Episode 472 - Talking with Holly from Ohio Bike Week

Hello boys and girls,

Welcome to episode 472 of the Motorcycle Men Podcast. I’m here as always in the corner booth at the V‑Twin Café. Today on the show, we’re sitting down with Holly Duttera. Holly is one of the key people behind Ohio Bike Week, the massive annual rally in Sandusky, Ohio that brings riders from all over the country for concerts, rides, vendors, and a full week of motorcycle mayhem. We’re going to dig into what’s new for 2026, what attendees can expect this year, and how the rally continues to grow and evolve.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:24

Hello, boys and girls, and welcome to episode 472 of the Motorcycle Man Podcast. I'm Ted, your host, and I'm here in the corner booth at the V Twin Cafe. As always, hey, today on the show, we're sitting down with Holly Duterro. Now, Holly is one of the key people behind Ohio Bike Week, this massive annual rally in Sandusky, Ohio, that brings riders from all over the country for concerts, rides, vendors, and a full week of motorcycle mayhem. Okay, we're going to dig into what's new for 2026 at the rally and what attendees can expect for this year and how the rally continues to grow and evolve. But before we get into that, this episode is brought to you by, of course, our friends over at Scorpion Helmets, offering high quality, innovative motorcycle helmets and technical apparel at an incredible value. So to learn more, get on over to scorpionusa.com and of course our friends over at Wildass Seats. Now you can improve your comfort and ability to stay in the saddle longer with a cushion from Wildass Seats. So if you're tired of those painful pressure points and fatigue, go to wild-ass dot com and tell the real Craig Johnson your ass hurts. I'll get you a cushion, alright? And a Viking Bags. Now the world leader in motorcycle luggage and one of the fastest growing companies in motorcycle parts. Now luggage for whatever you need, whatever you ride, and wherever you go. And as always, Tobacco Motorware for the best in casual riding gear for men and women. There is only one place you should be going, and that is Dave's Pants. That's right, get in Tobacco Motorware. Visit them at tobaccomotor.com. That's tobaccomotorware.com. And our listeners will get 10% off your order when you use the code Motomen. Now your safety is worth it. So get it to Dave's Pants. Time now for that little chat with Holly. And we're back, boys and girls, here on the Motorcycle Men Podcast, joining me all the way from sunny Sandusky, Ohio. We have uh Holly Duterra with uh Ohio Bike Week. Holly, how you doing? I'm good. How are you, Ted? Doing good, doing good. Glad to have you back to talk about the 2026 Ohio Bike Week Rally. So, for those who don't know who you are, and I don't know why anybody would not know because you've been on the show before, just tell us who you are and what you are doing.

SPEAKER_03 2:53

So I am Steve's assistant. I am one of the team leads here for Ohio Bike Week, and we're rolling into setting things up. So all those key components of bands, logistics, no blue.

SPEAKER_00 3:07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 3:08

That's what I'm doing.

SPEAKER_00 3:09

All right, now so Ohio Bike Week is has grown into one of the biggest rallies in the Midwest now. Can you walk us through how it all began and how the event has evolved into what riders will experience this year?

SPEAKER_03 3:23

Yes. Um, so it started about 26 years ago. Steve Ernst. Yeah, Steve Ernst started it with our local um Carly Davidson dealership. They ended up closing up before it came to fruition. And Steve took ownership of the whole thing. So he's been putting this together all these years, and it's kind of evolved through the years of locations, um, size, you know, venue. So we had years ago we used to use the fairgrounds, we no longer use the fairgrounds. We've had the Margaritaville campus. Um at this point, we still utilize the Harley Davidson dealership, we utilize the Barrel House, and then we utilize the Jackson Street Pier for all the main national music acts.

SPEAKER_00 4:11

Ah, okay. Now, as far as goes for the backstory of the rally, has the original mission of the rally changed or you know, the purpose of the rally? Has it changed since it began into what it is today?

SPEAKER_03 4:25

Um, I don't know that the purpose has changed, but it has definitely evolved to something like, you know, we're everyone's family, not just the staff that works here, but I mean, people love coming and seeing each other. I mean, we have people that come from many states away every year, you know, with their friends. So it's it's become, you know, a family within the event itself.

SPEAKER_00 4:50

Oh, okay. Now this rally, this year's rally looks pretty packed. You got a lot of stuff going on. Can you break down for us the the major events that are happening for 2026 and maybe what makes each one like a must-see experience for the attendees?

