The Biggest Motorcycle Rally in the U.S.
One of the headline events on the motorcycling calendar in the United States is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Ask any motorcycle enthusiasts, and they will tell you that Sturgis, a city in Meade County, South Dakota, is the must be place for bikers during the first week of August. Each year, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally turns this usually sleepy town of no more than 8000 people into a veritable hive of activity.
Sturgis pride itself in being the home of one of the biggest annual events on the motorcycling calendar, with enthusiasts from all parts of the globe flocking to the town for the gathering. This motorcycling paradise is, without a doubt, the go to place for those who wish to take a break from the hustle and bustle of big city living, into a world that does not appear to be in a hurry to get away from the late 1800s, when the town was founded.
When is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Held?
We have already mentioned that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held in the first week of August. This year, the event will be held from the 4th to the 13th of August 2017. Although there is always the chance of a shower or two at this time of the year, the event is usually held under favorable skies.
How big is the Rally?
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has, from the point of view of the local population, to appear as if the whole world has congregated in one place each rally week. To get a scale of how big the event is, you actually have to be immersed deep within the bustling crowds. That’s the only way through which you can appreciate the sense of adventure that draws so many people from across the globe to this place.
To get a clearer understanding of how big the rally is, the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which was held in 2015, attracted an estimated 739 000 people. With more and more people expected to attend, this year’s event could attract even more people.
We need not repeat the fact that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has to appear to be a true monster for the city’s resident population. From having less than 8000 people throughout the year, the town becomes a completely different place as it accommodates such a large number of motorcycling enthusiasts for one week in August.
Some Historical Background
This year’s Sturgis Motorcycle rally will be the 77th to be held in the town of Sturgis in South Dakota. The first Sturgis Rally was held on the 14th of August in 1938. It had only 9 participants. The event has continued to grow over the years. Today, the number of participants is expected to continue on an upward trajectory and could well reach over a million a few years from now.
Accommodation
You would expect accommodation to be a challenge for such a big event. However, that is hardly the case. Sturgis prides itself in having a wide range of accommodation options, a development that has made it an ideal place for the thousands of motorcycling enthusiasts who throng to the place every year.
Places to Stay
There are a wide range of accommodation options in and around the town of Sturgis. These range from beautiful camping grounds to resorts and hotels that offer world class accommodation. The good news is that there is something for everyone, even entire families. There are more than 300 places that offer accommodation in and around Sturgis.
Private Houses for Rent
Another accommodation option for those who are looking to attend the 77th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally are private homes. This is an option for those who are not willing to stay in hotels during the duration of the rally.
Many Sturgis residents offer private accommodation, that range from single rooms to entire homes that can be used by entire families. One of the major advantages of renting private homes for the duration of the rally is that you get extras that would not be available elsewhere, including parking for your bikes and trailers.
Transporting your Bike to Sturgis
If you are worried about the logistics of transporting your bike to the Sturgis rally, why not talk to us at AA Motorcycle Shipping for the best quotes that on bike shipping that can be found out there. AA Motorcycle Shipping is a full fledged motorcycle shipping company that offers transportation across the United States.
Visit our website and we will instantly provide you with a quote of how much it will cost you to transport your motorcycle to Sturgis or anywhere else in the country. Our quotes come with no up selling and no changing of prices at a later date. Enter your pickup and drop off zip codes along with your motorcycle’s type and we will tell you how much it will cost you to have it transported to anywhere in the United States.
77th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: This year’s Events
So, what can you expect during this year’s 77th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally events? The following events are lined up;
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The Annual Mayor’s Ride
The city of Sturgis, in collaboration with Jack Daniels, will be hosting the 15th Annual Sturgis Mayor’s Ride during this year’s Sturgis Rally. The event, which was launched in 2003, takes bikers on a route that stops at Mt. Rushmore. The Annual Mayor’s Ride will definitely give you the chance to take in the breathtaking Black Hills, among other celebrated sites. Several prices will be won during this year’s event, with proceeds going to the city’s emergency services.
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Other Events
Several other events are lined up during this year’s event. These include the Beard & Moustache Contest, the Street Food Throw Down and the Tuesday Tattoo Contest, among other events.
Clear your Calendar
With the 77th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally drawing near, motorcycling enthusiasts around the world are probably already clearing their calendars in preparation for the event. No other motorcycling event, it is safe to say, will be held at this magnitude before the end of the year. This makes the Sturgis, from the 4th to the 13th of August 2017, the must be place for all motorcycling enthusiasts.