sturgis rider daily - Sturgis Buffalo Chip

OF
68
Thursday
Aug. 7, 2014
Train
Pop Evil
Pistol Day Parade
Sturgis
Sturgis Local Weather
Thursday
8/7
Friday
8/8
Saturday
8/9
Don’t Miss
Freedom Celebration
Page 1 & 2
Hillclimb in the Black Hills
Page 14
Today’s Bike Show
Rat’s Hole Show
Page 10
Today’s Ride
Freedom Celebration Ride
Page 4
Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s
Wolfman Jack Stage
Tonight
10:30pm...........Train
8:30pm.............Pop Evil
7:00pm.............Pistol Day
.
Parade
Tomorrow
10:30pm...........Cheap Trick
8:30pm.............The Pretty
Reckless
7:00pm.............Sweet Cyanide
Rider
®
Daily
It’s Freedom
Celebration
Day!
Forces combine for the best one yet
A field of flags, a wall of tribute, a battlefield
cross: all reminders of the precious freedom we
enjoy in America. But freedom isn’t a stagnant
concept, it has a pulse, a very strong one. You
can tap into the pulse of freedom today – and
send your own racing, too – at the Buffalo Chip’s
Freedom Celebration and Ride. In the prior 23
years of the Chip’s Freedom Celebration, there’s
never been a day like this.
There’s so much happening: An escorted ride,
recognitions, dignitaries, music, and a chance
for all of us to express gratitude to military men
and women everywhere, both the prominent
personalities and the everyday heroes who walk
among us and have served us so well.
It kicks off Spearfish with the first ever
Freedom Celebration Ride to benefit veteran’s
organizations (See details, page 4.) The ride
arrives at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads, for
a catered reception, group photo and brief
program—still leaving in time to see the Veteran’s
Memorial Wall or check out the Rat’s Hole Show
and the entertainment the CrossRoads has on
offer.
As evening approaches the majestic Budweiser
Clydesdales will parade through the field of
800 flags, bringing General Wesley Clark,
(ret.) and other special guests into the Chip’s
amphitheater for the evening’s concerts and
presentations (campground admission pass
required). It’s certain to be quite a spectacle and
the ultimate photo op.
Music from Pistol Day Parade and Pop Evil
starts at 7:00 followed by the USAF Academy’s
Wild Blue Country performing the National
Anthem. The celebration ramps up with special
presentations and remarks from General Clark,
who rose to the rank of four-star general
following a distinguished 34-year military
career and continues to speak, write and
promote efforts that benefit military veterans.
“General Clark’s dauntless military service
is inspiring and will bring a heightened level of
patriotism to the event,” said Rod Woodruff,
Buffalo Chip President. “We are grateful to have
such brave and outstanding heroes attending
Continued on Page 2
Sturgis
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our celebration, helping us to honor all veterans
and their families.”
The Buffalo Chip will present the Bob
Hanson Distinguished Service Award, designed
to recognize a serviceman or veteran who
has shown outstanding valor. In fact several
individuals will be honored this year. And
through the efforts of Red Bull, Wells Fargo
and Homes 4 Wounded Heroes a mortgagefree home will be presented to one veteran.
(See sidebar for this year’s recipients.) When
headliner Train takes the stage at 10:30, they’ll
have a tough act to follow.
As you can imagine, organizing an event of this
scope and impact nearly amounts to a full-scale
military operation in itself, but according to
Buffalo Chip President Rod Woodruff, the Chip
family can’t do enough to show appreciation for
our military men and women.
Rider
Daily
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
“We have great appreciation of the heritage
created for us by this country’s Founding
Fathers,” he said. “Ours is a national heritage of
freedom, honor, pride and courage that has been
the envy of the world. No one understands the
meaning and the costs of that birthright more
than this country’s military service veterans and
their families. We’re simply trying to do our part
to give everyone a chance to reflect, to celebrate
our freedoms and, hopefully, recommit to their
preservation.”
Riders who have been at the Buffalo Chip’s
Freedom Celebration in the past say it’s not only
the best day of the entire Sturgis Rally but it’s the
major reason they return every year. Be there
and you’ll see why! It promises to be a day for
remembering that’s one to remember.
Freedom Celebration
Welcomes Dignitaries
General Wesley Clark leads the list of heroes and guests
There’s a large and impressive slate of special guests for the Freedom Celebration this year.
It includes five individual recipients of the Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Award
(denoted by *), and many others who have served our country honorably or work tirelessly
to care for and honor our veterans. The list includes:
General Wesley Clark, (ret.) Four-Star General, Supreme Allied Commander Europe
of NATO, 1997 to 2000, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.
Dorothy Woods, widow of Retired Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods, killed in the 2012
Benghazi attack.
Art of the Lakota & More
Jason Redman,* retired Navy SEAL wounded in combat and author of The Trident. He is
founder of Wounded Wear, which provides combat veteran amputees with specially fitted
clothing, and Jumping for a Purpose, allowing wounded veterans to skydive.