SPEAKER_03 5:06

Sure. Um, so during the event, we have different rides available each day. Um, those rides are specific to, you know, we have a ladies' ride, we have a poker run, there's a brewery tour, um, ride the circuit, we have a dash for cash. Kelly's Island dice run is one of my favorites because I actually go over to the island and I register everybody. Um, that's a cool one specifically because you ride around the island and you stop and you either roll the dice or you get a stamp at each of the venues um on the island. So the ferry halls, I don't know, last year we had several thousand bikes over on the island.

SPEAKER_00 5:48

Really? Wow.

SPEAKER_03 5:49

Yeah, it's very cool. Wow. And then uh we have Jesse James Dupree from Jackal does a charity ride, and that one goes out around like the coast um up along the lake through Lakeside, you know. So that's kind of a special one, and it's a charity ride. And then we have a winery tour, and then we have the George Rotor Memorial Parade, which comes in from Monroville. Um so Rotor was the dealership that was initially associated with Bike Week, you know.

SPEAKER_00 6:16

So you got a lot to do. You got a lot going on this year. Wow.

SPEAKER_03 6:21

We do now as well, all the national music acts too.

SPEAKER_00 6:25

Right. Now, aside from aside from the the rides and the concerts, what else is happening?

SPEAKER_03 6:31

So we'll have vendors, um, vendors here on the pier, vendors on the second pier, and then vendors out at Mad River of you know, everything imaginable, you know, jewelry, leather, you know, products for your bikes, um food trucks of all varieties, you know, really good ones.

SPEAKER_00 6:51

Now we'll talk about the vendors in a moment. Uh, but let's let's talk about the concerts. Now they're always a huge drawer for the uh for the rally. Who's taking the stage this year and what can fans expect uh in terms of the concerts?

SPEAKER_03 7:05

So this year we have, as always, we have Jesse James Dupree and Jackal on Thursday night.

SPEAKER_02 7:11

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 7:12

Um they are definitely a fan favorite and a big draw. Um, so Thursday, Jesse does the charity ride, and then that night he performs. So everybody loves that. And then Friday, um, we have a special guest that has not been announced yet. So we have about two weeks to go on that announcement. So you'll have to tune into Mobile Bike Week uh um on Facebook and watch for that announcement. And then Saturday we have um Ted's his name. Ted Kiefer from Cinderella.

SPEAKER_00 7:44

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Tom Kiefer. Tom Kiefer, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 7:46

Tom Kiefer, sorry.

SPEAKER_00 7:48

Wow, awesome. That sounds like a great show. Now that's that's that's Thursday, Friday, Saturday that's happening, right? Yes, yes. Oh, okay. So Jackal on Thursday, Tom Kiefer on Friday, and the special headliner on Saturday that nobody knows about but you. Right? Wow. All right, okay. Uh now let's let's talk about the vendors. Uh, that's a big thing. You guys have a lot of vendors. What types of vendors will be on site this year, and how many vendors are you gonna have? Uh, and is there any new additions to the vendor list for this year?

SPEAKER_03 8:23

Um, there's always different vendors that come. Yeah, um, because our our team works hard, you know, to make sure we have a different mix up each year, you know, so there's always a good draw. There's, like I said, leather, clothing, jewelry, there's raffles. You know, I know there's two different bikes being raffled off. Um, one is for a bait of Ohio, and then the other one is done from one of the vendors. Um, you know, so there's a million different things to see and do at all three campuses, you know. Third campus being just the second weekend, though.

SPEAKER_00 9:00

Oh, okay. Now, it's how many do you know how many vendors total you all have at the uh I do not.

SPEAKER_03 9:05

I want to say I would say it's somewhere between 80 and 100.

SPEAKER_00 9:12

Wow, that's a lot. And uh are the vast majority of them gonna be in Sandusky?

SPEAKER_03 9:19

Uh well they'll either be here at the pier or they'll be out at Mad River, yes.

SPEAKER_00 9:26

Oh, okay. Now is well, I we'll we'll I guess we'll get into this in a moment, but as far as it goes for the city of Sandusky, are they shutting down the roads for you?

SPEAKER_03 9:34

They do.

SPEAKER_00 9:35

Really?

SPEAKER_03 9:35

They do help us out, they give us a lot of flexibility in leeway and develop, you know, a traffic plan and we try to accommodate the residents, you know, in every way possible.

SPEAKER_00 9:45

Right. So they're very receptive to the whole uh rattle thing, really.

