Sturgis, S.D. (KELO) — Wednesday morning the 3rd Annual Chief Ride took to the Black Hills just days before the Sturgis Rally kicks off.
More than 50 motorcycles take part in the charity ride.
This ride loops through the Black Hills, from Sturgis to Spearfish Canyon and around to Rapid City before finishing back in town.
“It’s always fun to do with a group, especially with people who haven’t done it before and they can begin to appreciate how much they like the hills,” Rally Rider Rick Tjader said.
“Thankfully it’s turned out to be one of the more popular rides the city of Sturgis is doing. And it is good, it shows these attendees, yeah they might want to spend money, but they’re also willing to give money to our local youth programs, our local non-profits and just different entities that struggle financially,” Sturgis Chief of Police Geody VanDewater said.
This year the ride is raising funds for the PAL Program (Police Athletic League) to help support kids in athletics and with clothing for school.
“Well, it’s great to be able to support local charities, to support law enforcement, and youth sports and it’s a fun smaller ride,” Tjader said.
“Have a nice, like you said, leisure ride before the chaos starts and we have to go to work, and it’s long hours and it’s hot and tiring. So it’s a good time to have a little bit of de-stress and hang out on a low-key level,” VanDewater said.
As the Sturgis Rally kicks off, these officers will put away their motorcycles and get started on patrolling the main streets and riders each day.
The Sturgis Police and Public Works Departments will next be putting the final touches on downtown’s setup for the start of the rally.