Marine Master Sgt. William "Spanky" Gibson* (ret) became the first above-the-
knee American amputee to return to combat.
Kimberly Dozier,* contributing editor to “The Daily Beast”, an AP correspondent
severely injured by a IED explosion which killed her military escort and film crew in Iraq.
She is the author of Breathing Fire: Fighting to Survive and Get Back to the Fight.
Richard Marcinko,* Retired Navy SEAL Commander and Vietnam War Veteran, the
first commanding officer of SEAL Team 6 and Red Cell and author of the Rouge Warrior
series of books.
Rep. Louie Gohmert, Republican U.S. Representative from Texas's First Congressional
District.
Debbie Lee,* mother of 2nd Class Petty Officer Marc Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in
action in Iraq, and Founder of Americas Mighty Warriors a respite/retreat for veterans
located in Arizona.
Bob Hanson, WWII army veteran, severely wounded in France and held captive in a
German prisoner of war camp for 4 years. Going strong at 95, Bob is a rancher, blacksmith,
cowboy, craftsman and war hero. The “Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Award” is
named for him.
*Denotes 2014 recipients of the Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Awards.
Within our historical building you’ll find the finest
collection of Plains Indian Arts, Crafts and Jewelry,
plus Pine Art and Prints, Glassware, Pottery, Toys,
an incredible selection of Native American and
Pioneer Books, Tapes, CDs, Videos, Out-of-Print
Collector Books and unique Craft Supplies.
Prairie edge
605-342-3086 • 606 Main Street, Rapid City
www.PrairieEdge.com • info@prairieedge.com
Open 7 Days a Week
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
5 Minutes
with Led
Sled’s Pat
Patterson
Sturgis
Rider
So you’re the Sportster guy, right?
It’s pretty much what I’ve always done and what I’ve
specialized in. I enjoy building any kind of bike but our forte’
is Sportsters for sure.
Sportsters used to be called girl’s bikes; how’d you made
them cool?
I had always tinkered with my own bike, a ‘93 Sportster. Being
broke and wishing there was something cool out there for my
own bike just made me keep being creative with what I had. I
never realized Sportsters were gonna be popular bikes down
the road; they definitely weren’t popular then.
When did you feel like people finally started respecting
Sportsters?
It was cool when I actually started getting credit for having a
Sportster. I remember after building the Impaler: dudes who
know a whole lot about motorcycles who had seen the bike
for months saw it and said holy crap that’s a Sportster?” And I
said, “Dude I thought you knew that!”
That’s when I kind of thought maybe we were doing something
pretty cool. It gets back to stereotypes like we were talking
about. We were building cool Sportsters that weren’t just
Sportsters anymore, they were cool motorcycles. People were
just enjoying them as motorcycles. They’d first see the bike
and say it was cool, then once they realized it was a Sportster
they couldn’t go back and put their foot in their mouth after
they’d drooled all over it.
When you look at Baggers with 30” wheels what do you
think?
Baggers and Sportsters they’re pretty much at opposite ends
of the Harley world. I have a Baggers Mag hat from Jeff Holt
and I wear it for contrast sometimes. But at the end of the day
I think a lot of people just like to look at cool motorcycles.
Instead of being so critical I just try to look around and
appreciate other stuff. Maybe that big wheel bagger isn’t
something I want to ride myself but I would be lying if I said
I didn’t want to jump on one and take a cruise around the
block to see what it was like. You should ride everything just
to get a feel for it.
That’s open-minded!
Well, variety is what makes the world go round. There’s more
important stuff out there to be super judgmental about other
than people’s taste in motorcycles. It’s all a big melting pot of
bikers and motorcycles as far as I’m concerned.
So you don’t pick your friends based on what they ride?
I can hang out and run with a guy who has a big crazy bagger.
If we’re buds, I can roll with him just the same as I roll with a
dude on a Captain America chopper. It’s all about the attitude
and who the dude is.
But don’t you think people choose a bike that matches their
personality?
To a certain extent stereotyping, as horrible as it is, persists
and you can say that the style of the motorcycle portrays the
attitude of the rider for most bikers. But you can’t take that
to heart every time. You have to give everyone a chance to
just hang out.
Maybe people change how and what they ride at different
times.
Look, I’m not a golfer by any means but I tell people that
riding motorcycles is almost like golf. There’s a club for every
type of motorcycling. You’ve got bar hopping, you’ve got
traveling, If you could draw a picture of a caddy with a bag
of nine motorcycles and you could be like: which bike are
you gonna take for this trip to CA? I think I’ll do the dresser
without the big front wheel.
You know Rick Fairless is an avid golfer, right?
Yeah, it would be really sweet if he had a tie die shirt with a
collar on it to get into the big golf clubs (laughs). I think Alice
Cooper is a big golfer too.
Led Sled has been around about 10 years. You went into
business at a challenging time.
