The itch to go to the largest biker rally in the world was
just too much to resist. I woke up early Thursday morning and got ready
as fast
as I could.
The
day before I bought some new foot pegs, shifter peg and brake pad for
the
motorcycle. Libertad, truth be told, is a bit vain, and likes to show
off
whenever possible. The new chrome was just the accoutrements she was
looking
for and she seemed more anxious than I to leave.
When
I started up the motorcycle she growled in anticipation and took off
like a
shot down the road to get to the freeway.
The
interstate was a blur. Towns disappeared as quickly as I came upon
them. I made
a stop in Gillette to get gas and was at the border of Wyoming/South
Dakota
before I expected to be. Spearfish was 15 miles from there and Sturgis
another
20. I was rumbling down
The
energy is amazing. The town of an approximately 6,000 gets 500,000
bikers during
the week and they spend millions of dollars on everything from hotels
to food
to booze to souvenirs.
The
people run the gamut from the suburban couple getting away from the
kids for a
week to the hardcore biker who brings a sleeping bag and nothing else,
sleeping
under a tree and wearing the same clothes for seven days.
The
rally began in 1938 as a race between two motorcycle groups and has
grown from
that to the largest week-long party for motorcyclists.
One
of the best features of the week are the rides around the Sturgis area.
All
of the major bike builders come, West Coast Choppers, Orange County
Choppers,
Sims, Arlen Ness, Indian Larry Legacy, they are all here showing off
their
latest creations.
You
could sit and people watch for hours. I took the camera and shot some
of the
more interesting people. There are four photo galleries. Just click on
one of
them and enjoy the pictures.
Be warned though, some of the content is
adult in nature and might be offensive to those who are repressed.
I found a couple that was renting rooms in
their house
and I was lucky enough to get one. It was right across the street from
the
Broken Spoke Saloon, one of the most famous biker bars in the world.
Last night
the Kentucky Headhunters played and I enjoyed several adult beverages.
I am
paying for it as I type this and am not looking forward to getting on
the
motorcycle and riding, but I want to get to