South Dakota: Rumble in the Black Hills

Rumble in the Black Hills

+ In the drowsy calm of a little town like Sturgis, S. Dak. (pop. 5,300), it is usually easy to notice when even one alien motorcyclist guns into town. But last week 275,000 showed up, along with a camp following of 42 portable tattoo parlors, for the 50th annual Black Hills Motor Classic. Bikers packed motels as far away as Sundance, Wyo., some 40 miles to the west. For seven days, they turned four blocks of Sturgis' Main Street into chopper gridlock, gathering for rock concerts (Allman Brothers, Steppenwolf, BTO), hill-climbing contests, an amateur female topless contest and motorcycle rodeos. Last...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!