Bike Week

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

If I had the money, I would love to by one of the larger pieces of land and develop it... It would be a risk worth taking... but only if the Town and State agreed to not riase taxes until I could get the building in place and start generate some positive income.....

Write a plan consisting of the following 7 items and send it to some investors. Who knows, maybe they will give you the capital to start your business.
Let us on the forum read it also..that is if you want to.

Executive Summary
Business Description
Market Analysis
Organization Management
Sales Strategies
Funding Requirements
Financial Projections

[jbolty]

There should be a consolidated thread with all the other threads regarding what to do with the weirs.

Despite seeing it first hand it's still a little jolting to watch that movie and see many of the same places in the same spot 50 years later.

All the plans come back to the same thing. How to make money in the 6+ months when there are few tourists or make enough in the summer to carry over.

I took some people on a Mount cruise last summer who had never been to NH before and after they bought some fudge and a key chain they were done with everything the weirs has to offer in about five minutes flat.

Too bad but I think nothing is ever going to happen unless there is a muti million $ effort to gut the whole place at once into some sort of resort destination.

I could see a benefit in some sort of event park. A bunch of open air shed type buildings would not be too expensive and could be used for all sorts of parties, swap meet, concerts, car shows, etc and in the winter maybe boat storage. But where? Needs to be big and fairly flat and really no need to be near the weirs anyway. Gunstock comes to mind or maybe the top of the hill where shangrila used to be. Or airport plaza after that all folds up.

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Write a plan consisting of the following 7 items and send it to some investors. Who knows, maybe they will give you the capital to start your business.
Let us on the forum read it also..that is if you want to.

Executive Summary
Business Description
Market Analysis
Organization Management
Sales Strategies
Funding Requirements
Financial Projections

Off the thread, but what happened with the plan to develop a conference at the top of the hill just south of Cumberland Farms? The land was cleared.

In the pic, note the billy club.

[garysanfran]

With thousands of bikes, a few things stand out, if you find them.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Write a plan consisting of the following 7 items and send it to some investors. Who knows, maybe they will give you the capital to start your business.
Let us on the forum read it also..that is if you want to.

Executive Summary
Business Description
Market Analysis
Organization Management
Sales Strategies
Funding Requirements
Financial Projections

Don't think I haven't thought about it... But here is the problem... The cost of buying out current property owners is cost prohibitive.... It really needs to be one of the current property owners deciding that development makes sense...

[Dave R]

I noticed substantially more bikers using full-face helmets and safety gear than I've ever seen before, even on "cruiser-style" bikes where you'd normally see no helmet (or one of those pointless plastic yarmulkes) and no gear. That's a great trend.

[Cindido]

I can't imagine not wearing a helmet - at least I stand a chance with mine on. This past weekend I did notice a lot more riders with helmets - maybe they were from states that require them, but it was nice to see. Then again, I'm glad that NH let's those who ride decide.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Cindido

I can't imagine not wearing a helmet - at least I stand a chance with mine on. This past weekend I did notice a lot more riders with helmets - maybe they were from states that require them, but it was nice to see. Then again, I'm glad that NH let's those who ride decide.

I actually wonder if insurance coverage these days requires the use of a helmet irrelevant of the state laws?

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Don't think I haven't thought about it... But here is the problem... The cost of buying out current property owners is cost prohibitive.... It really needs to be one of the current property owners deciding that development makes sense...

I have done the same. As you say the cost to purchase from an existing owner will not yield the "cap rate' necessary to justify the purchase. There are better opportunities in the area for real estate investment income.

[Rich]

I've said it many times (and I'm sure other's have also), the Wiers has such potential, with it's unique charm and features: The lake, The Boardwalk, The Train, The Pier, The Beach, The Iconic Sign, The Mountains, The View!

If the business owners won't do it, the Chamber of Commerce should.

There could be a (not that I personally like any or all of these):

• Bike week (we have that)
• Boat week,
• Bikini week,
• Fishing week (coincide with the fishing derby),
• Wakeboard week (have some events that people can watch from shore),
• Waterski week (same as Wakeboard week),
• Artisan's week (have "Made in NH" type vendors),
• Sand Sculpting week,
• Ice Fishing week (is the lake ICE solid enough to support this off the docks?),
• Snowmobile week,

The list could go on and on. Of course, we don't really need a 'week' long event that will snarl traffic every week, some things could be weekend events, or 'Friday/Saturday night only events.

