Sturgis Rally & Races (USA)

Anyone who has ever been to Sturgis – and „Sturgis“ has since long included an area that stretches from the badlands of South Dakota through the entire Black Hills to „Devils Tower“ in neighboring Wyoming – will want to visit it again – and again. „Freedom“ is more than a word here – despite all the restrictions on speed and drinking in public – the landscapes are so vast and so beautiful that you want to experience them over and over again.

Stretching out over more that 150 Miles from the scenic Badlands of South Dakota to Hulett in Wyoming, the Sturgis Rally has become THE main motorcycle event in the USA with literally hundredthousands of motorcycle riders riding to South Dakota, concentrated in the area from Rapid City to Spearfish, including the tourist towns of Deadwood, Lead and most of the Black Hills tourist destinations. The Thunderbike team has travelled to the Black Hills several times, in particular 2006 and 2008 after winning the European Championship at the Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show 2006 with „Spectacula“ and 2008 with „Open Mind“. In 2012, Thunderbikes „Paintless“ won the prestigious title of „World Champion“ at the Sturgis-held Championship – and all all visits, the team enjoyed the great variety of events, attractions and landscapes in the Black Hills from Rapid City to Spearfish. Again in 2025, four major „hot spots“ will attract the attention of visiting riders: The Buffalo Chip Campground, Black Hills Harley-Davidson just outside Rapid City, the Western town of Deadwood  and – naturally – Sturgis itself, where „Mainstreet“ is just one of many attractions.

As everybody who has travelled Sturgis before can remember: It‘s not all sunshine in and around the Black Hills. The softly rolling Hills make you forget that you are in reality in the mountainside:  At Harney Peak, the mountains rise to 7.424 feet (2.263), the elevation of Sturgis itself is a stunning 3.422 feet (1.043 meters). As high as most Ski resorts in the European alps. So fast and violent weather changes are to be expected. When a day starts with moderate temperatures and no rain at all, usual late afternoon/early evening thunderstorms can arrive anytime – and can be seen developing over the Black Hills. Drizzling rain and hailballs of up to 3 Inch diameter can hammer onto bikes, tents and the unfortunate riders that were caught in the open! With winds blowing from 60 to 70 mph! It always pays to watch the sky over the Black Hills – and head for cover or escape as early as possible.

It is a great ride, but additional to thousands of motorcycles, there are also tourists „on the road“ all over the Black Hills destinations! It helps to look at a map and its elevation scales that anywhere in South Dakota you are exposed to “alpine” like climate conditions! Due to the base height of the mid-western plateau, even the “plains” of South Dakota are almost 1.000 meter above sea level. Which is easily forgotten when riding in sunshine and 30+ °C, riding allowed without helmets and no need for heavy leather jackets.

But even in August, thunderstorms, rain, excessive hailstorms and more can come anytime! Having experienced all that, the author can only underline the necessity to have raingear available at all touring – and at least an idea where to hide, if a thunderstorm is approaching! Massive hailstorms and even landslides have caused damage to parked bikes during the Rally too, but these events are rare. emergency stops to concerts however have and will happen!

The Badlands of South Dakota are another beautiful wilderness that defies describing it in words. It’s a “must see” part of every Sturgis visit, much closer than Devil’s Tower, but as unique in its setting and experience! The Author usually spends at least one night at one of the overpriced, but superbly located Motels near Cedar Pass, allowing quick access to the loop road at sunset/sunrise.

Wall, while having more attractions is too far away from the park entrance and also has the “light pollution” that makes you miss the spectacular night sky over the Badlands that is part of the breathtaking experience. There are also gravel roads in and out of the park – and Scenic is definitely a town to see – but if you want to ride the Badlands for a quick visit, use the loop road. You will find yourself stopping very often at the spectacular chosen outlooks and always bear in mind: This is where the Indians hunted the Buffalo by simply running them over the cliffs! Don’t miss this landscape!

With its Saloons, mainstreet and numerous hotel in and around the city, Deadwood has become as crowded as Sturgis itself – and is a destination of several „Charity Rides“ from Sturgis to Deadwood. The town was founded in the Gold Rush years following 1874 and completely ignored all treaties with the Indians made before. Result of the gold rush, settlements sprang up all over the Black Hills at the prospecting sites, Deadwood one of the most infamous and legendary. Todays railroad line through SD and Sturgis is insignificant and serves freight traffic only, if anybody stops at all. The extensive railroad network of the gold rush era is gone, only „islands“ can be seen today. Deadwood has become a „Wild West Disneyland“ – and especially during the Rally days, the town is fully packed with bikers.

Traces of the Wild West can be found everywhere in the Black Hills: A number of newly built forts were built to protect the settlers against Indian attacks, including Fort Meade, which was initially located closer to Bear Butte to keep the Indians under closer observation: The mountain – like so many peaks in and around the Black Hills – still is sacred to the Indians. The foundation stones for today‘s „Fort“ were laid in August 1878 – and anyone who is in Sturgis should pay a visit. Important for true US patriots: this is the place  where „The Star Spangled Banner“ was written, now the American National Anthem!

The history of the Sturgis Rally and Races can‘t be told without the term „Races“. Racing always played an important part in the Rally calendar – and there is still plenty of racing action around during the Rally days: Dragracing at the 1/8 Mile Sturgis Dragway, Hillclimbing organized by the Buffalo Chip Campground or the Jackpine Gypsies and Dirt Track Racing at numerous tracks in Sturgis itself or Rapid City. For a complete list of events (which might not complete at all, because the rally often ignores „outside“ events)

The THUNDERBIKE team did visit the Sturgis Rally several times, competing at the „World Championship“ with spectacular motorcycles! While the team had to settle for second place with the Spectacula in 2006, they won the World Championship in Sturgis in 2012 with the Painttless. Check out the superb Thunderbike top-custombikes

Text & Photos: Horst »Motographer« Rösler