BIKE WEEK...what can you expect in Pawleys Island?

Rumble...rumble...vrrrroooommm!!!

Get ready! Myrtle Beach Bike Week starts tomorrow. Also known as Harley Week, the Grand Strand will play host to crowds of bikers May 11-20 this year.

Traditionally held in May over Mother's Day weekend, the Myrtle Beach Spring Rally began in 1940. Bikers from all over the country come together for sun, fun, and camaraderie. As many as 200,000 bikers have been know to attend Spring Bike Week and generate millions of dollars in local revenue.

In years past, the event was HUGE, much to the chagrin of some locals. The gangs of bikers can clog up certain areas of the beach during peak daylight hours. Most local businesses welcome the Harley bikers, who come with plenty of cash to spend. Bikers of the past may have been a traditionally rowdy bunch, but today's modern biker proudly rides what can be a $20-30,000 Harley-Davidson (or even more!!). So, you can imagine that underneath the scruff and leather, some of these guys (and gals) hold very prestigious positions in the workforce.

In recent years, the Grand Strand has seen a decrease in visitors for Bike Week. This is due to restrictions on vendors and controversy between Harley Week and what is known as Black Bike Week, held in North Myrtle Beach over Memorial Day weekend since 1980. The Atlantic Beach Bikefest was established after African- Americans cited discrimination at annual biker events. In 2008, the Myrtle Beach government imposed 15 laws that sparked debate and lawsuits against local businesses filed by the NAACP.

In June 2010, the South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned the MOST controversial helmet law, allowing riders OVER the age of 21 to ride without a helmet.  Bikers in the national circuit are left with a bitter taste in their mouth for the Grand Strand, feeling less welcome than in previous years.

But, don't worry, there will still be plenty of eyebrow-raising action this week.

Most of the action is centralized in Murrells Inlet; with most bikers making a stop at one of the Suck, Bang, Blow (SBB) locations.  The main traffic is seen between Murrells Inlet and Broadway at The Beach. You will not see AS MUCH congestion in Pawleys Island, but some bikers do stay in PI, live here, or pass through for sight seeing.

Bikers: be sure to check out www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com for a guide to local events!

And, check out some property while you are in town...

Bike Week....love it or hate it...it is here this weekend. Ride safely and have FUN!