Have events that bring people of different demographic and economic backgrounds, nothing will appeal to everyone.

Once the area starts picking up, there will no longer be a need to have events to create a draw.

Look at what Meredith, Wolfboro and Alton have done, their waterfronts look beautiful and have much less to offer. Or take a trip to Lake George and see how that area looks!

Is it just that no one has any vision, or there just is no drive to do this? I'd think after a bit of time, those that own business's there would start to thrive, but all we have now is worn out looking arcades and such.

It looks like some updates have happened, the boardwalk has been improved, the roads, curbs, etc. This is a start, but how can business be encouraged to clean up and improve things? Do they need a tax break or some other incentive to update things?

At least those that purchased the Winnipesaukee Pier seem to have some vision and are slowly improving things!

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Rich

Look at what Meredith, Wolfboro and Alton have done, their waterfronts look beautiful and have much less to offer. Or take a trip to Lake George and see how that area looks!

Apparently, beauty with "much less to offer" is what sells.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Apparently, beauty with "much less to offer" is what sells.

In this case less is more.

[Poor Richard]

Anyone who says a helmet resticts their line of sight is either full of crap or is wearing an improperly fitted helmet.

I've always worn a full face helmet and not once had my vision obstructed by it....this was both on the street and during my time as a licensed racer (where full helmets are mandatory).

Sure, there are riders who will balk at the cost of a halfway decent lid yet their excuse is usually along the lines of "it's restrictive, can't see, too hot, etc" but the $300 to $600 every 5 years seems to me like cheap insurance.

I've had the pleasure of whacking my head on the ground while wearing a helmet. It's not fun but it's why I'm alive and posting.

I'd rather sweat than bleed. To each their own.

[TiltonBB]

The city proclaimed that Bike Week was a success this year with great weather and large crowds.

I was in the Weirs area every day and the crowds and traffic still seem to be less every year, including this year. Coupled with the fact that there were numerous accidents, including three fatalities, I am not quite sure that I would be so quick to call it a success. I guess it depends on your perspective.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...7ae6d5824.html

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

The city proclaimed that Bike Week was a success this year with great weather and large crowds.

I was in the Weirs area every day and the crowds and traffic still seem to be less every year, including this year. Coupled with the fact that there were numerous accidents, including three fatalities, I am not quite sure that I would be so quick to call it a success. I guess it depends on your perspective.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...7ae6d5824.html

One of the fatalities was in Hampstead, not sure I'd consider that part of "Bike Week." Though the arrests were up, even with reportedly lower LEO levels... In any case, Laconia HD said 30% of their business comes this week, which is huge, and the quote about, "even 5,000 visitors means 5,000 more to the area" is an interesting point.

In the end, though I don't ride, I think it's a cool event that, with some investment--both for the week and area as a whole--could be even better.

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[8gv]

Back to the cost of living factors...

1975 had no cell phone bills

1975 had no internet service provider bills

1975 health insurance was much cheaper

1975 people ate out much less

1975 was the year I graduated high school and probably the last year in which I had no concern about finances.

[noreast]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Back to the cost of living factors...

1975 had no cell phone bills

1975 had no internet service provider bills

1975 health insurance was much cheaper

1975 people ate out much less

1975 was the year I graduated high school and probably the last year in which I had no concern about finances.

Exactly right, Health insurance cost more than a mortgage use to, If you're self employed it's double, triple or more of what a mortgage cost in the 80's. The mortgage has also tripled at minimum, along with the tax, It's an absurd argument.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by noreast

Exactly right, Health insurance cost more than a mortgage use to, If you're self employed it's double, triple or more of what a mortgage cost in the 80's. The mortgage has also tripled at minimum, along with the tax, It's an absurd argument.

Back in the 80's when my kids were young I had the best health insurance plan for $8000 a year. I paid zero out of my pocket other than a ten dollar co pay and my monthly insurance charge. It covered everything with no deductibles.
A family plan now is 4 times that with $25 co pays and $4000 deductibles for each person. That's insane!
I'm a year away from Medicare and it will cost me more at 65 to get less coverage for just me and my wife than it cost for complete coverage back then when I had a family of 5.

