Thousands of bikers descend on Daytona Beach for Bike Week

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — This weekend marks the start of Bike Week in Volusia County.

Bikers are packing Daytona Beach’s Main Street this weekend, bringing nearly 100,00 visitors to the area.

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And unlike last year there are no COVID-19 restrictions in place, so no masks or social distancing rules are in place this weekend.

Daniel Widegren said coming to Bike Week is about meeting new people and having fun after what has been a challenging pandemic for everyone.

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“Just keep on riding, forget about all the stuff in the back. That’s what it’s all about, biking,” Widegren said. “I love it, I love it, it’s great. I’m not really too worried about anything. Everyone’s really cool, everyone’s really chill.” Shop owner and fellow biker Sefa Akvaniz has been hanging up shirts and banking on some extra foot traffic to bring in extra cash.

“It’s great for the town. I feel like it’s getting smaller year by year but still, it’s a big thing for Daytona and I think it brings a lot of business which is a good thing,” Akvaniz said. First-time attendee Euan Reid, who came from Canada, said this could become an annual tradition for him.

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“Meeting a lot of great riders, a lot of Americans, obviously. Everyone is very welcoming and we really appreciate it,” Reid said.

Down the road at the Ocean Center, 2,000 people are expected this weekend for the USA Gymnastics Winter Classic Invitational.

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