We started when it was really tough. It couldn’t get any worse
for me because I started the shop when I was super broke.
So I figured I couldn’t make any mistakes since I was already
broke. The only place I had to go was up. I felt like I was doing
something I needed to be doing.
What’s coming next for Led Sled?
Things have been moving really crazy. Big things are in the
offing that could expand our line with some really cool parts
with history to them.
I’ve never done things by wondering how profit was gonna be
or if it was worth it The enjoyment of learning how to do more
is what drives me. I don’t have the typical business mind. I’m
just street smart enough to know what’s practical and what’s
gonna work.
How’s the ’34 Ford hotrod?
It’s awesome. Back when I started the shop that car was my
daily driver. That thing’s been driven to Chicago, Louisville,
KY, West Virginia, to Cleveland. I haven’t had time to
maintain it so just a couple months ago, my buddy who
helped me build it got laid off, and I asked him to take it and
fix it up. Since he dropped it off it runs better than when it was
brand new. I’m super excited about that. And we’re gonna be
building a ’29 Ford sedan.
Did you know I got Lichter’s old truck? It’s a ‘62 or ‘64 Ford.
It’s the truck he drove when he was in college, and it still has
the hat rack in it and the H-D sticker in the window he put
there in ‘68. It’s patina’d real nice and I’m just gonna drive it.
It’s just a sweet Colorado truck, a real cowboy truck.
One last question: Is the beard real?
I had a beard before Duck Dynasty made beards cool.
Daily
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Sturgis
Rider
Daily
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Inaugural
Freedom
Celebration Ride
Ride for a reason at
the rally
The first ever Freedom Celebration Ride to
benefit veteran’s organizations starts in Spearfish
the morning of Thursday, August 7. Sponsored
by the City of Spearfish, riders meet and register
starting at 10:00 AM on Spearfish Main Street
to enjoy the town’s shops, restaurants and
amenities, followed by a concert featuring the
USAF Academy’s country-rock band, Wild Blue
Country at 1:00 PM. There’s a group picture then
the ride leaves soon after, led by Jason Redman,
retired Navy SEAL, author and philanthropist.
After covering the scenic high plains and
foothills north of the Black Hills riders arrive
at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads where they’ll
have time to visit with participating celebrities,
dignitaries and authors, not to mention take a
gander at the famed Rat’s Hole Bike Show on
site that day. Enjoy a catered reception and brief
program, and take part in the group photo at
the Buffalo Chip’s Field of Flags.
Your ride donation of $50 benefits Wounded
Wear/Jumping for a Purpose, Navy Special
Warfare Kids, America’s Mighty Warriors and
the Community Living Center at Fort Meade
VA Medical Center. The Freedom Ride is just
the beginning of a day filled with opportunities
to show gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy
and express appreciation to America’s military
veterans who make it possible. It’s a small
measure that’s much deserved and promises to
be an inspiring day.
Ride Schedule
In Spearfish
10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Parking on Spearfish Main Street and Registration,
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. USAF Academy’s country-rock band, Wild Blue Country
performs.
Program and remarks from dignitaries
1:30 p.m. Group photo on Spearfish Main Street
1:45 p.m. Freedom Celebration Ride leaves for the Buffalo Chip
At the Buffalo Chip and CrossRoads
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Live music at the CrossRoads
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Program at the CrossRoads. dignitaries, reception and
book signings
7:00 p.m. Budweiser Clydesdale Freedom Parade
10:00 p.m. Buffalo Chip main stage: USAF Academy’s Wild Blue Country
performs the National Anthem, presentation of the Bob Hansen Distinguished
Service Award, proceeds of ride presented to beneficiaries, mortgage-free
home given to a wounded U.S. military veteran, remarks from General Wesley
Clark, (ret.).
Sturgis
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Rider
Devil’s Tower
Riding Time Four Hours
Total Distance = 181 miles
Begins and ends at the Buffalo Chip
Highlights: Boulder Canyon, Deadwood, Lead,
Wyoming Black Hills and Devil’s Tower
Skill Level: Moderate
The Devil’s Tower ride is one of those rides many
visitors to the Black Hills don’t take and they miss
an amazing array of scenery in both Wyoming and
South Dakota. This ride is a loop that starts and
ends at the Buffalo Chip, taking you through two
states and six highway changes. It will introduce you
to the Western Black Hills.
Head west on Hwy 14A (Boulder Canyon out
of Sturgis) and pick up Hwy 85 South, just before
Deadwood, as it joins Hwy 14A. In the first 50 miles,
you will go through Deadwood and Lead, original
Black Hills mining towns rich in Gold Rush history.
Warning: There are several hills with 7% grade
between Lead and Cheyenne Crossing preceded by
straights that begin and end with massive curves. It
is best to keep your speed down in this area.
