Biketoberfest or Bust

Biketoberfest 2022 on Main Street. Photography by: Thomas Schmuki

My a few years back on one of my favorite Harleys… a 2003 100 Year Anniversary Heritage Softail.

About the event

Biketoberfest is an annual event held in Dayton for motorcycle enthusiasts.  This year was the 82nd Annual event held in Daytona. Motorcyclists come from all over the world.  Some drive their bikes from California, Canada, etc.  Others have their bike either shipped or towed there on motorcycle on a trailer.  How many bikers attended Biketoberfest 2022?  The estimated count is over 125,000 leather clad, tattooed throttle twisters.

Biketoberfest is held in October for all the German Beer drinking HOGS and is smaller than Daytona Bike Week which is held in March.  Biketoberfest is smaller in scale and attendance than Bike week in almost every category.  That is probably why I prefer Biketoberfest over Bike Week.

Biker festivals are filled with vendors selling leathers of every kind, bars and bands, but mostly it seems the main event is just people watching.  Take a cruise on main street.  This seems to be the main attraction.  Just before going home we cruised main street twice with GoPro in hand or on helmet.  Main Street during bikers festivals are filled with vendors, bars and biker centric clothing stores like: Harley Davidson clothing, “Biker Chick”, etc.

My history with the event

I have lived in Florida now for well over 35 years and have been riding BIG Bikes in Florida nearly all that time.  I have mostly ridden Honda Gold Wings and Harley Davidson motorcycles.  I would guess I have attended approximately 10 or so Biketoberfest rallies in the past 35 years.  I attended a few of them with my son Eric and many of them I attended alone and met up with my very good friend Craig Bachelor. I normally stay one or two nights and then ride back to South Florida.

The ride

The ride is long but not too long.  I-95 is filled with biker enthusiasts all packed up headed north for the festivities, the beer, and the crazy people.  Our ride north to Daytona was delayed half way through by a strong rain storm.  This may have been Alices first ride in the hard rain.  “Welcome to biking Miss Alice…”. She took it with a smile.  We found a bridge with dozens of other bikers to hang out while the storm passed.

I normally ride my bikes on the highway on cruise control.  This allows me to loosely grip the handle bars and enjoy the ride.  Frankly I am nearly as comfortable riding on the Harley as riding in a car.  Lets face it even in a car after 100-200 miles you are ready to get out and stretch your legs.

I purchased a comfy seat and larger/taller windshield so Alice could be more comfortable riding as a passenger. She has a great big wind breaker in front of her….. BIG old TOM.  This may be why most motorcycle riders are FAT, to break the wind for their riding partner.

My Harley - Road Glide slices through the wind with ease.  The BAD: terrible sound system which cannot be heard at all past 45 MPH.  Maybe I will upgrade this!  I get about 180-210 miles on each fill up.  Just enough to have to get gas one time along the 250 mile one way trip from Delray Beach to Daytona.

For a fun less than 2 minute video on our ride to Daytona, click the following link:

Video on our Ride from Delray Beach to Daytona

The riders by category

Alice was quick to notice the different categories of bikers on our short trip to Daytona.  Of course I was aware of these categories, but she brought them to my attention again.

Let's face it a motorcycle is a BIG Toy.  Motorcycle salesman know this when you walk in the door.  Some riders use their BIKE as their only mode of transportation, but most don’t.  Now lets not be offended by my categories:

The crotch racketeers

Photographic art by: Thomas Schmuki

These are the motorcyclists that have and ride motorcycles built for racing.  I had a Honda CBR 954 RR.  What does the RR mean?  “Race Ready”.  My RR was specked out at 180 MPH.  I think it went 0-60 in first gear in literally a breath or 2.  These bikes are FAST, ATHLETIC, and a major rush to ride.  They are NOT comfortable.  My knees hurt mostly on this platform.  My RR may have been one of my favorite bikes to ride of all time.  After 1.5 hours of riding my body said,  “GIVE ME A REST.”  How fast did I go on my 954?  NOT TELLING!  Let’s put it this way, at about 100 MPGH the bike is just PURRING along in its comfort zone.

Who rides the crotch rockets, rice burners racing bikes anyway?  Mostly younger, athletic, young men and some young women.  The bodies are toned and often times they look like they just left a body builder contest.  Lots of biker babes wearing swim suits.

The more ERGONOMIC the bike the more comfortable the riding position is and the older the riders are…

A beautiful white Ducati parked in front of our hotel. Santa oh Santa?

