STURGIS, SD – Despite the coronavirus pandemic, tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts came outside the small South Dakota community of Sturgis over the weekend for the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The sounds of screaming tires and engines echoed across the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, a 600-acre campsite that will be home to the majority of attendees next week. This year, many said they were not worried about the virus because they rode without masks and took helicopter rides and attended outdoor concerts and motorcycle shows.
Some of the cyclists were here for the first time. Others have attended for decades, saying they were not willing to miss what they consider an annual tradition.
Officials said about 250,000 enthusiasts were expected this year – about half the number that attended last year, but a figure that would still make the rally one of the largest public gatherings in the country since the first cases of coronavirus appeared in the spring. Here are some of the attendees, their thoughts and their rides.
– 2005 Harley Fat Boy –
Michael Brown, 47, Lemoyne, Neb.
“I come to meet old friends, people I have not seen forever and many people with whom I grew up.”
“My biggest concern is drivers – they just do not pay attention to bicycles. But I do not know a single person in a radius of six states who has owned Covid. I think it’s all just politics. ”
‘I go to the rally one day and ride for three. Between the beer and the women, this place will make you broke. ”
– 2004 Harley Davidson Softail Deuce Cvo –
Monica Hartman, 43, La Junta, Colo.
“We got married here three years ago, so we come out here every year for our anniversary. Now we have a reason to come here every year. ”
“We have no worries – if we get sick, we will get sick.”
– Indian Chief Vintage – 2015
Lee Wheeler, 57, Tyler, Texas
‘I always wanted to come to Sturgis. Then it was 2020, and it’s the 80th anniversary, so the numbers worked out for me. ”
‘You have to be smart. I have masks. When I walk or run, I wear a mask. ”
– 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide –
Scott Corrolli, 38, Northern Minnesota
“We buried our buddy and put up his plaque on Mt. Rushmore. I have no worries in the world. ‘
– 2007 Harley Davidson Softail –
Thomas Seale, 41, Denver, Colo.
“On my trip here I had a problem with my bike, so it was a struggle to get here. Right now, I’m trying to sit back and relax. ‘
As for the coronavirus, Mr Seale said he was not worried.
“I’m not convinced it’s real. I think it’s nothing more than the flu. When I died of the virus, it was just meant to be. ‘
– 2015 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra –
Todd Irwin, 53, Union, Neb.
‘I took my grandmother to bury with my grandfather in the military cemetery. It was just me and my wife who came here and did it. We tried to do it a few times before and were cut out. ”
– 2016 Harley Davidson Road King –
Kellyn Fluke, 21, Bath, SD
‘I’ve been arriving for four years now. My dad is really into motorcycles and is a really great cyclist. When the owner of the Iron Horse Campground came in contact with a friend of mine and asked if I would come out, I did, and I have been ever since. I’m not driving out here, but I want to. I just need more experience before I drive to Sturgis. I ride mostly with my dad, it’s our thing to do together. ”
– 2005 Harley Sportster –
James Lathrop, 50, Broomfield, Colo.
‘I come out every year. This is my first year on the island. I was invited by my cousin. The people here, we have become extended family. ”
