Monday, August 8 marked the beginning of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, held in the town of Sturgis in western South Dakota. Every year in the first full week of August, the Rally draws in visitors from all corners of the country for events, concerts, and motorcycle shows.
Although visitation has seen a drop since the landmark 75th Rally, which drew in the largest crowd on record, over 700,000 people, doubling South Dakota's population for the week, this year's Rally is still poised to be a busy event. No estimate was given for this year's crowd, but it is projected to be a significant drop from last year.
(The crowd at the 2015 Rally, Photo Credit: Sturgis Motorcycle Rally)
Crowds of motorcycles, campers, and trailers can be seen along west-bound Interstate 90 as early as a week prior to the event, riding through Rapid City and the Black Hills on their way to Sturgis, and linger for about a week after. Hotels and campgrounds through Sturgis and nearby towns are booked as much as a year in advance, and reservations go quickly. Tourist attractions and national parks along the way help to draw in visitors, as well as the events and business in Sturgis. Through the Black Hills National Forest, visitors can find Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park and the historic town of Deadwood, to name just a few.
(Bikers ride past iconic Mount Rushmore. Photo credit: Vesley Photography)
In Sturigs itself, biker bars like the Iron Horse Saloon, the Buffalo Chip and the newly-rebuilt Full Throttle feature drinking, dining and concerts with old staples such as Willie Nelson, David Allen Coe, Metallica and Five Finger Death Punch, as well as some newcomers, including Elle King, 3 Doors Down, and "Weird Al" Yankovic. Exhibitions and demo rides, heavily promoted by motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson, round out the week. There’s also bike washes, races, and rides. The full calendar of events can be seen at the official Rally website.
Although safety is a going concern, the past ten years have seen a drop in drug-related arrests, both felony and misdemeanor, according to the official Sturgis statistics; however, the numbers of people jailed and emergency visits have gone up since 65th Rally. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is also looking at one of their busiest weeks—motor vehicle accidents see a jump during rally week, and the Highway Patrol is advising bikers to wear a helmet and to be careful on the hairpin turns and blind hills throughout roads in the Black Hills.
So what draws so many people, year after year? One reason could be the beautiful views: South Dakota boasts some fantastic, sweeping vistas from different points throughout the entire Black Hills, and interesting scenic routes make for pretty riding.
(View from the Needles Highway in the Black Hills. Photo Credit: Jane Poss)
Another could be the camaraderie shared between motorcyclists: whether or not they ride a Harley, there’s a sense of community that comes from not only attending the Rally, but also the journey to and from. Ultimately, everyone is there to ride their bikes, see the Hills, and have a great time in Sturgis.
