The Complete Sturgis Rally Guide: Everything You Need To Know About The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Love There’s nothing in the world like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Our rides, concerts, and events are as notorious as they are famous. You’ve heard stories of horned men, buffalo hide bikes, and bartenders on stilts pouring drinks down people’s throats. You’ve seen iconic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally celebrations on T.V.: Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and every news channel known to man. Maybe you’ve been to the Sturgis Rally and ridden past Mount Rushmore, through the Needle’s Eye, or scraped pegs on the 360-degree Pigtail Bridge turns. You want to experience the Sturgis Rally, and you should. It’s easy to imagine yourself riding down Main Street, hitting the 84 curves on Iron Mountain Rd through the Black Hills, or drinking a cold one, center stage, at the best concert of your life. But what else should you know about the Sturgis Rally? Anyone who comes to the Sturgis Rally knows there is no shortage of things to do. In fact, it’s impossible to do All The Things, even if you tried. To ensure you don’t waste your time at the wrong events during this year’s Rally, you need the inside scoop, a trusted Sturgis Rally Guide of must-dos, and you need it now to plan for the Sturgis Rally. Do all the things you truly want to do. What Is The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally? If you made it this far in your search, you likely know the Sturgis Rally is an 84-year old gathering of like-minded individuals who share a love for motorcycling and the freedom of the road. The Sturgis Rally started as a race between a few friends. Since then, it has become a ten-day bike rally with rides, bike shows, and concerts unlike anywhere else in the world. The Sturgis Rally is known for some of the best motorcycle riding in the world, unique concert settings, and crazy events that create smiles from ear to ear. But Sturgis is more than just a series of events. It’s the feeling of outrunning a storm through the Black Hills, enjoying a “we’re not gonna take it” moment at a Buffalo Chip Twisted Sister concert, and gawking at eye-catching hand-built bikes. The Rally is a state of being. It’s the wind and sun on your face as you ride past Mount Rushmore. It is a laugh with lifelong friends. It is a memory you’ll cherish forever. When Is The 2024 Sturgis Rally? The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally starts on the first Friday of August every year. The 81st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is August 1 through 11, 2024. The Sturgis Rally Pre-Party starts on August 1, 2024, at the Buffalo Chip. Where Is The Sturgis Bike Rally? The Sturgis Rally takes place in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Multiple promoters organize and promote the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: Sturgis Buffalo Chip, Lamphere Ranch, Full Throttle Saloon, Glencoe Campresort, Black Hills Harley-Davidson, and the City of Sturgis, to name a few. Who Owns The Sturgis Rally? NOBODY OWNS THE STURGIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY. Since day 1, the Sturgis Rally has been by bikers for bikers. Not by the city government, for bikers. In 2018, the Eighth Circuit Court made that fact clear when they ruled that 100s of private entities have organized the Sturgis Rally over the years. “We agree and hold that the jury could not infer from the onerous planning that the City undertakes to provide infrastructure for the Rally that the City was the organizer or sponsor of the Rally. To allow such an inference would be tantamount to saying that it would be reasonable to infer that the City of New York organizes the sessions of the United Nations General Assembly because of everything it does to assist their occurrence.” The court went on to say that an organization cannot establish ownership “simply by getting its officials and agents to say that it is.” Corporate sponsors paid millions of dollars to the City of Sturgis for the right to use false trademarks over the years. Will sponsors who paid for licensing to use those false trademarks want their money back? Read the articles explaining the historic ruling here: https://dev.sturgis.com/sturgismotorcyclerally/news/will-the-sturgis-motorcycle-rally-be-canceled-sturgis-rally-is-on-say-businesses-even-if-city-opts-out https://dev.sturgis.com/blog/sturgis-rally-trademark-officially-struck-down When Did The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Start? A local racing club called the Jackpine Gypsies started the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 1938. The Jackpine Gypsies Club was founded in 1936 by local Indian dealer Clarence “Pappy” Hoel, who later started the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as a series of races and stunts. