Bike Week a great economic boost, but loud pipes rattle nerves

EDGEWATER -- Since Bike Week arrived, it's been quite noisy. I'll miss the bikers, but I won't miss the noise when they leave today.

The bikes started arriving about a week before it officially started. I have many neighbors who are bikers and their friends have come in droves this year to stay with them. It’s getting quite noisy where I live. Don’t get me wrong, I like the bikes and most bikers are considerate and friendly.

Unfortunately, I live on State Road 442 which is now a 5-lane landing strip affair. As they come down the boulevard in packs, the salt and pepper collection I have on shelves on my walls rattle and now and then work themselves off onto the hard wood floor and break. My windows rattle as they do when we have a wind storm.

I also am on a corner so the bikers stop to await a break in traffic and the considerate ones take off slowly and do not make our ears hurt. Coming onto my street or leaving from it onto 442, the inconsiderate ones (usually the ones with the loudest tailpipes) blast us awake during the night and make us cringe during the day. I wish I could remind them they are in a subdivision and people are trying to live normal lives.

I also am on a corner so the bikers stop to await a break in traffic and the considerate ones take off slowly and do not make our ears hurt. Coming onto my street or leaving from it onto 442, the inconsiderate ones (usually the ones with the loudest tailpipes) blast us awake during the night and make us cringe during the day. I wish I could remind them they are in a subdivision and people are trying to live normal lives.

We are trying to sleep, work, rest in our sick beds or whatever and not on vacation as they are. But alas I cannot. I feel bad for the people living near the No Name Saloon. That establishment is 11 blocks east of my house, then past a huge shopping center and across 4 laned US1, but at night I can hear the band and the announcer over the television in my bedroom, which is the farthest away from the noise. Those poor people who live behind the place must have to move out for the 10 days of Bike Week or go deaf.

Still, I like seeing all the different types of bikes and people riding them. I know they bring a bunch of money into my area and I appreciate that. I wouldn’t want them to not come here anymore, but I would want them to think about others a bit more often when it comes to the excess noise they make.

Still, I like seeing all the different types of bikes and people riding them. I know they bring a bunch of money into my area and I appreciate that. I wouldn’t want them to not come here anymore, but I would want them to think about others a bit more often when it comes to the excess noise they make.