The I have arrived riders who love to show off their new toy

It seems to me although I have not done an official survey the predominant of current motorcycle riders, mostly HARLEY DAVIDSON riders are 40+ years old, have already formed a BEER gut, wear expensive jewelry and their bike is truly just a TOY.  Some of these riders are seriously great riders but many of them scare me the most.  Honey, lets go buy a Harley….  It will be our first bike ever, isn’t that cool?  A standard Harley Ultra Classic motorcycle is 877 pounds, dry with no luggage or gasoline.  Add gas, luggage, 2 200+ pound adults and this successful business person is balancing 1,300+ pounds of weight.  This of course is a recipe for disaster.

Perhaps I fit somewhere in this category.

Did I mention the expensive cigars in this category?

The … I spend every penny on my bike so it it is the coolest bike in town category

I am trying not to be judgmental here, and in many cases I may be wrong.  I have read “The Millionaire next door” book and understand you should not judge a book by its cover.  To spend 50-$100,000 on a tricked up custom bike to show off on your ride down main street in Daytona. On the ride home these bikers may be wonder where their next mortgage payment will come from or worse yet where to park their bike in front of their custom trailer.

The … I have a long grey beard, never to have been washed category

This is my favorite category to photograph.  You can see the miles on their face.  They don’t care about having the coolest or fastest bike in town, they are just grateful to have 2 wheels on the ground and cannot wait to park their bike at their favorite bikers bar, down a few beers and smoke a cheap cigar. These bikers have stories. Some are IRON BUTT riders with verified hundreds of thousands of miles on their derrière.

The ultimate customized old school motorcycle.

Main Street

One Sexy Biker Chick. Leathers anyone?

Main Street during Biketoberfest transitions to a motorcycle only road. Every biker has the opportunity to wait in line, in the HOT sun and ride 5 MPG down Main Street so other bikers can gawk at us and take our photos. Here are some samples of my Main Street photography:

Main Street during Biketoberfest 2022

The Bikes

One of the main reasons to attend bike week aside from the incredible people watching opportunities is to see the unlimited variations of motorcycles, none of which seems to be the same.  Bikes as old as World War II and as new as right off Harley Davidson’s headquarters in Milwaukee, WI.  To customize a motorcycle is to make it your own.  Standard additions or changes include PIPES because you better have the loudest coolest sound around.  Chrome everywhere, custom seats, custom colors.  How about a HORN that will honk as loud as a train?  Let’s add some power by changing engine parts, custom carburetors and breathers and pipes.  And don’t forget you MUST have the LOUDEST and coolest sound system so your neighbors can hear your ROCK and ROLL.  Alice reminded me to add: how about the custom Alligator seats?

Photographic art of Main Street - Daytona by Thomas Schmuki

I think Alice was much more intrigued by the bikes than the people.  Perhaps I have been a bit numbed by it over the years.

The biker bar ladies

Included here are a few samples of the bar tenders and servers at various bars and Venus at Biketoberfest 2022.  The theme seems to be: swim suits, tattoos, lots of skin, and a “tip for a photo.”  I wonder where these girls are recruited from?

A night out with my good friends Craig and Penelope

I have a few true friends and Craig B, you are one of those and have been so for well over 20 years now.  Craig was a reseller for storage technology when I met him.  We soon became friends and have met many times at Biketoberfest.  Alice and I also visited them at one of their homes in Saint Pete Beach just this year.

Craig is a true character.  A collegiate and Olympic level boxer.  I am glad to have him in my corner in case anyone wants to duke it out with me.

We had a great evening at Hyde Park in Daytona.  Perhaps the best steak I have ever had in my life.  Here is a photo of Craig’s “gitty up”.  They told us we had to eat outside because of his sleeveless attire.  He had fun talking to the manager telling her that it is OK for the women to be sleeveless but not a man?  Sort of a double standard don’t you think? Well, that is Craig.

Craig survived a terrible motorcycle accident years ago and chose not to inform me about it until years after it happened.  The police declared him “dead” on the scene, but somehow he survived.  A crazy driver hit Craig from behind while he was sitting still at a stop light.  Glad you are still here with us Craig!

My biker chick: Alice

What is my favorite Bike Rally

I have been to Biketoberfest maybe 10 times or so, Bike week about 3 times, Leesburg bike week.  I have not yet attended Sturgis which is most definitely on my bucket list.  Alice, are you listening?

