Welcome to Paradise City...
Innerstate I-90 Now Open!
ABM had to make a run down to Rapid for some dot-five brake fluid & a black mirror for Black Betty, our FXSTI project bike, when we noticed that the dozen something miles of westbound just before Sturgis was complete. The road crew, the orange barrels, & machinery all gone, leaving smooth travelling for eastern-half bikers making their way toward the Mecca of Rolling Thunder. A note of caution: For some odd reason, there has been a rash of accidents on the eastbound just before the big S. Thursday morning, another head-on between two cages. If travelling from the east, watch your back during the last dozen miles.. it's all new pavement, & the dug grooves are fresh, providing problems for those with 150mm or less rear rubber. The main reason to be careful is that everyone gawks at the scenery as they approach Sturgis, & problems arise. For sure, the law will be all over this stretch, & if for no other reason, why begin Sturgis '08 with a ticket?
35mph The New 65?
Every year when ABM arrives in Sturgis, the signs still read 65mph, right at the outskirts of town, & for days the locals ignore them. It's hard to know exactly when the Law will decide to enforce the limit, but a good guess would be.... NOW.
Weather? It couldn't be nicer.
Man, the sunrise over Bear Butte (near the Buffalo Chip) on this morning's sunrise cruise had the old Eagle's "Tequila Sunrise" running through my thoughts.. There hasn't been a drop of rain in the four days we've been here, & none, other than a stray, expected. It's finally getting warm- today & tmw mid 90's then back to the 80's/50's all next week..perfect.
Are the Merchants Freaking Out?
For all that's being broadcast, & written about remaining available vendor space, the individuals we talked with seem pretty upbeat, & no, there ain'ta discounted tee shirt to be found...Yet!
Kenny Samson Breaks Ground
The "Godfather" of modern day motorcycle exhaust systems broke ground for a new 40,000 sq foot facility near town, yet another manufacturer to move to Meade County. We wonder how many of those Avacado-eating California vegetarians will be willing to make the move to the Black Hills...
Black Hills, or Green Hills?
When we left Sturgis last August, the locals were literally praying for rain, which they got by the ton this summer. Lakes that were nearly dry then, are full now. The little stream which rolls into Sturgis has water in it, for the first time in years. Fields full of clover are as green as they can get, blending in with newly-harvested rolling wheat lots, the color of pure gold. When you kick back at a steady 65mph, on an early in the morning ride, the amber waves of grain are by any account, breathtaking. Little cotton-tail rabbits are everywhere, & knowing that American (and Canadian) bikers are some of the nicest people on the planet, do not even run from approaching motorcycles, not even mine! This morning one of the little fellas was munching clover stems right in front of the main stage at the Buffalo Chip..
...You want to build WHAT next-to my house...?
I'm tellin' ya, every year it seems like another 25 campgrounds pop up somewhere in the immediate vicinity of Sturgis, and some of the locals are freaking out, like the dude on Junction avenue, complaining loudly at a council meeting last month... We can see his side, but on the other hand, it's only for about ten days. If it were me, I'd cater over some ribs, fried chicken, & catfish for 5 bucks a plate. Sort of roll with the flow.
ABM had to make a run down to Rapid for some dot-five brake fluid & a black mirror for Black Betty, our FXSTI project bike, when we noticed that the dozen something miles of westbound just before Sturgis was complete. The road crew, the orange barrels, & machinery all gone, leaving smooth travelling for eastern-half bikers making their way toward the Mecca of Rolling Thunder. A note of caution: For some odd reason, there has been a rash of accidents on the eastbound just before the big S. Thursday morning, another head-on between two cages. If travelling from the east, watch your back during the last dozen miles.. it's all new pavement, & the dug grooves are fresh, providing problems for those with 150mm or less rear rubber. The main reason to be careful is that everyone gawks at the scenery as they approach Sturgis, & problems arise. For sure, the law will be all over this stretch, & if for no other reason, why begin Sturgis '08 with a ticket?
