MURRELLS INLET -- Michelle Caton wore a shimmering blue and white bikini and a feather in her hair as she glided across one of many bars at Spokes and Bones Saloon on May 15.
She's bartended at bike rallies across the country for 20 years, serving drinks at Sturgis, Daytona, Panama City and Latonia. She began bartending at Spokes and Bones in 2019. The venue is celebrating its 25th year as a Myrtle Beach Bike Week hub, according to its website.
When she's not on the road, Caton lives in Virginia. She said the tight-knit community of workers and bikers who religiously attend events keeps her traveling. She calls them her "rally family."
"You get some people that go to most of them," she said. "You get some people that just go to one each year."
Myrtle Beach Bike Week dates back over 85 years. Despite its name, the epicenter of the event now is south of the city in Murrells Inlet. For many diehards, working the rally is a tradition.
Like Caton, Rosemarie Rakowski has taken jobs at some of the country's biggest rallies. She's cooked burgers, mozzarella sticks and fried bologna for crowds of bikers.
But she has a deeper connection to bike week. Before she worked the event, she rode her own motorcycle from North Carolina to attend the rally here.
Every year, she soaked up the billowing smoke of burnout pits, marveled at custom paint jobs and builds, and let loose amid the swells of live music, snarling engines and glinting chrome.
In recent years, she hasn't taken her bike along while she mans the food booth.
"I was a little sad today when I saw the riders out while I was out and getting supplies, but I'm, like, living vicariously through them," she said.
Behind her, baskets of food were hurriedly passed from cooks to servers and carried out to bikers.
Close Buy Now
A dancer doing fire tricks draws a crowd at one of the bars in Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Just as the band played the opening chords of "Tennessee Whiskey," couples strolled to the plywood in the dirt to dance at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Women dance on stages, platforms, bars and wherever they want at Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Traffic moves with caution where the U.S. 17s fork near Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Jaquez Green cleans and holds the door for patrons at the portable toilets at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Valerie Kirkland of Chapin, S.C., said the clown hanging in the portable toilet didn't scare or deter her from using the facilities. "I've got kids. I stopped being scared a long time ago," she said at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bar patrons and bartenders use the facilities at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A dancer doing fire tricks draws some stares at one of the bars in Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bikers come and go at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A dancer does fire tricks at Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Through a hole in the wall of the bar beneath the stage, a woman is seen dancing at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A band plays on the floating stage by a sunken boat at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bands play on the stage and folks mingle in the bar beneath the stage at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Some gather to get sooty while others duck away from the burnout pit at Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
In a real-life version of Frogger, folks cross U.S. 17 to get to Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bands play on the stage and folks mingle in the bar beneath the stage at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bikers come and go at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A food truck is busy filling and delivering orders at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A little line forms at the drink hole beneath the stage at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Some gather to get sooty while others duck away from the burnout pit at Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
The grounds fill at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Peggy Criscio (left) told Frank Casale several years ago that she was not going to be one the people sitting in a golf cart watching motorcycles go by Ocean Pines at North Jensen Drive in Garden City Beach. She laughed on May 15, 2025, waving at the motorcycles that she's been sitting in the cart with Casale for years now waving at the bikes during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. "Never say never? I used to see the people in their carts when I'd go down to Murrells Inlet. I just didn't think I'd be one of them," she said. "But, you know, I like it."
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Frank Casale laughs with neighbors gathered on U.S. 17 to watch the motorcycles go by Ocean Pines at North Jensen Drive in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Peggy Criscio (right) told Frank Casale several years ago that she was not going to be one the people sitting in a golf cart watching motorcycles go by Ocean Pines at North Jensen Drive in Garden City Beach. She laughed on May 15, 2025, waving at the motorcycles that she's been sitting in the cart with Casale for years now waving at the bikes during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. "Never say never? I used to see the people in their carts when I'd go down to Murrells Inlet. I just didn't think I'd be one of them," she said. "But, you know, I like it."
Janet Morgan/Staff Myrtle Beach Bike Week 2025
Myrtle Beach Bike Week continues through May 18, 2025, along the Grand Strand. Numerous bars and venues are open from Socastee to Murrells Inlet.
