The Fives: Challenging the legend of Sturgis, biker rallies roar to life nationwide

By Todd Williams, Journal staff | Wednesday, July 30, 2008

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For those who live in the Black Hills year round, it's hard to believe that the Sturgis motorcycle rally can be rivaled as the undisputed king of kings when it comes to biker gathering points in the United States.

Of course, when you can turn a tiny town of about 6,500 people and turn it into a motorcycle Mecca of upward of a half-million folks every year, that makes sense.

But big business has put the business of biking in its sites, and Sturgis isn't the only dot on the map trying to lure the two-wheeled travelers with the promise of good times and miles of cool rides.

Here's a quick look at some the country's competitors when it comes to battling it out for the biggest biker bash.

Daytona Bike Week

If there's one motorcycle event that gives the Sturgis rally a run for it's money.

One big advantage it has is that it's in Florida in the winter, which is a much bigger break than coming to Sturgis in the early August, where temperatures can easily hit triple digits.

And the likelihood of finding buxom babes and strapping bucks is at least equal to it's counterpart in Sturgis.

Founded roughly about the same time, it's name also is ubiquitous in biker circles as the term bike week is bandied about at other motorcycle gatherings. Of course, Dayotna is often thought of first as a NASCAR haven and spring break destination before it is a biker haven, whereas Sturgis is best known for bikes, bikes and more bikes, and maybe a little bit for beef jerky and firearms.

 

Little Sturgis Rally

You want to know how big the Sturgis rally is? The fact that another town named Sturgis (this one in Kentucky) could parlay it's name into a relatively significant motorcycle event is a testament to the drawing power of the name.

It also managed to draw a lawsuit by the folks at the event here in South Dakota.

Although it might lack the big bucks and firepower of its counterpart here in the Black Hills, Little Sturgis has made a name for itself on a couple of fronts: It is a major charity fundraiser, and it's focus remains on the races.

Laconia Motorcycle Week

The oldest motorcycle gathering in the country, Laconia Motorcycle Week is often seen as the little brother of Daytona and Sturgis. Like those two big names, Laconia brings in hundreds of thousands of bikers each year. The events are much the same (concerts, demo rides and plenty of partying) at the event held at the cusp of summer.

Unlike those two, it relies much more on bikers in the New England region and the northeast than from throughout the U.S., which Sturgis and Daytona seem to do with regularity.

And this past year, it may have seen even less of them. And that was before the price of gasoline spiraled into the stratosphere.

Myrtle Beach Bike Week

Considered by many one of the big four, the Myrtle Beach Bike Week is so popular, they hold it twice each year -- once in the spring and once in the fall. And t he spring event is actually two separate events, Harley Week and Black Bike Week.

Like the other major motorcycle events, Myrtle Beach has plenty of vendors, bands and people. It also has something Sturgis prides itself on -- miles of scenic rides. While Sturgis offers the dynamic of the Black Hills, Needles Highway, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower and the likes, Myrtle Beach features the Grand Strand, which offers some of the nation's most beautiful beaches and the accompanying populations.

Sturgis still gets a slight nod because of variety, but considering the only beaches bikers can be found during the rally are those inside the fences of the big campgrounds and biker bars.

Lone Star Rally

It bills itself as the biggest Halloween biker bash anywhere. It's not necessarily a ringing endorsement.

But after you check out the lineup for the event (in addition to the standard lineup of a bevy of live concerts, biker tours and poker runs, demo fleets and even a Ms. Lone Star Rally Pageant and Fashion Show), it's apparent that the event in Galveston, Texas, is worth a second look.

Throw in nontraditional biker events such as Ghost Ship tours, the costume biker parade on Friday night, the Dolphin Tour as well as IMAX movies and more, the biggest biker rally in Texas is a worthy competitor.

And it had nearly a half-million visitors last year, which means its no little gathering.

The botttom line: I still see Sturgis as the dominant force, even if traffic is likely to be off this year. I have the Lone Star Rally edging slightly ahead of the mammoth force of Daytona, followed by Myrtle Beach and then the mighty little Sturgis.