Sturgis

84 arrests, 226 citations and 18 crashes reported in 24 hours at massive motorcycle rally in South Dakota

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by Caitlin O’Kane from https://www.cbsnews.com South Dakota authorities on Sunday reported the first haul of crashes, arrests and citations from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the western part of the state. The annual rally started on Friday, drawing thousands of maskless riders to the streets and bars of Sturgis. While organizers have said they expect fewer visitors than in other years, the Argus Leader reports the number of arrests and citations have increased from last year. The Department of Public Safety reported that police made 84 arrests for driving under the influence or drug-related offenses during a 24-hour period spanning from Saturday into Sunday morning. That’s up from last year, when 76 people had been arrested in a similar time frame. Police have also issued more citations, with 226 people getting tickets. The figure is 37 more than last year. But it appears police are less lenient this year and are letting fewer people off with warnings. So far, police in the region have reported 18 crashes, which is down from last year’s mark of 20. None have been fatal. Shrugging off the five million coronavirus cases now tallied in the U.S., thousands of motorcyclists converged this weekend in Sturgis for what is billed as the biggest cycle gathering in the world. “I’ve been here since the beginning of July,” one person in Sturgis told CBS News. “People are tired of being at home, you know. This is what this rally started about is freedom.” In June, city officials decided in an eight to one vote to go ahead with the rally, CBS affiliate KELO reports. In an email to CBS News, the City of Sturgis Public Information Officer Christina Steele said the “decision to hold the Rally came after hearing from thousands of attendees that they were coming to […]

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‘I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to be cooped up all my life either’: South Dakota motorcycle rally draws thousands

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by Stephen Groves from https://www.adn.com STURGIS, S.D. — Thousands of bikers poured into the small South Dakota city of Sturgis on Friday as the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally rumbled to life despite fears it could lead to a massive coronavirus outbreak. The rally could become one of the largest public gatherings since the pandemic began, with organizers expecting 250,000 people from all over the country to make their way through Sturgis during the 10-day event. That would be roughly half the number of previous years, but local residents — and a few bikers — worry that the crowds could create a “super-spreader” event. Many who rode their bikes into Sturgis on Friday expressed defiance at the rules and restrictions that have marked life in many locales during the pandemic. People rode from across the country to a state that offered a reprieve from coronavirus restrictions, as South Dakota has no special limits on indoor crowds, no mask mandates and a governor who is eager to welcome visitors and the money they bring. “Screw COVID,” read the design on one T-shirt being hawked. “I went to Sturgis.” Bikers rumbled past hundreds of tents filled with motorcycle gear, T-shirts and food. Harley Davidson motorcycles were everywhere but masks were almost nowhere to be seen, with an Associated Press reporter counting fewer than 10 in a crowd of thousands over a period of several hours. For Stephen Sample, who rode his Harley from Arizona, the event was a break from the routine of the last several months, when he’s been mostly homebound or wearing a mask when he went to work as a surveyor. “I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to be cooped up all my life either,” he said. Still, Sample, who is 66, feared what could happen if

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No masks required as 250,000 expected at 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Here’s what to know.

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by Joel Shannon from https://news.yahoo.com One of the largest events since the beginning of the pandemic has begun in South Dakota: More than 250,000 people are expected at the iconic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. That’s scaled down from previous years, where about half-a-million people have descended on the city of about 7,000 for an event that has developed a reputation as an anything-goes festival. While the 80-year tradition isn’t as raucous as it once was, festivalgoers will be largely free of social distancing restrictions common elsewhere in the country during this year’s 10-day festival. Bikers flocking to the small town from around the country won’t face quarantining requirements if they are from a coronavirus hot spot. And masks? They’re encouraged – not required. So far, few people are heeding that encouragement, according to an Associated Press reporter at the event. Many who rode their bikes into Sturgis on Friday expressed defiance at the rules and restrictions that have marked life in much of the world during the pandemic. “Screw COVID,” read the design on one T-shirt being hawked. “I went to Sturgis.” Local officials have made efforts to scale down the event, but some expect restriction-weary bikers to flock to Sturgis in large numbers. “It’s the biggest single event that’s going on in the United States that didn’t get canceled,” said Rod Woodruff, who operates the largest campground and concert venue that lies outside the bounds of the city. “A lot of people think it’s going to be bigger than ever.” In addition to normal concerns about crime, many locals are worried the huge crowds and lack of social distancing rules will lead to an unmanageable outbreak of COVID-19. What is Sturgis? The rally may be known for rowdy, drunken and naked shenanigans, but in recent years longtime attendees complain it

