Ventura, California, is a low-key surf town that’s north of Los Angeles and south of Santa Barbara. Its county fairgrounds occupy a slice of prime real estate between the U.S. 101 freeway and the Pacific Coast, where the famous C Street surf break has been attracting wave riders for decades. The fairgrounds are home to Ventura Raceway, which has hosted American Flat Track short-track races the last couple of years. They’re also ground zero for the David Mann Chopperfest, which held its 21st annual event on a cool, sunny Sunday in February.
The event honors David Mann (1940-2004), the California artist whose paintings of biker culture and choppers made him the “biker world’s artist-in-residence,” and Chopperfest attracts custom bike builders, owners, and fans from far and wide. Dozens of bikes, from lowbrow to high-end, were entered into competition in 24 classes at this year’s Chopperfest. This is a great event to check out a lot of hot iron while enjoying a cold one and the salty ocean breeze.
Below are of some of our favorite bikes. See the full list of winners and learn more at the Chopperfest website.