Cheyenne Crossing puts you at about 30-minutes
and 25 miles into the ride. You’ll cross O’Neil Pass
(elevation 6,785), a popular winter snowmobiling
area. In 15 more miles you’ll cross the Wyoming
state line and reach Four Corners. The riding is easy
here and you can make some time.
Fifty miles into this ride, you will join Hwy 585
at Four Corners which will be the route General
Custer took coming into the Black Hills in 1874.
The 28 miles to Sundance is an enjoyable stretch
of road lined with trees and mile-long meadows.
Eighty miles into the trip you will cross under I-90
just before reaching Sundance.
Hwy 585 ends in Sundance, so turn left on Hwy
14W and follow the signs to Devil’s Tower. You will
reach the Devil’s Tower junction (Hwy 24) in 12
miles. In six more miles (about 2 1/2 hours into the
ride) you will see “The Tower” looming 1,250 feet
above the Belle Fourche River.
Referred to by Indians as “Mateo Tepee,” or
Grizzly Bear Lodge, Devil’s Tower was named
the Nation’s first National Monument in 1906.
Considered an important landmark in Tribal
narratives, the dramatic and alluring character
of The Tower evokes a sense of wonder to all who
witness its grandeur. The Tower today rises above
the grasslands and ponderosa pine forests as it did
centuries ago to passing trappers, mountain men,
gold rushers and Plains Indians.
Exit the Monument on Hwy 24 and you’ll pass
through Hulett and Alva. The highways in this area
of Wyoming are made with gravel that is iron rich
in minerals giving it a reddish color. This mixture is
also softer and it is not unusual for a dusty residue
to be on the roadway, especially near driveways and
intersecting gravel roads.
The South Dakota state line is just a few more
miles further on Hwy 24, shortly after Aladdin. The
Aladdin General Store is a popular stopping place
and during the riding season you always see bikes
parked in front. After 143 miles you will re-enter
South Dakota where WY Hwy 24 turns into SD
Hwy 34. Belle Fourche (pronounced “bell foosh”)
comes up in seven more miles, where you turn right
on Hwy 85, and connect with I-90 in nine miles.
Take I-90 past Spearfish and Whitewood and
on into Sturgis at Exit 34, which is Lazelle Street,
through town and 3 miles east you’ll see the giant
flag and buffalo sculpture welcoming you back
home.
Daily
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TOMRAU.COM
605.341.4300
CELL 605.390.2735
Black Hills Motorcycle Rides by Paul Mitchell
is a concise yet detailed guide written by
a veteran rider and writer. http://www.
blackhillsmotorcyclerides.com. Copies are
available at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads in the
Chamber of Commerce trailer.
Images by Paul Mitchell and South Dakota
Department of Tourism.
DWI • DRUGS • CRIMINAL LAW
Do you need legal advice?
Do you need someone to fight for you?
Call: 605-716-4968
www.pedersonlawrc.com
1719 W. Main Street, Suite 307 • Rapid City
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• Spectacular and panoramic views of Spring Creek Canyon and over 138 acres for private hiking and horseback riding!!
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• For more information on this beautiful property contact Torn today on MLS#116635.
• Priced at $1,995,000. Virtual tour at tomrau.com!!
PAge 6
Sturgis
Rider
TORC Results
Bikers got the word and headed to
the Buffalo Chip PowerSports Complex
Wednesday. In the TORC Pro 2 race Keegan
Kincaid, son of Pro 2 racer Jeff Kincaid,
earned his first-ever Pro 2 race win, topping
class points leader CJ Greaves for the top step
of the podium.
In Pro 4, Johnny Greaves returned to his
accustomed position atop the podium after
putting his Monster Energy machine at the
front of the pack early in the race. Tuesday’s
race winner, Mark Jenkins, took runner-up
honors with Scott Douglas and his AMSOIL
ride rounding out the top three.
Finally, in PRO Light, it was a flip of
the Pro 2 race with CJ Greaves holding off
a hard-charging Keegan Kincaid for the
victory. Tuesday’s winner, Jerett Brooks,
finished third.
Fans can follow TORC on Facebook.com/
TORC and on Twitter and Instagram at
@TORCOffRoad. Photos by Chris Yashta.
Buffalo Chip Goes Global
It was a spectacle on the Chip’s main stage last night as well-known
Chinese actor Li Chen took delivery of a Jesse James custom motorcycle
from the man himself. Li Chen, fabulously famous in his home country,
was pleased to get a taste of authentic biker lifestyle at the Buffalo Chip.
Look for more international visitors to discover what the rest of already
know: the Chip is the best party anywhere™!
Daily
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Sturgis
Rider
Daily
PAge 7
Victory Owners Party and Ride
Celebrating 16 years together as fans of the
brand, Victory owners will once again take to
the hills—the Black Hills, that is. If you ride
any model Victory motorcycle you’re invited
to meet at the Lodge at Deadwood today to at
2:00 PM to meet friends old and new, followed
by a group photo and self-guided group ride
through striking canyon scenery.