My favorite festival so far was Leesburg.  My favorite time…. With Alice at Biketoberfest 2022.  Who would have thought you would even think about riding motorcycles and hanging out with a photographer 3 years ago.  I am so grateful.

South Beach… not what but used to be

I used to love to get on my motorcycle and rides to South Beach.  The colors, energy, excitement ambience and people were off the chart. 

Deco Drive

Take a look at one of my previous motorcycle rides to South Beach when things were happening.

South Beach as I remember it

Photos of South Beach taken previously

South Beach since Covid

I have visited South Beach a number of times since the start of Covid and I am here to say South Beach is NOT what it used to be.  Even the Harley Davidson ride has changed.  No longer can I cruise Ocean Drive with my GOPro and park my bike near the Ocean to take a few shots.  

No longer is my favorite BAR and entertainment spot Mangos open.  The town is a ghost town.  Many of the hotels are shut down either permanently or for the long term.  The restaurants are not hopping with a buzz of “you have to heat here.”  Gone are the attractive maitre d’s to lure you into their expensive restaurants.  Gone are the fancy cars and HOT motorcycles cruising up and down the drive.  It’s all gone.  

I had expected during the tail end of Spring Break there would still be some excitement to be had.  Nope.  

Perhaps Brickell Avenue is the new place to go.  What do you think?

The attached video is a video I took on a previous ride to South Beach when things were fun and exciting there.  Enjoy!

My new buddies from Arizona

I did have the privilege to meet a very nice family all the way from Arizona. They looked like motorcycle guys. They were enjoying the sun and asked me to come over and take their photos. They were so nice. Here they are:

Current images from South Beach

Images from my visit yesterday. Notice how empty the streets are.

Covid days 9-11

Selfie taken yesterday just after my Harley ride around the block

Covid Day days 9-11: Will this ever end?

On the tail end of my 7-10 day quarantine (the period of time recommended by the CVS minute clinic nurse practitioner), I anticipate getting back to my normal life.

Today is day 11 for me since the day I first came down with the virus which hit me like a whirlwind.  I have been feeling better each day and today I feel about 85%.  Yesterday was NOT so good with Alice.  She came down with a fever and I could see the panic on her face.

The pink sample line means…. test POSITIVE … NOOOOOO!

Harley Davidson ride around the block

I was concerned about my Harley Davidson as it has NOT been ridden for over a month.  I thought the battery may have been entirely gone.  I went to the garage and the bike barely started up with the last click click sound before the battery goes entirely dead.  I decided to ride it “around the block” to charge the battery. I later trickle charged the battery for the entire night.

Feeling confident in my health and a negative COVID test, I took an at home test yesterday at about 5:21 pm.  We ordered the Abbott at home tests from Sam’s club and Amazon.  Unfortunately and to my very surprise I tested positive.  I was so depressed and disappointed.  I have been feeling pretty good now for days, and today I feel even better.  

This morning a beautiful day in South Florida

This morning we sat outside on our new new porch and enjoyed breakfast and the beautiful weather we have.

Breakfast outside this morning with Alice

Blog day 3 - National Treasures in Washington DC

No parking in Washington DC

We got up early in the morning to go out to see our national treasures in Washington DC. Our first objective was to see the Vietnam war Memorial. If anyone knows me I want great light for my photography. I call it the golden hour of the gods. Nothing drives me more crazy than trying to create great photography during the flat hours of the mid day sun. 

Our motorcycle ride to the Memorial was less than 20 minutes.  We discovered quickly that there was no parking anywhere in all of DC. We finally found a parking spot amongst dozens of other motorcycles at the Pentagon. Of course I took my camera out and started taking a few pictures. We were approached by a very nice man fully decked out in his Military uniform. He told us to be careful and not take any photos as my photography gear may have been confiscated. He also told us we could not park there nor almost any place in DC. We decided to drive the motorcycle clear back to our hotel. 

DC Metro rail

We then took the metro rail which was a great experience for both of us. Clean, fast, efficient, and very affordable. Our rides each way was less than four dollars. 

Now, we are off with Nikon and GoPro hand. Some of the national treasures we saw and photographed are:  The Washington Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, World War 2 Memorial, World War 1 Memorial,  Vietnam War Memorial, and many others. We walked well over 5 miles with my heavy photography gear, bad knees and bad feet. I took at least 400 photographs with my Nikon and many beautiful video clips with my GoPro. Unfortunately many of those photos will not be available until we gat back to Florida.

