2011 Bike Week Review (From A "Fancy" point of view)

This year's 2011 Bike Week in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was awesome. I was able to join in and meet up with a huge group of very special people who I enjoy and hadn't seen in forever. Memorial Day Weekend is a complex holiday for me to celebrate. As a war fighter veteran of both Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom I fall victim to sad reflection time of the fellow comrades I lost who gave the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and defending the nation. R.I.P. to my personal friend and Battle Buddy SGT Taurean Harris 2007 Operation Enduring Freedom KIA Kalagush Province, Afghanistan. However, if I am constructively occupied I tend to still reflect as to not forget what the entire purpose of Memorial Day is all about but I focus only on the happier memories and I am proud to have known and came in contact with and served beside such brave and courageous individuals. The majority of the people I enjoyed Bike Week Festivities with were either prior military or currently still on Active Duty and I feel that service time we all had in common is why we were all able to have a fantastic time. Whenever you can come together and simply be happy and content in the element of fellowship of those you like, love, or simply enjoy I believe that a "good time" is pretty much guaranteed. For a lot of us all being scattered about the US due to duty station assignment locations and for those of us who are now civilians and do government contracting; we are all subject to be anywhere at any given time. For a few of us Bike Week/Memorial Day Weekend is the only time we may get to all come together. But distance makes the heart grow fonder for friends not just romantic relationships. Whenever you have good things or people in your life that aren't always accessible you learn to appreciate and cherish them more. A lot of people will come in an out of your life and have all kinds of other intentions rooted in both positive ways or malice so you remain vigilant, yet you never forget who is really on your team. People can either be present in your life for a reason, season, or a lifetime. I can only speak for myself but I'm totally willing to ride for the ones that are present for a lifetime.

As for the actual Bike Week festivities I will say that I think this year was exceptional mainly because most people are under the impression that either Bike Week has ended or something has taken place to change it so drastically that it is no longer enjoyable. This couldn't be farther from the truth. The truth is that yes the local law enforcement agencies and the entire state of South Carolina do not wish to see Bike Week turn into some kind of Freaknik-ISH Slut Festival but to my knowledge they are not harassing to bikers nor did I or have I ever witnessed them interfere with anything that wasn't against the law in any setting. The only thing I am clearly aware of is that they don't play the radio in reference to DUIs, which is a good thing. DUIs kill so I see no issue with the strict enforcement of this. Any responsible Bike Rider is aware that alcohol intoxication and bike riding are not a good combo. As far as lodging, I am proud to be in a financial position with my peers to usually stay in a beach vacation house or a resort condo. I usually always pick an area off from the main strip but not too far away (usually within a 5-10 minute bike ride away) so that there is a separation of the chaotic environment  of the main strip (Ocean Blvd & Kings Hwy) Usually the main strip is occupied for the younger crowd and those who may not be as financially blessed. To my knowledge there was not a whole lot of negative commotion or BS to witness or experience. The weather was great, the beach was beautiful, and the Outlet shopping and food was awesome as ALWAYS and expected. I always meet someone new and pleasant anytime I go and I always make valuable networking contacts that I can appreciate. Overall it was a great experience and since I work so hard and so much it was just the mini vacation getaway I needed to breath and recharge for the great things in store for me for the rest of the year. If you're a rider or aspiring rider who has never experienced Bike Week in Myrtle Beach, please make it your business to go, experience, and enjoy. I have been going long before bikes or biker culture was of interest and now that it is I have an ever greater appreciation for the event and a better time. This particular year will always be special in memory. Hope all who attended and reads this enjoyed themselves and if you didn't attend then plan of making it next year. I'll be somewhere doing what I do with who I do it with but hopefully stuntastically making a "Fancy" statement on a new customized bike of my own with my BFF "Hollywood" who plans to do the same.

Peace & Blessings.

My BFF Tia and I were given our official Biker names "Fancy" and "Hollywood" courtesy of our homie Craig  a fellow rider (No known club affiliation) and we have fully embraced the titles inspired by our personal appearances and actions. He is forcing us to hurry with the purchase of brand new customized bikes that reflect these names. LOL! Thanks Craig. xoxo

The flash totally killed how cute this pic could have been but you still get the picture...LITERALLY.

Fancy and Hollywood