DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It's been a wicked winter for most of the country, which may mean boon or bust for Bike Week in Daytona Beach.
Bike Week 2014 organizers are expecting half a millions bikers to roll through the streets of Volusia County for the annual event, which runs from March 7 to March 16.
But some hotel representatives say the harsh winter may keep tourists away -- or the opposite.
Local 6 checked with hotels in the area and while some are filling up fast, others say they have plenty of availability and are blaming Mother Nature.
It has been a wicked winter for most of the nation, with ice storms and temperatures below zero degrees, but now could that wintry mix be keeping people
away from the Sunshine State?
"It's been a little bit of a concern," said Deborah Bailey, general manager of a Quality Inn.
Some hotels workers say tourists from up north have had to cancel their trips because of frigid and nasty weather, but Bailey says those freezing
temperatures are also bringing more people to the beach.
"It is very cold up north, so at this point I think people are trying to get away from that and come to hopefully some sunshine," Bailey said.
City organizers are just as hopeful, still expecting 500,000 bikers to show for the event. Tourists spend nearly $75 million during Bike Week, cashing in on food, hotels, entertainment and souvenirs.
Votran riders should expect some delays, interruptions and possible route deviations. Schedule delays will begin Thursday and will continue to occur through March 16.
The following routes will experience delays:
- Routes 1, 18, and 19 will make service stops on S.R. A1A and Route 8 will make service stops on Halifax Avenue.
- Route 10 will detour U.S. Hwy. 1 to left on Fairview Avenue.
- Route 11 will detour U.S. Hwy. 1 to right on Fairview Avenue, left on Beach Street. There will be service interruptions on International Speedway Boulevard and no service to the Daytona Beach Flea Market.
- Route 17 A/B will be unable to use Main Street beginning Friday, March 7. It will use the International Speedway Boulevard bridge in both directions. If traffic becomes too congested, Route 17A/B will detour to the Orange Avenue bridge.
- Route 18 will detour from North Atlantic Avenue at University Boulevard to Halifax Avenue and use Seabreeze Boulevard to Mason Avenue and U.S. Hwy. 1 to travel to the Transfer Plaza.
For more information on delays, click here.