The third annual Ybor City Bike Fest motors to the fairgrounds, and a 9/11 Remembrance Ride will cruise through Tampa.
By Times Staff
Published September 9, 2004
[Times photo: Chris Zuppa 2003]
The 9/11 Remembrance Ride draws thousands of bikers. Riders will go from N Dale Mabry Highway to the Channel District of Tampa.
[Times photo: Kathleen Flynn 2003]
For $5 motorcyclists can get into the Ybor City Bike Fest and bring their bikes into the festival area.
TAMPA - The Ybor City Bike Fest, in its third year, has outgrown Ybor City.
The weekend-long event, expected to draw as many as 50,000 motorcyclists, is moving, at least during the daylight hours. The vendors, contests, entertainment and bike show will be based at the Florida State Fairgrounds east of Tampa.
But the fun is expected to return to Ybor City at night with organized rides from the fairgrounds at closing time each day.
Also this weekend: the 9/11 Remembrance Ride. About 4,000 motorcyclists are expected to ride from N Dale Mabry Highway to the Channel District of Tampa in honor of those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Even those without motorcycles can participate because ride organizers are encouraging people to line the route, waving flags.
And there's a postride party and celebration at Channelside.
The Bike Fest starts Friday with a 4 p.m. benefit ride from Big Dog Motorcycles, 9528 N Florida Ave., to the fairgrounds. Friday's activities end with a benefit night ride from the fairgrounds to Ybor City.
The fest continues from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday with daylong activities, including moments of silence at 10:05 a.m. and 10:28 a.m., the times the World Trade Center towers collapsed. A free ride departs for Ybor City at 9 p.m. Saturday.
Events on the final day of the festival include a blessing of the bikes at 11 a.m. and a poker run at noon. Hours Sunday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
PREVIEW
Ybor City Bike Fest at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 per person and entitles motorcycle riders to bring their bikes inside the festival area. Additional fee for some activities. 813 248-0721 or www.cc-events.org
9/11 Remembrance Ride, 10 a.m. Saturday, from Harley-Davidson of Tampa, 6920 N Dale Mabry Highway, to St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $15-$30. 813 251-2765 or www.tampaharley.com