We met an older lady at the Vietnam War Memorial wall. She asked us to take a photograph of her with her camera. She told us about her son and pointed to his name. She started to cry, 55 years later she is still crying. Alice teared up. It was a very touching moment. Such a senseless and worthless war. Did you know that my generation was the first generation without a mandatory war draft. I think my older brother Randy just missed the draft to the Vietnam war. 

The security at the White House. 

I was saddened and disappointed to see the massive fences and guards preventing even a "looksy" at the White House.  I took a few photos of the one glance I could get over the massive solid white 15' plus wall. Mr President: "Tear down these walls!".   I wonder what the world will look like for my grandkids. 

We had a late lunch at a place called the Corner Office. Alice had a veggie burger which she said was the best she ever had. I was struggling to make it back to metro station where's my bad knees and feet. 

With a big grin on her face we took the metro back to the hotel.

After resting in the hotel room we decided to venture back out on the motorcycle to have  dinner by the Potomac River.  Alice was on a quest to find her soft shell crabs. I never heard of soft shell crabs. I guess they molt once a year. The females have sex right after molting.  From what I understand it is one and done for them. We found the soft shell crabs and we were both under impressed by the presentation.

It was a great and memorable day. We will never forget!

Rain storms scheduled in DC all day tomorrow.  Means our plans to hit the mountains on the Harley will be delayed.  Maybe another day on the Metro rail. Museums I hope. 

Don't forget to tell me you are enjoying these blogs otherwise I will stop writing them.

The struggle between honesty, transparency, and marketing

This may be one of the most difficult blogs to compose, and perhaps even more difficult to read.  Family and friends, please do NOT be offended by my brutal honesty in this BLOG.  Hey, it may be my last blog depending on the results.

A previous peer who I have not heard from for maybe 25+ years, fellow co worker and friend who has been silently following my works, my blog and my photography reached out to me yesterday.  Reggie thank you for reaching out to me after all these years.

Reggie was very complimentary of my photography and my commentary, and even my blogs.  Her comment haunts me … “I see a touch of sadness in your words, but thats understandable ….”

I learned a lot from her commentary.  First of all, I just may have followers, silent ones who read my words, appreciate and admire my photography, and perhaps even enjoy some of it.  Based on the lack of clicks, read throughs, and commentary, I always assume no one is seeing, no one is reading, and this whole thing is just a platform for a personal/public journal that only generations in future may see. Perhaps I see it as personally therapeutic.

My next door neighbor yesterday stopped her car while I was washing my motorcycle and told me how much she enjoyed and appreciated my journalistic commentary and photos of my motorcycle trip to North Carolina.   Again, I had never known she was watching, stalking from afar so to speak. It made me happy.

To get better context to my commentary, you may want to read or review the following blogs:

The Shy man with a Camera

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/8/16/the-shy-man-behind-the-camera\

My Birthday Wish

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/9/11/my-birthday-wish

Ten things you probably don’t know about me

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/9/17/ten-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-me

The moment you find out your child is schizophrenic 

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/9/21/the-moment-you-find-out-your-child-is-schizophrenic

Five things you probably don’t know about me

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/10/14/5-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-me

Yes Reggie, you are 100% correct, there is a tone of sadness to my prose.

So back to the title: The struggle between honesty, transparency, and marketing 

I have always known from day one that one of my biggest flaws is my transparency.  I tell the truth, my face and expressions tell the truth, sometimes it is brutal and hurtful.  This transparency made me a great manager and boss in almost any arena.  I would be quick to compliment, be thankful and get in the trenches with my staff.  This transparency also comes at a cost in business and in all areas of life both personal and professional.

Here it is: I struggle with sadness and depression, and have for years.  I can hardly remember what it feels like to wake up each day with a smile on my face.  I blame no one or nothing for my struggle nor my feelings.  It is NOT your fault.  This is the one thing I know!  For me depression is loneliness.  It does not matter if I am physically alone or in a crowd of dozens or hundreds of peers, family or friends.  I work very hard every day, every moment to mask this loneliness and depression.  

My motorcycle ride to North Carolina was done alone.  No family member wanted to go with me.  Hey, they are the smart ones.  The ride outside of Florida was miserable, lonely and COLD!

What makes me happy?  It is very simple.  Feeling truly appreciated.  Feeling I have provided something of real value to someone.  Something that lasts more than the “click” or “like”.  Photography makes me happy.  Not the specific click of the camera, but more about the experience of the shoot and most importantly the value of the product I created. I yearn for my work to be valued in a real way.  I ache to leave a legacy of work that will be cherished by generations.  The reality of falling far short of those expectations is part of my daily struggle.   

