On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Puerto Peñasco malecón once again proved to be the magnetic center stage of the Rocky Point Rally. Despite intensive roadwork all around the Old Port (yet with the principal street near the boat launch area reserved just for motorcycles) riders made their way to the remodeled part of the malecón and soon began lining both sides of the street with bikes. By mid-afternoon, bikes were lined up two to three rows deep in some parts, lining the road down in front of Plaza Colosio and then spilling into and covering Governors’ Plaza. 
Bikers gathered on rooftops of local bars and restaurants along the street, throwing beads down to passersby. Meanwhile, music blared from speakers set up between food and drink stands run by the various charities benefitting from registration donations. A visiting band set up on one end of the malecón and entertained everyone for hours!
At about 3 p.m., a number of bikes left the fiesta atmosphere of the malecón and made their way down to line up for the traditional Saturday bike parade that winds its way through different parts of town. With approximately 200 or so bikes lined up (maybe about 10% of rally bikes), the parade took off at 4 p.m. and made its way along crowd-lined streets.
One rider noted there were more people along the entire route than observed in other years. The parade made its way to Chango’s Bar in the Sandy Beach area, where Steve McCarty of Steve Miller Band fame was on hand to sing a number of popular tunes (McCarty was in town helping to launch promotion for the Spring Rock Peñasco Palooza set for St. Patricia’s – March 17, 2012 – more info to come soon!).
Before the rain began on Saturday night, winners from the Poker Run and Calle 13 Dice Walking “run” were announced at Playa Bonita Hotel, along with lucky raffle winners from this year’s first STAMPede. To wrap-up the night, bikers filled local area restaurants and bars to take in the Pacquiao-Marquez fight while the celebrations continued. All in all, neither the cooler weather nor ongoing road repairs could dampen spirits and fiestas of this year’s rally. We look forward to hearing estimates on final numbers. Be sure to come back and check our Rally photos in the gallery soon!