[Phantom]

From Bike Week ( Thread Title)

to

Cost of Living


I just laugh at how fast & how many threads get wayyyyyyyy off topic and spiral into the abys



.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Phantom

From Bike Week ( Thread Title)

to

Cost of Living


I just laugh at how fast & how many threads get wayyyyyyyy off topic and spiral into the abys



.

The OP asked about this year's crowds. A working thesis is that Bike Week attendance is declining because the younger generation cannot afford as many/as pricey activities.

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[Phantom]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

The OP asked about this year's crowds. The working thesis is that Bike Week attendance is declining because the younger generation cannot afford as many/as pricey activities.

Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

Thinkxingu -- respectfully, if THAT is the working thesis -- someone better explain it to my grown "children" who have houses/cars/ a phone & tablet for every household member/ vacation plans blah, blah, blah -- which I quite frankly stand in AWE of as I see no care or consideration being given to their kids (my grand kids) who will -within a few years- be of college age.

Perhaps my age/ Generation is showing -- but I too digress -- the working thesis that "Bike Week attendance is declining because the younger generation cannot afford as many/as pricey activities". I beg to differ -- they simply don't give a crap about Bike Week -- thus why most attendee's are silver haired !!




.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Thinkxingu -- respectfully, if THAT is the working thesis -- someone better explain it to my grown "children" who have houses/cars/ a phone & tablet for every household member/ vacation plans blah, blah, blah -- which I quite frankly stand in AWE of as I see no care or consideration being given to their kids (my grand kids) who will -within a few years- be of college age.

Perhaps my age/ Generation is showing -- but I too digress -- the working thesis that "Bike Week attendance is declining because the younger generation cannot afford as many/as pricey activities". I beg to differ -- they simply don't give a crap about Bike Week -- thus why most attendee's are silver haired !!




.

Exactly right. I work with a number of associates right out of school...they are bright but culturally quite different than our generation.

1. For the most part they prefer to live in Boston. They want everything within walking or public transportation reach.
2. They don't even own cars...many of them don't have a license and others (who do) don't actively drive.
3. Social interaction is different than our generation...technology and local interests define social interaction and they tend to stay within bounds.
4. They do make decent money, however their spending choices are much different than ours (were). In some cases, rent and student loans limit disposable income...in other cases motorcycles and bike week are not in their generational interests.

Just my observations.

Jetskier

[Mr. V]

BW is over: how'd it go?

Boom, bust, or ??

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by jetskier

Exactly right. I work with a number of associates right out of school...they are bright but culturally quite different than our generation.

1. For the most part they prefer to live in Boston. They want everything within walking or public transportation reach.
2. They don't even own cars...many of them don't have a license and others (who do) don't actively drive.
3. Social interaction is different than our generation...technology and local interests define social interaction and they tend to stay within bounds.
4. They do make decent money, however their spending choices are much different than ours (were). In some cases, rent and student loans limit disposable income...in other cases motorcycles and bike week are not in their generational interests.

Just my observations.

Jetskier

In most cases their work is different also. The majority of them don't work with their hands, they work with their minds.
Our generation was the mechanical generation, theirs is the electronics generation. We dreamt of building things. They dream of buying things, but not motorcycles.
They don't want to get their hands dirty. Invest in companies that produce hand sanitizer.
Those are my observations.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Biggd

We dreamt of building things. They dream of buying things.
They don't want to get their hands dirty. Invest in companies that produce hand sanitizer.
Those are my observations.

Astute observation which is why the blue collar trades as a whole are not considered a viable career option, fewer are doing it these days and kids are indoctrinated to think a higher education and a "professional" job is the only way to be successful. In fact many of those highly educated trend to smugly look down on these folks as second class citizens which is a shame. Just because somebody makes a living with their hands doesn't mean they are any less of a human as a result and I would argue many are quite talented in what they do even if they can't write a single line of computer code or aren't the best at calculating their balance sheets.

Funny thing is the guys in the trades are making as much if not more than a lot of so called "professional" jobs.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Astute observation which is why the blue collar trades as a whole are not considered a viable career option, fewer are doing it these days and kids are indoctrinated to think a higher education and a "professional" job is the only way to be successful. In fact many of those highly educated trend to smugly look down on these folks as second class citizens which is a shame. Just because somebody makes a living with their hands doesn't mean they are any less of a human as a result and I would argue many are quite talented in what they do even if they can't write a single line of computer code or aren't the best at calculating their balance sheets.

Funny thing is the guys in the trades are making as much if not more than a lot of so called "professional" jobs.

