Stephanie Klein-Davis | The Roanoke Times

W.L Keith, 56, of Dry Fork is decked out in his Harley attire at the state rally for the Harley Owners Groups in Roanoke.

Jeanna Duerscherl | The Roanoke Times

Harley-Davidson riders roll past crowds Thursday night in Roanoke during the Bikes on Fire competition. About 1,750 Harleys from around Virginia have thundered into the city for the weekend.

Jeanna Duerscherl | The Roanoke Times

Tom Umberger of Burnt Chimney celebrates his first-place win Thursday during the Bikes on Fire lighted bike show.

The average Harley-Davidson motorcycle is capable of roaring louder than 100 decibels, a noise that is eight times louder than a vacuum cleaner.

So it stands to reason that when about 1,750 Harleys descend on a city, as they will in Roanoke through the weekend, the thunder of all those bikes could compete with a jumbo jet full of screaming babies.

And, oh doctor, that's the way Susan Thrift likes it. "It just makes your blood flow," exclaimed the 56-year-old payroll administrator from Chesapeake, when asked about the roar. "It used to be annoying until you get on one."

The state rally of the Harley Owners Groups, or HOGs, has begun. All 17 of the Virginia HOG chapters have rumbled into town on their Fat Boys, Sportsters and Road Kings for the four-day convention.

On Thursday, there was a blinding amount of chrome in the parking lot of the Sheraton Hotel, aka HOG home base. And a Honda could nary be found.

"It's about the love of the machine," said Bob Trost, assistant director of the HOG chapter out of Fairfax County.

"And everybody likes to show their bike off," added Ben Wynkoop, a member of the Virginia Beach chapter.

The schedule includes a poker run, "biker-style" bingo and guided rides to landmarks around the region. A parade through Roanoke starts at 4:15 p.m. today, followed by the "Hog Heaven" party and bike show downtown.

There was also a fundraiser for the Child Health Investment Partnership, a local children's health care nonprofit.

The rally had started Wednesday, a dreary day for a ride, when many bikers had to don their rain gear to make the trip. But by Thursday morning, the sun was out and the rain gear was gone.

Around the parking lot, attendees wore leather vests and do-rags. At least one fellow had a T-shirt that said I LIKE IT HAWGY STYLE. And Jerry "Motorman" Palladino gave a short riding lesson behind the hotel.

"Turn your head and eyes and look only where you want the motorcycle to go," Palladino instructed. He easily guided his white Harley Electra Glide, which read "Technique Enforcement" on the back, in a series of tight turns and circles.

The inexperienced rider relies on foot-dragging and duck-walking when space is tight, he said. The seasoned rider can make agile U-turns. That kind of biking carries a high "C.D.I. factor" -- chicks dig it. After the show, copies of his "Ride Like a Pro" DVDs appeared to sell briskly.

Meanwhile, there seemed to be only one man who hadn't come on a motorcycle and that was David Guerrant of Roanoke. He worked in the hotel kitchen, and had come in his Chrysler sedan.

"They're pretty," he said, walking along a row of bikes, but not for him. "I like things with doors."