Its opening weekend of the 2009 Sturgis Rally and things are Really slow…err, I don’t mean that as a reflection on any American made motorcycle either! The venders have been set up at the Rapid City HD parking lot for several days now and I don’t see many lookers as opposed to bikers backed up clear down the off ramp. The camp grounds along the interstate are pretty open again as opposed to the crush of people/vehicles as it has been in the past years. Thursday, I realize this was the day before the Rally officially begins but I met with my Greg at One-Eye’d Jacks in Sturgis for a beer. Main Street was packed with venders everywhere but not that many people browsing. There were still some cars and trucks parked on Main Street so the bikes hadn’t taken over yet. Never having been in this bar before I was amazed at its size and how many sq ft of it was bar counter. Several of the bars were not open because there wasn’t that many customers there yet. Sure there were plenty of girls showing their wares and plenty of them who really shouldn’t have, not in my opinion. Of course when Bruce shows up all bets are off! Since this year seems to be much cooler out and the lack of wall to wall bikers in the bar, it might explain the lack of sweat and BO there normally is. Yup, it was almost nice in there. I wondered if our female bartender got a percentage of the till. She was awfully friendly, busty, and sales motivated. You know, “need another beer (and we still had plenty), want to do some shots with me-you'll have to buy mine, how about one for my friend Buttons too”. As our bartender was kneeling on the beer cooler to give us better service (a better look I think would be more accurate) her friend buttons came up from behind her, reached around to get hold of her jubblies and gave them a good shaking. Hmmm, a beer and a show! Interesting statistic, I read somewhere that more military kids died on motorcycles in the US than died in Iraq last year. Wonder if its true. Beings it is Saturday and I had to work today I decided to drive my antique V-4 Honda. I could tell the attendance is low this year because I only had to pass 5 Bikers within a 45 mile distance. I had to put the liner in my jacket because it was only 50 degrees out when I left. It is seriously nice out weather-wise this year for the Rally. Its suppose to top out at 80 degrees today and 90 tomorrow instead of the 100+ usual temps. No biker accidents yet and that is always good especially after the last motorcycle accident in Rapid. More later? vic
