Page 64 - Laconia Rally News 2018

WHY STURGIS® RALLY MAKES US BETTER by Stacy L. Bettison
[Alt: 7 Reasons Why Sturgis® Rally Makes Us Better]
Summer 2017 was my second time attending Sturgis® Rally. After a week of biker heaven, I rode home solo and had 10 lonely hours back to Minneapolis to pon- der why Bike Week means so much.
I came to this conclusion: Sturgis® Rally makes us better. Rally excites, it heals, and it opens us. Mostly, however, Rally lets us be more of who we really are – our TRUE selves.
How does this happen? The people, the people! We all attend Rally for the same reason: we love motorcycles and riding. When you get to be surrounded by thousands of people who share your passion, it does something impor- tant--it affirms and validates who you are. With only two percent of U.S. population having a motorcycle endorse- ment, we two-percent find it easy to connect with each other. You know how it goes: “You ride? I ride. Let’s jaw.” The magnitude of our collective is unique. While we all have other important social circles – work, church, sports, etc. – when you get an enormous group of motorcyclists together, you’ve got something powerful. This community enables a freedom within us, to be our selves. And that makes us better.
can’t find anywhere else. Period. And when you get to ride it again and again, you are riding roads that feel like home. Riding the Hills offers certainty and continuity, and in so expe- riencing that, we achieve a greater certainty and con- tinuity within our selves and each other.
The places, feel like home. Many Rally-goers have their must-visit spots scattered throughout the Black Hills, and their favorite places on Sturgis Main Street. In my second year, I was able to revisit places I fell in love with last year, and like the roads I ride, it’s a home- coming. When I listen to music at the Loud American, sit under the camouflage netting at the Stone House or drink a beer by the creek at the Boar’s Nest, I feel com- plete.
Friends that often become family. Our friends at Rally make us better. New ones, old ones. Friends for 5 minutes on the road. One night at the Iron Horse. One week at a campground. Our friendships come easy and fast, and they
Riding out of Ellsworth AFB: Dakota Thunder Run began by riding down the airstrip. Ellsworth AFB
Freedom: Come as you are, and be who you are. Downtown Sturgis.
The People. Connecting with others comes easy, especially when you have the same motorcycle jacket. Mount Rushmore, Mayor’s Ride.
Many people I met
The events: Rally held its first ever Tattoo Contest and competition was fierce.
both this and last year will be friends that stay with me for a very long time.
The events – ridiculously
fun and inspiring, all at once. There are so many events going on at any given time, hard to make them all. The organized rides blow my mind. There’s something so incredible about riding feet up in a huge group of motor- cycles through the Black Hills, behind dignitaries and
And the ones that go, those friendships were great while they lasted.
tap into the best parts of us that sometimes get over- shadowed in our day-to-day grind – our lighthearted, funny, easy-going sides. Our whatever- goes, that’s-cool, fine-by-me sides. Many Rally-goers have been meeting the same friends for decades, and consid- er each other family.
Riding the Hills. For those who have ridden the Black
Hills, you know what it means to ride Vanocker Canyon, other VIPs. It’s a powerful display of solidarity and com-
STURGIS
Needles, Spearfish Canyon, Iron Mountain. It’s riding you munity and feels especially gratifying with proceeds going 62 to those who need it most.
Photo Courtesy: File
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