We head to all of the cool spots around The Black Hills one of the most majestic places in America.
Special Thanks to the Recreational Springs Resort in Lead, South Dakota. We rented a Can Am Maverick that was turbocharged with 120 horsepower. Loads of power and lots of fun to drive. They also Rent Snowmobiles in the Wintertime so feel free to check them out if you’re in the area.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2021
We walk down Main Street and flip all of the different types of Motorcycles. Full Throttle Saloon, The Broken Spoke, Silverado Franklin, The Buffalo Chip, Deadwood, Sturgis, Lead, Custer, Hill City, Rapid City and more.
The first rally was held by Indian Motorcycle riders on August 14, 1938, by the Jackpine Gypsies motorcycle club. The club still owns and operates the tracks, hillclimb, and field areas where the rally is centered. The first event was called the “Black Hills Classic” and consisted of a single race with nine participants and a small audience. The founder was Clarence “Pappy” Hoel. He purchased an Indian motorcycle franchise in Sturgis in 1936 and formed the Jackpine Gypsies that same year. The Jackpine Gypsies were inducted to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1997. Hoel was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame the following year.
The focus of a motorcycle rally was originally racing and stunts. In 1961, the rally was expanded to include the Hillclimb and Motocross races. This could include half-mile track racing (the first year in Sturgis, there were 19 participants), intentional board wall crashes, ramp jumps and head-on collisions with automobiles.
The Sturgis Rally has been held every year, with exceptions during World War II. For instance, from 1942 to 1944, the event was not held due to gasoline rationing.
Originally the rally was a two-day event.
Through the 1970s and early 1980s, many attendees camped in City Park. When a record 40,000 visitors arrived in Sturgis in 1980, local residents became concerned with the behavior of these attendees. In 1982, a referendum was presented to the city asking them to no longer provide municipal services such as parking on Main Street, law enforcement and allowing camping in City Park. City attorney Dale Hansen advised that any vote would be non-binding and could not stop the rally because the motorcycle rally is sponsored by private groups. Although the referendum was defeated 1,454 to 826, the City of Sturgis followed the mayor’s committee recommendation to prohibit camping in City Park and eliminate downtown street vendors.
