The Smoky Mntns is where we go since we scratched MB from our list and it's night and day compared to MB, on all aspects.

 

I have to agree. The beaches and towns outside of the city limits of MB, are as biker friendly as ever. Last year, my first reaction was, why go where I'm not wanted. I now have a different perspective. Since it's only a small group trying to get rid of the bikers, WHY LET THE BASTARDS WIN. Like I said, I didn't attend the boat show this year, nor did I go to the "taste of the town" last year, also held at the convention center. I'm down in the MB area once or twice a month. I don't spend my money in the city of MB regardless of when, or why I'm there.

 

I don't think that would ever happen, They have millions of Golfers go there year round. Too many other things going on.

 

I'm not really following the logic of "If you stay away they win". If people stay sway from MB their city will lose out in a huge revenue stream. If people stay away from the surrounding areas those cities will also lose big financially and will likely pressure MB and place the blame where it is deserved. Kind of a hard lesson to learn and not exactly fair, but they gotta learn some how.

I watched several videos on youtube when this was going on. Many of the surrounding community governments are part of a coalition who get together for planning, issuing permits and discussing ordinances for events like this. They need to pressure the Mayor and City Council of MB and let them know it is not acceptable to pass a local mandatory helmet city ordinance so they can harass and ticket unsuspecting people the second they arrive in town. The motivation behind that is not to ensure the visiting public has a safe experience, it is only designed to pi$$ people off and drive them away.

I say stay away from the entire area. MB can have their little victory, and chalk it up as a "win", but in reality they will learn they have lost big time.

 

I'll be there from Sunday to Sunday again this year like I have been for the past couple of decades. I sure hope lots of people boycott staying in the city. Maybe I'll get a better deal on my motel room.

 

This reminds me of a situation that happened in one of our local suburbs. The particular city has huge amounts of traffic through it on the weekends. They make a lot of money at their bars and restaurants from the motorcycle community in the summer months. A few years back, they decided to drive away the motorcycle crowd because they did not like all the bikes.

There were newspaper articles warning the motorcycle community they would be upping enforcement in the area to deal with traffic. They checked exhaust with decibel meters and issued loud exhaust tickets along with ticketing groups riding together with "parade without a license." People stayed away in droves and the local businesses paid a huge price in lost revenue. The next summer they were begging motorcyclists to come back. It took several years for people to slowly start returning, and I still don't think is is back to what it was. Lesson learned. A word of caution to these city governments running their fiefdoms: Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it.

 

I agree completely. Not only did the City act, but the County as well. They put the new limits on the number of vendors, cost of the permits and the length. The entire Grand Strand need to feel the pain in order for change to occur.

We went last year, stayed out of the city, eventhough I own a condo. We stayed south of the city and had a great time. Had the people of MB actually showed up at the polls and voted out the current Regime, I would be back this year, but...

We're heading to the Mountains instead this year, and saving the rally stuff for Gettysburg, Thunder in the Valley, Wildwood, Delmarva and Biletoberfest where they want us and our money.