Time is running out

For most U. S. Americans you only have 6 days left to file your income taxes. If this serves as a first reminder to you, you need to get going soon. But there's another clock running and this event require prior arrangements. It doesn't take place until the first full week in August. But if you've waited until now to get reservations, you might be covered in tartar sauce.

A tiny town of 7,000 people, in South Dakota, every August open their town and hearts to the motorcycle enthusiasts of the world. For that one week, the population of Sturgis, S.D. swells from 7,000 to 495,000. And these bikers come from every country, race, creed, vocation, political view point, income level, size and lifestyle. Nearly a Half million people with only one thing in common. A love of motorcycles! There is a great deal of rowdiness, mostly by the posers. The real bikers are more mellow than you'd expect. And All the 1%er clubs call a truce and declare The Sturgis Rally off limits to violence. That doesn't mean they all pal around together. And it is only wise to be respectful of their privacy when you see them. And if you are told to stop taking their picture, I recommend you comply. Unless you want your dental plan activated.

From my driveway in SoCal to the entrance of THE BUFFALO CHIP CAMPGROUND is 1657 miles. A full 2 days of riding. It could be done shorter. My scoot gets 145 miles on a tank of gas. But my rear-end is only good for about 125 before I have to stop and stretch a bit. For around $200.00 for a ten day stay, Woody and his crew at THE CHIP, put on a first class party. With World Class musical live entertainment included. Some of the performers I've seen include STEPPENWOLF, ALICE COOPER, JETHRO TULL, ZZ TOP, 3 DOORS DOWN.

This year the concert headliners includes DAVE MASON Aug. 6, TESLA Aug. 7, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED Aug. 8, ZZ TOP Aug. 9, KID ROCK Aug. 10, MOTELY CRUE Aug. 11, JASON ALDEAN Aug. 12, SCORPIONS Aug. 13, and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS Aug. 14, 2010.

Be there or be square. Here are some of my pictures from my visits to Sturgis.

BIKERS ON MAIN STREET

GREETINGS

 NO CARS ON MAIN STREET

CUSTOM BIKES EVERYWHERE

A HARLEY IS NOT REQUIRED

BUT YOU CAN GET ONE IF YOU WANT

NOT RECOMMENDED

THE CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL

YOU'LL MEET PILGRIMS ON THE ROAD

THE ROAD TO STURGIS INCLUDES WOMEN RIDERS

THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW YER GETTIN CLOSE

A REMARKABLE REMAKE OF A CLASSIC ICON

YEA, EVERYBODY IS WELCOME

DON'T EVEN TRY COUNTING THEM

G. GORDON LIDDY & PALS

CAN YOU FIND ME?

I'M BEHIND THE CAMERA

BIKERS BIKERS EVERYWHERE

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BIKES

ALICE COPPER LIVE

JOHN KAY, BORN TO BE WILD

IT'S SURE HE DIDN'T RIDE FROM HOME ON THIS

ALL TWO WHEELERS WELCOME

The Sturgis Rally is not X rated. But there isn't much to entertain the youngsters here. Unless they have a serious jones for motorcycles and panoramic scenery. Within a two hour drive you can get to Mount Rushmore, Deadwood (where Wild Bill Hickok was killed), or The Devil's Tower in Wyoming. A few miles west on I-90, in Spearfish, S.D. is a WALMART, where everything is cheaper than in STURGIS. And a word of caution. Riding while intoxicated is not safe and that particular law is strictly enforced. And when headed west on I-90 out of South Dakota, the Wyoming State Highway Patrol has a radar trap waiting for you. And they don't share the hospitable attitude you enjoyed in South Dakota.