Ray Price Capital City Bikefest – 2008

Custom choppers line Fayetteville Street.

The loud, vibrating “vroom, vroom” echoed in my ears, as Jeff nudged me to move out of the way.  Several custom Harley-Davidson choppers were navigating our direction through a sea of pedestrians spilling onto Fayetteville Street for the fourth annual Ray Price Capital City Bikefest.

Designed as a two-day family event to bring bikers and non-bikes together, the Ray Price Capital City Bikefest, presented by Nationwide Insurance, showcases the Harley-Davidson lifestyle, which extends beyond owning a bike.

“This is the largest free event of its kind in North Carolina,”  according to Lyn Woods, an event volunteer. “Last year, over a hundred thousand people attended the event, and I think we have at least that many this year,” Woods added.

Woods went on to say, “It’s just a great way for everyone to get together and find out what Harley’s are all about.”

Lining several blocks of Fayetteville Street, vendors were selling the ever-important biker gear: helmets, chaps, jackets, and more at reasonable rates.  We found a tremendous bargain on leather chaps and a heavy-duty leather jacket. Both of them just for $100.

Nationwide Insurance, the shows presenting sponsor,  staged their pavilion next to the Ray Price Harley-Davidson bike showcase on Fayetteville Street.  Taking center stage of the Nationwide Insurance pavilion were two custom choppers featuring the company’s slogan “Life comes at you fast” laser engraved on the exhaust pipe.  Drivers of all ages could virtually experience riding the open road through VR games.

Speaking from personal experience, there’s nothing quite like riding on the back of a bike. Although, I’m not a biker babe, yet, the Harley sentiment that “everything changes once you get on a bike” is starting to have some true meaning for me. So, do yourself a favor, if someone invites you out for a ride, go for it.  You never know what adventure is around the corner.

Video From Ray Price Capital City Bike Fest

Web sites referenced:

http://www.harley-davidson.com

http://www.rayprice.com/

http://capitalcitybikefest.com/