Motorcycle Rider News, Reviews & Events

Sturgis 09

by Snowbound on 2009-08-12 14:58:38

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The 69th Black Hills Motorcycle Classic

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The 69th Black Hills Motorcycle Classic

Or Sturgis '09 to most of the masses that were there.

(yawn)

 

 

69 was a very popular number this year. Lots of t-shirts and the like capitalizing on the "uniqueness" of the number.

 

I really think that there weren't as many people this year. Seems like the roads were much less crowded and downtown Sturgis seemed as though it was about the same. The weather was good for us until Tuesday evening when we had a real strong thunderstorm roll through the KOA campground in Rapid City. Luckily, we were just sitting around drinking and lying so we didn't even get wet. After that, it seemed to get wetter each day. Even had a bad hailstorm on Friday in Sturgis and Deadwood. Golf ball sized hail broke windows and made a big mess .

The smaller crowds were nice, but the vendors seemed to be trying to make up for it by charging more. We walked away from 5 dollar pizza slices and 10 dollar chicken on a stick in Sturgis. Things seemed more reasonable in Deadwood where we found dollar draft beers and two dollar hot dogs. Guess the gambling helps bring in a few more dollars. I know we lost some cash there.

The few t-shirts and other crap we bought seemed to be about the same price as before. Shopping on the side streets in Sturgis is a good way to find bargains. Many of the same items that were selling on the main street, could be had for 20-30% less if you walked a few hundred yards. Of course the heat and the crowds could make that process worth paying the extra coin for the main street prices.

As usual, we stayed in Rapid City and the crowds there seemed to have gotten bigger than last year.The few vendors we talked to seemed to agree that Sturgis numbers were the same or even down a little while the crowds in Rapid at the Harley stealership and the Civic Center were bigger.

I guess all that really doesn't matter to us, because we came to be with our friends and ride.

As usual, I want to thank my gal Linda for the great photos she takes from the back of the bike!

The trip through Eastern Colorado and Western Nebraska was filled with green fields and BUGS!

 

 

Every time we pass through Ardmore SD we wonder about this ghost town.

 

 

 

 

After a year of not having the pink lace curtains, they were adorning our cabin window when we arrived.

The mornings were absolutely beautiful for riding and the Black Hills never disappoint us in the variety of riding.

 

Black Hills riding is superb. Almost as good as Colorado!

One stop we always seem to make each year is Trevino's Leather.

Besides the great (but very expensive) leather, are the old cars and stuff scattered around the area. Plus it is cool and there is a nice creek too.

 

Back at the campground, it was partying as usual on most nights that it didn't rain.

 

Except when the evil bunny tormented us!

 

 

Sturgis was ...well...Sturgis. What can I say. You need to go there to understand the carnival. I'll let the pictures talk.

Main Street was a clusterfuck as usual.

 

 

Harley says that over 20% of their riders are now female. There were a lot of gals riding this year.

Seems like they like the Fatboys too. Hmmmm...

  

 

 

There was plenty of "stuff" to look at on Main Street, including some great airbrushed tops on the ladies, such as these three "Sturgis Police" recruits. They were actually posing next to manned police cruiser.

This gal seemed to be having trouble decending the tower stairs...

 

 

Not too sure I'd want to buy this. I'm not a trailer kind of guy.

Still some graybeards riding...

 

 

The locals always seem to get along with the visiting hoardes and really enjoy people watching.

 

The day in Deadwood was fun until the HAIL came. A few golf ball sized chunks mixed in with the marble sized ones.

 

The main drag through Deadwood was empty for a bit after the rain and hail.

For anyone who was a fan of the Deadwood series on HBO, this bike was awesome.

Excellent airbrush work.

 

Another interesting bike on the street in Deadwood. You may have seen this bike on the internet.

If anyone has some extra cash and really loves me, they can buy me this bike...

 

Every year as I am fighting the crowds and the heat in Sturgis, I tell myself that this is the last year I'm putting up with all this crap. I'm not really a people person and I sure can do without crowds anymore, but I know that I'll be back, just for the friendship and the great riding the Hills and surrounding area offers.

Later folks...