495. Biketoberfest 2011 in New Smyrna Beach a bust

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NSBNews.net videos by Henry Frederick / Mike Catchings of Lake Mary was the lone biker in the empty lot at Pub 44 as Thursday's opening night of Biketoberfest 2011 came to a sad conclusion. The local Cheapthrills Band plays a Chris Isaak '80s classic, "Wicked Game," to a handful of bikers earlier in the evening at the bar.

Mike Catchings of Lake Mary was at Biketoberfest 2011 in New Smyrna Beach / Headline Surfer NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Biketoberfest was quieter than a lawn mower on the first night of the four-day weekend at what is soon to be an extinct Pub 44. Just after midnight there were three Harleys in the parking lot and one bicycle. Last year's Biketoberfest recession is this year's depression at least through the first 24 hours at what for the last couple decades or so has been the ground zero for bikers, babes and booze.

Mike Catchings of Lake Mary was very stoic about his vast surroundings with a lady friend, saying they'd make the best of it, even if opening night was any indication of what's ahead over the next three days.

He readily acknowledged what he saw on the first day is a continuation of the previous year's steep decline at both the four-day October rally and the larger 10-day Bike Week in February.

"We saw some declines in attendance last year," Catchings said of a continuing downward trend, adding he'd be more conservative in his spending, primarily for beer, gas and food.

Even Pub 44, a 31-year biker staple at 1889 State Road 44, was closing its doors for good after Biketoberfest to formally make way for J.J. Fin's, a more upscale restaurant that was hoping to cash in on a broader clientele with sushi and other delicacies replacing burgers and fries offered to the dwindling year-round biker crowds. But J.J. Fin's also closed its doors within eight months.

Even Pub 44, a 31-year biker staple at 1889 State Road 44, was closing its doors for good after Biketoberfest to formally make way for J.J. Fin's, a more upscale restaurant that was hoping to cash in on a broader clientele with sushi and other delicacies replacing burgers and fries offered to the dwindling year-round biker crowds. But J.J. Fin's also closed its doors within eight months.

The poor showing for Biketoberfest 2011 in New Smyrna Beach comes in at No. 495 in Headline Surfer's Top 500 stories as part of the 24/7 internet newspaper's 5th anniversary.

Award-winning Headline Surfer Editor/Publisher Henry Frederick is counting down his ranking of the Top 500 Stories throughout Volusia County, as part of the fifth anniversary celebration of the 24/7 Internet newspaper launched April 7, 2008.