How Did Sturgis Bike Week Start?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The idea was partly crafted by Clarence “Pappy” Hoel after he purchased an Indian Motorcycle Franchise in Sturgis, SD

. He helped form the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club, and the small crew began to contemplate starting a small local race.

Who started Sturgis bike rally?

“It started by a gentleman named

Pappy Hoel

from Sturgis. He had a motorcycle dealership in Sturgis in 1936,” Entenman said. “He got his dealership license and he just started it with racing.” The first rally was in 1938 with one race of nine participants.

When did the Sturgis bike rally start?

August 14, 1938

What’s the history of Sturgis?

The City of Sturgis was

founded in 1876

. It was named for Major Samuel D. Sturgis, a commander at nearby Fort Meade Cavalry Post. During the Great Western Expansion, Fort Meade served as a United States Cavalry Post to nearly every cavalry regiment in the United States Army.

Which is bigger Sturgis or Daytona?


Daytona Bike Week

traces its roots back to 1937, which technically makes it slightly older than Sturgis. Estimates also put attendance around 500,000. So as to which event is bigger, that’s an argument for late night bar sessions.

Do black people go to Daytona Bike Week?

Black Bike Week: Daytona Beach, Florida

Although it has been dubbed “Black Bike Week” over time,

people of all ages and ethnicities come out to enjoy the festivities at Joe Harris Park, also known by many as Harlem Park, the heart of Daytona’s Black community.

How much money does Sturgis bring in?

The Department of Revenue’s tax collections at the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally are currently at $1,795,706. The revenue sum from temporary vendors in the Black Hills is a 34 percent increase compared to 2020.

How busy is Mount Rushmore during Sturgis?

Rushmore and Crazy Horse are

not too busy

because many of the rally goes return year after year and have seen them. Sturgis is “ground zero” for the Rally and Deadwood is also very busy. Rapid City, Hill City, Keystone, Spearfish and Custer also tend to be busy.

What is Sturgis famous for?

The city is known for

the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

(August), first held in 1938, an event that draws thousands of motorcycle fans to the city for races, cycle shows, and concerts. There is also a motorcycle museum and hall of fame. A museum at Fort Meade preserves the fort’s history.

Where do all the bikers stay in Sturgis?


Ride N Rest Campground

is the top rated place to stay among bikers during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally!

How did Sturgis South Dakota get its name?

Later that year, a permanent fort was established a few miles south, becoming Fort Meade. “Sturgis City” was almost immediately established a mile and a half west of the fort, this time being

named for General Samuel D. Sturgis himself

.

What was the attendance at Sturgis this year?

Officials expected attendance to skyrocket with over 700,000 attendees for the 2021 rally as a direct rebound from the pandemic’s impact on last year’s attendance, but visitors only tallied up at

a little over 525,000

.

Is Sturgis near Mount Rushmore?

The distance between Sturgis and Mount Rushmore is

929 miles

.

Why is there a motorcycle rally in Sturgis?

The First Sturgis Rally (1938)


The idea was partly crafted by Clarence “Pappy” Hoel after he purchased an Indian Motorcycle Franchise in Sturgis, SD

. He helped form the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club, and the small crew began to contemplate starting a small local race.

Is there a motorcycle rally in Sturgis Michigan?


Sturgis Fest in Sturgis, Michigan – August 18-22, 2021

.

Is Laconia bigger than Sturgis?


Laconia is the 3rd or 4th largest in the country

. Of course Sturgis is the largest reaching over 700,000 in 2015.

Is Sturgis kid friendly?


Sturgis SD is a popular destination for road trippers and families

— and for good reason! South Dakota’s iconic Black Hills, historic towns and iconic parks and attractions are the perfect destination for a family vacation.

Why is it called Black Bike Week?

Black Bike Week History. Black Bike Week was

founded by the infamous Flaming Knight Riders motorcycle club in 1980 — before the fall of their icon Leroy Bolden aka King Dragon — who changed their name in 1982 to the Carolina Knight Riders

.

Is Black Bike Week 2021 Cancelled?

Unfortunately

the City of Atlantic Beach will not allow Black Bike Week to happen in 2021

.

Is Black Bike Week Cancelled?


Black Bike Week 2020 is Canceled

.

Are they still having Bike Week in Myrtle Beach?


May 13, 2022 – May 22, 2022

The 2022 Myrtle Beach Bike Week Spring Rally will be held May 13-22, 2022 at various locations throughout the Grand Strand Area. For more information, please visit www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com. To navigate, press the arrow keys.

How many people went to 2021 Sturgis?

STURGIS, S.D. (KELO) — The attendance at the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally hit

555,000

, according to the city of Sturgis. Excluding the 75th anniversary in 2015, that’s the highest attendance since at least 2000 when more than 600,000 attended the rally, according to city records.

How long is the Sturgis bike rally?

AUGUST 5-14 / STURGIS, SD

The Sturgis® Motorycle RallyTM is home to

10 days

and nights of some of the best music in the country. From local, home-grown bands to up-and-coming regional acts to full-blown, national concerts, we’ve got it all and we want to share it all with you!

What happens at Sturgis Bike Rally?

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the world’s largest motorcycle rally, attracting upward of 700,000 people each year. During the event, the entire town is overrun with

motorcycles, parties, bike shows and live concerts

. People from all over the world attend to ride, sightsee and experience the unique atmosphere.

Is Deadwood busy during Sturgis?

This is one of the most popular rides for the biker crowd and

will be very busy

. That Friday will be the start to the influx of bikers, and Deadwood is likely to be packed with them. However, if you start out early in the day on Saturday you may be able to see the attractions you list.

Does Sturgis SD have an airport?


The Sturgis Municipal Airport

is located 4 miles east of Sturgis, South Dakota. We are within a 20-minute drive to Spearfish and Deadwood.

How far is Mount Rushmore from Sturgis Bike Rally?

The total driving distance from Sturgis, SD to Mount Rushmore is

52 miles

or 84 kilometers. Your trip begins in Sturgis, South Dakota. It ends in Mount Rushmore, South Dakota.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.