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 Port Dover, Ontario, Canada -- "Friday the 13th has roared into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest single-day parade of motorcycles, says a Norfolk tourism official, and estimated about 25,000 motorcycles made their way into the tiny town by mid-afternoon yesterday. She also speculated that attendance this year may have surpassed last year's 150,000 people, which would set another record."
I grew up 35 miles from Port Dover and as a teenager I would ride up to the cottage on the back of a neighbor’s Harley. Once there, they let me ride the bikes! So when I turned sixteen I convinced my parents that I needed a Harley to keep up with the guys going to the cottage. I bought a used 1958 Sportster from Poole’s Harley-Davidson and my lifelong adventure began.
My birthday is June 13th so several years ago I decided that if Friday the 13th ever landed in June, on my birthday, I would ride my Harley from Clearwater, Florida to Port Dover, Ontario.
This was that year! I bought a 2008 FatBob last November in preparation for this years PD 13th and I encouraged my friend, Phil Jones, to go with me so he traded in his not so old bike for a new Yamaha Raider with 113 cubic inches.
I made sure we arrived at 6 a.m. so we could get parked in the best spot knowing that Port Dover would be packed. By 8:30 every street was completely full with bikes and bikers and there was an endless stream of arrivals. By noon it was shoulder to shoulder. I knew a back way into town so we avoided the police check points for controlling traffic.
There were bikes of every type, size, and modification. Incredible! We walked the length and breath of town while we still could, taking pictures, videoing the bikes, Hooter’s Girls and bikers as they arrived. What a bash it turned out to be!
What made the event so spectacular was the carnival atmosphere and the fact that no one was there to cause any trouble. Imagine 150,000 bikers and spectators just enjoying the bikes, the food, beer and entertainment.
When I got my first Harley in 1965 and rode to this sleepy beach town, I was the odd man out. Now it seems that everyone has a bike or enjoys the motorcycle scene. No old ladies screaming in fear, just owing and awing over the artistic creations that have become the motorcycle of today. Each bike a representation of it’s builder and as unique as a person’s finger prints.
The number of charities represented was endless and it shows the effect motorcyclists have on their communities and their willingness to help those in need. I bought a ticket on a beautiful custom chopper because the money was going to the Kiwanis Club. Plus I won a Heritage Classic in 1994 and you never know lightning might strike twice! Others were lining up to do the same.
It shows that the motorcycle industry and development is a positive one and that it should be encouraged to keep on expanding.
At the next Port Dover the 13th there will probably be 200,000 people so come early and come prepared to have the time of your life!
You can see our adventures, photos and videos at www.bikerattic.blogspot.com.
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