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Scenes From a Biker Rally, Undaunted by the Virus Scenes From a Biker Rally, Undaunted by the Virus
(21 days later)
STURGIS, S.D. — Despite the coronavirus pandemic, tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts converged over the weekend outside the small South Dakota community of Sturgis for the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.STURGIS, S.D. — Despite the coronavirus pandemic, tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts converged over the weekend outside the small South Dakota community of Sturgis for the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The sounds of screeching tires and engines revving echoed across the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, a 600-acre campground that will be home for the next week for the majority of attendees. This year, many said they were not concerned about the virus, as they walked around without masks and took helicopter rides and attended outdoor concerts and motorcycle shows.The sounds of screeching tires and engines revving echoed across the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, a 600-acre campground that will be home for the next week for the majority of attendees. This year, many said they were not concerned about the virus, as they walked around without masks and took helicopter rides and attended outdoor concerts and motorcycle shows.
Some of the bikers were here for the first time. Others have been attending for decades, and said they were unwilling to miss what they consider an annual tradition.Some of the bikers were here for the first time. Others have been attending for decades, and said they were unwilling to miss what they consider an annual tradition.
Officials said about 250,000 enthusiasts were expected this year — about half the number who attended last year, but a figure that would still make the rally one of the country’s largest public gatherings since the first coronavirus cases emerged in the spring. Here are some of the attendees, their thoughts and their rides.Officials said about 250,000 enthusiasts were expected this year — about half the number who attended last year, but a figure that would still make the rally one of the country’s largest public gatherings since the first coronavirus cases emerged in the spring. Here are some of the attendees, their thoughts and their rides.
— 2005 Harley Fat Boy —— 2005 Harley Fat Boy —
“I come to meet up with old friends, people I haven’t seen in forever and a lot of folks I grew up with.”
“My biggest concern is drivers — they just don’t pay attention to bikes. But I don’t know one person in a six-state radius who has had Covid. I think it is all just political.”
“I go to the rally for one day and ride for three. Between the beer and the women, this place will make you go broke.”
— 2004 Harley Davidson Softail Deuce Cvo —— 2004 Harley Davidson Softail Deuce Cvo —
“We got married here three years ago, so we come out here every year for our anniversary. Now we have a reason to come here every year.”
“We have no concerns — if we are going to get sick, then we’ll get sick.”
— 2015 Indian Chief Vintage —— 2015 Indian Chief Vintage —
“I’d always wanted to come to Sturgis. Then it was 2020, and it’s the 80th anniversary, so the numbers worked out for me.”
“You’ve got to be smart. I’ve got masks. When I walk around or ride around, I wear a mask.”
— 2007 Yamaha 1300 —— 2007 Yamaha 1300 —
“I’ve spent every birthday since I was 24 here. My first year was 1986. This is my family. We communicate for the rest of the year. My children come here, my brother comes here, my daughter met her husband here. My daughter got married here.”
— 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide —— 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide —
“We are burying our buddy and putting his plaque on Mt. Rushmore. I don’t have a worry in the world.”
— 2007 Harley Davidson Softail —— 2007 Harley Davidson Softail —
“On my trip out here, I had a problem with my bike, so it was a fight to get here. Right now, I’m trying to sit back and relax.”
As for the coronavirus, Mr. Seale said he was not concerned.As for the coronavirus, Mr. Seale said he was not concerned.
“I’m not convinced it’s real. I think it’s nothing more than the flu. If I die from the virus, it was just meant to be.”
— 2015 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra —— 2015 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra —
“I took my grandma up to be buried with my grandpa in the military cemetery. It was just me and my wife who came out here and did it. We tried to do it a couple of times before and got snowed out.”
— 2016 Harley Davidson Road King —— 2016 Harley Davidson Road King —
“I’ve been coming for four years now. My dad is really into motorcycles and is a really big biker. So when the owner of the Iron Horse Campground got in contact with a friend of mine and asked if I would come out, I did, and have been ever since. I don’t ride out here, but I want to soon. I just need more experience before riding out to Sturgis. I mostly ride with my dad — it’s our thing to do together.”
— 2005 Harley Sportster —— 2005 Harley Sportster —
“I come out every year. This is my first year staying on the Island. I was invited in by my cousin. The people here, we have become extended family.”