SPEAKER_03 9:49

They are.

SPEAKER_00 9:50

Oh. Now, how does how do the local uh residents and the people in the town feel about it?

SPEAKER_03 9:55

Uh generally, you know, I mean, we have most of the residents come down and participate.

SPEAKER_00 9:59

Oh, there you go.

SPEAKER_03 10:00

They love this event, you know, because it's it's a big deal for Sandusky to host something like this.

SPEAKER_00 10:05

Sure. That's all the a lot of revenue coming into town.

SPEAKER_03 10:08

It's a lot of revenue. Oh, yeah. A lot of people, and you know, I mean, it's cool to meet people from all over the country, you know, that have come together for, you know, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:17

Bike week. All right, so well, you know what one of the things we didn't mention is that the dates of the rally are May 29th through June 6th.

SPEAKER_03 10:26

That is correct.

SPEAKER_00 10:27

Okay, so with those dates in mind, let's talk about the organized rides. Uh there are some signature rides that you guys have, including roots and themes and stuff like that. What are some of the I know you mentioned some of them already, but let's get into detail about these, when these rides are and what can riders expect with them.

SPEAKER_03 10:45

Um, sure. So, like the ladies' ride, that's a fun one because there's a lot of women's groups, you know, so that's one that's specifically tailored and geared, you know, that the women will ride together. Um then we've got the huge ass charity poker run, which is fun.

SPEAKER_02 11:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 11:04

Um there's a little bit of something for everybody. The brewery tour will be great because that'll stop at quite a few of the local breweries in the area. Ride the circuit, we'll be riding around, you know, round the lake. Um the dash for cash. We couldn't use some of that these days.

SPEAKER_00 11:23

Well, when you say ride around the lake, are you what what what uh does um they'll ride like the circuit because we're right up along Lake Erie, so they'll ride.

SPEAKER_03 11:34

Um that one and Jesse James ride both will travel along the lake.

SPEAKER_00 11:41

Oh, really? Oh, okay. All right, so it's not like you're actually riding around the lake.

SPEAKER_03 11:46

No, you're not going all the way around because that would put you in Canada.

SPEAKER_00 11:50

You're not doing that. Gotcha. Gotcha, gotcha. Um now I'm sorry, you now you're talking about this other ride, the Dash for Cash.

SPEAKER_03 11:58

Dash for Cash.

SPEAKER_00 12:00

Um How does that work?

SPEAKER_03 12:02

That one is on, let me see here. The date is June 2nd, and that one you'll ride, and it's kind of like a twist on a poker run.

SPEAKER_02 12:17

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 12:19

I don't have a lot more detail to share with you this long one. But it's not a secret, but I don't have all the details on that one.

SPEAKER_00 12:26

But there's cash involved.

SPEAKER_03 12:27

There's cash involved.

SPEAKER_00 12:29

All right. Now talk to me about uh the pier that you guys are gonna be hanging out on. That's now that's just part of the event, right? Where just some things happen out on the pier, correct?

SPEAKER_03 12:41

Yes. So we are located, our offices are here on the barrel house pier. So the barrel house is located right at water's edge, um, which is beautiful. And then we take over the second pier, which is right beside us. So Jackson Street Pier is owned by the city, and we take over that entire pier, which that's actually larger than ours.

SPEAKER_02 13:03

Okay, yeah, see that.

SPEAKER_03 13:04

That's where the national acts will perform, the stage will go in, okay, more vendors will be lined up and food trucks.

SPEAKER_00 13:12

Okay, so that's so basically that's on that pier. Uh the Barrow House Pier, and well, you well, no, the Jackson Street Pier is where everything is basically gonna be taking place now.

SPEAKER_03 13:22

And out at Mad River.

SPEAKER_00 13:23

And at Mad River. Okay.

SPEAKER_03 13:45

You know, where they park. Um so it just depends the day and the time. You know, in the evenings when the bikes start piling up, then we'll shut Water Street. Columbus Ave usually stays open until we do the parade, and then we shut that off. Oh, okay. We escort all of the you know, different rides and as well as the parade.

SPEAKER_00 14:04

Okay, now tell us about the parade. What exactly is the parade?