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally originally began as a two-day event called the “Black Hills Motor Classic.” The Jackpine Gypsies continue to host races annually outside of the Sturgis City Limits in Meade County. In 2020, the City of Sturgis attempted an unsuccessful hostile annexation of the Jackpine Gypsies’ property. The Jackpine Gypsies successfully petitioned to bring the forced annexation attempt to vote and won. Should I Register For The Sturgis Rally Or Just Show Up? Have you ever shown up to a destination wishing someone was there to tell you about all the best things to see and do? Sure you have! Discovering the best that the Sturgis Rally has to offer can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can begin your Sturgis Rally adventure by connecting with a friendly face, picking up a Welcome Packet, and free Sturgis Rally Ride Pin and Patch at the Sturgis Rally Information Center™! Sometimes all you need to help make your trip frustration-free is the opportunity to ask someone for a recommendation on what to do and see. Check out the Sturgis.com Official Sturgis Rally Registration. You’ll be glad you did. Where To Stay In Sturgis During The Motorcycle Rally? Where you should stay during the Sturgis Rally depends on you. If you want the traditional authentic Sturgis Rally experience, the best place to stay during the Sturgis Rally would be at a campground like the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. The Buffalo Chip is the original “by bikers for bikers” campground. It opened when the City of Sturgis kicked bikers out of town and is the original
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
Boy’s Rally Lemonade Stand Raises Over $32,000 for Charity
Love In 2019, Wyatt Dennis sat on the porch of a house his parents were thinking about purchasing when an idea was born. It happened to be in the middle of the Sturgis Rally, and Wyatt told his parents that if they purchased the house, he’d want to do a lemonade stand the following Rally. When 2020 rolled around, the house was theirs, Wyatt was ready, and the lemonade stand idea was put into action. Wyatt wanted to purchase a Lego set. His parents told him he would be serving free lemonade to anyone who wanted some and in return for his hard work, they would take him to buy the Lego set with the money he earned at the end of Rally. On day one, donations started rolling in. It was apparent that the Lego set would be easily obtainable, so a new plan was set up for the money coming in. Fifty percent would go into savings for college, 30 percent would go toward a charity of Wyatt’s choice, and 20 percent would go toward the Lego set. Instead of only being able to teach Wyatt how hard work can get you what you want, the lemonade stand had become a lesson about saving, giving, and spending. Wyatt chose St. Jude Children’s Hospital for his charity because he wanted to help kids. In 2020, the lemonade stand brought in approximately $700 in donations, and Wyatt was able to donate $200 to St. Jude. When the 2021 Rally rolled around, Wyatt headed back down to Sturgis Road to set up his stand again. No one expected this year to be different than 2020, but everything changed in the first weekend the lemonade stand was set up. A wonderful lady named Tracy from Louisiana stopped a couple times and asked if she could post about the stand on Facebook. Her post was then picked up by Derek Swain, a Combat Vet Rider, who added to and reposted Tracy’s original post. It went viral in a couple days’ time. Not only were people from all over visiting the stand while in town for Sturgis, they were also donating virtual glasses of lemonade. Wyatt’s story was picked up by local news stations, newspapers, Fox and Friends, and a Fox station out of Minnesota. This allowed word of the stand to reach from coast to coast. After everything was said and done in 2021, Wyatt chose to donate 50 percent of what came in and was able to give just over $32,000 to St. Jude. Wyatt plans to continue to do his lemonade stand every year, as long as people continue to come. In 2022, he hopes everyone who comes to town for Rally will come stop by and say hello and that he can raise $50,000 for St. Jude! **Update as of 1-4-2022 **I wanted to let you know (if you haven’t seen it on his FB page) that we are going to have a raffle for a $1000 tattoo session. There is an artist from Spearfish who has committed to this and we will be selling tickets starting in February for $20.00 each. We will draw for the winner on July 4th so they have time to schedule the session when they are out for the Rally. All proceeds will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. In the meantime, you can learn more about Wyatt’s Lemonade Stand on his Facebook page (Wyatt’s Lemonade), Instagram (@wyattslemonade), and website (www.wyattslemonade.com). Love
Sturgis Rally Numbers – How Big Was the 2021 Sturgis Rally?
