GALVESTON -- The thousands of motorcyclists who will converge on the island in December for what has become a yearly pilgrimage will do it again in early spring, said organizers of the Lone Star Rally.

Despite rumors to the contrary, rally organizers plan to move forward with the event December 11-14. But they also are planning a ‘Spring Fling’ in attempt to recoup financial losses anticipated during the fall event because of Hurricane Ike.

Lone Star Rally President Ron Limbock said he was contemplating a date in late April or early May.

Having two rallies within 12 months is a first, but also a must for the organization, which expects revenue losses after Hurricane Ike forced it to reschedule its October 30 date, Limbock said. Some vendors have dropped out because of the change.

Organizers and city officials had been ready to hold the event October 31, less than two months after the hurricane made landfall, pushing storm surge as high as 12 feet across the island and swamping thousands of homes and businesses.

Some island residents and business owners said the city just wasn¹t ready for the bikers to visit the city in late October.

Some worried that island residents whose homes were damaged by the storm would be forced out of hotels to accommodate bikers.

Safety also was a big issue because University of Texas Medical Branch buildings flooded, forcing John Sealy Hospital to close and reducing the capability of its emergency room.

Last year, several rally participants died and several were injured in traffic accidents.

It¹s unclear how many businesses will be open in mid-December for the event, held downtown and along part of the seawall.

Island business owners whose buildings were damaged by the storm are eligible for free booth space at the rally, Limbock said previously. They would have to acquire the proper insurance, however.

Event organizers are setting up booths from 21^st to 29^th streets along the seawall to accommodate more businesses, Limbock has said. But businesses cannot sell beer or alcohol at the booths.