2,500 motorcyclists rolling in to Progreso and Mérida
The third edition of the “Concentración Nacional Biker” will attract at least 2,500 motorcyclists May 12-14 in Progreso and Mérida.
Freddy Cetina Amaya, organizer of the event, said that attendees will arrive from across all of the Mexican Republic, as well as Central America and the United States.
Far from a bunch of Wild Bunch outlaws, the group is welcomed by tourism officials, who would lay out a red carpet if they had one large enough. The gathering is a economic boon to Progreso, where hotels are already fully booked for that weekend, Cetina Amaya said.
On Friday, May 12, riders will depart the Mérida Harley Davidson at 8 p.m., arriving at the Progreso pier for an opening-night reception.
Musical groups and an exhibition of motorcycles will entertain the crowds, he said.
The weekend also includes a ride to Telchac Puerto as well as workshops on road safety and accident prevention, which are relevant topics these days. In 2000, there were fewer than 30,000 motorcycles, reports Progreso Hoy. Today, there are 150,000.
Cetina Amaya said that Yucatán is biker destination on a national level, and he commended the friendly cooperation he has enjoyed from state and municipal officials.
In fact, Mérida Mayor Mauricio Vila Dosal in December led a celebration for the Day of Motorcyclists. He mingled with more than 82 motorcycle groups and announced a Yucatecan motorcycle monument to be placed in a space donated by the city.
The monument, called “El Henequén,” consists of a triple stone base that suggests the Mayan pyramids of the classical period. The upper part depicts a henequen plant enveloping a motorcycle. It will be built in Altabrisa near the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad.
The space will also be a meeting point to recognize the pioneers of motorcycling in Yucatán, honor the memory of motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents as well as a place for special events connected to the endeavor.
More details and registration information on the gathering is expected at a May 4 press conference.