For one week every year, Sturgis, a small town nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota, becomes motorcycle mecca.
Hundreds of thousands of bikers make the pilgrimage each year to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, one of the largest and oldest events of its kind in the world. It has been happening annually since 1938.
This year was the 75th anniversary of the rally. Check out the expected — and unexpected — sights of Sturgis.
[An earlier version of this post was written by Graham Rapier.]
Sturgis has a year-round population of about 6,900 people. Some predicted that 1 million bikers would flood the town for this year’s anniversary rally, but the final total was closer to 750,000.
Here is Sturgis' location in the state, in case it has been awhile since your family's summer road trip to Mount Rushmore (about an hour's drive away).
For the most part, the rally is exactly what you would expect: a lot of chrome and leather.
But the rally also has a unique South Dakota flair.
By flair we mean buffalo, of course!
Lots of Buffalo. This guy commanded the respect of the bikers. He pretty much owns that road.
There was even someone handing out free Bibles.
The rally provides a chance for hog heads to relax in the mountain air, mingle, and impress one another with their bikes.
Even some four-legged friends enjoy the company.
Revelers also provide an influx of money to the small town's economy.
Because what trip to the great American frontier would be complete without an antler souvenir?
Sturgis Police Chief Jim Bush told the Associated Press that the 2015 rally was expected to be close to the biggest ever. It did wind up with over 700,000 in attendance, surpassing the 2000 record of 633,000.
Riders don’t just stay in town though. The appeal of Sturgis is the beautiful scenery to tour. The Black Hills Run is perhaps the best-known ride of the rally.
But this many bikers in one place has its dangers. A record 13 people died from accidents in 2015. It was deadlier than 1990, when 11 people were killed.
People from all over the world come to Sturgis for the rally, and plenty have left their autographs behind.
And to be sure, no good day at a motorcycle rally is complete without a cold drink.
Until next year, Sturgis.
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