Fall bike rally in full swing despite ordinances

Wednesday was the first day of the Harley-Davidson fall motorcycle rally. Organizers said this year's rally is progressing like any other, but many those involved aren't sure how many of this week's participants will be back in the spring.

By: Thema Ponton | SCNow
Published: October 01, 2008

Wednesday was the first day of the Harley-Davidson fall motorcycle rally, known as 'The Pilgrimage.'

Dozens of vendors are set up at several locations, like the main Harley-Davidson store on Highway 17, and Barefoot Landing on the north end.

Rally organizer Mike Shank said this year's rally is progressing like any other.

Many bikers who came to the area for the rally said because of the 15 new ordinances passed by Myrtle Beach city council, designed to end the May rallies, they were not coming.

"Well we started not to come, for one thing, but we'd already made a committment so we decided to come on down, but we won't come back in May, along with a lot of others," said Gerald Cunningham from Virginia.

Myrtle Beach spokesman Mark Kruea said, "We are not trying to get rid of bikers, we want to eliminate the two back to back rallies (in May). Some people use the rallies as an excuse to do things that exceed the law. Bikers who ride lawfully are welcome 365 days a year."

The fall rally runs through October 5.