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06-13-2018, 08:50 PM | #1 | |
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And might I add this...
Quote:
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06-13-2018, 09:10 PM | #2 |
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Aging is for the young....
Thought I'd share another...Not sure why they are posting 90 degrees off.
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06-13-2018, 09:18 PM | #3 |
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I think the vest makes him look heavy. I'll bet he could outrun most of us.
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06-13-2018, 09:42 PM | #4 |
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06-14-2018, 05:38 AM | #5 | |
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This year there is a significant decrease in the number of police officers at the event. Several years ago it seemed that every 10th vehicle that went by was a police cruiser or motorcycle. That did not help attendance. There were also numerous officers on foot in past years but the number is considerably less this year. Bike Week is in decline and people tire of attending only to see the same T-shirts and leather gear every year. If something new is not done to stop the decline in attendance Bike Week will soon be a distant memory. It seemed the recent attempt to bring in concerts with big name performers may have had a positive effect but that disaster ended up losing $75,000. To some the decline may be a welcome change but to the Weirs area business who depend on that income to support them it may be another nail in the coffin. |
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06-14-2018, 08:07 AM | #6 | |
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I have said it again and again, its really not the vendors and the same merchandise that are the problem. The event has spread out over the state, there are people that never even come down to the Wiers.... The problem is one of having nice facilities. Putting together a nice set of warehouse buildings in one of the fields that is use for vendors, would help tremendously so that people can get out of the sun or rain and vendors will not be trying to cram everything in under neath temporary shelters... Not to mention these buildings could have other uses attracting more events to the area. Then top that off with a nice permanent stage that could be used for performances, and you would have a top notch facility right at the Weirs... The problem is there is no incentive for the land owners do develop the property.... The term I have often used, is for a convention center to be developed... with open area, some buildings and a stage... Car shows, bike week, boat shows, etc etc could all benefit from such an undertaking... but I don't think the city of Laconia wants that, or at least they are not willing to provide incentives to make an investor want to develop the land.... If I was an investor and had a sizable piece of land that sold out for bike week, and that paid my taxes plus put a few thousand dollars every year in my pocket... I wouldn't be looking to do more either, unless the State or City made it worth my while...... Bottom line the City and State need to make it worth while for investors to develop the weirs back into an area that people want to be... and event organizers want to flock too... until that happens, the Weirs, and bike week will continue to decline.
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06-14-2018, 08:11 AM | #7 | |
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06-14-2018, 09:03 AM | #8 |
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Incredible Video - Bike Week Vintage Footage!
Incredible Video - Bike Week Vintage Footage!
Completely unsure if this FaceBook video link will work, but it is incredible footage from the 60’s! https://www.facebook.com/10000407674...8020516010493/ |
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06-14-2018, 09:13 AM | #9 | |
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06-14-2018, 09:17 AM | #10 |
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was thinking the same exact thing
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06-14-2018, 10:23 AM | #11 |
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06-14-2018, 12:20 PM | #12 |
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Agreed
The other issue is that the demographics of bike week are in the wrong direction. The millennial interest in motorcycles and the associated culture is much less than that of our generation. We went to the hill climb yesterday (great event) and the crowd was clearly in their 50s, 60s and 70s predominantly. So over time, this is going to be a losing proposition. In addition, there is an opportunity cost in that it does displace some of the normal seasonal revenue.
Redevelopment of the Weirs to be a more contemporary (and a bit more upscale) area would probably be economically desirable. This is what happened with Hampton Beach (although most of it had to be rebuilt due to a fire). Jetskier |
06-14-2018, 12:15 PM | #13 | |
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06-14-2018, 09:42 AM | #14 | |
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While there are many things about Bike Week that are really cool, hundreds of loud bikes with a lingering whiff of bikers' bad boy history fall somewhere between irritating and intimidating for many non bikers. This is the opposite direction of where cash typically flows. |
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06-14-2018, 03:10 PM | #15 | |
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The Weirs has stayed stuck in time not because of the persona of bike week. But rather because the business have limited time to make their money. The owner don't want to make huge investments, when they don't see their profits increasing... When government gives tax incentives, Like agreeing not to raise property Taxes for X number of years, after a major investment, it makes an investor think about improving the property, and be able to improve business revenue, and having breathing room to make that happen before getting a more expensive tax bill.... It would take a convention facility a couple of years to build up events, and generate a positive cash flow after making the initial investment... People have a stigma about bikers that is routed in a time gone by. They need to let it go... Yes there are some bad apples... but you can say that about boaters, hikers, etc.... If I had the money, I would love to by one of the larger pieces of land and develop it... It would be a risk worth taking... but only if the Town and State agreed to not riase taxes until I could get the building in place and start generate some positive income.....
