So, I missed it again this year. The "unofficial" kickoff to the 2010 motorcycle season, 10 days in the fun and sun with hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists living it up while I'm watching the snow melt here in Pennsylvania. My bike is sitting in the garage waiting for a good rain so I can get on the road without having to feel guilty about exposing it to salt.

The 69th Annual Bike Week celebration in Daytona Beach started at the end of February and it just wrapped up last weekend. Bike Week has been a tradition in Daytona Beach since 1937 -- and one of these years I'm going to make it there!

The celebration coincides with the running of the Daytona 200, an American Motorcycling Association sanctioned professional race at the Daytona International Speedway. Over the years, the center of attention has shifted from the race to the activities that surround the weeklong event.

Now Daytona and Bike Week are all about the people, and the fun. Live bands, great food and drink, parties, vendors and having a good time abound all around Volusia County. There's a great, classic Florida motorcycle ride called "The Loop" that traverses coastal drives, river shores, state parks and country lanes, giving a great, relaxed view of the natural beauty of the area.

So if you're like me and you missed Daytona this year, that's OK. There are plenty of other events going on now through October that are still going to offer up a fun time depending on what you're into.

April 14-18: Arizona Bike Week, Mesa, Ariz.

This has turned into a wonderful venue for music, with appearances from major bands planned.

April 21-25: Laughlin River Run, Laughlin, Nev.

This is the perfect time of year to go to Nevada. It's not too hot, the weather is great and it's a party. This is the West Coast's answer to Daytona.

May 30: Rolling Thunder, Washington, D.C.

An annual ride into our nation's capital to bring awareness to POW-MIA issues. We are very fortunate to live as close as we do to our nation's capital. This can be a quick weekend trip without having to take any time off work. This event draws hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists every year.

June 7-12: Americade, Lake George, N.Y.

An all-brands rally with an emphasis on touring riders, rider education and safety.

June 12-20: Laconia Motorcycle Week, Laconia, N.H.

I've had a chance to travel to New Hampshire for my honeymoon -- not on a motorcycle. We borrowed a convertible and enjoyed the sights and smells of everything the New England states have to offer on four wheels. I can only imagine how awesome it would be on two.

July 9-11: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Lexington, Ohio.

A rolling celebration of America's motorcycle heritage, including vintage motorcycle racing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Aug. 9-15: Sturgis Rally and Races, Sturgis, S.D.

This is an event that I would like to go to at least once. For some reason it almost feels like it's a right-of-passage for the Harley enthusiast. That's the one place that comes up time and time again when people inquire about where I've ridden.

Sept. 2-5: Milwaukee Rally, Milwaukee.

The biggest motorcycle rally in the Midwest, and a great chance to visit the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Oct. 15-18: Biketoberfest, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Although this can't compete with the festivities at the beginning of the season, don't rule this one out. The weather is absolutely beautiful and you won't have to deal with snow on the way down.

So even though we may have missed the kickoff of the motorcycle season, there is clearly a lot of great riding ahead of us.

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