SPEAKER_03 14:09

So the parade starts out at Rotor's um Harley Davidson, Rotors uh motorcycle, um, not Harley. They are out in Monroville and they will uh form the parade. There's gonna be, I don't know how many bikes, thousands and thousands of bikes from you know, they line them up out there, they're right beside an airstrip, and they'll line them up in multiple rows. So it takes it takes a while to get them all launched out of there. And they will ride from Monroville all the way through downtown Sandusky, you know, under the overpass into downtown Sandusky, and then they will end up you know landing here at uh Columbus Ave.

SPEAKER_00 14:47

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 14:48

In the center of things.

SPEAKER_00 14:49

Wow, that sounds like quite the thing there.

SPEAKER_03 14:53

It is, it's it's it's it's a cool event because the streets are all lined. Yeah, everybody comes out, has their lawn chairs to, you know, to wave. You know, sometimes there's candy, you know, people will throw out what have you.

SPEAKER_02 15:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 15:07

Um, but they do, they love that event. You know, just it's so cool to hear that thunderous roar, you know, as they land downtown.

SPEAKER_00 15:14

Uh, as far as goes for attendance, what do you guys expect? Well, for do you know what you had for attendance last year?

SPEAKER_03 15:21

Uh, I don't off the top of my head. Um, we generally have over a hundred thousand people attending. Oh, wow. Now, this year, because of the way Memorial Day falls, it somewhat extends the event, you know, because you have people that come in for Memorial Day and then stay, you know, for the beginning of bike week, may not stay for the second weekend. Um, so it I would expect really good attendance, you know, and good weather this year.

SPEAKER_00 15:47

Wow, awesome.

SPEAKER_03 15:48

So I would expect to surpass last year's numbers.

SPEAKER_00 15:50

Wow. Okay. Now, for the first time, somebody who's going here for the first time, okay, what should they know about navigating around the rally, parking, venues, schedules, and the best way to make the most of their time there?

SPEAKER_03 16:06

So I would be booking something now. Um, the sooner the better, because the prices, of course, do go up. It becomes like suitable, you know, for Sandusky. Um, I would book either a hotel or we have campgrounds that are nearby. We have one campground um out across from Kalahari that you know has space. It's close by, but it's not right downtown. Yeah. Um, and then we have a million hotels here because we are one of the best small cities in the country, and we have Cedar Point Amusement Park here. So you can kind of combine this, you know, and do other things besides just the rally. Yeah. You can take a break, go do an amusement park, go hang out at the campground for a bit, um, you know, break it up however you like. But we do have a lot of people that come in from out of town and out of state, so the sooner that you book, the better. Um, we also have uh different events during the day. Like we will have events out at Mad River where they have different demonstrations and contests, and then also um Mickey Mart Poles Energy sponsors a burnout. Um, so that's you know, live music, okay, giveaways, you know, and that's that's another fun thing, you know. So there's something to do all day, every day, yeah, before you can incorporate a lot of the fun things from this area.

SPEAKER_00 17:27

All right. And now Mad River Harley uh is roughly like 15 minutes from the pier.

SPEAKER_03 17:35

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 17:36

Right. Uh now you're down the road.

SPEAKER_03 17:39

Yep.

SPEAKER_00 17:40

Okay, yeah. So now you said there's a lot of things going on, vendors and such going on down here at Mad River as well, right?

SPEAKER_03 17:45

Yep. For the bar there, they have a lot of different food vendors, they will have all different, you know, uh, equipment vendors, uh clothing vendors, you know, like I said, jewelry, lights for the bikes, uh, polishing products, you know, all all different kinds of stuff.

SPEAKER_00 18:10

Okay. And there's a hotel right next door, too.

SPEAKER_03 18:13

So if you're walking, there's a hotel directly next door to it, yep, and there's 12 others you know, walking distance.

SPEAKER_00 18:20

You know, basically what I see when you look at the map of Sandusky, it it I I'm gonna have to say it this way. If you go to Ohio Bike Week and you get bored or hungry, it's your own fault.

SPEAKER_01 18:31

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 18:31

Right? It's all there. Everything you need is all there. Um so those first timers will, you know, they'll have a good time, you know, if they don't if they just have to be and get involved, right?

SPEAKER_03 18:44

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 18:45

Yeah. Wow. Now, Ohio Bike Week always brings uh you get this community vibe going on there. Now, what kind of partnerships have you guys set up and charities and local businesses this year and how do they help shape the rally?

