Madera's coffers swell from biker celebration

Visitors cause very little trouble; businesses benefit by $ 6 million.

MADERA -- Thousands of bikers brought their motorcycles, leather and plenty of money to Madera, creating a financial windfall for local businesses during a six-day rally that ended Sunday.

Hotels were booked solid, restaurants were packed, and stores were kept busy last week by the National Bikers Roundup at the Madera District Fairground.

Managers of restaurants, hotels and stores are still tallying the additional income brought in by the roundup and have already begun to invite the motorcycle enthusiasts back.

"A lot of the restaurants, hotels and convenience stores have seen a huge increase in business because of the bikers roundup," said Michael Bacon, general manager of the Best Western Madera Valley Inn. He estimates 60% of the customers who stayed at the hotel last week were bikers. "It's an awesome event."

About 15,000 bikers visited the fairground during the past six days. They came from as far away as Florida, Missouri and Washington, D.C., said Scott Sample, chief executive officer and manager for the Madera District Fairground.

Law enforcement said the bikers' presence did not cause any significant problems.

A "Welcome Bikers" sign hung in the lobby at the International House of Pancakes on Cleveland Avenue across from the fairground.

Harley-Davidson T-shirts dressed the walls along with several business cards from numerous motorcycle clubs.

Workers tried to keep track of their motorcycle-riding visitors by creating a guest book and asking each to sign and list their hometown. The notebook was filled with more than 100 signatures, and assistant manager Betty Scroggins estimates the bikers boosted business by about 50%.

Chad Crowell, a clerk at Cigarettes Cheaper! on Cleveland Avenue, summarized the store's business during the roundup: "Booming, dude."

Managers at the Days Inn on Avenue 16 and Highway 99 said bikers rented all 49 rooms last week.

Organizers say the roundup pumped $6 million into the local economy last year when the event visited Rosenberg, Texas, a city of about 25,000 people southwest of Houston.

Bikers collected canned food at the Madera fairground during a drive organized by God's Wheels motorcycle club. The proceeds were donated to the Community Food Bank of Fresno and the Madera County Food Bank.

Many business managers praised the revelers who flocked to Madera for the roundup and were quickly embraced by the community.

"The bikers have been a pleasure to be around," Bacon said. "Everyone was real cordial."

Anil Patel, who manages the Liberty Inn, gave a similar report.

"Oh yeah, they are really good people," Patel said. "We love them."

The reporter can be reached at mleedy@fresnobee.com or

675-6805.