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Sturgis sponsor Harley-Davidson refused to send employees to annual rally over COVID-19 fears

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by Matthew Chapman from https://www.rawstory.com The ten-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is moving forward in South Dakota despite fears from health experts that it will be a superspreader event for COVID-19. According to The Daily Beast, even Harley-Davidson, the official motorcycle manufacturer of the Sturgis rally, is cautious about scaling up its operations at the event. “The dangers gave pause even to a company that counts on people’s willingness to risk being pinballed around without the protection of seat belts or air bags,” reported special correspondent Michael Daly. “To have participated in the rally as it had in past years would have meant being party to recklessness of a different order even than riding a motorcycle without a helmet. If you hop on a hog without a helmet, you are endangering only yourself. But if you go about without a mask you are endangering others.” According to the report, Harley-Davidson has declined to send any staff to the event, and is not directly vending products or holding demos as it has in previous years. “Usually, we have trucks and staff and products and demos and everything,” said a spokesperson. “This year, we aren’t doing that.” The spokesperson added, “We made the decision to kind of support it in a different way. This year, we’re doing it in a way that supports social distancing.” This is not the first time Harley-Davidson has been at odds with many of its customers. Two years ago, President Donald Trump picked a fight with the motorcycle brand over its decision to shift some production to Europe to avoid the trade war, and at that year’s Sturgis rally, many bikers said they were backing the president over the manufacturer of their rides.

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MyMedicTM And Veterans Charity Ride Deliver Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) To Sturgis, South Dakota First Responders

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When: Friday, August 7th, 2020, 5:00 pm Where: Indian Motorcycle Sturgis. 2130 Main St. Sturgis, SD 57785 All press and media invited to attend When facing challenging times, Americans seek out ways to help one another. They rally together and support those in need. That is precisely what MyMedicTM and Veterans Charity Ride are doing on Friday, August 7th 2020, when they deliver a supply of personal protection equipment (PPE) to first responders in Sturgis, South Dakota. Due to a lack of funding and access needed to purchase and maintain proper PPE, first responders are showing up to emergency calls inadequately protected from exposure to COVID-19. First responders will be receiving MyMedicTM Pandemic MedicTM Personal Protection Kits. Veterans Charity Ride is a veteran operated non-profit organization that uses “motorcycle therapy” to help fellow veterans adjust to post-war life. Veterans (nominated through the VCR website) enjoy the therapeutic effects of motorcycle riding on an all-expense-paid cross-country adventure of a lifetime. The VCR motorcycle ride will begin in Moab, Utah, July, 28th and arrive in Sturgis, SD, on Friday, August 7th, 2020. This year VCR is taking things a step further with its “service before self” initiative. This effort will directly offer support and appreciation for our nation’s first responders and professional medical workers, who have been working the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. ABOUT VETERANS CHARITY RIDE Veterans Charity Ride (VCR), started by veterans for veterans, is a non-profit organization that delivers Motorcycle Therapy and additional life changing, life-saving holistic programs specifically designed to assist wounded and amputee combat veterans with their needs and the issues they deal with on a daily basis. Helping our fellow veterans through outreach, action, activities, education and follow-up is what drives our organization. The end result of our program is a healthier and happier, more

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The Big Question Bikernet Weekly News for August 6, 2020

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Hey, You’ll see in the news wild announcements. The Authorities shut down Las Vegas Bike Fest and Daytona Biketoberfest, but we’re still rocking in Sturgis. It’s going to be a helluva test. I hope like hell no one gets sick. I don’t see a lot of mask wearing in these parts. This might be the only run this year. I’ve got LA brothers who still want to make it out. The opinions are all over the map. Some folks think it’s cool. Some folks need to make the money. Some folks think we’ll have an outbreak after the rally and are pissed off. I know of stores that will be completely closed during the rally. One thing is for certain. Whatever happens, we’ll experience it, deal with it and move on. But wait, Laconia is still happening. I’m sure they will look long and hard at the Black Hills Rally. Let’s hit the news. CLICK HERE TO READ THE NEWS ON BIKERNET Join the Cantina – Subscribe Here https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

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Joe’s Stupid Fast Bagger Collection