SPEAKER_03 19:00

Um, well, we do have partnerships, like I said, with Mickey Mart. Um, so they sponsor the burnout event that's out at their location on 250, which is right not directly across from Mag River, but very close, proximity-wise. Um, and then we have partnerships with the local distributors. We have partnerships with um Kyle Wright, Progressive. Um, Kyle Wright's one of our local attorneys, and he's also one of our big sponsors. Um, Erie Shores and Islands. They also help promote the event, but of course, you know, they're sponsoring everything else around the area, so that's a you know a great partnership for both of us. Right. Um you know, we have uh partnerships with uh a lot of the local the charities that benefit from the different fundraisers that we do. Um the Jesse James ride is a big one, and we've over the years we've raised a lot of money for these different charities. We've also had about 20 different couples get married.

SPEAKER_00 20:04

Oh, that's cool.

SPEAKER_03 20:05

Yes. About one a year is what happens. It usually takes place out at Mad River.

SPEAKER_00 20:10

Oh, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_03 20:12

Usually the day of Jesse's ride.

SPEAKER_00 20:14

Oh, wow, okay. As far as goes for your sponsors, let me uh let me lay and let me lay it out for you. Uh we got we got progressive, of course, Mad River, Harley Davidson, Shores and Islands of Ohio, Barrel House, Mickey's. What's Mickey's?

SPEAKER_03 20:28

Mickey's Mart is uh coal energy, so that's the local uh gasoline.

SPEAKER_00 20:33

Oh, okay, all right. And then we have those good old boys at Budweiser and Jack Daniels, even sponsoring Twisted Tea, naturally, Harley Davidson, of course, Chet and Matt's Pizza. How is their pizza? Is it good?

SPEAKER_03 20:48

It's delicious. Really? So that's one of the local families that's also involved with Bike Week. And uh yeah, they their pizza is a tradition here in Sandusky because they're related to the other one that everyone loves uh downtown, Cameo Pizza, who also helps sponsor. Um, but yeah, they are delicious.

SPEAKER_00 21:10

Because you know, everybody travels, and one of the things everybody wants is good pizza. You know, yes, and there's some places you can go where you do there is no good pizza. So we have good pizza. Okay. You also have uh Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio, sponsoring. City of Sandusky, of course. Uh Twisted Tea, I mentioned earlier. Rotor Racing and Service is sponsoring.

SPEAKER_03 21:31

Um Rotors is where I said the parade starts.

SPEAKER_00 21:34

Oh, great, okay.

SPEAKER_03 21:35

Um, and they are really great and supportive, you know, and helping organize all of that and orchestrate those moving parts.

SPEAKER_00 21:41

Okay, we got uh Mike's Harder stuff. Uh this is the that's the drink, right? Mike's yeah, hard lemonade. Uh you got construction equipment and supply, Miller Boatline, MillerFerry.com, and construction supply. Uh that's rentals and sales service. Ken Gansley, Norwalk of Sandusky, that's uh uh Jim's. Steve Buick and Hyundai dealer. Yes. Wise heart right, trial lawyers, and Shanke's Whip made in Ireland. Is that that's a that's an alcohol, I imagine, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03 22:11

It is, and it's delicious.

SPEAKER_00 22:14

You you speak from experience, I suppose. I do.

SPEAKER_03 22:17

They were here giving samples last year.

SPEAKER_00 22:19

Oh, no way. That's all it was that I guess that was a crowded booth, wasn't it? Yes, it was. That's awesome. Let's talk about some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on, like the efforts and keeping everything running smoothly for the riders and visitors. How does that go?

SPEAKER_03 22:37

Um, well, it's a lot of moving parts, it's a lot of organization. Yeah. So we have, you know, all the details from renting the equipment, getting, you know, the bleachers here, getting the bike rails, having your fire extinguishers, you know, inspected, you know, getting with the fire department, getting with the city officials, you know, to map out what is the footprint that we're going to use this year.

SPEAKER_02 22:58

Right.

SPEAKER_03 22:59

Um, getting the rigger here who comes in, him and his son are both riggers, and they have to go up in all the equipment we get from the construction equipment. They go up and hang all of the banners on the light posts, you know, all down Water Street, all down the pier. Um, and then, you know, getting all the banners up on the bike rail, that's a me job.

SPEAKER_00 23:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 23:23

So you're there's a there's a lot that goes into this. Yeah. And you know, we've got the vendors um team that goes out and has to measure all the spots, map them off, make sure they have water and electricity, you know, and they do an amazing job, you know, but they have to make sure where we have generators, where the water supplies are, you know, placement of each of the vendors, you know, spreading out, you know, making sure we don't have two of something, you know, at the same place.

