2009 Las Vegas BikeFest

Hedonism-devotion to pleasure as a way of life. This one word sums up Las Vegas. In its entirety. The dry desert air, the aural delights of winning slots, the clinking of glasses in victorious celebration, no concept of time, and the loud roars of motorcycle pipes on Las Vegas Boulevard. Debauchery. Carnage. Mayhem. With all-you-can-eat buffets, all-you-can-handle watering holes, and two-wheeled pirates venturing out for a four-day debacle, Las Vegas BikeFest is the place for bikers come fall time.

The Ninth Annual Las Vegas BikeFest rally took place October 1-4, 2009, with perfect 80-degree weather throughout the week. There were plenty of activities to keep attendees occupied with vendors set up both inside and outside at the Cashman Center, displaying bikes, parts, clothing, jewelry, and more. The masses swooned over motorcycle masterpieces at the Artistry In Iron Master Builders Championship event that hosted many superstar bike builders like Scott Long from Central Coast Cycles, Gard Hollinger from LA County Choprods, Todd Silicato of Todd's Cycle, and many more. Taking top honors at the peer-judged contest was Mark Daley of Thunder Struck Custom Bikes. He received $10,000 for his entry, but more importantly, bragging rights among his friends.

We arrived late Wednesday night, checked in to the Golden Nugget, and were up bright and early for the festivities Thursday morning. We ventured to the Cashman Center to pick up our media credentials as vendors were still setting up. So we headed over to the Sahara, which was the host resort for Las Vegas BikeFest, and it seemed that this was where the bikers were hiding. We walked the casino floor for a little while and stumbled on a Harley Cross Bones that was up for grabs, courtesy of the Sahara and Las Vegas BikeFest. The bikers obviously wanted to get in on the raffle action.

Friday, we headed back to the Cashman Center and it was much more business as usual. The masses were flooding the gates to get a fix of all the motorcycle delights on display. There were many different tribute bands that rocked the stage outside, bikini contests and Miss and Mr. Las Vegas BikeFest contests, as well as the over 200 vendors showcasing product inside and outside.

On Saturday was the Custom Bike Show for those looking to compete with their creations. From semi-custom to full-out mind freak creation, the Custom Bike Show delivered some amazing scoots that dropped the jaws of all passers by. Plus, it was held at the Cashman Center this year, instead of at its previous Fremont Street venue. We felt this location change made more sense as it helped centralize Bikefest. Aside from the Custom Bike Show, there were plenty of other great spectacles on hand set up in vendor's booths, like the one from Glenndyne Design, which featured a radically designed new wheel where the brake components (rotor, caliper) are housed inside the rim. Look for the full bike feature in an upcoming issue soon.

In the late afternoon on Saturday, we made our way to the Count's Kustoms Fourth Annual Motor Psycho Open House. Danny "The Count" and company opened the doors of the massively large compound for attendees to investigate all of the custom goodies that the crew produces. People seemed to really dig it. The shindig started at 3 p.m., just in time for those returning from the $100,000 poker run sponsored by Count's Kustoms, and ended with a full-on beer and barbecue bash with the Vince Neil Band and Rock and Roll Junkies playing on the main stage. The Count's party is always a great time and this year's party didn't disappoint in the slightest.

On Sunday, it was time to pack up, regroup, and get one last taste of motorcycle mayhem at the Cashman Center and then it was off to Hogs and Heifers Saloon for the grand finale, and to say good-bye to friends until next year's rally, which takes place September 30 through October 3, 2010. See ya then!