Saliva rocks Sandusky - Now With Video!
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By AMANDA GODFREY
The tremendous growl of engines Thursday afternoon meant one thing:
The bikers were coming.
Bikers following the Ohio Bike Week circuit have been scattered throughout the area for events during the past week, but Thursday they arrived downtown — 10 for every one car.
“I stood right there as a group came riding through,” Ted Gale said, pointing to the curb alongside Cabana Jacks. “You could feel the whoosh of wind. It was pretty cool.”
Community workers labored intently for days, stringing lights and “Welcome Bikers” signs throughout downtown. Strings of orange-and-black flags were draped from building to building.
“I wish Sandusky had more stuff like this,” Gale said.
As far as the eye could see, wagons, tables and booths were stocked with products targeting the anticipated audience. From sunglasses to food, baked goods, cologne, leather and cowboy hats, vendors from all over the country worked in multi-colored tents, hoping to make a large profit.
Parked on Columbus Avenue from Washington Street to Water Street, motorcycles took over the pavement blocked off to all other motorists.
Those driving downtown to catch a glimpse of the early stages of the invasion parked more than a few blocks away.
“Just wait until Saturday,” Gale said. “There won’t be standing room.”
A stage went up next to Daly’s in less than a day, showcasing crowd favorite Saliva on Thursday and awaiting the weekend musical talent of, among others, the Earthquakers and Breakfast Club.
“I like how they’ve got this set up,” Marc Lahuene said. “I can park my bike down by the bars, walk up to that patio at Daly’s, enjoy a beer and watch a great band. What more could a guy ask for?”
So, what do bikers look for when cruising the streets of America’s Roller Coast?
“If we’re going to ride in from all across the U.S., we want to be welcomed,” Tim Stacey said. “We don’t want to be looked at with the dirty stereotype that seems to precede the word biker. We’re patronizing your town because we want to. If you want our business, treat us like anyone else. Open your bars up, serve us some beers, and a little conversation doesn’t hurt either.”
Sasha Norman said the bikers look for freedom.
“We want to come in, have a good time and not be confined to one space,” he said. “We also look for, obviously, small things we can throw together and take home and the necessities — good food, beer, some smokes and some water to calm us down.”
How long are you guys gonna