SPEAKER_00 23:49

Wow. So uh with regard to staff, how many people do you have putting this all together?

SPEAKER_03 23:59

Um I would say a good-sized team of 25.

SPEAKER_00 24:06

Oh, and 25 people, and you guys get this all together.

SPEAKER_03 24:09

It's probably less than that, but we have other people that will come in and help, like with box office, and you know, that's an integral part, even though it may not have um a long involvement, right? You know, from the first minute, but it does, you know, it's an integral part that we have to have somebody in the box office.

SPEAKER_00 24:30

Yeah, you get a lot of you get volunteers, you get volunteers as well.

SPEAKER_03 24:34

Uh we do. Oh we do get people that volunteer, you know, and then we have we probably have another 25 that are involved with traffic directing and security. So we have secure um locations at night, you know, both at the barrel house and out at Mad River, so we have security out there 24 hours a day.

SPEAKER_02 24:54

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_03 24:54

Now and then we have people at both ends of the street, people, you know, at Water Street, and people, you know, kind of monitoring the parking lots. You know, you have to show credentials to get in.

SPEAKER_02 25:04

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_03 25:05

And I know you asked me that for people that are attending for the first time. Right. There's parking downtown, and basically the parking is always free. There's parking also out at Mad River. You might have to walk a couple blocks, but there's a parking garage, you know, there's parking lots, there's plenty of parking.

SPEAKER_00 25:22

And it's all free.

SPEAKER_03 25:23

And it's all free.

SPEAKER_00 25:24

That's beautiful. That's a beautiful now. As far as it goes for the rally time-wise, uh, it's obviously not a 24-hour rally, is it? No. Okay. What time do you think shut down at night?

SPEAKER_03 25:36

The bands usually stop. Well, the bands at the barrel will go until like usually one during bike week. And then, you know, I think the bands the bar stays open until two.

SPEAKER_00 25:47

Wow, okay. All right, but everything cranks up usually around nine in the morning, you think?

SPEAKER_03 25:51

Uh, yes.

SPEAKER_00 25:52

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 25:53

I would say nine, ten.

SPEAKER_00 25:54

Right. So if you're staying at the Fairfield Hotel next to Mad River Holly Davidson, you might want to think about sleeping in, but try not to. Sure. Um exactly. Yeah. So looking ahead, uh, long-term goals or expansions are you hoping to see for Ohio Bake Week uh beyond 2026?

SPEAKER_03 26:16

Sorry. Uh plans for going forward?

SPEAKER_00 26:19

Uh yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 26:21

Well, we're gonna keep doing this. Yeah, you know, we're gonna keep plugging away at it, and hopefully each year it evolves and becomes a bigger and better event.

SPEAKER_00 26:28

Uh has it gotten bigger since it first started?

SPEAKER_03 26:31

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 26:31

And you it has a grow every every year it grows, gets a little bigger, right?

SPEAKER_03 26:36

It does. Um, COVID was really a tough period to go through. And that brings its own set of logistics, you know, with you know, like the bands, because there's a s we can't overlap with like other festivals, venues, different things. So that sometimes limits who you can get musically because they can't play in a certain radius of where they just played.

SPEAKER_02 26:58

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 26:59

So and COVID, you know, I mean, that was just a hard that's that's really changed a lot of things.

SPEAKER_00 27:05

Yeah, that certainly has. Yeah, certainly has. Uh, as far as it goes for uh I was gonna ask you a question, I forgot what it was now, but it doesn't matter. Um, yeah, so that's that's great. That everything's going good. Now, as far as it goes for the attendance, the every now people who come there, they don't need a band or anything like that for their wristband, right?

SPEAKER_03 27:26

They do not unless they want to be in the VIP section up front. And if they want to get to the wanna do that, bands are on sale right now for 99 bucks. Okay. Um, so what that gets you is a VIP experience. You're in the front, you have a VIP bar that you can get to from inside, you know, the front of the stage, and you know, you would wear that same band for all three days. So 99 bucks gets you all the concerts as VIP.

SPEAKER_02 27:54

Great. Oh, that's cool.

SPEAKER_03 27:57

You know, free, or you pay for the rides as you go, you know, per rider.

SPEAKER_00 28:02

All right. Um, any one thing in particular that you would recommend everybody do?

SPEAKER_03 28:10

Kelly's Island dice run.

SPEAKER_00 28:14

Okay. That that's that's number one thing. Uh anything else?