Love The dust has settled on an incredible rally, and now everyone is asking the same question – How big was the 81st Sturgis Rally in 2021? This year was a bounce back year for the Sturgis Rally. Leading up to the 81st, rumors swirled that 2021 would see a massive turnout, maybe even the largest Sturgis Rally ever. In some ways, the rumors were true. What was the Sturgis Rally Attendance in 2021? SD Department of Transportation numbers as reported by the department and local News Source KOTA, indicate “more than 525,000 visitors attended the 81st Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.” “Rally attendance was up 13.8% over last year when COVID19 kept attendance low at 462,182.” 2021 Sturgis Rally Vehicle Count Numbers Business and vendors in the Sturgis area reported increased sales, Custer State Park reported an eight percent increase in visitor traffic and campgrounds like the Sturgis Buffalo Chip saw a record number of campers, but how many people were really in attendance? Was it as big as the 75th? No…It was not as big as the 75th. According to the official traffic numbers released by the South Dakota Department of Transportation, the 81st Rally in 2021 was not nearly as big as the 75th, but traffic was up almost 14 percent from 2020. The South Dakota DOT gathers these numbers from road tube counters placed at nine locations where traffic enters Sturgis. One vehicle is counted for every two axles that hit the counter on their way into town. The full DOT report on the rally can be found here. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is reporting that the 2021 Sturgis Rally was a safer rally than 2020. Though the traffic was higher this year, the number of crashes were about the same, but fatalities and DUI arrests were down. See more rally statistics from the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety here. South Dakota State News Reports the Department of Revenue’s tax collections at the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally are currently at $1,795,706k, 34% more than 2020. The 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is scheduled for Aug. 5-14, 2022. Get a jumpstart on 2022 by registering for the rally and receiving your free welcome packet at Sturgis.com/registration. Love
Is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Canceled?
Love Is Sturgis Canceled? The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Is Not Canceled! Over 50 local businesses confirm they will be open and hosting the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. (listed below) Over the past few months the question that has been on everyone’s mind is – will the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally be canceled? “You can’t cancel what you don’t own,” said Randy Peterson, owner of Sturgis.com, the original website dedicated to promoting the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. “You can choose to participate or choose not to participate, but the Sturgis Rally will still go on regardless of what the City of Sturgis chooses.” Consensus among area venues, campgrounds and over 50 hospitality businesses is that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is happening, and they will be open to host it. No One Owns the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally The fact there is no “official” owner of the rally is one that is widely misunderstood. Only recently have regional news and media outlets begun to shed more light on this reality. In a recent article published by the Black Hills Pioneer, Jesse James Dupree, co-owner of the Full Throttle Saloon and Pappy Hoel Campground, pointed out the federal ruling from the 8th Circuit Court, which addressed the use of Rally trademarks. In that document, the court ruled the City of Sturgis’ involvement and authority over the Rally does not extend past providing municipal services. In 2018, The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the US District Court ruled the rally is not organized by any single entity but is rather a pluralistic endeavor promoted by multiple organizations. These court cases began as a trademark dispute between who owns the title “Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.” They additionally brought to light answers to the question of who is the official organizer of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The court stated: “We agree and hold that the jury could not infer from the onerous planning that the City undertakes to provide infrastructure for the rally that the City was the organizer or sponsor of the rally. To allow such an inference would be tantamount to saying that it would be reasonable to infer that the City of New York organizes the sessions of the United Nations General Assembly because of everything it does to assist their occurrence.” A blog article further explaining the implications of the court ruling and providing .pdf court documents can be found here: sturgis.com/blog/sturgis-rally-trademark-officially-struck-down. “The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was started by a private business owner and private motorcycle club,” said Peterson. “That motorcycle club isn’t even inside Sturgis City limits. According to US Court of Appeals, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has been promoted by ‘hundreds of entities’ since.” An entity cannot own something just because their officials say they do. This fact is made very clear when the appeals court went on to state, an “…owner cannot establish that its mark is valid simply by getting its officials and agents to say that it is.” If the City of Sturgis votes to not partake in the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, it does not mean there will not be a rally. It means the city will not issue vendor permits