America's Biggest, Baddest, Bike Show Invaded Knoxville on February 5th
By John Disque
EasyRider Bike Show travels all over the country. Their attendance numbers have been up by over 300%, and the market is continuing to increase as true artists are coming out of the woodwork to showcase their talents. On Friday, February 5, the show made it to the Knoxville Convention Center in downtown Knoxville.
What an event! Everyone remotely concerned with art, motorcycles, city support, music, family outings, daredevils, biker lifestyles, and American freedom was there. I ran into so many old friends that I had trouble getting my job done, but I did eventually manage to capture 75 awesome pictures and, hopefully, a better understanding and insight for the general public.
Everywhere you turned was the sound and the price of freedom: true all American freedom. Nothing spells "do it your way" like this event. When a real artist is cut loose on a motorcycle something fascinating happens. It's almost beyond explanation: It's not just a conversation piece that's going to hang on some art gallery wall - it's a functioning, detailed, jaw-dropping machine that can take you from yesterday's boredom to everything this country has stood and fought for.
Included in the event was: A kid's zone, a lady's area, vintage bikes going as far back as 1914-Indians (An American company founded in 1901), bikes made by Harley Davidson which were used during WW2, celebrity appearances, 250 custom motorcycles, a stunt show, world famous custom builders, live music performances, raffles, audience participation, biker apparel, leather repair, food, custom air-brushing and much more. In short, there was plenty to keep everyone entertained and smiling.
While everything went smoothly there were two downers involving the event: 1. I wish it had been scheduled for two or three days as there was just too much to take in for one day and I was limited on time the day of the event. 2. The event was somewhat tainted with overblown security. Everywhere you looked was someone standing at attention like they were guarding Fort Knox and expecting mayhem to break loose. For me it was somewhat distracting and sad. Although it's gotten somewhat better over the years, the same old ridiculous stigma still exists when the reality is: There's an almost unspoken brother/sisterhood among most of the attendance. Most would be the first to help you in your time of need. It has to be hard to be so misunderstood but maybe that's part of what inspires their incredible level of creativity.
I knew the Knoxville Daily Sun would regret it if we didn't attend so I attended, and it was nothing short of incredible.
Published February 7, 2011