35mph The New 65?
Every year when ABM arrives in Sturgis, the signs still read 65mph, right at the outskirts of town, & for days the locals ignore them. It's hard to know exactly when the Law will decide to enforce the limit, but a good guess would be.... NOW.
Weather? It couldn't be nicer.
Man, the sunrise over Bear Butte (near the Buffalo Chip) on this morning's sunrise cruise had the old Eagle's "Tequila Sunrise" running through my thoughts.. There hasn't been a drop of rain in the four days we've been here, & none, other than a stray, expected. It's finally getting warm- today & tmw mid 90's then back to the 80's/50's all next week..perfect.
Are the Merchants Freaking Out?
For all that's being broadcast, & written about remaining available vendor space, the individuals we talked with seem pretty upbeat, & no, there ain'ta discounted tee shirt to be found...Yet!
Kenny Samson Breaks Ground
The "Godfather" of modern day motorcycle exhaust systems broke ground for a new 40,000 sq foot facility near town, yet another manufacturer to move to Meade County. We wonder how many of those Avacado-eating California vegetarians will be willing to make the move to the Black Hills...
Black Hills, or Green Hills?
When we left Sturgis last August, the locals were literally praying for rain, which they got by the ton this summer. Lakes that were nearly dry then, are full now. The little stream which rolls into Sturgis has water in it, for the first time in years. Fields full of clover are as green as they can get, blending in with newly-harvested rolling wheat lots, the color of pure gold. When you kick back at a steady 65mph, on an early in the morning ride, the amber waves of grain are by any account, breathtaking. Little cotton-tail rabbits are everywhere, & knowing that American (and Canadian) bikers are some of the nicest people on the planet, do not even run from approaching motorcycles, not even mine! This morning one of the little fellas was munching clover stems right in front of the main stage at the Buffalo Chip..
...You want to build WHAT next-to my house...?
I'm tellin' ya, every year it seems like another 25 campgrounds pop up somewhere in the immediate vicinity of Sturgis, and some of the locals are freaking out, like the dude on Junction avenue, complaining loudly at a council meeting last month... We can see his side, but on the other hand, it's only for about ten days. If it were me, I'd cater over some ribs, fried chicken, & catfish for 5 bucks a plate. Sort of roll with the flow.
-There's always something going on--Don't be left out--Check back often-
The 10 Days of Sturgis Begins TODAY on America's better radio stations,
and on your phone! (360) 282-5400 Free call w/nationwide long dist, check it out!
Until next time, shiny-side up, rubber-side down!
Jeff Ryan
posted by americanbikerminute at 9:00 AM
1 Comments:
Thanks so much for all of these updates leading to the rally; the safety warnings are especially important. I've been trying to stay as up-to-date on everything as I can, and I'll be checking back often! How many times have you been to Sturgis? I never have. I confess I'm pretty new to motorcycle culture; I just started working as a brand ambassador for Progressive motorcycle insurance, and since then I've become really interested in it. We're actually going to be at Sturgis, which is awesome! We'll be giving away free shirts at our booth at Thunder Road, plus having a drawing to win a custom Sucker Punch Sally's motorcycle. It's beautiful, kind of old school. The shirts are also really nice, exclusive to Sturgis and absolutely free. If you want to pick one up while you're there, you just go to http://motorcycle.progressive.com ahead of time to download the coupon, then come by our booth to drop it off and say hi! Be sure to bring the coupon though; we can only give you a free shirt if you have one. We're going to have other cool giveaways too, so it should be a fun time.
I hope I haven't overstepped my bounds by leaving this comment, I'm just trying to get the word out :) If you have any questions or want more information feel free to shoot me an Email: leah.druska@gmail.com.
See you at Thunder Road Monday, and if you're not on your way already, ride safe!
Leah Druska
Brand Ambassador
Post a Comment
<< Home