SPEAKER_03 28:19

Um honestly, the whole event is great. I mean, the barrel house is something to experience if you've never been to Sandusky. It's just a great music venue. It's where everybody local hangs out, you know, all year long, and it just becomes that much more special when we're full and you have all these different, you know, visitors in town. There's an energy, you know, and an excitement to it.

SPEAKER_00 28:44

Yeah. Now Ohio Bike Week is growing. Do you see it expanding to a size, something similar to let's say America, uh, Daytona, Sturgis? Do you see it getting bigger as that big?

SPEAKER_03 28:58

Um, it is it is getting bigger. I don't know if we're, you know, I mean, we're not gonna be that size next year, right? But we do have a lot of the same people, you know, vendors. We bring in celebrity, you know, traveling bartenders from the circuit that do all of Surges and Daytona. So, you know, they have a following as well. Um, but yeah, I mean, I would definitely say we're we're right in that same pack.

SPEAKER_00 29:26

Wow. What are the vendors uh think and say about the event itself?

SPEAKER_03 29:31

Uh they love it. They love, you know, the the only thing we worry about is Mother Nature.

SPEAKER_00 29:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 29:37

Everything else is fabulous.

SPEAKER_00 29:39

Speaking of Mother Nature, how's the weather been at the rally?

SPEAKER_03 29:43

It's been great.

SPEAKER_00 29:45

Really?

SPEAKER_03 29:45

And we're looking forward to hopefully a great year this year. You know, Mother Nature, please smile on us.

SPEAKER_00 29:53

Yeah. Uh, how can people learn more about Ohio Bike Week?

SPEAKER_03 29:58

Uh, they can go online. So we have a Facebook page, and we also have let's see here, it's Ohiobikeweek.com where you can access the information on the bands and what have you, right? And the rides and what's going on each day. Uh so two weeks. I'm trying to see what's today. The third. So you got about 13 days before we announce the Saturday entertainment.

SPEAKER_00 30:29

Wow. 13 days. Uh all right.

SPEAKER_03 30:31

13 days.

SPEAKER_00 30:32

All right.

SPEAKER_03 30:34

Uh so yeah, that's you know it's always gonna be somebody good because we always have great acts.

SPEAKER_00 30:39

Oh, yeah. Of course. Absolutely. You know, it's a big event like this. You you you certainly certainly expect that. So Oh OhioBikeweek.com. Then you got your Facebook page and you got an Instagram page as well. So you can learn more about that. Of course, the links, of course, will be in the show notes and of course on our website as well. Um, any final words about the rally?

SPEAKER_03 31:01

Come see us. It's gonna be a great time, and we'd love to have you and host you here in Ohio.

SPEAKER_00 31:07

Excellent. Now, for the fun stuff. Here we go. You ready for your 10 rapid fire questions?

SPEAKER_03 31:14

Sure. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 31:14

Fire one ready. Here we go. Number one, favorite rally food.

SPEAKER_03 31:21

Euros.

SPEAKER_00 31:22

Really? Okay. Number two, best time of day to ride in Sandusky.

SPEAKER_03 31:33

6 to 8 p.m. sunset. No kidding.

SPEAKER_00 31:36

Oh. I guess, yeah, because you get that sunset over the lake. Nice. Uh number three, loud pipes or quiet pipes?

SPEAKER_03 31:43

Loud pipes. The louder the better.

SPEAKER_00 31:47

Of course. Number four, most underrated part of Ohio Bike Week.

SPEAKER_03 31:53

Oh. Most underrated.

SPEAKER_00 31:58

Ooh, look at this. I think I got you.

SPEAKER_03 32:00

I would say most underrated would be some of the experiences and rides. Okay. People don't realize what all they entail, you know, what they will experience. I know they've done rides in the past, like to the Ohio State Reformatory. I mean, it's they're they're a great experience. It's not just a ride.

SPEAKER_00 32:19

Okay. All right. All right. Now now this one is going to be a little tough because I know you can't get really reveal a lot of information. But number five is concert you're most excited about. There's three.

SPEAKER_03 32:32

So oh gosh. Well, I'm excited to see Jesse again because he's great and Jackal's standard. Um, Tom Kiefer, I am looking forward to.

SPEAKER_00 32:42

Right.

SPEAKER_03 32:42

But I'm also looking forward to our mystery guest. I you get you got they're all they're all gonna be good. Every single night you know, surpasses the night before. You know, each night you say that can't get any better than this, but it does.