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About the Time Doom and Gloom Hits the Horizon another Market Blossoms by Bandit with photos by Wrench The Badlands represents the old west and now bikers, due predominately to the 80-year-old Sturgis Rally, Pappy Hoel and Michael Lichter. More brothers and sisters feel the magic in the hills and want to stay. Plus, for outlaw brothers of the wind, this area still represents freedom, and something untouched, for now. I discovered a new breed of riders in Boulder Canyon in a large open shop. Hidden between pine trees were five Stupid Fast Harley Baggers, a Ducati Panigale and a tricked out 200 mph Kawasaki cop bike. A handful of guys with the moxie and the money to ride from Deadwood to Denver at 140 mph plus. Let me know what you think of his Stupid Fast Fleet. CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE ON BIKERNET Join the Cantina – Subscribe Today https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

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South Dakota’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally expecting to draw 250K, amid coronavirus concerns

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by David Aaro, Stephen Groves from https://www.foxnews.com Some residents worry that the event could result in an uncontrolled spread of the virus The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is expecting to see some quarter-million people descend upon a scarcely populated South Dakota city in August, making it likely the biggest event so far during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report. At least 250,000 people are anticipated to pass through Sturgis and cruise through the western portions of the state during this year’s Aug. 7 to Aug. 16 rally, which is roughly half the number of people who normally attend. While South Dakota has seen just 165 deaths from the virus so far, some residents worry that the event could result in an uncontrolled spread of the virus amid a recent surge in cases. “This is a huge, foolish mistake to make to host the rally this year,” Sturgis resident Lynelle Chapman told city counselors at a June meeting. “The government of Sturgis needs to care most for its citizens.” A debate has continued in recent months, with many residents wishing for the rally to be postponed and businesses arguing they need the race to make a living. A recent survey of residents conducted by the city found that more than 60 percent believe the rally should be postponed amid concerns over the virus. Those attending the event have spent roughly $800 million in recent years, and businesses that depend on the rally see it as a chance to make up for losses during the pandemic. Pressure from the tourism business and a realization from officials that people would still come to Sturgis forced the city to implement a scaled-back version of the event. “After considering many options, the City Council voted in favor of moving forward with preparations for the large

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New Bagger Market Revealed Bikernet Weekly News for July 30, 2020

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INCREDIBLE—I have one major question and maybe I know the answer. I keep saying that we’re living in the best of times. That takes an historic prospective. If you lived 100 years ago, you would immediately nod your head in agreement. You would have felt the suffering from WWI, the Spanish Flu, you name it. Hell, during the Civil War and there were no antibiotics and few pain killers. In most areas there wasn’t electricity. In many areas there were no sewers or running water. Okay, so now we are so damn lucky to have so much at our fingertips. We can travel the world quickly, have cars that do everything for us and phones capable of answering anything, entertaining, you name it. So, why do folks want to be pissed off about bullshit, or stuff that happened 200 years ago? Why do politicians want to take your cars and motorcycles away? Fuck it, just go for a ride. Some folks have a tough time with Freedom. They just can’t let go. Bikers get it. Let’s continue to ride fast and free. The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Most recently Quick Throttle Magazine came on board. CLICK HERE TO READ THE NEWS ON BIKERNET Join the Cantina – Subscribe Today https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

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RV Spots Filling Up Fast Ahead of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

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from https://rvbusiness.com The COVID-19 pandemic apparently is not discouraging as many visitors as previously expected, but home rentals, campground spaces and hotel rooms remain available for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that starts Aug. 7, according to a report by Tanya Manus in the Rapid City, S.D., Journal. “It’s the 80th rally, so people are coming,” said Kimberly Roberts, owner of Kickstands Campground and Venue outside Sturgis. Roberts said some primitive tent camping and self-contained RV spaces are still open because of cancellations, but full-service RV spots are full. “This is our fourth rally. What’s different I’m noticing is people are trickling in. People are showing up,” she said. Gina Huiet, manager of Sturgis RV Park in Sturgis, said that park is usually fully booked by October for the following summer’s rally. The park rents sites for five or 10 days at a time. As of Friday, the park had some openings because Canadian travelers were forced to cancel due to COVID-19 border closures. “Yes, I have had some people cancel because of COVID-19, but all those spots, we’ve booked them,” Huiet said. “People are coming anyway.” “We do have an overflow camping lot. We do allow one- and two-night stays for motorcycles and tents. We’ve never filled it up before but it could happen this year,” she said. “All those people that waited until the last minute, the only good thing about COVID-19 is it opened a rally spot for you.” As of Friday, sturgis.com still listed a variety of rentals open throughout the Black Hills. Options ranged from high-end luxury homes to rustic cabins and campsites. Meanwhile this week, Airbnb.com shows its rentals throughout the Black Hills are 81% booked during the rally. Several entire houses for rent during the rally have not yet been reserved. Julie Schmitz Jensen,

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