Az bike week question

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Dec 21, 2009 | 07:26 AM

jrstar

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Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 500

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From: Wichita Falls TX

Az bike week question

Me and a couple of buddies are planning on doing the AZ bike week in mid april. Looking at their website, they are showing on site camping "ajacent the venue" area. Says you can rent a 10 x 10 spot. Anyone that has been, give me some ideas on this. I really like being "on site" after the happenings but a 10 x 10 is pretty tight quarters.

Dec 21, 2009 | 06:59 PM

Moog Player

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Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 701

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From: The Great Southwest Desert

I gave up on Bike Weak several years ago when it moved to Scottsdale and became purely a money sponge. I'm sure that the camping area is just the polo field to the west of Westworld where they used to put the vendors. Since they couldn't charge admission to that area, they have moved it and fenced it in. Now they can charge some money for that area, too. And your bike can be parked in an area 'near' your campsite. If you really want to camp for the event, there are some camping areas near town but you would probably need to break camp each day or lose your stuff.
There are plenty of reasonably priced motels in the area and Bikeweak isn't an event that causes raised rates. (Except maybe very close to Westworld.)
Do I sound jaded and cynical? I just remember what it was BEFORE some new promoter bought the event to purely make himself a bunch of money.

Dec 21, 2009 | 09:52 PM

2of2

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,605

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From: Mesa AZ

+1

Arizona Bike Week is a huge disappointment. 20 bucks to get in to a field of vendors that do not offer any real discounts. I doubt I will be giving them any of my money this year.
I heard the new promoter is getting bloody rich because we are willing to pay an entry fee to have the honor of spending our money at their vendor booths. I think AZ Bike Week is the only Bike Rally that gets away with this. We need to wise up.

Dec 21, 2009 | 10:42 PM

joe.1955

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 3,364

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From: Mesa, Az.

+2

I've purchased one week passes for the last two years. Bought a vest the first year and nothing last year.

Vendor prices are not discounted. My understanding is the fees the vendors are charged is high.

The only real value (I assume) are the bands at night, but I didn't hang around for the entertainment.

I have no plans to attend this year, and I only live about 6 miles away.

Dec 23, 2009 | 01:12 PM

msh134

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Joined: Oct 2006

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From: illinois

went to bike week this year and was really disappointed. i even tried to buy a pair of sunglasses and the vendor crossed out his prices with marker and raised the prices by $20:00 just for the show what a joke wont be attending this year

Dec 23, 2009 | 09:03 PM

Cotton Hill

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Joined: Jan 2008

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From: Phoenix, AZ/Canton, OH

I've gone 2 out of 5 yrs. I don't plan on going again. Like others have said, why pay $20 for the honer to pay jacked prices at the vendors booths. Seems like the warm up parties at the area dealers and custom bike shops are the only things worth doing.

Dec 23, 2009 | 09:32 PM

Moog Player

Road Captain

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 701

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From: The Great Southwest Desert

Bike week number one and two in Avondale were very good and quite fun. The first couple in the east valley were OK but the writing was on the wall. Each year since the ownership change, they have found new was to try and shear the sheep. With the bad taste left in most folks mouth and the economy, this year should be a real quiet event.
Still, there are good rides and off site parties. If you stay away from the 'Venue', you can have a good time and not get ripped off.