Sturgis 2008

Sturgis 2008 begins this week. There are many great events and many great people who will attend this year’s event. All of us who are conscious know that these are tough times.This is true in the motorcycle industry as well as pretty much every other industry in the U.S.A.

  Sturgis, the premier event in the motorcycle world will probably be affected by the economy but the passion of those in and around the industry goes on. There will be some really cool concerts, some great bike related shows featuring Dave Perewitz, Michael Lichter, the AMD world championship of bike building,The builders breakfast,charitable rides for breast cancer awareness, Scottish Rite Childrens hospital,and more. There will be at least one raffle to win a custom bike by Sucker Punch Sally and of course the breakfast supports the Make A Wish Foundation which gives severely ill children something wonderful to look forward to.Kiss, John Fogerty(Creedence Clearwater Revival), Kenny Chesney and others will be performing in the concerts. Creedence was a favorite of mine and Kiss, well Kiss puts on a great show.

  There will be ongoing events at Thunderdome , the top 50 park,and all around Sturgis, Deadwood, Spearfish, etc.To me, the best part is to see my friends and make some new ones. I love to get a little taste of what to look forward to in 2009 like Big Dog’s newest creation.The very best part is getting to ride and experience the incredible Black Hills of South Dakota. This is a special treat for anyone and everyone who is an enthusiast professional or not.

  Train and I are very disappointed that we cannot attend this year. I suffered a detached retina a couple of weeks back and must undergo a surgical procedure. It is one of those things you can’t delay. We were hoping the surgery might not be necessary but it is. We are lucky to have the Emory Eye Care Center here so i’ll be just fine. We will attend the Las Vegas Bikefest and report on it and enjoy it in October. We are looking forward to spending some time at this world class event.

  A special thanks to Darcy Betlach who is so instrumental in organizing things at Sturgis, in Cincinnati, in Daytona and as a marketing professional in the industry. She is one of the people in the background who is crucial to the industry. She has been at it for quite awhile and she rocks.

                                                                         Beach