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06-14-2018, 04:28 PM | #16 | |
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Let us on the forum read it also..that is if you want to. Executive Summary Business Description Market Analysis Organization Management Sales Strategies Funding Requirements Financial Projections
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06-14-2018, 05:34 PM | #17 |
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There should be a consolidated thread with all the other threads regarding what to do with the weirs.
Despite seeing it first hand it's still a little jolting to watch that movie and see many of the same places in the same spot 50 years later. All the plans come back to the same thing. How to make money in the 6+ months when there are few tourists or make enough in the summer to carry over. I took some people on a Mount cruise last summer who had never been to NH before and after they bought some fudge and a key chain they were done with everything the weirs has to offer in about five minutes flat. Too bad but I think nothing is ever going to happen unless there is a muti million $ effort to gut the whole place at once into some sort of resort destination. I could see a benefit in some sort of event park. A bunch of open air shed type buildings would not be too expensive and could be used for all sorts of parties, swap meet, concerts, car shows, etc and in the winter maybe boat storage. But where? Needs to be big and fairly flat and really no need to be near the weirs anyway. Gunstock comes to mind or maybe the top of the hill where shangrila used to be. Or airport plaza after that all folds up. |
06-14-2018, 10:43 PM | #18 | |
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In the pic, note the billy club.
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06-14-2018, 10:54 PM | #19 |
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Art is in the details...
With thousands of bikes, a few things stand out, if you find them.
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06-18-2018, 08:54 AM | #20 | |
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06-18-2018, 10:18 AM | #21 |
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I noticed substantially more bikers using full-face helmets and safety gear than I've ever seen before, even on "cruiser-style" bikes where you'd normally see no helmet (or one of those pointless plastic yarmulkes) and no gear. That's a great trend.
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06-18-2018, 11:42 AM | #22 |
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I can't imagine not wearing a helmet - at least I stand a chance with mine on. This past weekend I did notice a lot more riders with helmets - maybe they were from states that require them, but it was nice to see. Then again, I'm glad that NH let's those who ride decide.
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06-18-2018, 11:46 AM | #23 | |
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06-18-2018, 10:18 AM | #24 |
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I have done the same. As you say the cost to purchase from an existing owner will not yield the "cap rate' necessary to justify the purchase. There are better opportunities in the area for real estate investment income.
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06-18-2018, 10:27 AM | #25 |
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I've said it many times (and I'm sure other's have also), the Wiers has such potential, with it's unique charm and features: The lake, The Boardwalk, The Train, The Pier, The Beach, The Iconic Sign, The Mountains, The View!
If the business owners won't do it, the Chamber of Commerce should. There could be a (not that I personally like any or all of these):
Have events that bring people of different demographic and economic backgrounds, nothing will appeal to everyone. Once the area starts picking up, there will no longer be a need to have events to create a draw. Look at what Meredith, Wolfboro and Alton have done, their waterfronts look beautiful and have much less to offer. Or take a trip to Lake George and see how that area looks! Is it just that no one has any vision, or there just is no drive to do this? I'd think after a bit of time, those that own business's there would start to thrive, but all we have now is worn out looking arcades and such. It looks like some updates have happened, the boardwalk has been improved, the roads, curbs, etc. This is a start, but how can business be encouraged to clean up and improve things? Do they need a tax break or some other incentive to update things? At least those that purchased the Winnipesaukee Pier seem to have some vision and are slowly improving things!
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06-18-2018, 07:50 PM | #26 |
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06-19-2018, 05:40 AM | #27 |
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06-19-2018, 05:46 AM | #28 |
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Anyone who says a helmet resticts their line of sight is either full of crap or is wearing an improperly fitted helmet.
I've always worn a full face helmet and not once had my vision obstructed by it....this was both on the street and during my time as a licensed racer (where full helmets are mandatory). Sure, there are riders who will balk at the cost of a halfway decent lid yet their excuse is usually along the lines of "it's restrictive, can't see, too hot, etc" but the $300 to $600 every 5 years seems to me like cheap insurance. I've had the pleasure of whacking my head on the ground while wearing a helmet. It's not fun but it's why I'm alive and posting. I'd rather sweat than bleed. To each their own. |
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06-19-2018, 06:04 AM | #29 |
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A Success?
