| Sturgis Motorcycle Rally History | ||
    
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| Bonus
Video from Outer Banks Bike Week 2012 Bikini Contest at Vertigo Tattoo's Outer Banks Bike Rally |
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| Sturgis Main Street Webcam ****Sturgis Side Walk Webcam | ||
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| Main Street, Sturgis, South Dakota | ||
| OBX Bikeweek 2010 Pictures
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Have
you ever visited the great Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held every August
in Sturgis, South Dakota? If not, relax, grab a comfortable chair and
take this quick virtual tour of the great rally and surrounding area from
the comfort of your home and see what goes on at Sturgis. If you have already made the trip, grab a beer, enjoy and reminisce. For those who are unfamiliar with motorcycle rallies, this is your chance to see the largest motorcycle rally in the world, up close and personal without riding your motorcycle over hundreds or even thousands of miles, as many bikers must do, to enjoy this beautiful and historical area. PS. Any riders that have an interesting picture to contribute please send them to the editor. Thanks and enjoy: |
Sturgis
Silhouetted Motorcyclist at Sunset, Marin City, CA Photographic Print Houser, Robert Buy at AllPosters.com
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| The
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was started on August 14, 1938 by the Jackpine
Gypsies Motorcycle Club. The Club still owns and operates the tracks,
hill climb, and field areas of the rally. That first rally lasted two days and was centered on racing and stunts. The rally founder is generally considered to be Clarence "Pappy" Hoel. Hoel is still honored by the crowd at Sturgis. The main focus of the Sturgis motorcycle rally in its early years was racing and stunts. This included half mile track racing, board wall crashes that were intentional, ramp jumps and head on collisions with automobiles. |
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| The
Sturgis Rally has been held every year, with the exception of World War
II. After World War II, many Outlaw Biker Gangs like the Hells Angels,
Outlaws, Pagans and Bandidos came to Sturgis to party and drink. Girls
began taking their clothes off in public and many fights resulted. In
recent years local police have begun cracking down on public nudity and
drunkenness and most of those activities have moved to private campgrounds
like Buffalo Chips and Glencoe. |
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| Today
however, visitors can still see girls lifting their shirts to expose their
breasts or walking along the streets wearing skimpy outfits that expose
their private body parts when the police are looking the other way. Violence is sporadic but occured as recently as 2006 when Police officials said two men affiliated with the Hells Angels shot and wounded five Outlaws Motorcycle Club members at Custer State Park, only 75 miles from Sturgis while the rally was happening. |
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| The
aging of the baby boomers has brought a new interest in motorcycling and
with it a new group of enthusiasts interested in the old rallies. This
has led to a huge increase of visitors to the Rally who trying to recapture
the excitement of the old motorcycle rallies. Attendance at Sturgis was
estimated at over 6000,000 in 2004 |
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| TIMELINE |
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| In
1938, Clarence “Pappy” Hoel buys an Indian Motorcycle Franchise
in Sturgis; SD. Hoel organizes the first Sturgis Rally and race on August
14th of that year. It was advertised as the Black Hills Classic and only
9 racers showed up with a small audience to watch. In 1949 Main Street is blocked for the first time during the rally for a 2 hour awards ceremony. |
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| In 1961 the Hill Climb and Motocross races are run for the first time. | ||
| In 1964 one block of Main Street is officially closed for motorcycle parking over the course of the 3 day event. | ||
| In 1965 The Sturgis Rally becomes a 5 day event. | ||
| The first temporary vendor set up in the Sturgis Auditorium in 1974. | ||
| The Rally extends to a 7 day event in 1975. The City of Sturgis begins officially licensing vendors. Only 9 vendors were issued permits that year.. | ||
| In 1988, 117 vendors are licensed in the City of Sturgis for the Rally. | ||
| In 1989, Sturgis Rally Founder, Pappy Hoel dies at the age of 85. | ||
| Vintage
Sturgis Rally Pictures |
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| Main
Street at Sturgis Rally around 1950 |
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| Bikers
riding through Custer State Park about 1950 |
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| Main
Street during Sturgis Rally, 1970 |
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| Main
Street late 1970's |
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| Downtown Sturgis : 1970's | ||
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| View
of racing Action about 1970 at the Sturgis Race Track. Check out the old Yamaha XS 650. |
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| Main Street 1982. Check the Vetter Fairings. | ||
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| Motorcycles
