Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Rally is here. Here’s what to know, where to go and what to avoid
Hundreds of motorcyclists will make their way into the Myrtle Beach area as one of the first of three bike rallies kicks off on Friday.
The 2024 Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Rally has been held in the Myrtle Beach area since the 1940s and draws over 100,000 people every year. The rally begins May 10 and will run through May 19.
Here are laws to know, tips for driving around with motorcyclists and other important information.
Where will bikers hang out?
Most motorcycle riders will hang out on the southern end of the Myrtle Beach area. The biggest biker bar is Suck Bang Blow in Murrells Inlet. Bikers can also be seen at the Rat Hole in Socastee, the Harley Davidson store near Myrtle Beach State Park and Spokes and Bones in the Garden City area.
There will be vending locations at Beaver Bar, Jamin’ Leather, Suck Bang Blow and the Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson.
What to do during the bike rally
There will be a number of events during the Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Rally. For information on events and other rally-related items, you can go to the rally’s website.
Suck Bang Blow will offer live music, burnout contests, a girls’ dunking booth, and a cycling contest. The Rat Hole will offer its annual rodeo everyday beginning May 13. Events include a slow race where the last person to cross the finish line wins, barrel racing and pudding wrestling.
At Spokes and Bones, there will be live music all week, plus biker bingo beginning May 13.
On May 15, there will be the Crude’s Veteran Ride. Motorcycle riders will meet at the Golden Egg in Surfside Beach at 8:30 a.m. and, using back roads, drive down to Moncks Corner and back, meeting at the Garden City Beach Bar. There will be raffle tickets, door prizes and discounted meals available to certain restaurants. Proceeds will go to Home for Our Troops.
Tips for driving around motorcycles
You should never drive distracted, but it’s especially important to pay attention during the Spring Bike Rally. Make sure to go the speed limit, avoid unnecessary lane changes and give motorcycles the right of way, said Suck Bang Blow general manager Bill Barber in a press release.
“Just remember that a fender bender for a car is just that, a fender bender. For a motorcycle, it can result in death,” Barber said.
Expect these roads to be busy
U.S. 17 Business around Murrells Inlet and near the Myrtle Beach State Park will be the busiest roads during the rally. Drivers can expect to see an increase of police in some areas, including Murrells Inlet.
Myrtle Beach will have a special traffic pattern, often called “flushing,” along Ocean Boulevard near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. The northbound lane will be closed and only southbound traffic will be allowed from 9th Avenue North to 16th Avenue North. This is in place Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Motorcycle laws to be aware of
In Myrtle Beach, up to two motorcycles can park in one parking spot but both have to pay. In South Carolina, anyone under the age of 21 is required to wear a helmet and goggles.
Two motorcycles may ride in one lane at a time and there is no weaving in between cars. Riding on the beach or marshes is prohibited.
South Carolina is a “dead red” state, meaning if a motorcycle sits at a red light for at least two minutes they can run the light, provided it is safe to do so. This is because vehicle detection systems on lights do not always pick up motorcycles.
Where can I watch motorcycles?
Typically many motorcycles will drive along U.S. 17 Business near Murrells Inlet and Surfside Beach. You can find a restaurant or a spot to set up a lawn chair and watch.
Beach House Bar and Grill along Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach is a great place to meet bikers and watch them ride down the boulevard.
