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Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Mike Deiana, of Phoenix, talks on his phone in front of the Carson City Harley-Davidson dealership Wednesday afternoon. Deiana is one of more than 40,000 bikers visiting Northern Nevada for this weekend's Street Vibrations.
It's Don and Matilda Headleys' first trip to Northern Nevada to attend the Street Vibrations events in Reno, and they're loving the experience - and spending their money as they go.
The Atwater, Calif., couple stayed the night at Lake Tahoe, rather than take the windy roads down to Carson City in the dark. They stopped at the Carson City Harley-Davidson dealership Wednesday afternoon to buy a pair of $40 leather gloves. They stopped at the capital city just because it has a dealership with products "made in the U.S.A.," one of their traveling companions said.
"All of these people have one thing in common," said Don Headley, after traveling 350 miles with his wife on a 2005 Ultra Classic Harley-Davidson. Behind them, the dealership is full of leather-clad shoppers. "It's about the lifestyle."
More than 40,000 bikers are expected for Street Vibrations 13th anniversary. Event producers say the motorcycle enthusiasts will pump more than $58 million into the local economy.
Headley plans on taking rides in the Sierra Nevada and shopping at downtown Reno vendors for "anything to add to my bike that I can't live without." His wife rolled her eyes. The high cost of gas isn't deterring them. They see the $30-$40 trip as quality time with spouses and old friends. They have the money, they have the time and they want the experience, something Harley riders are known for.
"What I personally like is the smells and the sun and the wind on my face," said their friend Mary Park of Riverside, Calif., who is traveling with her husband, David. "There's nothing else like it."
Both couples estimate they'll spend thousands each during their weekend stay. Park admits it's because of the casinos, and the $500 she dropped at the Carson City dealership for a new tire and a pair of leather boots.
The Atwater, Calif., couple stayed the night at Lake Tahoe, rather than take the windy roads down to Carson City in the dark. They stopped at the Carson City Harley-Davidson dealership Wednesday afternoon to buy a pair of $40 leather gloves. They stopped at the capital city just because it has a dealership with products "made in the U.S.A.," one of their traveling companions said.
"All of these people have one thing in common," said Don Headley, after traveling 350 miles with his wife on a 2005 Ultra Classic Harley-Davidson. Behind them, the dealership is full of leather-clad shoppers. "It's about the lifestyle."
More than 40,000 bikers are expected for Street Vibrations 13th anniversary. Event producers say the motorcycle enthusiasts will pump more than $58 million into the local economy.
Headley plans on taking rides in the Sierra Nevada and shopping at downtown Reno vendors for "anything to add to my bike that I can't live without." His wife rolled her eyes. The high cost of gas isn't deterring them. They see the $30-$40 trip as quality time with spouses and old friends. They have the money, they have the time and they want the experience, something Harley riders are known for.
"What I personally like is the smells and the sun and the wind on my face," said their friend Mary Park of Riverside, Calif., who is traveling with her husband, David. "There's nothing else like it."
Both couples estimate they'll spend thousands each during their weekend stay. Park admits it's because of the casinos, and the $500 she dropped at the Carson City dealership for a new tire and a pair of leather boots.
The North Carson Street dealership wants to attract these tourists with the $80,000 it's invested in two days of events. Dealership owner Richard Tapia said he'll see a return on that money. He expects to sell 30-40 bikes during and after Street Vibrations.
"People come to enjoy the best riding area in the country and they're on vacation," Tapia said. "And they like to enjoy themselves while they are here, which is good for our economy."
Hotels are also booked this weekend. Hugh Roy Marshall, owner of the new 68-room Silverland Express Hotel in Virginia City, said the event affects room rentals, bar and liquor sales.
"We're starting to get quite a few motorcyclists," he said. "I imagine we'll have 8,000 to 9,000 (in VC this weekend)."
John Bellona, president of a local firefighters union, said he also believes in the generosity of bikers. East Fork Fire and Paramedics Employees Association is raffling off a Streetbob to benefit the burn fund and a Sacramento children's hospital. The Good Samaritans are also raffling off a car and motorcycle worth $35,000.
"Bikers like kids. They know this is going for a good cause, and they really support it," Bellona said.
"People come to enjoy the best riding area in the country and they're on vacation," Tapia said. "And they like to enjoy themselves while they are here, which is good for our economy."
Hotels are also booked this weekend. Hugh Roy Marshall, owner of the new 68-room Silverland Express Hotel in Virginia City, said the event affects room rentals, bar and liquor sales.
"We're starting to get quite a few motorcyclists," he said. "I imagine we'll have 8,000 to 9,000 (in VC this weekend)."
John Bellona, president of a local firefighters union, said he also believes in the generosity of bikers. East Fork Fire and Paramedics Employees Association is raffling off a Streetbob to benefit the burn fund and a Sacramento children's hospital. The Good Samaritans are also raffling off a car and motorcycle worth $35,000.
"Bikers like kids. They know this is going for a good cause, and they really support it," Bellona said.
• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.
If you go
What: Street Vibrations events in Carson City
Who: Organized by the
Carson City Harley-Davidson dealership
Where: 2749 N. Carson St.
If you go
What: Street Vibrations events in Carson City
Who: Organized by the
Carson City Harley-Davidson dealership
Where: 2749 N. Carson St.
When: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. today; 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
Features: Purrfect Angelz dance team; Team Extreme ground street bike stunts; Liv Fast freestyle jumpers, as seen on the X Games; motorcycle raffles; bands. Firework show at 8 p.m.
Friday.
call: 882-7433
On the Net
Street Vibrations information:
www.road-shows.com
Features: Purrfect Angelz dance team; Team Extreme ground street bike stunts; Liv Fast freestyle jumpers, as seen on the X Games; motorcycle raffles; bands. Firework show at 8 p.m.
Friday.
call: 882-7433
On the Net
Street Vibrations information:
www.road-shows.com