Riders reconvene at the Buffalo Chip’s Russ
Brown Event Center to peruse the Motorcycles
as Art show and enjoy a reception from 5:00
to 8:00 PM with complimentary food and
beverages, and cash bar. Such is the enthusiasm
for these motorcycles, Victory owners rides are
notoriously well attended. Special guests are sure
to turn up, too. Better still, this is the day when
the winner of the Sturgis Rider Sweepstakes
will be announced and it will happen on the
Wolfman Jack stage between performances
by Pop Evil and Train. The custom Cory Ness
Victory 8-Ball with matching Epiphone guitar
will ride one lucky winner home. (separately
purchased concert ticket required.)
This event is for Victory riders only. Preregistration is necessary and can be accessed at
www.buffalochip.com/events.
REPORTING FOR
GRILLING
ALL WEEK
NEXT TO
COME SEE
General Wesley Clark
at The Buffalo Chip on Thursday Night
Follow us on
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Sturgis
Rider
Daily
Biker Battleground
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
With History Channel cameras
rolling—at the Crossroads in the day
and the Buffalo Chip’s Main stage after
dark—Biker Battleground Phoenix, the
drama-laced custom bagger show that
goads builders to out-do each other,
reached a pinnacle. All five builders
brought their over-the-top customs to
the Crossroads for an unveiling, then
celebrity judges moved in to scrutinize.
The builders: Brian Jenkins, Kody
McNew, Len Edmondson, John
Shope and Paul Yaffe next appeared
on the Wolfman Jack stage for the
announcement: John Shope’s Dirty
Bird Custom was chosen as the winner.
The episode shot here in Sturgis will
appear as the program’s season finale
on the History Channel.
Photos by Jordan Axtman and Rachel Omps.
Rider
Daily
Len Edmondson
Kody McNew
John Shope
Brian Jenkins
PAge 9
Paul Yaffe
Last Night’s Concert >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Country duo Florida Georgia Line and their band got the crowd jamming in the Chip amphitheater, before ZZ
Top’s took the stage. Photo by Aaron Packard.
Sturgis
Too cool and old school, that’s ZZ Top. The boys from Texas were in prime form on the Buffalo Chip’s Wolfman Jack stage last night. They never disappoint! Photo by
Jordan Axtman.
Jeremiah James Korfe, winner of the Big Sturgis Gig, rocked loud and proud with a solid country vibe and
strong performance. Photo by Aaron Packard.
Sturgis
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Rider
The Rat’s Hole Show
Daily
THE place to see and be seen
It’s the longest running custom
motorcycle show in the world and it’s
been the springboard that launched
dozens, even hundreds, of bike builders’
careers—builders such as Indian Larry,
Donnie Smith, Dave Perewitz and Arlen
Ness. When Big Daddy Rat Karl Smith
established the Rat’s Hole Show in 1973, he
intended it to be a showplace for custom
craftsmanship. His son Ted has continued
the show in that vein.
The Rat’s Hole returns to the CrossRoads
at the Buffalo Chip today, Thursday, August
7. With the famous Rat’s Hole International
Judging Team and 16 classes including the
Black Hills Bagger Showdown, you can
count on seeing the best bikes in Sturgis
at the Rat’s Hole. It’s the one award every
owner and builder want: a coveted sculpted
Rat Trophy. Best of Show winner takes
the trophy on the Wolfman Jack stage this
evening just before headliner band Train
performs.
The show is free to spectators; participants
fee is $35. Pre-register online at www.
ratshole.com. You simply don’t see bikes Two fine examples of Rat’s Hole bikes from last year’s show.
like these anywhere else. In its 26th year, it’s
the legendary Rat’s Hole Bike Show at the
Legendary Buffalo Chip.
Rat’s Hole Show
Thursday, August 7
Buffalo Chip CrossRoads
Entry Fee: $35
Registration Before 10:00 AM
Judging & Public Display 10: AM-4:00 PM
Awards 5:00 PM
Some things
get better
with age. Kyja
Winger proved
that by winning
the Buffalo
Chip’s Sassy &
Classy Over 35
Model Search
contest at the
CrossRoads.
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Sturgis
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Moonshine Gluch:
A destination
The small Black Hills hamlet known as Rochford
is 20 miles from Sturgis and has a full-time
population of less than 15 people. Still, when the
annual rally arrives, Rochford begins to rumble.
Like other Western South Dakota cities, this tiny
town has become known as a place for bikers to
play, away from the big crowds and traffic in Sturgis
proper.
Each year, the revelry from the rally reverberates
far from Sturgis and into places like Rochford,
tucked well into the Northern Hills. Other minirallies pop up in a handful of regional towns. But
Rochford has one thing those places don’t: the
Moonshine Gulch Saloon.
Over the years, the rally has drawn people from
all across the world to Rochford, said Mike Kohl,
who traveled about 800 miles from Appleton, WI,
to help saloon owner Betsy Harn cook food on the
grill.