in Deadwood about 1980. Check out the old Honda Goldwing with Vetter Fairing
and bags |
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| RECENT STURGIS RALLY PICTURES | ||
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| Main
Street in Sturgis 2006. Check out the famous Buddha Statue |
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 Major spectator sport in Sturgis; Posing on Main Street |
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| Bikers
walking through downtown Sturgis, half naked shopping for t-shirts and other souvenirs to take back home. |
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Hell's Angels Motorcycle Gang Riding in a Pack on the Road Photographic Print Ray, Bill Buy at AllPosters.com
Riding to the Buffalo Chip, Sturgis, South Dakota, 1993 Art Print Lichter, Michael Buy at AllPosters.com
Royal Enfield Motorcycles: Leading the Victory Parade Giclee Print Buy at AllPosters.com
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| Spectators
looking at half naked girls walking along Main Street during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. |
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| Nearly
naked woman on sidewalk welcoming bikers to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Its a tradition, "what happens in Sturgis stays in Sturgis." |
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Bikers hanging out downtown at Sturgis Rally |
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 Biker girl flashing her breasts at visitors during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally |
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 Rally Girls hanging out at a vender site in Sturgis |
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 Woman riding topless on the back of a Harley-Davidson at Sturgis |
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 Woman walking around town topless at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally....... |
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| Sturgis
Bike Week appears more like a nude bike rally at some campgrounds. This
couple attended the 2006 Rally |
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| Buffalo Chips Campground | ||
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| The
Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground next to the race track in Sturgis. Some
of the things that happen here at night can only be whispered about!
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 Bikers waiting for some action to begin at the famous Buffalo Chips Campground |
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| Close up view of Buffalo Chips Stage area | ||
 Girls taking their clothes off at Buffalo Chips Campground |
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 Almost Nude Woman entertaining Bikers at Buffalo Chip Campground |
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| Places
to Ride Your Motorcycle when Visiting the Sturgis Area |
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 Motorcycles gathered at Devils Tower |
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 Motorcycles parked near Mount Rushmore |
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 Close up of Mount Rushmore |
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 Bikers stop to view a herd of Buffalo along roadway during the Sturgis Rally |
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 Motorcyclist inspecting Buffalo upclose on his motorcycle in Custer State Park........ |
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 Motorcycles cruising toward the Black Hills |
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 Motorcycles riding deep into the Black Hills, a sacred site for native americans. |
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 Motorcycles cruising through Deadwood |
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| Crazyhorse Monument | ||
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| Closeup look of the Crazy Horse Monument | ||
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| Bikers at Needles Eye Tunnel in Custer State Park | ||
 Motorcycle gang riding their bikes through Badlands National Park |
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 Lone Motorcycle rider in Badlands |
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 Female Biker enjoying her motorcycle ride into the Badlands near Sturgis, NC |
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| Thanks
for Visiting our Special Sturgis Motorcycle Bike Week Feature. Before
you leave please check out the latest motorcycle
news from the remote and historic Outer Banks of North Carolina. Besides
being the location of the first English settlement in the new world, it
beckons motorcyclists with the finest remote beaches, ocean views, old
historic lighthouses, and local sea food that can be found in the country.
roger jarrell |
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| Please Come Again | ||
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Vintage Photo Search | |
| We
are looking for old Sturgis Motorcycle Rally pictures from the years 1940s-1960s
to share with out readers. If you have any that you would like to see
posted here please send them to the editor. |
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| STURGIS HOME VIDEOS | ||
| Girls
of Sturgis............................. |
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