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News From The Western Front
Sturgis Numbers Down
MPN

As Mark Twain said, "There are lies, damn lies and statistics." However no matter what form of reckoning you may be using, the numbers looked down for Sturgis this year. A report by Bryan Harley at www.motorcycleusa.com backs the fact that attendance was down at the 67th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. "It's hard to consider a couple of hundred thousand people a low number," writes Harley. "It's just low in comparison to the big attendance numbers put up in the '90s." Sturgis Rally director Pepper Massey confirmed that attendance was down and Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin sees the lower figures as a blessing. "Having fewer people come to town for the rally makes things easier for law enforcement," says Merwin. "It makes it so there isn't so much tension." While not as many people are staying in Sturgis, that's not to say the Black Hills aren't brimming with bikers. "While it appears like numbers are down, we see a lot of riders and activity in surrounding areas such as Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead and other cities. Is this a trend reflecting the desire of the people to get away from the commercialism, hoarding, crowds and B.S. that's now Sturgis? Not sure," relates Carl Hanlon owner of Guilty Customs.

This year's event saw five fatalities and 86 injury accidents according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol. And as a sign of our times, Main Street saw the Rally's first-ever bomb scare. Bryan Harley reports a suspicious package was found and a block of Main Street was evacuated after the State Division of Criminal Investigation arrived to remove the package. The suspicious item turned out to be a cooler packed to the brim with tasty treats. Looks like it's safe to return to Sturgis next year after all!