“I’ve seen people come here from Australia,
Germany, Canada — you name it,” said Kohl, who
has come to Rochford during the rally for the past
eight years.
Russ Kerstetter, of Kansas City, has been to the
Rider
Sturgis rally 15 times and attended the annual
party in Rochford the past eight.
This year, he came to Rochford on a 2003 HarleyDavidson Fat Boy, arriving with 15 friends to hang
out in the town because he prefers places that aren’t
on every tourist’s itinerary.
“I like the little hole-in-the-wall places that are
off the beaten path,” he said. “Small bars in small
towns have got more character.”
He said it’s more fun to be at a place like the
Moonshine Gulch Saloon than some modern,
cookie-cutter bar with no soul.
The Moonshine Gulch Saloon is the epitome
of a simple, yet special, small-town bar in South
Dakota. It’s had the same owner for the past 37
years; the food menu is written on a whiteboard
above the bar; it had no working air conditioner on
Saturday; and it didn’t have beer on tap (instead,
most of the brews were served from a cooler on the
saloon’s porch.)
It does have a lot of friendly people, an inviting
atmosphere and the little touches that make the bar
feel like it isn’t just a building, but a living entity.
Unique features include a signed dollar bill taped
StURGiS REal EStatE aUctioN
VENDiNG lotS & HoME
4 city lotS total
15,000 sq. ft. w/ 100’ of Lazelle St. vendor frontage x 150’ deep, all
zoned for Hwy. Service use. Showings scheduled for 10 am till noon on
August 5th and 9 am till start of the Auction on August 7th
August 7, 2014 at 10:00 am
Date: Thursday,
On-Site, 1736 LaZelle St., Sturgis, SD
SacoRa StatioN FoR SalE!!
14200 Sturgis Rd. Piedmont, SD Property includes a bar and restaurant
with full length western mural on the inside wall, RV sites, well, 17 mobile
home spaces (3 owned trailers), shop building and 2 interstate billboards
(1 lighted). These are just some of the many features of this Mobile home
park and business. There is 842' of Interstate I-90 frontage. Please note:
plans are being made to rebuild the Sacora Bar.
Call Dave today 605-490-9959!
MLS# 45323
$890,000
WEBSITE DOMAIN OF WWW.STURGISRALLY.COM FOR SALE!!!
SturgisRally.com is currently purchased through Go-Daddy and hosted through Hostgator.com. The
seller will assist the purchaser with the transfer of site. Included in the sale is the current website content. The site is a WordPress website. Site has not been blacklisted and does not have any negative
history associated with it.
David Wilson, Auctioneer/Broker • (605) 490-9959
RT Shaw, Broker Associate • (605) 490-1176
Chad Grahek, Broker Associate • (605) 391-5906
990 Main Street, Sturgis SD • (605) 347-7579
Visit SturgisSD.com for complete information
Daily
PAge 11
to the back of the bar about 15 years ago and the
collection of baseball caps that hang from a wall.
Bikers mingle with regulars and seem to have a
blast. On the porch, old-timers swap stories about
past rides, while others were inside waving their
brews in the air and singing along to a spontaneous
rendition of Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville” by
guitarist Donald Bachmeier, who has been coming
from St. Paul, MN, to the Moonshine Gulch for the
past 15 years.
At one point, Kerstetter formed a smiley face in
the middle of the road by performing a burnout
on his 2003 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, drawing
applause from the crowd.
“Bikers are the nicest, coolest people in world,”
Kohl said. “I’ve seen one cranky guy in the past
seven years.”
There are plenty of places and parties across the
Hills and beyond for people who want to enjoy the
rally without staying in Sturgis the whole week.
There’s the Custer County Fair in Hermosa that
runs from Thursday to Sunday, the Street Dance in
Belle Fourche on Thursday, the slightly larger Ham
N Jam in Hulett, WY, and dozens of other events
for people interested in exploring the small towns
throughout the region.
The Moonshine Gulch in Rochford is one of
several places where mini-rallies pop up.
A biker used his wheels to make a happy
face in the road.
Sturgis
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Rider
The Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Award
Daily
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Military Hero Inspires
Annual Service Tribute
In some cases “hero “ seems too small a word.
This is one of them. So in an effort to more tangibly
recognize South Dakota war veteran, rancher and
craftsman Bob Hanson, the Buffalo Chip this year
has established and named an award in his honor.
The Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Award
is the Chip’s inimitable way of honoring those who
have set themselves apart through their fortitude,
sacrifice and patriotism while also creating a tribute
to Hanson, an exceptional man of courage and grace.
In the past, the Buffalo Chip has conferred
recognitions on deserving individuals such as Senator
John McCain, Colonel Steve Ritchie, Bob Woodruff,
Retired Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods and Former
Navy SEAL Glen Doherty. Now, with the creation
of the Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Award,
the tradition becomes more firmly framed and a
permanent part of the annual Freedom Celebration.
