Okay, my wife and I just got back from a long weekend in Myrtle Beach and had the opportunity to be there during bikefest. We opted not to ride down due to weather and the fact that my wife hasn't yet done a trip longer than 100 miles. Anyway, we couldn't help but notice that not only was no one wearing any gear whatsoever, but that many were riding in shorts, no shirt, flip flops or tennis shoes (untied of course, wouldn't want them to actually stay on your feet) with their helmets, if they had one, securely fastened to the bike. Also noticable was the plethura of large women wearing thongs while riding on the back of a crotch rocket, I don't mean a thong under the pants, I mean just a thong! this is a mental picture that I hope someday will disappear. We also couldn't help but notice that much more care was taken to make the bikes look sharp (a matter of opinion) than to actually have done any maintenance. I have never seen more rusty chains and leaking fluids. I also have to wonder about stretching and lowering a bike to the point where you can't lean and the plastics drag the ground. Is this what motorcycling has become? I am absolutely certain that had we taken our bikes, a Triumph Sprint 1050 and a 675 Street Triple, that we would have been ostracised. Nothing more, just had to rant and get the vision out of my head!