Bike Week in Myrtle Beach
The Myrtle Beach area has always been popular with bikers and that fact is never more apparent than during the annual Myrtle Beach Bike Week, which takes place each May. This event, which lasts 10 days, brings an average of about 300,000 bikers to The Grand Strand and the majority of the activities that take place during that time are geared towards the interest of those who ride motorcycles.
One of the most popular motorcycle rallies in the U.S., Myrtle Beach Bike Week – now often known as the Grand Strand Rally – has been a long-standing tradition for more than 70 years. Since 2009, however, all the activities are now held outside of Myrtle Beach city limits in the towns of Murrells Inlet, North Myrtle Beach, and surrounding areas. Business owners in the city of Myrtle Beach believed that large rallies were having a negative effect on tourism, so the city no longer allows these types of events. The neighboring towns, however, welcome the bikers.
During these busy 10 days, bikers are treated to a huge variety of events throughout the rally. First and foremost, dozens upon dozens of vendors line the areas where the rally is held, peddling their motorcycle-related items, which include not only the bikes themselves but also helmets, apparel, bike accessories, and much more.
Some bikers also plan rides and tours and others organize special events such as Poker Runs. During a Poker Run, riders travel a designated course and stop at pre-determined spots, where they collect a poker card. The person or persons with the best hand at the end of the ride wins a prize.
Bikers also come to the Myrtle Beach area to take advantage of the many entertainment opportunities available here. Many Bike Week visitors head to the city’s theaters, like Medieval Times, Carolina Opry, and the Alabama Theater, to enjoy live entertainment of a variety of genres.
The beach is a huge pull, too. Bikers enjoy the sand and sun of the Myrtle Beach area and staying in the hotels and motels that line the coast and provide excellent views of the Atlantic Ocean. Many area hotels and resorts offer special package prices during the Bike Week festivities and include other activities with the price of a hotel stay. Many bikers choose to camp when they visit the area and there of plenty of campgrounds near North Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, and the other towns that are now hosting the event. Some campgrounds do not allow motorcycles, so potential guests should be clear about the rules before booking a spot.
There is also a Fall Rally along the Grand Strand,
which happens in late September and early October. This rally is smaller in
scope but, in concurrence with the city of Myrtle Beach’s new ordinances, it
is also held outside the city limits. Vendors are fewer and the event is a
bit quieter and more subdued than the larger May rally.
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