STURGIS 2010: COLORS OR WEAPONS NOT WELCOME, BUT PEE WEE HERMAN IS...
A Not-So-Satirical Commentary on the 70th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Copyright (c) 2010 Bruce Arnold. Republication with attribution permitted.


"I never give'em Hell. I just tell the Truth and they think it's Hell."--Harry S. Truman


SATURDAY (14 August 2010) marked the end of 15 days and 5,790 miles in the saddle for DP, Hidalgo and me. We rode the first 1,515 miles from Miami Beach FL to Wichita Falls TX in 35 hours 35 minutes, qualifying for what should be certified as my 51st Iron Butt ride.

The next 1,540 miles took us west across stretches of Route 66 in Texas and New Mexico, then north through the awe-inspiring peaks and valleys of the Colorado Rockies, and finally northeast across Wyoming to Sundance (where the Kid got his name), our home base for the 70th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

After spending four enjoyable days cruising 455 leisurely miles through the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, we rode back to SoBe by a shorter 2,280 mile route that took us through the less-inspiring but somehow more inviting ridges and gaps of the Smokies.

For the first time since 2005, I made it all the way to Sturgis and back without being arrested under a false pretense, getting ticketed for defying an unjust mandate, or having to rush a heat-stricken rider 30 miles to an emergency room. In fact, our greatest misfortune this year was a lack of cell phone service: ATT may cover "97% of Americans", but they sure as Hell don't cover 97% of America. 97% of the time my ATT phone was a worthless pocket weight, so I am 97% sure I'll be replacing ATT with Verizon. Anyway... I'll share more details about "the Ride" in future installments, but first a disdain for political correctness coupled with deplorable anger management compells me to convey the following commentary regarding "the Rally":

The commercial exploitation and pussification of the American Biker was as open and obvious at this year's "Black Hills Trailer Classic" as is the ongoing perversion of patriotism, needless sacrifice of our sons and daughters, and greedy sacking of our treasury, pensions and savings by the Republocratic puppets on the payroll of "Washington, Inc." and their Kleptocratic masters pulling all strings left and right from Manhattan. "No Colors or Weapons Allowed Inside" signs pervaded business establishments along Main and Lazelle in Sturgis proper, making clear their intent to strip us of our culture as they take away our cash. I ignored them as I always do, but this year the Case 286 sheathed on my belt actually got me summarily uninvited from two "biker-friendly" bars that will receive no free press here.

Meanwhile, just down the road at the Buffalo Chip--owned and operated by Belle Fourche attorney Rod "Woody" Woodruff--throngs of both motorcyclists (those who rode) and trailerists (those who towed) wearing shiny new Hot Leathers vests adorned with just-purchased pins and freshly-sewn patches that say something but mean nothing (ok, been there) mindlessly welcomed registered sex offender and alleged child pornographer Paul Reubens a.k.a. "Pee Wee Herman" [ see http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4563512 and http://tinyurl.com/peeweeonpervlist ] to the stage. As biker-bucks barrister Woodruff put it, "Bob Dylan is here because people like him, and Pee Wee is here for the same reason: They are both American icons."

BULLSHIT:

Declaring a public peter pumper like Pee Wee Herman to be an "American icon" comparable to one of the greatest folk/protest singer/songwriters of our time is an absurdity, an outrage and an insult to our biker culture. But I can understand why Woodruff would take that position. The Buffalo Chip is, after all, aptly named. As is often the case with fabrications found in the bikers' rights arena, the Chip exists ostensibly to serve and benefit bikers but effectively to line the pockets of a lawyer. So naturally we can expect that shyster--like any shyster--to say whatever he deems necessary to keep the cash coming his way. What I cannot fathom, however, is why thousands of "bikers" were tripping over themselves to buy Pee Wee Herman t-shirts and dolls, and hundreds even signed up to ride with the sick bastard.

Even worse, for a children's charity like Kids and Chrome to stage a meet-and-greet with an accused kiddie porn collector as a fundraiser simply defies comprehension.

Given Woodruff's inexcusably perverse but undoubtedly profitable promotion of Pee Wee Herman this year, some are expecting the Chip's 2011 headliners to include Drop Dead Fred or Boy George, but my money's on Beverly Hills toilet troubadour George Michael. No matter, though. Barring their resurrection of Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan, I'll continue spending my hard-earned biker bucks at the Gold Pan in Custer, the Ponderosa in Hulett, the Dime Horseshoe in Sundance, the National 9 Lariat in Gillette, and the many beckoning Black Hills hideaways where our biker culture is honored and not exploited, our Constitutional right to bear arms is respected and not restricted, and "Welcome Bikers" is a sincere greeting rather than a rubber worm.


