Bike Week: Seven days of fun, prizes and thrills

Sturgis, South Dakota in the United States may not exactly what one would call a happenin’ spot. Except if you’re a biker. Then you’ll know Sturgis is the venue of one of the – if not the – biggest annual gathering of motorcycle lovers on the planet. For one week a year since 1938 (save for a couple during World War II), this ultimate bike gig has been attracting a gazillion assorted bike fans, onlookers, hangers-on, poseurs, weekend riders and genuine oil-in-the-veins biker guys and gals to gather round and be with their ilk.

On April 24 to 30, Manila and some nearby places will turn into some Sturgis of sorts. That’s because for almost a week, assorted bike fans, onlookers, hangers-on, poseurs, weekend riders and genuine oil-in-the-veins biker guys and gals will converge for the first Bike Week Philippines.

Set to be held at The Fort and in Subic, Zambales, the event is expected by organizers to draw riders from as far north as Cagayan in Luzon to Zamboanga in the deep, down south. One reason for this optimism is that the Bike Week will coincide with the ninth Annual Motorcycle Convention, which will be attended by representatives of different motorcycle clubs in the country. Meanwhile, riders from parts of Asia, Europe and the US are sure to join the festivities as well. Superficial borders that separate places apparently don’t mean much to folks who love to travel aboard two-wheeled contraptions.

James Raterta, a lawyer-slash-Harley-rider, vice president of the Mad Dog Motorcycle Club and chairman of Bike Week Philippines all rolled into one friendly fellow, said he expects some 5,000 people a day to visit the Bike Week Village at The Fort from April 24 to 27. The same number of crowd is also seen to flock to Subic from April 28 to 29.

Raterta further said Bike Week Philippines is coordinating with all government agencies involved to ensure peace will be the order of the day during the event. MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando will be one of the guests of honor for the Bike Week opening, while Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon – who’s a biker himself – lauded the activity, describing the event as an excellent venue to show the world the beauty of the Philippines. The DOT has even included Bike Week in its official activities for its World of Wonders (WOW) Philippines 2003 campaign, the aim of which is to lure foreigners to the country–both riders and non-riders alike.

Gordon also promised support to foreign biker guests. "They can bring in their bikes without being required to pay taxes, provided they don’t sell their bikes here," he said.

Raterta, meanwhile, assured participants will enjoy the benefits of being allowed to ride in the expressways during the affair, instead of being forced to take the more dangerous routes that pass through tight town streets and equally constricted old highways. And this extends to all bikes too, regardless of engine size. It is not known, however, if the same courtesy will be extended by government authorities to bikers after Bike Week.

Helped in part by sponsors PAGCOR, BMW Motorcycles and Shell Advance, Bike Week promises a lot of fun activities lined up. For instance, the East Coast Ride to Infanta, Quezon will bring riders through some serious mountain twisties that lead all the way to the sea–the Pacific Ocean no less. Then there are the scheduled long rides to the Batangas Racing Circuit for some racetrack action, and rides up north to Subic and back to Manila. In between are bike motorcades in Metro Manila, endless streams of parties and rock concerts, and a Mister and Miss Biker contest. Raffles will also be held daily, which pledges not only motorcycle gears and other stuff as prizes, but also a brand-new Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster!

Prizes or no prizes, parties or no parties however, Bike Week will definitely be one huge fun. And that’s not because of all the bikes one can see during the event, but more so the company one will have.