All year long the STREET CHOPPER staff (as do many of you) eagerly awaits the summer's biggest motorcycle event anywhere. Over the years the Sturgis rally has become legendary, and the 62nd annual event only added to this legend; it was without a doubt a huge success. Based on our not-so-scientific calculations, along with just a little help from the local media and officials, we came to the conclusion that there were far more people at the rally this year than last.
It didn't matter where you were along the 60-mile stretch of highway from Rapid City to Spearfish, there were motorcycles everywhere you looked. There was periodic gridlock along Interstate 90 through Sturgis and on the roads to Deadwood, Mt. Rush-more, and the Crazy Horse Monument. Bikes were parked far deeper in residential areas than the locals can remember.
One reason we enjoy the rally so much is the riding. Take just about any exit from I-90, and you're only minutes away from some of the most scenic roads found anywhere -- most leading to some kind of national monument. Couple that with a few hundred thousand of our closest friends, and you're talking about a party of mammoth proportions.
Other than riding, events in and around Sturgis consisted of eating, drinking, and people watching. If you weren't too busy dodging some pretty good-sized afternoon raindrops and hailstones, chances are you were cruising up and down Main or Lazzle Streets checking out the latest bikes, parts, and accessories or this year's must-have T-shirts and leather gear.
STREET CHOPPER and our sister magazine HOT BIKE sponsored our first annual Readers Appreciation Ride. We hooked up with about 250 readers at Black Hills Harley-Davidson, in Rapid City. From there, we twisted our way along the back roads for a 60-mile trip that concluded at Danny Gray's Roadhouse in historic Deadwood. Once at the Roadhouse, we were all treated to a lunch spread -- compliments of Danny. We conducted a raffle and gave away all kinds of good stuff from motorcycle parts to apparel. If our first ride was any indication of things to come, you won't want to miss next year's ride.
Over the next few pages, we hope you find some inspiration to get you through the upcoming winter and ready for next year's event.