PORT DOVER, Ont. - The OPP estimates 70,000 motorcycle enthusiasts were in Port Dover, Ont. for the traditional Friday the 13th rally.
Businesses in the Lake Erie town had to stock up on extra food and schedule more staff to handle the crowds.
The rally generally means a very profitable day for local restaurants and hotels, and that's likely to be the case again.
It also seems the bikers who gather for the day are an increasingly diverse crowd, who could just as easily be found in a boardroom as on the open road.
Rob Lander was in town with his bike ‘Big Brute.' A hand built motorcycle with a Corvette engine, it's one of only 60 in the world.
For many Lander might seem as unusual in the crowd as his ride, "Actually, I'm a mortgage broker," he says.
But he's what some are calling the new breed, successful people with a passion for motorcycles.
And there's no shortage of accessories available, or places to spend their hard-earned cash.
Connie Cosman of Keleher's Western Wear says "We know they're going to show up, so we have to decide how big we're going to do it."
Vendors rent tents of varying sizes, with all the money going directly to the municipality.
And the Port Dover Board of Trade says the best part is all the money is raised with no marketing. Promotion for the event is all word of mouth.
Jan Overend, general manager at the board, says "We don't have to do a lot of marketing for it. We just have to be prepared for the crowd that comes and make sure everybody's safe, everybody can get around."
And with OPP officers taking care of traffic control, everyone moves freely and organizers and bikers are assured of a safe environment.
The next rally falls in July, during the already busy summer season.
With files from The Canadian Press
