New Orleans hasn't had a major Bike Ralley
since before Katrina, until now. New Orleans Bike
Week, actually three days, was held at Armstrong
Park in late September, and is planned to be an annual
event. Weather in Louisiana always makes it hard to
plan an event like this, but it was just about perfect, if
just a bit hot in the afternoons.
The bands were already rolling when I arrived
Friday afternoon, and they were kept going all
weekend. For me, the highlight of the whole event
was The Charlie Brechtel Band. Charlie is a native of
Chalmette, and a real rider. These aren't guys who
dress up as bikers when they play, these are Bikers
who started a band. What a great show! They played
for hours, stopping just once while a Second Line
passed by. I was planning to print a list of all the
bands and activities here, but that would have taken
half a page, and I really wanted to save the space for
pictures. Check out our website at
http://www.louisianabiker.com for the complete list,
and hundreds more photos.
Saturday began with a Poker Run to benefit
Chapter 23 of the Disabled American Veterans. After
that, there was a ride in Bike Show sponsored by
The Horse/Backstreet Choppers. I had a good time
hanging out with them.
Vendors were on hand with drinks,
merchandise, and always great food in New Orleans.
My favorite was Safari Meats, serving what they called
"Medieval Eating". Organizations such as BACA,
A.B.A.T.E., AIM/NCOM, Azuza Streetriders, DAV,
and many others were on hand all weekend. There
wasn't nearly enough time to see and do everything.
Plans are already being made for the Second
Annual New Orleans Bike Week. Next time it will
be moved back to October, in hopes of somewhat
cooler afternoons. I thought this first year went off
incredibly well, with lessons learned, and now that
people know what New Orleans Bike Week is all
about, 2017 should be huge. This is a great thing for
our state, and the Motorcycling Community, for all
type