many that seem to be die hard BW fans seemed far removed from the contentious boating discussions, and not nearly as liberal in their allowances.

I can certainly tell you from many years of experience, almost anywhere on the lake anytime is far more tame than BW is in the area. That's not a knock, just a statement of observation.

Personally, I'd keep BW for sentimental value, and it's fun having a huge event. I'd also like to see the Weirs turn into something nice. But not plastic and fake nice like Meredith has become.

I read Samiam's post a few times and don't see where he is trying to subvert decency. It sounds like someone (me too) did not realize that when you tie up the rules change.

Regardless, Samiam owns businesses in Moultonborough and in no way profits from activities, decent or not, at the Weirs.

Laconia White Trash
 

Whoa! I've been called many names from one side of the spectrum on this site. But this is totally absurd!

Most of the 'natives' in town are French. When I graduated from LHS, I was considered a minority as I was a 'limey'. That I can toleate but 'White Trash'??????

I would rather be called a 'murderer' than 'White Trash'! :mad:

BH,
Perhaps you should have words with the owners of this website which is part of the "White Trash Networks": http://www.bikernews.org/wtn/news.php and do a quick search for Laconia. You can't make this stuff up. Laconia appears to be a Mecca for them as well.
Like I've said, I think the whole Weirs area and Laconia are dumpy and certainly play into what happens during bike week.

xie xie

So, here's a question that is appropriate for this thread, in my opinion.

Why is it that www.meredithbaynh.com is not too up-front about it being located in Laconia?

Meredith Bay, a gated community, is 100% located within the City of Laconia, as far as I can tell, and the website is very happy to sprinkle the words Meredith Bay and Lake Winnipesaukee throughout its website but where-o-where does it say that it is located in Laconia? Instead of hiding that, Meredith Bay should be proud they are such a beautifull spot which is totally located in Laconia, and help to promote Laconia.

Like, when a Meredith Bay property owner pays their semi-annual property tax bill, where-o-where does the money go? It goes to the City of Laconia! It sure does! Not one penny of the property tax check gets submerged into the meredith bay area of Lake Winnipesaukee; it all goes into Laconia.

By the way, I like to use the www.laconialibrary.org and think it is a first class, A-plus, FREE public library service that's housed in a fantastic historic building!

Conversely, Laconia HD is located completely in Meredith!

And, the Laconia Airport, www.laconiaairport.com/laa, is located 100% in Gilford? But, at least the Laconia Airport website has their Gilford address listed, easy-to-see, at the top of the website and doesn't hide that info like the www.meredithbaynh.com.

A little math...

Over 1,000,000 motorcycles were sold in the US in 2007....
There's approximately 2,000 to 2,500 members of the Hells Angels....
...and there's 17,131 residents in Laconia, NH (2010 census)....

So, you've managed alienate over a million people....

But we've all "missed the mark"? :rolleye2::rolleye2::rolleye2::eek2::eek2::eek2:

Population Burst!?
 

Laconia go through some extreme population burst in 2010! :eek:
I'm sure you meant NH as a whole with that number, not only Laconia. :laugh:

This forum is part of the "White Trash Networks?" Does that mean that anyone who posts here falls under the umbrella of being "white trash?" Or just some of the folks who post here fit that description? Either way, why would you waste your time conversing with us if you feel that way? Just curious...

(I used to go to the Weirs and hang out during Bike Week during the '80's. Now I feel like it's "been there, done that." I've been to the Paradise more recently to see Tiger Lily, but I'm too old now to deal with the crowds.)

Lp,

Up to 2,000 Hell's Angels and family members are expected in Laconia for an international gathering starting Wednesday and I understand they want to meet you.

http://www.wmur.com/news/28671048/detail.html