Featured Sturgis Revisited: In Honor (and Memory) Of A Rally-less 2020

The 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is in full swing this week. Nope, I am NOT there! But one year ago today Mr. Sandi and I were rolling into our garage after 2,700 glorious miles and a wild week in the Black Hills at Sturgis 2019. Who'd have thought that things this year would be so different?

I've been bemoaning the fact that we won't attend even one motorcycle rally in 2020 thanks to COVID. Last year we hit four! Cave Creek/Arizona Bike Week, the Laughlin River Run, Las Vegas Bike Fest and, the "big daddy", Sturgis. So I've been looking back at my photos from those rallies to tide me over until we hit the rally trail again. My trip down memory lane included revisiting the Sturgis trip thread I posted on our forum a year ago. I thought some of you might enjoy revisiting it, too, since motorcycle events are pretty limited these days. Some of you new members might get a kick out of it as well. It definitely brought a smile to my face and a spark of joy to my (homebound) heart. There are a couple of photos that would fit into the Babes & Bikers thread--just to whet your appetites. So here's a link to my thread titled "Sturgis Trip on my (non) Triumph". Enjoy!

https://www.thetriumphforum.com/threads/sturgis-trip-on-my-non-triumph.20572/

 

Wow, Bikerman, what a disappointment for you and your wife. It would have been a fun year to go since those decade "anniversary" rallies are always huge. Mr. Sandi and I had discussed going again this year but for the most part dismissed the idea for several reasons. None of which had to do with COVID at the time. We may go again one day but, these days, who knows?

 

i’ve never heard about this rally, Don, but it looks very interesting. And I’ve always heard the Blue Ridge Parkway is fantastic riding. It’s a long trip from Tucson but Mr. Sandi and I have talked about doing East Coast rides by flying somewhere and renting. Do you know if this rally is still an annual event? Most likely not this year but I’m wondering if it will be on again in 2021. What did you think of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the riding in that area?

 

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P.S. The best photos start with post #29.

 

Perhaps those that do things like the woman in @Kenbro 's post are secretly vying to win a Darwin Award??

 

I agree, Oldbear. Everyone should go to Sturgis at least once because it's quite the spectacle. Once may be what Mr. Sandi and I end up with but the memories will last us the rest of our lives. You are so right that it is a truly unique place to people watch and ogle bikes. Who knows, we may go again in a year or two because it was a terrific trip last year--not just the rally itself but the travels to and from as well. As for the Isle of Man, that's definitely on my bucket list!

 

Loved your description of the dude on the Honda Rebel 250 at Sturgis the year you were there, JtC! I can just picture that...especially since the bike I learned too the Beginning Rider MSF class on was just that bike. Thanks for your take on ROT, too. I've always been curious about that rally and thought it might be fun to attend. Now I'm not so sure.

 

Or leather, spikes, and chains, either, eh? Not that it's that surprising, but both of those women readily and happily agreed to pose for me for a photo!

 

After reading both your posts, JtC, especially this one, I'd be doing a LOT of research and asking around before thinking about heading the ROT Rally. That said, I know it could be quite different now. The Laughlin River Run changed substantially after the Hell's Angels and the Mongols had a run in that resulted in some dead members. Most people seemed happy about the rally changes but a few seemed to continue to mourn "the good ol' days". I don't remember the year that happened but it was before Mr. Sandi and I were together and before I even started riding. The "incident" happened in the middle of the night and he didn't even know about it until the next morning. But he said that everything was different that morning and the place was nearly in a lockdown. I love bikes, bikers, vendors, rides, concerts, all those rally things. But I really don't need raunch.

BTW, I saw George Thorogood at the Fox Theater in Tucson a couple of years ago and the band were awesome!