SPEAKER_00 32:56

Ah, there you go. All right, number six. One vendor everyone should visit.

SPEAKER_03 33:03

Oh, one vendor everyone should visit, I would say, would be Mad River Hurley Davidson. There you go.

SPEAKER_00 33:11

Number six.

SPEAKER_03 33:12

Buy a bike if you don't have one.

SPEAKER_00 33:14

Yeah, it'd be kind of silly to go to a bike rally and not have a motorcycle, right?

SPEAKER_03 33:18

Some do. And they sell a lot of bikes. Do they really? I bet you it's the day to buy a bike.

SPEAKER_00 33:23

I guess it would be. Number seven, best place to watch the sunset during the rally.

SPEAKER_03 33:29

Uh Barrel House or Jackson Street here.

SPEAKER_00 33:31

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_03 33:32

Right on the lake. And if you're standing at the concert, you're literally facing out at the lake.

SPEAKER_00 33:36

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_03 33:37

You're watching it go down.

SPEAKER_00 33:39

Oh, nice. And okay, uh number eight, must-have item to bring to Ohio Bike Week.

SPEAKER_03 33:49

Harley Davidson apparel.

SPEAKER_00 33:56

What do you call it? A shameless plug?

SPEAKER_03 34:00

Yeah. Well, or or a souvenir sweatshirt from years past. Because that that shows you're a big supporter.

SPEAKER_00 34:08

That's great. Have you ever se haven anybody show up at the rally or seen anybody at the rally with a t-shirt from like the first or second rally?

SPEAKER_03 34:19

Oh wow. I don't know if I've seen the first or second rally. That would actually be a great contest to do because I'll do different contesting promotions through the barrel house and stuff.

SPEAKER_01 34:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 34:28

Um, that would be a great one to say, you know, like who, because we'll do who came the furthest, yeah, you know, those kind of things, but who has the oldest t-shirt?

SPEAKER_00 34:37

There you go. See?

SPEAKER_03 34:40

Love it.

SPEAKER_00 34:40

I want I want credit for that.

SPEAKER_03 34:42

All right, you got it.

SPEAKER_00 34:44

All right, number nine, favorite motorcycle movie.

unknown 34:50

What are your things?

SPEAKER_00 34:51

There's uh there's really only one.

SPEAKER_03 34:54

Only one?

SPEAKER_00 34:55

There's really only one. In my estimation, anyway. I've seen a bunch, but there's only one that really matters.

SPEAKER_03 35:03

Oh, gosh. I don't know which one that would be.

SPEAKER_00 35:07

Do you have a favor?

SPEAKER_03 35:09

I don't know about a motorcycle movie?

SPEAKER_00 35:11

Yeah. I don't know wild hogs.

SPEAKER_03 35:15

Oh, that is a good one. That is a good one. I I would agree with that. Okay. Wild hogs for sure.

SPEAKER_00 35:23

All right, number 10. One word to describe Ohio Bike Week 2026. One word.

SPEAKER_03 35:33

Fantastic.

SPEAKER_00 35:35

That'll do. All right, Holly. Listen, thank you very much for being on our show. I greatly appreciate it. As always, you've been a pleasure having on the show, and I wish you a tremendous amount of luck with this year's rally.

SPEAKER_03 35:47

Thanks so much, Ted. Appreciate you having us on board and you know, calling to interview.

SPEAKER_00 35:52

Well, no problem. I greatly appreciate it. Don't go anywhere. I want to talk to you when we're done, but take care of yourself. That's it, boys and girls. Thank you for joining me and Holly Duterra here in the Btwin Cafe, where she told us all about everything happening at Ohio Bike Week 2026. Now you can learn more about Ohio Bike Week by getting on over to Ohiobikeweek.com. Now, links will be in the show notes and of course on the Motorcycle Men website at motomenpc.com. Don't forget to get on over to the Ride with Ted YouTube channel, watch some of the many videos I have there, and if you would please also like and subscribe. That would be a tremendous help to the channel and of course to the podcast. Hey, get your copy of my book, The Road Most Traveled, now direct from me on the Motorcycle Men website and save nearly eight dollars. Of course, it's still available on Amazon, but you can also get it here from me if you want, and I'll even sign it for you if you like. Alright, boys and girls, thank you very much for coming back and listening to the podcast. So for the rest of the Motorcycle Men team, thank you for listening. And remember, we say stupid crap so you don't have to. Right safety, kids.