The Little Known Rowdy Sturgis Secret: Camp Zero
LoveForget everything you think you know about the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and start from ZERO. Over the years there’s been a lot of debate about what Sturgis is or isn’t, and who it is or isn’t for. “It’s just a bunch of big wheel baggers.” “It’s not my scene.” “There’s nothing there for me.” Insert any number of other zero fun or legit excuses. A few years back, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip decided to call BS on that line of thinking. The Buffalo Chip asked themselves, if you’re with the largest gathering of moto enthusiasts and music festival fans in the world and you can’t make a new scene or your own scene, whose fault is that, really? If you want to do your thing just start by getting your friends together and doing your thing. Don’t worry about who’s soiling their pants from flexing too hard down the street. So, that’s exactly what The Chip did… they soiled their pants with dirt instead. Camp Zero was built in 2018 by a group of folks who wanted to ditch the preconceived notion of what the Sturgis Rally is and party like 1980s animals who love rad bikes and wild parties. #Zero OGs like @DaymonWoodruff the Unsung Zero, Jesse Andersanchez @Jessebytheslice, Tanner Preedo @montanner17, Brady McClean from @GoFastDontDie, Cosmo Varriano @cosmoschoppers, Big Joe Mielke from @SnapFabrications, Jason Lightner from the @TheGambler500, @pgarvin from J&P Cycles, @KellyYazdi from Ride Wild, Brad Schneck @video.brad, @MotoLady Alicia Elfving and others all contributed to creating a space to push back against the perception that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is filled with old men and big baggers who think that there is no room for riding anything else. ZERO truly is the launch site for raising hell and rallying like the old days. Were you in on this rowdy Sturgis secret? If you were there, take a walk down memory lane. If you missed it, picture this: In the southeast part of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, you grabbed a beer from your favorite bartender at Zero bar, a punk rock bar that was built inside of an 80-year-old barn. Whether you’re into minibike shenanigans, Sasha’s Cycle’s motorcycle rodeo, an incredible Sportster Showdown and Mini Bike show, wild parties, Harley wheelies, wicked burnouts or just hanging out with insanely cool people, you found yourself knee-deep in the madness that is Camp Zero @campzerosturgis. Everyday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., you kept your name at the top of the time trial list as you ran the fastest time around Camp Zero’s notorious Hell Track. This open track was available to race alone, with someone, on your own bike, or someone else’s. It didn’t matter, you just. Went. Fast. Camp Zero’s #UnsungZeros made sure the grass clippins were out of the way as you tested your minibike skills and speed. You raced with the best as you battled to win the top spot in the Pull-Start Barrel Racing event. You celebrated choppers, talked chop, and had a good time during an evening of old-school rodeo games during @SashasCyclesofSturgis Sasha’s Cycle’s Rodeo Games. From the weenie bite, slow races and cowboy barrel cross to a rail ride, highway cones, barrel races and more, this was a night to saddle up for. You headed over to one of the weirdest and wildest events at Camp Zero, the Mini Bike Rodeo where road barrel/keg dragging, pool noodle jousting, and flip cup races were just a few things to do. It’s a good thing you brought your cowboy hat! You stumbled upon a mind-blowing collection of customized Sportster models and a large dose of memorable mayhem. Led Sled Customs @ledsledcustoms hosted a free-to-enter communal event celebrating the history, culture, and diversity of one of the coolest bikes in existence, the Harley-Davidson Sportster, along with Biltwell, Metzeler, S&S Cycle, J&P Cycles, Cycle Source, Lowbrow Customs, and Chop Cult. The grass race to top all grass races. You grabbed your Coleman @colemanpowersports_usa mini bike and a buddy and headed to the Race Pit Area in the Powersports Complex where you participated in a head-to-head event where you proved once and for all that you are the fastest grasser out there. After the Sportster Showdown and Mini Bike Show for Anarchy Games, you showed up on a bike/mini bike and survived the Gauntlet and caught some airtime. Being punk rock isn’t always just about jumping minibikes and beer wall smashes – though, those things ARE pretty rad. It’s also about making sure that the space that surrounds you is cleaner than it was when you got there. The Gambler 500 @thegambler500 mini bike and scoot crew cleaned the ditches next to the highway leading into Camp Zero, and you helped them. Zero is the point from which a positive or a negative are reckoned. Zero is the Jump off point for all things that move forward. If you are going to start over, you must start at zero. Jump in, jump off, or stand there staring while your friends egg you on. Everyone starts at zero. Forget everything you think you know and start at Zero. Yeah, it is a good time. Annnnnnnnnnd it means something. Love
Motorcycle Camping Gear: 10 Pieces of Essential Gear You Shouldn’t Leave Home Without