Buffalo Chip President Rod Woodruff will present
the awards to this year’s honorees on the main stage
tonight between performances by Pop Evil and Train.
(See story, Page 1)
And who, exactly, is Bob Hanson? If you’re on
hand tonight, you’ll find out and you’re in for a treat.
Bob will be joining us for the Freedom Celebration
wearing his WWII Army Cavalry uniform—a
uniform that almost still fits, he says.
Bob has been a horse trainer, a rancher, a gunsmith,
a deputy sheriff, a race jockey, a sharpshooter, and a
Vincent Black Shadow
Bob Hanson
boxer. And yes, he served his country in the armed
services when he was called up, during which time
he was severely injured when his convoy was struck
by a shell, and he fell into enemy hands. He was so
badly wounded, he wasn’t closely watched and so
managed to get his Colonel released. Bob was held as
a prisoner of war for over four years.
How did Bob come to the attention of the Buffalo
Chip? “I met him when he about 80 or 82, walking
down the street in February in Bison, South Dakota,
in a short sleeve shirt in 28-degree weather, having
just taken care of his thoroughbreds!” said Buffalo
Chip President Rod Woodruff. At that time Bob was
driving to Rapid City twice a week for night classes,
based on the premise: you’re never too old to learn
“He never has a negative word,” said Woodruff.
“Where do you meet a guy like that? He’s the
embodiment of resolute spirit and indomitable will.”
Today, at 93 years young the South Dakota native
still does blacksmithing, builds branding pots he
designed himself, and collects unusual cowboy items.
And now, he’s also the namesake of a distinguished
service award, a fact that feels just right.
“I think he’s pretty proud of it,” said Woodruff.” For
our part at the Chip, it’s pretty cool to have the chance
to honor someone like Bob.”
After purchasing the HRD company in 1928, Philip
Vincent added the name to his own line of motorcycles.
As an inventor and engineer, Mr. Vincent produced
some very innovative designs during his career, and
bikes carrying the Vincent HRD logo were known
for their quality construction, and high prices. It was
the latter that would lead to the company’s demise in
1955.
Postwar Vincents looked a bit odd, as though all
the individual components were bolted to each other
rather than to a skeletal frame, which they were. But
most important to buyers was that Vincents were the
fastest bikes of their day. In 1949, a high-performance
version of the Rapide joined the line. Called the Series
C Black Shadow, it had black-painted engine cases and
was even faster than the Rapide, and today is one of
the most coveted classic motorcycles in the world.
This particular Black Shadow has a rich history.
It was brand new when Leo Splinter bought it. He
actually owned a 1950 Indian Chief and ordered a
brand new 1952 Chief – however, Indian workers had
gone on strike and there was no expected delivery date
for the new Chief. So, the Indian field representative
for the Mankato, Minnesota area talked Leo into
ordering a Vincent – which Indian was importing at
that time. That same year, Leo and a friend rode from
their home in Minnesota to Sturgis where they spent
the weekend enjoying the races and even went to the
dance in downtown Sturgis.
Leo spent two years in Korea in 1953 and 1954,
but upon his return, he and a couple of friends took
their bikes to Daytona for Bike Week in 1955. He and
two friends spent days on the road in some pretty
nasty weather conditions to make the trip. They
planned to make 500 miles a day in order to get to
their destination in time for the races they planned
to attend. They had a great time in Daytona, but the
trip back proved to be not as good. The Black Shadow
broke down in Alexandria, Louisiana, and Leo
ended up leaving it there and riding with his friend
until the weather kept them from riding any further
(somewhere in Iowa). They took a bus back home, and
returned to pick up the Vincent a week later.
Later that same year, Leo married his wife Phyllis
– and the two of them took the Vincent with them on
their honeymoon. Leo and Phyllis and their sons still
own this bike, which has been on display in the Sturgis
Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame since 2003.
Visit the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
At the corner of Junction and Main in Sturgis
Open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the Rally
See the Museum’s Women Rider Exhibit at the Buffalo Chip Russ Brown Event Center,
located at the Chip’s east gate. Free and open to the public all week. No ticket or
wristband needed.
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Top
5
Sturgis
Rider
Daily
PAge 13
Bike Cleaning &
Preparation Tips
Chris Callen, Editor in Chief, Cycle Source Magazine
1. For greasy old Pans, Knuckles, and Shovels, I put
straight kerosene in a spray bottle and use it like simple
green cleaner. Spray it on and let it soak. It takes off
grease & dirt.
2. For painted parts I use Wizards products. Mist &
Shine is hands down the best quick polish for a lazy
bastard, like me, that doesn’t ever wash his bike.
3. For chrome, a quick easy way to shine it up is Windex.
4. The kerosene in the spray bottle is also good for tire
cleanup. If it’s towards the end of the week, you can
use your toothbrush.
5. To keep annoying water spots off your bike after a
wash, I prescribe a 120 mph blast.
