Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts thundered into Sacramento on their bikes Saturday for the annual Easyriders bike show at the Convention Center.

Organizers expected upward of 15,000 to attend the two-day event. The downtown show is part of a nationwide tour that ends next month in Columbus, Ohio.

"We have all sorts of vendors, from jewelry to helmets to parts," said event manager Kari Roben of Easyriders magazine. "Anything a rider would need."

Hundreds of shiny motorcycles – most from outside the region – lined the streets of downtown, while the deep rumbling of the beauties could be heard miles away.

The target demographic, Roben acknowledged, is men. Few women attended, but Raquel Alvarez was an exception. The Pleasant Hill resident biked from the Bay Area with her boyfriend to the convention.

"We're addicted to bikes," said Alvarez, 38, smiling. "It's always an adventure."

The show's highlight is a competition to see which motorcycle will be featured in Easyriders magazine. Workers passed out ballots so attendees could vote on the best bike.

For the most part, large, heavy motorcycles like Harleys dominated the show floor, but some alternative bikes tried their best to steal the spotlight.

Downtown's Scooter City set up shop to promote smaller bikes, catering to older folks and women. But manager Devin Brandenburg said selling them has been difficult.

"America is built on big stuff," he said. "People want their big bikes."

Another vendor, Mario Balderas, also was hawking an alternative to traditional big bikes. Balderas' company, Lincoln-based Freedom Rides, converts bikes into three-wheeled "trikes."

"You get a safer, comfortable, more relaxed ride," he said.

Trikes are similar to cars and geared toward the boomer generation, Balderas said. They don't require extra maneuvering.

At the other end, Modesto's Sean Choy handed out pocketknives to promote a motorcycle law firm.

Choy, the victim of an accident that left his arm permanently paralyzed, called motorcycle accidents a "common occurrence."

"Cars don't pay attention to us motorcycles," he said.

Lucas Baker, 13, was one of the youngest guests browsing the booths. He arrived with his mother, who works for Harley Davidson. The youngster vowed to buy a motorcycle as soon as he could drive one.

"Bike travel is so comfortable," Lucas said.

EASYRIDERS BIKE SHOW

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today

Where: Sacramento Convention Center, 1401 J St.

Cost: Adults, $18; youths age 6 to 12, $10; children 5 and younger, free; $5 for all active military personnel (must show ID)

More information: (916) 443-0500 or www.easyridersevents.com

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