This fall’s Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally takes place in just a couple more weeks – starting Thursday, September 30^th and wrapping up on Sunday, October 2^nd. As was the case with this year’s spring rally, the Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa will once again play host to this autumn’s rally, a move that will undoubtedly continue to surprise some. However, if you are a concerned Bay Point resident or local and you didn’t get a chance to see the layout for yourself back in May, here’s a couple of things to bear in mind. The venue is contained entirely within the grounds and convention rooms of the Marriott itself and does not take place anywhere else in Bay Point. Bikes enter and exit the venue at the Marriott entrance only and so there is no motorcycle traffic throughout the residential area. And being a newer venue and a few miles off the beach, there is no overcrowding or excessive noise. In fact in my humble opinion, the event was well organized and actually seems like a really great spot for bikers to get away from the crowds and enjoy a wide variety of vendors, custom bike shows, live music and entertainment.

When I talked about this issue back before the last rally in May my article was met with a great deal of negative feedback, mainly because I think it was hard for people to put “Thunder Beach” and “Bay Point” together, and the pairing was the last thing anyone expected. But after seeing the venue for myself and talking to some of the bikers, I believe that this could be a really good fit, and I’m hoping that this fall, the Bay Point Marriott Resort venue is just as successful and everyone has a great time.

Other Thunder Beach 2010 Fall Rally venues are: Sharkey’s, Pineapple Willy’s, Club La Vela, Shoppes at Edgewater, Laketown Wharf and Frank Brown Park.

***Hot off the Press – While the brand new Harley Davidson store won’t be open in time for this year’s rally – Harley Davidson told us it is expected to open early 2011.***

For more details, go to the official Thunder Beach Website.

from www.PanamaCityBeachHarley.com

You’ve driven past the sign probably a thousand times since it was posted; some of you passing with excitement, others with disdain. Either way, Harley Davidson Motor Cycles is coming to Panama City Beach. The acceleration lane headed West from the intersection of Panama City Beach Parkway and Gulf Blvd is almost complete and the crews have one more layer of asphalt to lay. After that, its vroom, vrooom!

Businesses like Harley Davidson moving into our area is always a good thing, a sign of the economic prosperity to be had on our wonderful beaches. However, we at PCBDaily.com have read the comments (see exhibit A) about Bike Week and although we are fans of the event, the chromed-out weekend remains one of PCB’s most polarizing topics. Some love it, some hate. Harley Davidson’s arrival onto our beach can only mean that the bike week has more staying power than many realize.

We expect construction to begin soon on the latest addition to the Harley Davidson family of Dealers.

This construction appears to be the first of the “Commercial Opportunities” that are offered by the St. Joe Company along Panama City Beach Parkway (or Back Beach Road, as some still call it). This and other land parcels are convenient to Frank Brown Park and Pier Park.

As growth continues on Panama City Beach… We’ll keep you posted!