Buy Now
A dancer doing fire tricks draws a crowd at one of the bars in Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Just as the band played the opening chords of "Tennessee Whiskey," couples strolled to the plywood in the dirt to dance at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Women dance on stages, platforms, bars and wherever they want at Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Traffic moves with caution where the U.S. 17s fork near Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Jaquez Green cleans and holds the door for patrons at the portable toilets at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Valerie Kirkland of Chapin, S.C., said the clown hanging in the portable toilet didn't scare or deter her from using the facilities. "I've got kids. I stopped being scared a long time ago," she said at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bar patrons and bartenders use the facilities at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A dancer doing fire tricks draws some stares at one of the bars in Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bikers come and go at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A dancer does fire tricks at Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Through a hole in the wall of the bar beneath the stage, a woman is seen dancing at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A band plays on the floating stage by a sunken boat at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bands play on the stage and folks mingle in the bar beneath the stage at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Some gather to get sooty while others duck away from the burnout pit at Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
In a real-life version of Frogger, folks cross U.S. 17 to get to Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bands play on the stage and folks mingle in the bar beneath the stage at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Bikers come and go at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A food truck is busy filling and delivering orders at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
A little line forms at the drink hole beneath the stage at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Some gather to get sooty while others duck away from the burnout pit at Suck, Bang, Blow in Murrells Inlet on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
The grounds fill at Spokes & Bones in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Spokes & Bones is celebrating its 25th year as part of bike week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Peggy Criscio (left) told Frank Casale several years ago that she was not going to be one the people sitting in a golf cart watching motorcycles go by Ocean Pines at North Jensen Drive in Garden City Beach. She laughed on May 15, 2025, waving at the motorcycles that she's been sitting in the cart with Casale for years now waving at the bikes during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. "Never say never? I used to see the people in their carts when I'd go down to Murrells Inlet. I just didn't think I'd be one of them," she said. "But, you know, I like it."
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Frank Casale laughs with neighbors gathered on U.S. 17 to watch the motorcycles go by Ocean Pines at North Jensen Drive in Garden City Beach on May 15, 2025, during Myrtle Beach Bike Week.
Janet Morgan/Staff Buy Now
Peggy Criscio (right) told Frank Casale several years ago that she was not going to be one the people sitting in a golf cart watching motorcycles go by Ocean Pines at North Jensen Drive in Garden City Beach. She laughed on May 15, 2025, waving at the motorcycles that she's been sitting in the cart with Casale for years now waving at the bikes during Myrtle Beach Bike Week. "Never say never? I used to see the people in their carts when I'd go down to Murrells Inlet. I just didn't think I'd be one of them," she said. "But, you know, I like it."
Janet Morgan/Staff
Her staff doesn't change much, she said. The same girls return almost every year, with many traveling from out of town. They've become like daughters to Rakowski.
"These girls work hard," she said. "They come at open, they stay till close."
Lay Lay Graham works for her grandfather's cleaning company. She stood in front of a line of portable toilets, diligently squirting hand sanitizer into the outstretched hands of people in leather jackets and fishnet tights. She's been working bike week for four years, now. It hasn't gotten old, she said.
A fake clown hidden in one of the toilets makes things especially interesting. When unsuspecting attendees open the door, the prop jumps out at them.
One woman was startled so badly she didn't make it into the toilet before relieving herself, Graham said.
Graham's coworker, Jaquez Green, sat with a knowing smile as people passed in and out of the booby-trapped toilet.
He flew in from college to work the event during his summer break. He enjoys it, he said. Once, someone tipped him $100.
The cleaning company offers its services to several other bike rallies as well, Graham said.
Marilyn Fetherolf, a dancer at the Masters Gentleman's Club in Myrtle Beach, said she's worked Bike Week for seven years. Last year, she became "the dunk tank girl" at Suck Bang Blow, another quintessential bike week bar.
Attendees are given balls to throw at a target. If they hit it, Fetherolf plummets into the tank.
With water streaming from her face and over her black bathing suit, Fetherolf explained that the dunk tank was refreshing and the customers were friendly.
"It's a different pace of life," she said of the bike rally. "I like it."