Motorcycle riders attending the 10th Annual Outer Banks Bike Week™ found themselves cruising the same stretch of beach that some of the most famous pirates patrolled nearly 300 years ago.

The Atlantic Coast off the coast of the Outer Banks was where Blackbeard, the most famous pirate in American history, made his fortune and fame, plundering vessels in the area known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic for its thousands of shipwrecks.

Exploring towns like Nags Head, named for its land pirates who lured ships to their doom by tying lanterns around old horses necks, or Kill Devil Hills with its colorful past as a place where rum washed ashore so strong it would slay the devil, provided bikers with plenty to sink their teeth into.

The great food and fun watering holes each with their own character and flavor were only one of the many attractions that lured Bike Week riders to the Outer Banks.

Cool ocean breezes, amazing scenic riding and a full week of non-stop entertainment added up to make Outer Banks Bike Week™ one of the best spring riding rallies on the East Coast.

The towns work very hard keeping major developers at bay from overrunning the fragile ecosystem and the original feel and history of the Outer Banks which has been home to local fishermen for centuries.

With four coastal lighthouses, including the tallest one in the United States the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Wright Brothers Memorial, the long history of pirates, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, wild Spanish Mustang horses on the beach, 100 miles of beaches and great fishing they have much to protect.

The springtime weather after a long winter made this riding rally a perfect getaway. And 2011 marked the first year Bike Week ran for ten days. Thursday had been the traditional kickoff day in prior years. This gave the bikers more time to get in the longer guided tours, extended rally activities and the area attractions.

Bikers gathered in large numbers at Outer Banks Harley-Davidson and Nags Head Harley-Davidson and at seven other popular vendor locations.

Outer Banks Harley-Davidson’s showroom is dedicated to the year 1903 which is the year of the Wright Brother’s first flight and the first edition of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

In addition life-like renditions of pirates are around every corner at both of the local Harley® shops, Outer Banks Harley-Davidson on the mainland in Currituck County and Nags Head Harley-Davidson which is 13 miles south of the Wright Memorial Bridge.

The Harley-Davidson Demo Fleet from Milwaukee was on hand at Nags Head Harley-Davidson and close to 300 riders took advantage of test riding various Harley models. The Official Bike Show and the Poker Run also took place at Nags Head Harley-Davidson.

Some of the Outer Banks Bike Week™ traditions remained and some new twists were added.

At the main stage at Outer Banks Harley-Davidson there was live music all week including Outer Banks Bike Week™ favorites Ted Riser, Rumours, Brass Roots, Cory Daniels Band & 54 Steps. The Miss Outer Banks Bike Week™ Bikini Contest, tattoo contest, best beer belly contest and vendors from all over the country also kept the crowd busy.

More guided tours and riding contests were added this year including “Run 4 the Ferry” which took riders 80 miles south along Route 12 past Pea Island through the local towns of Rodanthe, Waves, Frisco, Buxton and finally Hatteras to catch the ferry over to Ocracoke Island and the Lighthouse.

Lucky 12 Tavern a year long biker friendly establishment was packed for 10 days straight as was Kelly’s Restaurant, Port O’Call Restaurant, Longboards, New York Pizza Pub, and Jolly Roger just to name a few. Riders had to make choices all week long between great party spots each with a completely different groove.

The Outer Banks Bike Week™ Women’s Bike Show held on Thursday at the Outer Banks H-D location was a huge hit which will definitely be a Bike Week tradition. We had 20 entries and the judging was extremely close. But the women really enjoyed their time in the sun and I know it will be even bigger next year.

Here are a couple of posts to Facebook: “Great times…glad I could attend”, “We had a blast! Can’t wait for next year!”, “Had a great time, making this the 9^th year straight”.

10^th Annual Outer Banks Bike Week™ April 21-29, 2012!! See ya next year!