This morning at 7am, Tom headed off to Port Dover on his ST1100 for Canada’s Largest Motorcycle Event, PD13. This is the first time he has done something like this with his bike although I have always been intrigued to do Sturgis or Daytona Bike Week. Have fun Tom and enjoy the ride! Check it out http://www.pd13.com [MORE added by Tom… Please continue]

[Tom] Well the day was interesting. No sooner did I get started on my 2? hr trek, when the clouds got dark and ominous and then it started to rain. The forecast was partly cloudy with a slight chance of morning drizzle so I rode on. I should of known my luck would not be with me on this day.

The highway was filled with bikes of all makes and models, all heading east on the Talbot Trail to Canada’s version of the Sturgis SD Rally. The Harley Davidson and chopper riders tended to roar along in large groups at just under the speed limit, riding two abreast in formation, and all dressed up in their bad boy leather fashions. Then there are the sport bike riders in their full racing leathers riding (ahem) slightly above the speed limit. Next up are the true posers driving their SUV, pulling a trailer with their bikes strapped down, then unloading them just before their destination so they can roar into town and make their entrance. Lastly are the unorganized stragglers that ride a wide mix of German, Japanese, and British bikes of all ages. They only ride in groups if the traffic is backed up. The motorcycle clubs in attendance range from Toronto’s chapter of the Hells Angels to the International Christian Bikers Association.

I finally get to Port Dover around 10 a.m. and the rain is still falling. The police do not allow any cars into Port Dover on Friday 13th unless they are residents. All the streets are flowing with people and the estimated 40 thousand motorcycles are parked both sides plus a strip down the centre. Many shops are closed but most have something set up on the street or at their front door. There are just too many people for the retailers to handle inside their tiny narrow main street stores. All the rec parks are filled with vendor tents serving beer, food, or motorcycle clothing and paraphernalia. They come, I think, to see and be seen. To stare at the bikes and leer at the ladies. To listen to the barrelhouse rock ‘n’ roll and bang back a few (or more) beers. Some wore Viking horns, some sported a fountain of flowing fringe. The tattoos seemed as numerous as teeth. Maybe more.

I could hear some wolf whistles echoing down the street so I crane my neck to try and catch a glimpse of the approaching action. Was it some biker chicks revealing their…? No it was some 60 yr old dude with an all over tan riding up the main drag wearing ONLY a “G” string! As you can see by the few pictures I snapped with Martha’s pocket camera, the rain kept a damper on most shenanigans but not the crowds. Would I go again? Sure… it is the only widely attended biker event in Canada.
Photo Album Link for Friday 13th.