This commentary is the opposite of marketing.  It is 100% truth.  Those who read this will probably agree with Reggie at even a higher level.  

I ask if you silently read my blogs, or silently view my photos, please once in a while reach out to me and let me know.  It has more meaning than you will ever know.

Tom

My favorite places to ride a Motorcycle

It’s the Journey, NOT the Destination

It may be surprising to many that I am an avid motorcyclist.  Fact is many people are surprised I ride at all.  I don’t look like a motorcycle guy:  no beard, no tattoos, no pony tail, and I don’t normally have a can of beer in my hand.  I have  actually ridden some sort of motorcycle since I was age 14 even though I never really looked like a rider.  There have been times I have been without my favorite transportation and times when it was my only transportation.  

Most of my riding in the last 30 years has been in the southeast and of course primarily Florida.  As my future retirement unfolds, I hope to travel to many new and exciting places on two wheels.

There are certain places or environments that make motorcycle riding more enjoyable.  Those include but are not limited to: the weather, the view, the traffic, the twists and turns (straight is way more boring), the slopes and or hills (flat is MUCH more boring), the music, the sounds, the silence, the companionship meaning other riders on their own bike or a partner on the back of mine. 

This blog will focus on a few of my chosen special riding routes.  Remember my opinion is also based on the combination of the above factors during the rides I have taken.

• Key West: Interstate 1, favorite part is 7 mile bridge just southwest of the city of Marathon

• A1A between Lake Worth Florida and West Palm Beach, Donald Trumps Mara Lago is always interesting to look into

• Miami to Key Biscayne - Bill Baggs Lighthouse park at the end, State Road 913

• Miami to Miami Beach - South Beach via MacArthur Causeway.  You may have seen my video from GOPRO helmet

• Homestead Florida to Everglades National Park via State Hwy 9336.  One of the best rides in South Florida, lots of twists and turns and a perfect pace for a motorcyclist.  

• On Florida’s WEST coast, Sanibel and Captiva Island via Sanibel Causeway

• Orlando to Leesburg and Mt Dora via 441 - a beautiful drive with some nice hills and twists

• Daytona Beach to St Augustine via A1A- beautiful coastal scenery with a great destination - St Augustine

• The Blue Ridge Parkway (Smoky Mountains) - North Carolina

  • Tail of the Dragon - 11 mile section with 318 turns

• Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park

That is my short list, my actual riding list is MUCH longer.

Now that I will be retired as of October 5th, 2018, hit me up, lets RIDE.

Ride for Meadow Pollack and 16 other fallen children at MSD High

Ride for Meadow Pollack and 16 others who lost their lives on Valentine’s Day in Parkland Florida.

I decided to participate in this ride because my 18 year old daughter Allison brought it to my attention.  I thought I would bring along my camera just in case there were some special photography opportunities there. 

The event was organized to meet at the Palm Beach Harley Davidson, have breakfast and ride (motorcycle) to the Pollack’s house in Coral Springs for “a cold one”.  I am not sure how many people attended, but it seemed like 600+ attendees maybe 100 or so of them were Motorcycle Policeman supporting the event and helping the riders during their 50 mile trek from the dealership to the Pollack’s house.

When I pulled my camera out at the dealership, people seemed to naturally gravitate towards me and want their picture taken.  I keep mentioning that many feel very comfortable asking me to take their picture.  I love that sooooo much!  There were of course other photographers there, news crews there, newspapers and magazine coverage, you name it.  I had a blast and would like to thank the dealership for not kicking me out with my camera in hand and especially all those who supported this fantastic cause.

I am sure there were many famous people there not including the world famous photographer Thomas Schmuki ….  Some of those notables included Paul Teutul, Sr, star of the cable TV show “Orange County Choppers”, and former Miami Dolphins running back Terry Kirby and chef Ralph Pagano.

Unfortunately while riding my Harley to the Pollack's house in Coral Spring my Harley Davidson had a flat tire.  Thank goodness I did NOT loose control of my bike.  Happend right as I was getting off the Sawgrass expressway (freeway).  I therefore missed the goings on at the Pollacks house.

Included in this BLOG are a few of my photos from the event.  If you were there and your photo is not here, please reach out to me, I will attempt to get you your photo.

Tom Schmuki, photographer, motorcycle lover for 40+ years, father and husband.