Chip TV Spokesmodel Cat Chassis interviews builder and gunsmith Jesse James.
free motorcycle ride maps!
As easy as 1-2-3!
Follow these 3 simple steps and be on your way
to finding exclusive local deals, offers and events!
Search for “Black Hills to Go” in
the iTunes APP Store or
Google Play Store.
Google Play Store
Inducted yesterday to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame were: (left to right)
Jesse Jurrens, Keith Terry, Deb Chandler, Paul Yaffe, Clyde Fessler, Bonnie Truett, and Jay
Lightnin Bentley. Learn more about them all at http://www.sturgismuseum.com/hall-of-fame.
Install Black Hills to
Go APP for FREE!
iTunes
Download APP before August 15
and be entered to win $100!
Brought to you by
Sturgis
PAge 14
Rider
Nitro National
Hillclimbs Return
to Rally
It’s high-flying, straight-up racing action
Racers who compete in the North American
Hillclimbers Association (NAHA) are tenacious
types, and they have to be. NAHA hillclimb
courses aren’t for the faint of heart. NAHA
events are held primarily in the western U.S.
on unforgiving terrain, the kind of ungroomed
uphill courses that take no prisoners. As the
association’s website explains, “This style of
hillclimbing differs from the typical style in the
eastern states where the hills tend to be highly
groomed, faster terrain.”
This means spectators at the Buffalo Chip’s
new PowerSports Complex (PSC) this year will
see the hillclimbing equivalent of hand-to-hand
combat in the war of man and machine vs.
seemingly impossible uphill angles—the kind of
battlefields that only exist in the NAHA.
Be among the spectators at the new PSC this
Thursday and Friday to witness bike and rider
flying through the dirt on their way to the top of
the Chip’s rugged 300-foot course. Hillclimb is
the oldest of all motorcycle sports, the original
extreme sport, and you have to admire both
the courage of these fearless racers and their
dedication when they must dust themselves off
to try again.
Just last year this competition drew national
attention when it was featured on CMT. You can
witness it live this year, right here at the Rally.
All events at the Buffalo Chip PowerSports
Complex are open to the public and separately
ticketed. For more information or to purchase
tickets, visit www.BuffaloChip.com.
Advance tickets are $20 each for Hillclimbs.
Nitro National “Rumble in the Hill” Pro Hillclimb
Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8, 4:30 PM
Buffalo Chip PowerSports Complex
Daily
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Sturgis
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
Rider
Trike Riders Rule
Trike owners on the
TOUR Ride yesterday turned
out in numbers large enough
to beat last year’s total in spite
of the weather. “That tells us
next year will be even bigger,”
said Roadsmiths’ Kirk Rush.
Rush credits the Hill City
Chamber of Commerce for
rolling out the red carpet and
the Buffalo Chip for hosting
the ride’s arrival. And those
hardy trike riders! Photos by
Aaron Packard.
S
R
TU
GIS
BU FFA LO C
H
IP’
S®
presented by
TRIKE OWNERS UNITED RIDE™
Daily
PAge 15
PAge 16
Ultimate
Builder Show
Results
The J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show took place
yesterday in Sturgis and the competition drew a great variety
of bikes in four classes. Winners took home prizes provided
by the show sponsors. Take a look at the first place winners
and see more at www.motorcycleshows.com.
Retro Mod: Dennis Crabtree
Sturgis
Rider
Daily
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014
List Lust
25 Most Obscure
Sports in the
World
by David Pegg
Freestyle: T.D. Ward
Eric Powell: Radical Bagger
Modified Harley: Kings Custom
There’s still time to get to the
Motorcycles as Art show in the Russ
Brown Event Center at the Buffalo
Chip’s east gate. Curated by Michael
Lichter and Paul D’Orleans, the
theme this year is “Built for Speed—
Race Inspired Motorcycles and Art.”
The eclectic collection of custom
motorcycles come from a wide range
of builders in the US and abroad.
The motorcycles are accompanied
by distinctive artwork that exhibits
a motorhead vibe. It’s an inspiring
way to spend an hour and it’s an
easy walk from most anywhere in the
campground.
Admission is free.
25. Bo-taoshi (Japanese
for “pole pulldown)
24. Extreme Ironing
23. Ga-ga Ball
22. Cheese Rolling
21. Snow Polo
20. Kaninhop
(Bunny Jumping)
19. Underwater Hockey
(Octopush)
18. Roller Derby
17. Man vs. Horse
16. Bog Snorkeling
15. Cardboard
Tube Dueling
14. Bellyflopping
13. Moustache Growing
12. Chess Boxing
11. Buzkashi (involves a
headless goat)
10. Pesapallo
(Finnish Baseball)
9. Ferret Legging
8. Toe Wresting
7. Mountain Unicycling
6. Kite Tubing
5. Bossaball
4. Camel Wrestling
3. Wife Carrying
2. Quidditch
1. Shin Kicking