Love If you’ve ever thrown your leg over a motorcycle or spent a night camping under the stars, you probably know how transformative the experience can be. A little wind therapy or adventure therapy goes a long way in clearing the mind, and when you combine the two, the results are even greater! Bikers and campers may naturally understand the importance of being outdoors and being in nature, but the gear needed for motorcycle camping might not be quite as obvious. Here are a few recommended items to help you stay outdoors and maximize your next motorcycle camping experience. Camping 1. Tent A tent – though it should go without saying, you need one to sleep in. However, what you might not have thought about is its durability in a high wind and rainstorm, which happens, especially during a trip to Sturgis, SD. You don’t want a tent that rips in half the first time you get a 20 mph wind and leaves you sleeping in a river. The Wolf Walker 2-person motorbike tent is a three-season quick setup tent that’s lightweight, firm, and durable. The bike port is a great feature, and there’s a separate, secure enclosure attached to the inner tent for storing gear. 2. Compression Bag Compression bags should be high priority on your gear list. There’s limited luggage space on a motorcycle, so compression bags help a rider free some space for souvenirs and beer. The Nelson Rigg medium compression bag can store up to 30% more items after bags are compressed. This lightweight water-resistant bag allows for the most compact packing of your soft items. Pro-tip: Buy at least two of these bad boys – one for clean clothes, one for dirty clothes. 3. Knife If you don’t have at least one good American made knife, then are you even a motorcycle rider? Already have one? Well, two is one and one is none. The Whiteknuckler brand is made in the USA and built to last decades, not months. The Model 3’s overall length is 7 inches for you size queens, with 3.5 inches of sharp surface or a bit less than the width of most man hands. 4. Cooking System Whether you’ve just returned from a cold ride or waking up to go on one, hot wets will keep the chills at bay, so a stove cooking system is definitely a good investment. The Jetboil Flash boils water in a lightning quick 100 seconds, which is just shy of a millennium when you’ve just woken up hungover and craving coffee. Rain Gear: 5. Hurricane Rain Suit Depending on where you live, a short or long ride means a high probability you will experience all four seasons during your trip. If the forecast includes rain, you’ll wish you had rain gear added to your packing list. This affordable ultra-lightweight one-piece is designed to be worn over your textile or leather riding gear. The inside lining will keep you cool and comfortable. There is one main zipper that runs down the center from chest to thigh to get in and out quickly. All seams are tape-sealed for waterproofing, and the reflective detailing improves visibility so that others can see you riding in the rain. Even though it has the word hurricane in it, don’t be surprised if you get more than wet should you decide to ride in hurricane or hurricane adjacent conditions. It also comes with its own transport/storage bag designed to fit in your bike’s storage container. The sizes do run a little small, so be sure to check the sizing chart to ensure proper fit as you fluctuate in seasonal weight. 6. Waterproof Motorcycle Shoe Covers If you enjoy getting caught in the rain but would rather not experience trench foot, then consider purchasing appropriate footwear. At the very least, it wouldn’t hurt to pack a pair of inexpensive boot raincovers. These boot raincovers are constructed of 100% waterproof PVC material to keep your boots dry, clean and warm. The elastic top is designed to comfortable and snug regardless of your cankle size. It is portable and foldable enough to fit in your bag or luggage compartment. The material is thick and washable so you can use it over and over again. 7. Dry Gloves The benefits of keeping your meat hooks warm and dry are obvious, so hopefully you have the right gloves for the weather you might encounter. These Dainese gloves are versatile enough to use all season since they give waterproof protection, thermal insulation, comfort, flexibility, and safety. You can wear them on or off road or for daily use in the city. They’re designed with the D-Dry waterproof membrane, which repels rainwater. The reinforcement on the palm guarantees a perfect grip and maintaining breathability. If you are on a budget, these gloves have a thermal padding and windproof inserts, which make them perfect dual-purpose gloves for rain and winter use. As a bonus, the Smart Touch Dainese system allows you to handle your devices with touch screens without taking off the gloves. 8. Anti-Fog Film Not all fog is bad – like the mornings when you’re sipping coffee on your porch or getting busy with your partner inside a vehicle. But fog on your visor is bad for your health, so make sure you consider this before you go on a ride. This Master of Anti-Fog visor insert is for full face helmets and available in clear, gray for high contrast, or even yellow for night driving. It is made of high-quality material, the insert is anti-scratch, flexible, super light and durable. The adhesive on the back of the insert keeps it fixed in place from falling out easily, but make sure to measure the size of your helmet visor/shield before purchasing. This is one of many affordable solutions, but it is important to think about visibility when riding even when the conditions are clear. Cold Weather Gear 9. Winter Underwear Riding Bottom Unless you’re a complete
