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Thousands of bikers poured into the small South Dakota city of Sturgis on Friday as the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally rumbled to life despite fears it could lead to a massive coronavirus outbreak.The rally could become one of the largest public gatherings since the pandemic began, with organizers expecting 250,000 people from all over the country to make their way through Sturgis during the 10-day event. That would be roughly half the number of previous years, but local residents — and a few bikers — worry that the crowds could create a “super-spreader†event.Many who rode their bikes into Sturgis on Friday expressed defiance at the rules and restrictions that have marked life in many locales during the pandemic. People rode from across the country to a state that offered a reprieve from coronavirus restrictions, as South Dakota has no special limits on indoor crowds, no mask mandates and a governor who is eager to welcome visitors and the money they bring.
I really really love this!Thanks @mrclose
They are all going to die!Someday.
This year’s rally will be from Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 16.Antifa and BLM will be running a little late! “Screw COVID,†read the design on one T-shirt being hawked. “I went to Sturgis.†The bike rally could become one of the largest public gatherings since the pandemic began with 250,000 people expected.https://www.fox61.com/article/news/nation-world/harleys-everywhere-masks-nowhere-sturgis-draws-thousands/507-2372c962-0ac5-43e9-bbcb-98fcb8a31b9f?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot
Great example of American Independence.Roll on brothers and sisters and wishing you all a fanfukingtastic time!
We just finished an extended trip to Phoenix and back with a number of stops in West Texas.Thought I would share what we saw.First, the most interesting observation was that we saw LOTS of vehicles heading east toward Texas towing U-Haul trailers and a few U-Haul trucks, as well. We did not see them heading away from Texas.Second, there is lots more traffic on the road than there has been. People everywhere are obviously not sheltering in place. At least across Texas and in Arizona. The truck traffic on the Interstates (10 and 20) were heavy.Because we had heard that New Mexico is still quarantining people coming into the state to stay, we drove non-stop across the state both ways.Coming through Austin this afternoon, we sat in a traffic jam. The shops and restaurants in Fredericksburg this afternoon were swarming with people.We stopped to shop in multiple places including Big Spring, Pecos, Fort Stockton, Sonora, Fredricksburg, and Giddings. In every place we shopped, when there were masks-required signs up, the workers did not say a word about people not being masked, and were cheerfully helpful when asked for help.Arizona does not have a statewide mask mandate, but the metropolitan counties have put them in place. We had the same experience in Phoenix and other Arizona locations. Signs up, but no peep from owners or other customers when maskless people entered.Finally, we drove through the Delaware Basin portion of the larger Permian Basin in Reeves, Loving, and Culberson County the way we did this time two years ago. There was still oilfield activity, but nothing compared to the hour long waits at intersections in sparsely populated desert the way we did during boom time two years ago.
I debated about where to put this and this thread seemed most appropriate.The following is a report from a friend on FB. I copied and pasted it here because I find it to be very encouraging and thought you might enjoy reading it as well. The emphasis is mine.
Really good to hear. Thanks for sharing!
You are more than welcome @libertybele I'm more than familiar with the route he took as we have made the same trip numerous times to visit relatives in New Mexico and Arizona.
Yeah, the I-10 is the way to go from your neck of the woods. Plus the I-20 for the DFW folks.This time of year the I-40 is usually popular because it's not as hot, but who knows about this year?
I've found the traffic on I-40 to be unbearable this time of year. Particularly so the further East you go.
OKC traffic sucks year 'round.
My SIL went once, on a bike with engine mounted rigidly to frame.She said the vibration beat her up-feet, legs, etc.. Asked would she do it again?She said :Phuque yeah!Error 404 (Not Found)!!1
If this turns out to be a superspreader event, we'll likely know before it's over—the average incubation is only about 6 days.If not, a LOT of people are going to have to answer some questions.
