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By Deborah Speicher

This year was the 75th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and estimates had the record crowds at about one million. Regardless of whether they really hit the one million mark, the roads, bars, stores, restaurants, campgrounds and other venues were packed!

We took advantage of some of the great events sponsored by the Buffalo Chip, starting with Michael Lichter’s photography and motorcycle exhibit the “Naked Truth.” Michael, along with some of the motorcycle builders, did a great gallery talk about the motorcycles and he gave us some history on his photos. The next day we rode into Deadwood for the Legends Ride, proceeds of which benefitted local charities which included athletes from the Black Hills Special Olympics.

The very next day we headed out to The Lodge at Deadwood for the Biker Belles Celebration. This event benefitted the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame and Helping with Horsepower. The keynote speaker was motorcycle matriarch Gloria Tramontin Struck, who recently turned 90 years old! Gloria is still loving and living life on two wheels. As in many years past, she rode her motorcycle from home (New Jersey) to Sturgis and back.

There were so many bike shows, concerts, organized rides and more that you wish you could clone yourself and not miss a thing! But, since it really is all about the riding, we did spend a few days to ride to Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower (Wyoming), Custer State Park, and The Badlands with a short stop at Wall Drug for our free water, free donut and 5cent coffee.

To sum up our entire trip to the Black Hills, the riding and views were spectacular, and what a nice break from the Florida heat and rain.