700,000 Bikers!
The Biggest Sturgis Run....EVER?
One really large rally. Officials estimate over 700,000 bikers from all over the world made this one the biggest yet. Compared to last year's 450,000 count, we nearly doubled the 69th.
All week long, we kept freaking on how packed the Buffalo Chip CG was, easily more bikes, tents, rv's than the 65th. Not all had the same level of success as the chip. County line at Bear Butte looked a little empty, and they couldn't have been too happy with the Drag Pipe Saloon, just across the highway, offering Free Camping to all. Still, vendors, locals, and municipalities made out like bandits on this, the largest Sturgis Run ever.
What we don't like to report:
Emergency Room Visits: 21. 27 admitted for rally-related incidents. Nine dead in the Sturgis area. None last year.
After years and years of attending this event, ABM honestly believes that half of those accidents were avoidable. We see people who obviously have little or no riding experience come to this rally, and be packed in like sardines. In just one day, the 2 of us helped pick up 3 downed bikes. Ride 'em all year, not just a week in August. In most cases, it's a matter of common sense. Of course, some are unavoidable. You have nearly a million extra residents in a town of 6500. Somethings got to give. Danger, living on the edge, and excitement make our sport great, but there's always a chance that someday, your ticket will get punched.
One really large rally. Officials estimate over 700,000 bikers from all over the world made this one the biggest yet. Compared to last year's 450,000 count, we nearly doubled the 69th.
All week long, we kept freaking on how packed the Buffalo Chip CG was, easily more bikes, tents, rv's than the 65th. Not all had the same level of success as the chip. County line at Bear Butte looked a little empty, and they couldn't have been too happy with the Drag Pipe Saloon, just across the highway, offering Free Camping to all. Still, vendors, locals, and municipalities made out like bandits on this, the largest Sturgis Run ever.
What we don't like to report:
Emergency Room Visits: 21. 27 admitted for rally-related incidents. Nine dead in the Sturgis area. None last year.
After years and years of attending this event, ABM honestly believes that half of those accidents were avoidable. We see people who obviously have little or no riding experience come to this rally, and be packed in like sardines. In just one day, the 2 of us helped pick up 3 downed bikes. Ride 'em all year, not just a week in August. In most cases, it's a matter of common sense. Of course, some are unavoidable. You have nearly a million extra residents in a town of 6500. Somethings got to give. Danger, living on the edge, and excitement make our sport great, but there's always a chance that someday, your ticket will get punched.
posted by americanbikerminute at 8:43 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home