Posted on Fri, May. 09, 2008
READYING FOR THE RALLY | Vendors set up their wares
Myrtle Beach bike rally kicks off
Hard Rock Park area plans for noise, traffic
By Lisa Fleisher - lfleisher@thesunnews.com
PHOTOS: Bikes and fun at SBB
BLOG: Live biker rally updatesFor nearly 70 years, motorcycle rallies have attracted visitors to Myrtle Beach and residents have adjusted.
They take a different route to school or work, or avoid the busy areas. Generally, folks know the drill.
This year, with one of the top biker events moved out to the new Hard Rock Park, organizers are not sure how many people will take the exit off U.S. 501 and make it out to the park, or how it will affect residents around the Fantasy Harbour area.
Residents who live near the park said they are ready for the anticipated flood of traffic.
"I have no idea if they will swarm or if they will trickle," said Mike Shank, a spokesman for the rally that kicks off today. "I would like to say thousands and thousands. I have no idea what to expect out here."
The event at Hard Rock Park, which will feature the corporate Harley-Davidson showcase beginning next week, is one of several that will feature vendors selling items such as T-shirts and motorcycle accessories. The spring motorcycle rally runs from today through May 18.
This year, an added concern is whether bikers will be able to figure out the looping route to the park's entrance around local roads to get to the event at Hard Rock Park.
"People, when they come out here, they have no idea where they're going, it's almost comical," Shank said. "It is going to take some time for people to figure out the way in here."
There will be extra S.C. Highway Patrol officers to help people figure their way around, Horry County spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said.
Also today, the park kicks off its regular season. For the past few weeks, it's been in "soft opening" mode, which means park operators have been working out the kinks, adjusting show schedules, making sure rides run smoothly and adjusting opening hours.
Many residents near the park said they did not know the official Harley-Davidson event would be in their backyard this year.
Some people said they'd change their routine. Britany Pressley, who lives in Brickyard Plantation on Clay Pond Road, said she would take S.C. 544 instead of U.S. 501 to drop her son off at school before going to work, but the bikers do not bother her.
Hard Rock Park officials point to their success at handling the thousands who came to a car show a few months ago as proof that traffic flow will work.
That worries resident Lauren Valery, who is graduating from Coastal Carolina University this year. She said it took her 20 minutes to get from her apartment to a stop sign on George Bishop Parkway, where the cars were coming in and out.
Valery said she felt uncomfortable driving around so many motorcycles.
"It's nerve-racking," she said.
Many said the rally was just part of Myrtle Beach in May.
"We're used to it," said Catherine Egeberg of Auburn Court Apartments on Clay Pond Road. "What can you do? Just go with the flow."
Her neighbor, Tina Gravel, agreed.
"I think everyone in the world should get to do what they enjoy, but traffic is going to be an issue," she said. "To each their own."
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Contact LISA FLEISHER at 626-0317.
