Bikers cruise down St. Augustine’s Historic District during the 80th annual Daytona Bike Week on March 10. According to Daytona city officials, around 300,000 people were expected to attend, many of those also visit St. Augustine.A row of motorcycles next to the Plaza de la Constitución on March 10. St. Augustine saw a surge of visitors and vehicles from March 5 to 14. Richard Baker, who lives in the Historic District, said he welcomes the visitors. He has been riding during Bike Week for the past 27 years. “This isn’t just for bikers; this is an all-around event for everybody,” Baker said. “We have different food samples, different cultures and different people coming together all at once.” Bikers take a break from riding next to the historic Avenida Menendez Seawall on March 10. Despite COVID-19, Bike Week drew in large crowds. Baker said he saw a big drop in the number of participants in 2020, but now it’s almost back to normal. “This year, everybody was so happy to get out there. We party and bingo and get back into what we used to have.”License plates from all of the country can be seen in St. Augustine on March 10. It’s not only the bikes that attracted riders to the city. “Sunshine. Open state. DeSantis,” said Richard Ballard when asked why he took the trip from Tennessee. “We’ve been in Daytona and we just rode up here to see St. Augustine and enjoy the scenery and the architecture.”Bikers pick up Bike Week mementos at Adamec Harley-Davidson on St. George St. on March 10. “This is the busiest we’ve ever been,” said Troy Strawder, an employee at Adamec. “We’ve broken every record we’ve ever had. I think people are running from other states to here because we’re open. People were just dying to get out and they really showed up this year big time.” Motorcycles are seen everywhere in St. Augustine on March 10. “The main thing for Bike Week is you drink,” Strawder said. “Then when you get done drinking, you drink a little more, and then when you get done partying, you drink a little more and then ride your motorcycle. That’s about it. Party and ride your bike. Then you detox when you get home.”According to their website, Daytona Bike Week hosts a wide variety of events, including motorcycle exhibitions, parades, concerts, races, pageants, bike blessings, contests, swap meets and giveaways. Biker Debbie Baker said her first Bike Week was in 1980. “We come every year because we made friends down here,” she said. “We ride. Drink. But we don’t ride and drink. We’re smarter than that.”Biker JR Zelenty shows off his pins from past Bike Weeks on March. For the past 40 years, he has been traveling from New Jersey to Florida to ride with friends in St. Augustine. “It’s the place to be,” Zelenty said. “It’s the oldest city in this country. We check out the [Cathedral Basilica] church. We get our picture taken here every year.” His leather jacket belonged to his late brother; he now wears it every Bike Week in his honor.Biker Suzanne Johnson of Virginia said her bandana reflects her personality on March 10. She has been riding motorcycles for three years, while her husband, JohhnyG, has been riding for 42 years. This is the second year they have been to St. Augustine. “We’re going to do the Fort, Pizza Time and the Basilica,” JohhnyG said.Harley-Davidsons are a common sight during Bike Week. Visiting from Wisconsin, Reini said this is his 6th Bike Week. After spending time in Daytona, he drove up to St. Augustine with a group of friends. “We go for a bike ride, have beers and go out for dinner afterwards,” he said. “It’s always a good comradery with everybody around.” Share this:TwitterFacebookLike Loading... Related