STURGIS, S.D. (KELO) — Bikers from all over the world are headed to Sturgis this week.
The 84th rally gets underway this weekend, but a lot of bikers are already there or on their way.
There’s nothing quite like the sound of a Harley; especially the week of Sturgis.
Dan and Lisa Adkins are from Ohio.
They went to Sturgis last year for the very first time and knew they would be back.
“The scenery,” Dan said. “We like to ride, we don’t go for the drinks and partying and all that, we go for the countryside, beautiful riding out here.”
Lisa also enjoyed the beautiful Black Hills, but couldn’t believe the amount of people.
“I was just amazed at how many bikes there actually are and I know it’s not all of them in the United States, but it’s pretty close,” Lisa said.
“We met people from Japan, Australia, Canada, Korea; there are people from all over the world,” Dan said.
Jared Taffin is also from Ohio. This will be his first time in Sturgis.
“I got to see pictures, that obviously wanted to make me go alone just for the scenery and getting to see Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park; there a list of things we want to do,” Taffin said.
For J & L Harley the weeks leading up to Sturgis and the days after mean big business for the store.
“We do sell some bikes; but merchandise, clothing especially is huge, rain gear for instance was massive because it was raining the first four or five days of the festival,” General Manager Ryan Smith said.
For a lot of bikers whether they’re riding to Sturgis or not, they’ll tell you riding a motorcycle is a way of life; one your local anchorman even enjoys.
The 84th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally officially gets underway on Friday and runs for 10 days.
