Sturgis 2011 Trip – Then and Now……
August 3rd, 2011 | 
Author: Once again it is off to the 71st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This particular year is a bit nostalgic and a revealing for me….
My first attendance was 17 years ago in 1994, and since then I have only missed one rally. I have gone so many times now that I don’t carry a map and don’t need the GPS anymore as Utah, Colorado and Wyoming all seem like my back yard.
In 1994 John, Stretch and I trailer our bikes out to Sturgis for the one week. We wanted to see what the Rally was about and to find out if we wanted to ride out there the next year. The following year I rode out with Stretch to hook up at the rally with John, Sharon (his wife) and their 6 month old boy Akzl. Because they had a new addition to their family, they trailer one more time. The next few years John and his family would ride.
Back then, Sharon and Akzl would ride out with John on their one motorcycle with a sidecar. I would be riding solo.
Now, 16 years later, I again will hook up with John, Sharon and Akzl, along with Big Steve. But this time John will be on his bike, Sharon will be riding her own trike and Akzl’s will be riding his own bike! I’ll be taking Shai on the back of mine – yes, a family trip to Sturgis….
I’m sure John will be packing the Rolaids worrying about his family as each one of them have thier own wheels to handle (as I would be too). Akzl may be only 16 1/2, but he is smart and has had the proper raising and training so I am not worrying (easy for me to say). But really, how cool is it to be able to ride half way across this great country of ours at the age of 16 with your own handlebars! How many kids get to do that! I would have only been able to dream it, Akzl gets to live it.
Back then, the excitement was our first trips. Now, the excitement will be watching the young ones enjoy it.
Posted in 2011 Sturgis Trip
And off you go!! I’ve been following along for as long as you’ve been blogging/posting so it feels like my backyard, too…sorta. I’ve made the trip in the car a few times, so places are familiar. I love the vicarious experience. Just a few more years and you can be worrying about Shai on HIS bike 😀
Be safe & have fun!!
Wow -Jimmy V waxing poetic – it’s a beautiful thing! That was your best post ever…although I am not sure if “he is smart and had the proper raising and training” is grammatically correct unless you are from Mississippi!! j/k – it really is a ‘full circle’ moment…I remember John, Sharon and Akzl and the side car at the rally in Bridgeport so many years ago…now John and Big Steve watch American Idol and get pedicures…now that ain’t the result of proper raisin’ and trainin’…lol mo fo!!
Keep on postin Jimmy V – you are the best -to me, you are like a fine wine – you just keep getting better with age and I am definitely proud to call you my brother…
Say Hi to the ‘family’ and make sure you show Shai the ‘real’ Sturgis.
b/t/w – Talk to me about next year – I need to get my ass out there at least once.
Take care Dad!
Oh great, hope the bike’s big enough for Jim, Shai and his big head. j/k – he is a good bro, isn’t he? I know his biological family loves him 😀
LOL, too much! Let the fun begin! C you when we return, Joe Jost style! Later bro!
Now the only part that Chiurazzi left out about the pedicure is that he was giving it to Big Steve and I……rotflao……and he is damn good at it, great hands too, see you MF’s in eleven days!!
hmmm…rotflao – sounds like something you say when Big Steve finishes??? lol…you know that was a good one! j/k my bro…
I definitely want to come and hang w/ y’all next year…maybe I can ride bitch on Akzl’s bike!! I am a big wuss-dog!..and while my hands may be soft and supple, not sure If all the raisin and training hasn’t done wore out my knees after all these years!
Johnny – at least you have your Jacob Lusk on your Ipod!! You should roll into Sturgis with Clay Aiken blasting from your ride!!!
AC/DC for this one! There is no substitute for riding, a great concert this past year and only a month apart from KISS, it was a rock n roll month…………
Jimmy, have fun!! Wish I was going! I saw Dave’s post. Maybe we could get a group together for next year??? 🙂
Misser!
Long time. I would Love to go next year -especially if you are going to be there!
I know how you feel about men and pedicures so you must be warned in advance that Jimmy’s friends are getting older and need to nourish and protect their skinsuits!
No – my neighbor will not be there! lol…
Let’s keep this idea rollin’ – let’s make it happen next year!
b/t/w I love the name Missy Bittles. I say drop the Houghtlin – go full bore with Bittles – it could double as your stage name – know what I’m sayin!
yep – -sure looks like a family trip to Sturgis ! – and a very neat family ! – -sure wish I had an adventure like this when I was a kid – Of course be safe and have a great time . Speaking of trips heading out to Michigan and maybe Mackinaw Island . Want to have a drink on the Grand Hotel porch .
Dave!! So good to hear from you! I’ve been wanting to go for years, so let’s make it happen next year! Nothing wrong with a man protecting his “skinsuit”! I’m kinda into the “metro” thing lol. Hmmm, maybe I should go back to my maiden name….. btw, I have my motorcycle license now, so watch out!! Lol. Keep in touch. Love ya!
I think Jimmy V is deleting my posts…can’t seem to find them…what a tool.
I definitely want to go Misser – can I ride bitch with you??!
Metro all the way baby!!
That made me tear up… hard to believe my baby is a young man now! Looking forward to another great trip with my wonderful family and friends.
Have a great ride, Jimmy and Shai, and be safe!
Awwww, I remember those days when Akzl was a tiny tot riding in the side car. I look fwd to seeing his recent photo next to his baby pic.