- Mike Sanborn
For more than 20 years I tried to make sure people coming to the Sturgis Rally had the time of their lives. Now, six people are dead as of the first official day of the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Six families, instead of celebrating motorcycling, will now grieve on the anniversary of their loved one’s violent death. Sturgis will be a reminder of their most horrible day.
I watched five or six beginners on brand new Ultras trying to negotiate the hill I live on, this morning. Nobody dumped. But somebody will before the end of the week. This is not a typical rally folks. In more than 20 years of working the Sturgis Rally, I have never seen this many inexperienced and downright dumb motorcyclists.
People in cars, RVs, delivery trucks and pickups with toy haulers are simply no smarter.
If you’re a fat guy over 50 and you bought or rented a big motorcycle for your first motorcycling experience at the 75th Rally, you’re probably scared to death right now. I certainly would be. I’m scared to death driving a car, because I genuinely don’t want to kill people trying to enjoy their vacations.
I was THE statistic. Over 50. Never rode. I at least took the rider safety course. Bought a Heritage Softail. And, I never had time to ride it and become a skilled rider. So I sold it. And, you my friends, are safer because I’m not on the road with that beautiful machine.
It’s bad mojo to kill a tourist. You won’t be the most popular guy at the next Chamber mixer.
And, for those of you who chose this rally to learn to ride, either park it and have it shipped home, or at least dispense with that moronic machismo no-helmet baloney and cover your frickin' head.
Virtually everyone associated with this motorcycle rally has failed the tourists who are coming here. There is no excuse for the amount of construction, or the traffic jams, or the price gouging. And, that additional access to Sturgis via Pleasant Valley, probably doesn’t look so foolhardy now.
Six dead on Monday. What an utter tragedy. Those driving on four or more wheels, look around, slow down, look three times and then look 2 more. Those on two wheels, wear a helmet, long sleeves and leathers and stay off the booze. If you’re drinkin’ – walk, take one of the bus services, but for Christ’s sake don’t die because you were stupid on your vacation. A drunken motorcycle wreck is a bloody undignified way to go.
To my good friends on two wheels – and you know who you are – no matter how much you think you can handle this crowd, this traffic and these morons on a couple beers – you can’t – and not because you’re not experienced enough or skilled enough. It’s because there are too many others here and coming here who will be stupid, drunk or both. Stay at camp on the deck – you have more fun there anyway. It’s not safe this year. Not anywhere. And, I expect to see every one of you next year.