within city limits, rent out space, make Main Street motorcycles only or provide other municipal services. “You can’t cancel what you don’t own” – Randy Peterson, of Sturgis.com Government Involvement Because the City of Sturgis does not own the rally and the state has shown no inclination to tell people they cannot come, multiple venues, campgrounds and businesses are moving forward. These Black Hills venues and attractions will continue hosting the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally regardless of whether the City of Sturgis votes to promote the rally within the city limits. “It’s what Governor Kristi Noem said early on: ‘The government’s role is not to run people’s lives, but to give them information by which they can make informed decisions,’ ” said Sturgis Buffalo Chip CEO and President Rod Woodruff. “Beyond that, it’s a personal responsibility. We have a very conscientious political structure here in South Dakota, and that’s because of the people we have here. They’re respectful of people’s civil rights and their right to freedom. We’re here every year to celebrate that freedom.” When Governor Noem announced a July 3rd fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, she was quoted as saying, “If you’re sick stay home, If you’re the vulnerable population and you’re worried about the virus, then you should stay home. People will have all the information they need to know exactly what it will look like out there at Mt. Rushmore so that they can make a decision whether or not they should attend this year.” The same attitude should prevail regarding the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Those who do not feel safe coming to the Sturgis Rally should not come. “The government’s role is not to run people’s lives, but to give them information by which they can make informed decisions,” said Sturgis Buffalo Chip CEO and President Rod Woodruff. “Beyond that, it’s a personal responsibility.” – Rod Woodruff Safety The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the lives of everyone, but much has been learned since the virus was first detected. The public now has access to information on how to best protect themselves and how to live with the virus. Social distancing, wearing a mask, sanitation practices and self-quarantining when symptomatic are all steps the public and businesses can take. Safety is still on people’s minds, but many are starting to realize they can’t hide forever. Department of Health and CDC guidelines are keeping people more informed on how to stay safe while being able to live their lives, and many private businesses are doing their part to help their customers be better protected. Many area businesses and campgrounds have already put in place new guidelines and safeguards to combat the potential spread of COVID-19. Measures at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip will include increasing sanitation practices, implementing social distancing measures, providing hand sanitizer throughout the campground and encouraging
COVID-19 Update: Sturgis Rally 80th Moving Forward as Planned
LoveUpdated May 29, 2020 We would like to take a moment to let you know that we are monitoring the coronavirus situation closely. The Sturgis Rally is months away and experts predict the coronavirus will have peaked and continue to be in decline before the end of summer. The president recently announced plans to reopen the economy and businesses. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem released an executive order on April 28 that included South Dakota’s “Back to Normal” plan. We continue to remain optimistic. The rally is still on and has NOT been postponed. Since the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is put on by many different venues and organizations, and not owned by any one organization, we will keep an updated list of all the Sturgis Rally venues that have publicly stated their position in regard to the coronavirus below. No Sturgis Rally Venue Has Postponed or Canceled Their Event. Concerts, events, and activities are on schedule for late summer. We look forward to seeing you August 7-15, 2020 at the 80th Sturgis Rally. Organizations that have made public statements about 80th Sturgis Rally and the coronavirus so far include: Sturgis Buffalo Chip – Moving forward as planned. They have had one band cancelation but say they are looking for replacements for any bands that cancel. Glencoe Camp Resort – Moving forward as planned. Pappy Hoel Campground – Moving forward as planned. City of Sturgis – Moving forward as planned. Since the City of Sturgis only controls what happens in Sturgis city limits and the vast majority of Rally activities (including riding, camping and events) happen at venues and campgrounds outside of the city limits it would take more than the city banning people from town to shut down the Sturgis Rally. It’s important to know what other Sturgis Rally promoter’s positions are as well. Sturgis Buffalo Chip President, Rod Woodruff has been releasing weekly videos to keep fans updated on the situation. He says that the Sturgis Buffalo Chip is planning to move forward with the Sturgis Rally. See the full Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s videos and COVID-19 statement here. Mayor Mark Carstensen said previously that the city is still planning for the Sturgis motorcycle rally held annually in August. “We’re 100 percent planning the rally,” said Carstensen at a March 25 news briefing at Sturgis City Hall. On April 23, the City of Sturgis stated they will make a final decision on what will happen within city limits in its June 15 city council meeting. For complete updates on Sturgis rally news inside and outside of town, and in the surrounding Black Hills, subscribe to the Sturgis.com Newsletter. Love
