Bike Fest kicks off in Lake Ozark

Thousands pack their saddle bags, don their leather apparel, and head down for the weekend’s festivities. Lake Ozark resident and biker Patty Forsythe said, “we look forward to it every year, every year they’ve got great vendors and music and food and just the camaraderie of it”.

Malcolm Ambrose owns Bad Apple Customs and has a booth set up on the drag this weekend. He said that so far the turnout is a lot lower than last year.

“Easily 40,000 to 50,000 people if not more, last year it was hectic this time of the year, the strip was completely packed with bikes”, said Ambrose.

To help with the influx of bikes that come in every year, the middle turn lane is marked for bikes only.

“We just want people to understand that a motorcyclist has every right and privilege of any other vehicle out there on the roadway and you really have to be out there looking out for them”, said Corporal White.

Missouri State Highway Patrol officials said about 18% percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol and that motorcycles require more skill and coordination than driving a normal car.

But will the bad weather Friday affect more bikes from coming out this weekend?

“I don’t think to will because it’s just supposed to mist and everybody plans for this weekend every year, especially the out of towners, they make their reservations and you know they don’t want to miss out because it is a fun time”, said Forsythe.

“It’s a little bit low at the moment but that’s due to the cold temperatures and the weather, hopefully it’ll get sunny later and they’ll be a lot more people turning up”, said Ambrose.

For more information on the Lake Bike Fest, click here.