Ohio Bike Week
New Concentrated, Higher Octane Formula For 2018
For years, Ohio Bike Week has been the undisputed LARGEST MOTORCYCLE EVENT IN THE MIDWEST and the unofficial kick-off to the summer riding season. It has evolved into one of the largest rallies in the nation, with events and rides ranging from Toledo to Sandusky. For 2018, rally organizers, however, have decided to make a change and shorten the official length of the program from 10 days to 6 straight days of nonstop ridin’ and rockin!’
Of the major national Rallies, Ohio Bike Week is one of the few that has sought to provide two full weekends – 10 days – of programming. Many of the big rallies don’t even do a full week – instead of focusing on just a single weekend. It takes a lot to put on a large-scale rally and the expenses go far beyond the big-name entertainment on stage. The operational and support staff, emergency services, and all of the logistical considerations and expenses add up for every day that the event is hosted. Many of these expenses add up regardless of the number of people attending or if an event is rained out.
For many, the Rally was just too long. Few people can afford to take a full 10 days off work or away from home, so most riders were forced to choose between one weekend or another. There were also always a few “down days” – usually Monday and Tuesday, where there really wasn’t much going on. By tightening the schedule to a concentrated 6 days – it eliminates the dead days and allows the organizers to focus their energy and resources to really blowing it out in one extended weekend.
"The shortened format removes some of the weekdays that have been slow in past years. It is our hope that we have the same or even more people that have been previously split up over 10 days; now packed into the new six-day format” says Brad Stofcheck of Ohio Bike Week.
While the overall rally has shortened, the Downtown BLOCK PARTY has actually expanded with the addition of Sunday – running Thursday, May 24th through Sunday, May 27th. "The expanded World-Famous Block Party is gonna be incredible. It's as though we have two "Saturdays" to throw this huge party on - with Monday being a holiday" says Brad Stofcheck of Ohio Bike Week.
Kicking Things Up!
OBW has really worked to create the best possible experience throughout the downtown Block Party and at the Mad River Campus as they kick things up for the single holiday weekend. With the change, the Organizers expect to attract larger vendors, including a motorcycle service center AND have brought back more Street Performers – to include walking magicians and other craziness; as well as more fireworks to add more excitement simply to the rally areas.
For entertainment, Bike Week has gone with a series of headlining National Acts that they can offer FREE OF CHARGE as part of the Block Party – supported by the very best in regional and touring acts. Fuel, Jackyl, Jack Russell’s Great White, Phil Vassar, and the Kentucky Headhunters get top billing – while popular acts such as Mustang Sally, Jasmine Cain, Ekoostik Willy, and Billy Morris – formerly of Warrant, fill out the main stages. Some of the best performers from throughout the Midwest round the schedule – including the Earthquakers, Jessica Hannan, Red Ball Jets, Sunset Strip, Tight Wadd, Whiskey Kings, Michael Weber, Eric Sowers Band, and many more! As always things will rock throughout the rally – but this year, ALL SHOWS ARE FREE! (A limited number of VIP tickets and ALL ACCESS PASSES are available at OhioBikeWeek.com)
even more show bikes as considerable CASH PRIZES are added to the mix – as well as making the show a qualifier for the TRO CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW and the over $10k in prize money there. With the show now downtown along the water and in the midst of everything, there is even more for everyone to do while their bikes are being admired. You can register in advance for the show at ThunderRoadsOhio.com and all pre-registered bike exhibitors get a FREE T-shirt this year!
Accommodations
One clear bonus for those attending the rally in regards to the change in dates is that there are a lot more options for accommodations. The last several years a number of other events have moved onto the second weekend in Sandusky and have competed for rooms with those attending the rally. This has resulted in a shortage of rooms over the Block Party Weekend. This year, with the change, there are a lot more rooms available over the holiday weekend.
One of the most cost-effective means of attending the rally is to avoid the high hotel costs and camp instead. For many, this makes the experience as you’re able to relax with others and really “escape” for the rally. This year primitive and RV camping will again be offered at the Erie County Fairgrounds by Ohio Bike Week as the Official Campground. The fairgrounds will have its own bar with live entertainment and adult contests. Pricing will be competitive with anything else in the area – and it’s the only location with Bike Week events happening on site! You can find out more about the Fairgrounds and reserve your camping spot at OhioBikeWeek.com
Stay tuned for more updates on our Facebook page and online blog (ThunderRoadsOhio.com). We will be publishing the full schedule with all the major events in our May Edition which serves as THE OFFICIAL RALLY GUIDE for OHIO BIKE WEEK. This is followed up by our Ohio Bike Week Ride Guide, a pocket-sized guide to the Rally and riding through the surrounding area. You’ll be able to access both of them through our website - ThunderRoadsOhio.com For more information on the Official Ohio Bike Week Rally Guides or how you might get involved in various events across Ohio, you can email ThunderRoadsOhio@gmail.com
Photos courtesy Progressive Insurance, Jen Gore, Doug Taylor, and D. Armstrong, TRO.
