Today was the official first day of the Rally.



Other live cams:
Sturgis: https://www.sturgis-sd.gov/web...n-and-around-sturgis
https://sturgismotorcyclerally.com/webcams/
Deadwood: https://www.iplivecams.com/liv...akota-united-states/

Earlier today I read about the origins of the Sturgis rally and "Pappy".

Fascinating !

Been there twice, but never knew the history.

Yeah Pappy Hoel started things in 1938 with promoting dirt track racing in Sturgis to help grow his then new Indian motorcycle dealership. He was a huge friend to WWII Vets after the war.
Things have grown dramatically over the 82 years since he started it off.




As an aside, despite the weather here, South Dakota has more motorcycles per capita than any other State in the Union.

I was all packed up to head out to Sturgis today, but I've been fighting a bad head cold for two days and I think I might miss it now. Ugh. I've been about 15 times, including the last two years, but it still sucks when a plan falls apart.

I’ve been to Sturgis 4 times but only once when the rally was going on, and that was by accident. It looked like a giant party, I stopped and walked Main Street looking at the thousands of bikes, and people , then continued on my way home. I couldn’t have ridden anywhere in the area anyway then because all the roads were clogged up with parades of riders.

Years past we used to have droves of motorcyclists go through town on their way to the rally, but not so much anymore. I'm not sure of the reason, but I miss the sounds of those bikes as they pass through.

Talked yesterday with a motorcycle parts rep that was working there and he said it was slower than expected. Maybe fuel prices are keeping the Winnebago crowd from going.

Been three times. Two for the rally and one during a vacation with the wife to MT. Rushmore. Good times.

quote:

Originally posted by Calif Phil:
Talked yesterday with a motorcycle parts rep that was working there and he said it was slower than expected. Maybe fuel prices are keeping the Winnebago crowd from going.

I'm hearing the crowds are good but spending is down somewhat. That said it is really too early yet to get a good read.

I made it there three times, with my last time in 2001. I had a good time every time, and wish that I was able to make the trip again.....but I am not.

Been there 3 times on the Harley, once with the Family when I was a lil kid, again a few years ago with my Family.
Family stuff was off season with the Rally, but still a great time with plenty to see and do in a beautiful chunk of this Country! One of these years, I'll try to get out there again on a Harley. Because as nice as it is in a car/truck, it's 10X better on a bike!

Visited Sturgis once about 25 years ago the week after the event. As a small town resident I was curious to see it. While impressive country side and incredibly resilient community, the area
Looked stomped flat from overgrazing.

Someday I'll return for another look. My riding days are behind though.

They are now saying the crowds so far this year are in fact smaller than previous years.