The city proclaimed that Bike Week was a success this year with great weather and large crowds.
I was in the Weirs area every day and the crowds and traffic still seem to be less every year, including this year. Coupled with the fact that there were numerous accidents, including three fatalities, I am not quite sure that I would be so quick to call it a success. I guess it depends on your perspective. https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...7ae6d5824.html |
06-19-2018, 06:17 AM | #30 | |
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In the end, though I don't ride, I think it's a cool event that, with some investment--both for the week and area as a whole--could be even better. Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk |
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06-19-2018, 11:07 AM | #31 |
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Back to the cost of living factors...
1975 had no cell phone bills 1975 had no internet service provider bills 1975 health insurance was much cheaper 1975 people ate out much less 1975 was the year I graduated high school and probably the last year in which I had no concern about finances. |
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06-20-2018, 12:20 PM | #32 | |
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06-20-2018, 12:55 PM | #33 | |
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A family plan now is 4 times that with $25 co pays and $4000 deductibles for each person. That's insane! I'm a year away from Medicare and it will cost me more at 65 to get less coverage for just me and my wife than it cost for complete coverage back then when I had a family of 5. |
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06-19-2018, 07:00 PM | #34 |
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We didn't stay for the full week of Bike Week. I and the dogs love the rumble of the bikes. Back at home I have met several who attended bike week on the weekend but alas had to work during the week. I met one young man who won his bike in the raffle.
On another count, we always bought things when we could pay cash. So after many years seeing my F-I-L buying a car every 2 years or so after paying off the loan, I wised up. Credit allows all sorts of purchases altho we pay cash for autos. Also keep them long time, putting 1,2,3 hundred thousand miles on each. One had 330 thousand + and was replaced only because I told my wife I wanted to make it new, new paint, replacing some interior leather. No problems with the engine. We were coming home and she said "drive to the dealer". Heck, just so happened that an auto just arrived that we both loved. So we bought that and donated ours to charity. Drove that one for open air on weekends mostly until another one entered our view. Guess what. No, the old one was not donated. Given to our son since these stay in families. I got off subject, using credit was a boon to financial well being. ---------------------------------------------- I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic |
06-19-2018, 07:33 AM | #35 | |
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Dan
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06-19-2018, 08:42 AM | #36 |
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Question for anyone:
Do you think if NH had a helmet law that it would hurt Bike week?
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06-19-2018, 10:11 AM | #37 | |
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Additionally you would find that during bike week people would not pay attention to the law, and law enforcement would be to concentrated on other more important duties during the week of the event.
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06-19-2018, 05:26 PM | #38 | |
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You don't think people without helmets would be cited if NH had a helmet law? I have seen police officers standing on the side of the road watching for any violation. When a rider stopped in heavy traffic on a hot day raised his face shield to vent some heat he was stopped for no eye protection. I have seen UNH Campus Police stop someone with a can of Coke and demand to smell the Coke. For many, many years there were too many police officers with nothing to do except interact with motorcycle riders. This year there was a noticeable decrease in the number of police officers passing by and it was a welcome change. I still believe it is too little, too late. It would take some big changes to revive Bike Week and I, for one, don't see that on the horizon. |
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06-19-2018, 05:36 PM | #39 | |
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06-14-2018, 07:18 PM | #40 | |
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I think it's awesome that 60+ y.o. guys head out on the open road with their bikes and wives/girlfriends holding on. I especially admire the couples who are a bit infirm, but refuse to let that keep them off their bikes. But the last time I was at The Tamarack during Bike Week, it was literally impossible to hold a conversation across the picnic table because hundreds were roaring by throughout the entire meal. You're dreaming if you think that's not a turn off for 90% of the population. |
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06-14-2018, 07:41 PM | #41 |
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Every year for the past umteen years this same conversation appears on this forum how bike week is dieing...based on the crowds I saw this afternoon at the Weirs when I was there, it’s not going anywhere soon....
95 years and counting! Dan
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06-14-2018, 11:04 PM | #42 |
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I agree... been here since Tuesday. It's changed a lot for sure but it's not going away any time soon.
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06-18-2018, 08:52 AM | #43 | |
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I don't like craft fairs, especially ones held out side, with the jungles of little white shelters... and I know I am not the only one... I don't complain about it, I just don't go around it. If people can't deal with a the single week of bike week, we have deeper problems....
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06-14-2018, 03:04 PM | #44 |
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He might even be an "Italian".
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