Correct and then they moan and complain when they have to pay a plumber or electrician their hourly rates and the less people coming into the trades like these will mean even higher costs for these services.

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Astute observation which is why the blue collar trades as a whole are not considered a viable career option, fewer are doing it these days and kids are indoctrinated to think a higher education and a "professional" job is the only way to be successful. In fact many of those highly educated trend to smugly look down on these folks as second class citizens which is a shame. Just because somebody makes a living with their hands doesn't mean they are any less of a human as a result and I would argue many are quite talented in what they do even if they can't write a single line of computer code or aren't the best at calculating their balance sheets.

Funny thing is the guys in the trades are making as much if not more than a lot of so called "professional" jobs.

Not only are they making as much or more but they get started in their career years earlier and without a bunch of student loan debt. Mike Rowe has been pitching the trades as a career for years. Just look at all the threads here from people desperate to hire a contractor.

[Woody38]

We didn't stay for the full week of Bike Week. I and the dogs love the rumble of the bikes. Back at home I have met several who attended bike week on the weekend but alas had to work during the week. I met one young man who won his bike in the raffle.
On another count, we always bought things when we could pay cash. So after many years seeing my F-I-L buying a car every 2 years or so after paying off the loan, I wised up. Credit allows all sorts of purchases altho we pay cash for autos. Also keep them long time, putting 1,2,3 hundred thousand miles on each. One had 330 thousand + and was replaced only because I told my wife I wanted to make it new, new paint, replacing some interior leather. No problems with the engine. We were coming home and she said "drive to the dealer". Heck, just so happened that an auto just arrived that we both loved. So we bought that and donated ours to charity.
Drove that one for open air on weekends mostly until another one entered our view. Guess what. No, the old one was not donated. Given to our son since these stay in families. I got off subject, using credit was a boon
to financial well being.

----------------------------------------------

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Poor Richard

Anyone who says a helmet resticts their line of sight is either full of crap or is wearing an improperly fitted helmet.

You are quite correct as ALL DOT approved helmets are required have a 210 degree field of vision which is more than the peripheral vision of people...

Dan

[Rusty]

Question for anyone:

Do you think if NH had a helmet law that it would hurt Bike week?

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Question for anyone:

Do you think if NH had a helmet law that it would hurt Bike week?

I believe it would have a minimal effect. I already see many riders wearing their helmets during bike week. Certainly it would have some effect, and keep the people that ride over for the day from surrounding states ... But the people that come for the various events will show up regardless...

Additionally you would find that during bike week people would not pay attention to the law, and law enforcement would be to concentrated on other more important duties during the week of the event.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Additionally you would find that during bike week people would not pay attention to the law, and law enforcement would be to concentrated on other more important duties during the week of the event.

It is rare that law enforcement has more important duties during Bike Week.

You don't think people without helmets would be cited if NH had a helmet law? I have seen police officers standing on the side of the road watching for any violation. When a rider stopped in heavy traffic on a hot day raised his face shield to vent some heat he was stopped for no eye protection. I have seen UNH Campus Police stop someone with a can of Coke and demand to smell the Coke.

For many, many years there were too many police officers with nothing to do except interact with motorcycle riders. This year there was a noticeable decrease in the number of police officers passing by and it was a welcome change.

I still believe it is too little, too late. It would take some big changes to revive Bike Week and I, for one, don't see that on the horizon.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

For many, many years there were too many police officers with nothing to do except interact with motorcycle riders. This year there was a noticeable decrease in the number of police officers passing by and it was a welcome change.

I still believe it is too little, too late. It would take some big changes to revive Bike Week and I, for one, don't see that on the horizon.

The over abundance of law enforcement went away several years ago (IMO). As far as too little, too late.... This is the 95th year. I am sure (they) are already planning 100 years.

[RUGMAN]

I for one feel Bike week brings a tremendous amount of money into the Lakes Region, if only there could be more ways to bring money to the local businees's.
I don't own a bike , but enjoy bringing a number of my friends up for a few days to spend money on food, beer and gas as we enjoy a few days away from work.
Its been said before, what the weirs needs is a better restaurant at the Pier, and a better dock system to encourage more boaters to visit. I don't think there is a better spot on the lake, remember they are not making anymore lakefront property on Winni. People like me who own their own business are always looking for ways to bring people into my business to spend money, its a tradition, bike week will never end.