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Wow, guess some people aren't happy unless they have something to complain about. I pesonally enjoy Sturgis, always have , and always will. Yeah, there are new generations of riders we may not call "bikers", that go there - some ride, some do trailer, but they all go there to have fun, as they define fun and I have no problem with that. It is not like they try to impose on me, so let them enjoy. I would personally never trailer my bike unless it was broken, but that's just me.

As for the first time you have made it there since 2005 without getting arrested, you might want to look at what you are doing. I have been there 11 times now, and never once have I or any of my friends had a problem with the police.

Guess I would wonder why if you can't stand the what the experience of Sturgis has become, you keep going back. Is it just so you can say you went, or just for something to complain about?

Guess you expected to go to a place with over 1/2 million people and everyone would be just like you, and every business would cater to you and no one else. Sounds like you have places in the area you enjoy going to, so why don't you just go to those and let others who may not have the same opinion as you have their places too.

That is what is great about this country. Everyone can have their opinion, and they are entitled to voice their opinion.

And while I personally agree with you about Pee Wee, I understand that my perception of reality is based on my lifes experiences and not other people's. They have a different perception.

As long as we can agree to this and get along, we are all good!

WOW! an eye opener if ever there was one!!!

ARGUMENT: as a human, and as an european who - unluckily - never had the pleasure of visiting the great US of A, i enjoy reading all kinds of opinions, and not only those of whoever likes ta jump onto the band-wagon...

Been to Sturgis a number of times, as has most of my family, never had any trouble with the police there, in fact, working with the Christ's Crudaders m/c a bit, the police usually just brought d&d's to camp jericho to get fed and sleep it off; they wanted to save the jail cells for people causin' real problems. Far as weapons banning, unfortunately, that's the right of any individual business, and you agree to their terms by entering. I DO, however, have an issue with a colors ban. It's such a fluid rule with painted in grey lines. What type of "colors" they ban is completely up to whoever is kickin' you out. I could walk into one business with a Christian club patch (or patches, I'm prospecting for a Christian club that reaches "outlaw" type bikers, so we have a 3 piece), and get kicked out because it's a 3 part or because the owner doesn't like Christians. up to him. Same could go for HOG or any other "riding club;" On the other hand, a friend of his might come in wearing colors and be fine; really it's all discretionary, which makes it whimsical profiling. I'd rather they leave folks alone until/unless they cause trouble, and then deal with it, rather than give random people a hard time. (honestly, have NEVER seen any type of turf war between the outlaw clubs occur in Sturgis; doesn't mean they never happened, but I hadn't caught wind of it. Most of those guys aren't half as much trouble as folks think they are!)

One of these days I would like to go even tho I dont really like crowds. But as for the 2nd amendment I will keep mine on me, If they dont allow me then I roll to the next one and take my cash else where. It is less money for them. As for "Cuts" or "Colors" I have heard any one with patches in certain areas are not allowed but since im not with a R/C, M/C or M/M, I may give it a shot but I did not Prospect into a club and earn my patch either. But I have been around some clubs that work there ass off to earn there club patch. Most of them just want respect and are not there to start trouble. But they won't shy away either.

First time in Sturgis had a ****** ball. couldnt give a shit what others do i do things my way. As for the 2 little f**ks who tried to steal my jacket in deadwood sunday night how does it feel to get run down and have your arses beaten by a 41 year old crippled Aussie biker you stupid little f**ks? And to the cops in deadwood thanx for not shooting me whilst beating fore mentioned little f**ks. Alls good that ends good.

Ironbolt bruce: agree for the most part. And disagree with some.

You also have the responcibility that comes with the Constitution that for the most part is not respected by some of the biker culture because of those few people. Us who do have respect for our respocibilty and the for the Constitution must seek pleasure else where in establishments that safty for there customers is more important than our constitutional rights. Remember that the Constitution is a contract between you and your rupublics government. And your right to carry is not between you and an establishments owner. That is why you have the right to go elswhere if you disagree as you did. Thank God for our rights and guidence to make responsible decisions as we the people so choose for our life. Peewee is a bad choice no matter where he is.

Holly crap what a shit storm we have here. I really enjoy working, however I've been missing out on some good post here. Well ironbolt I notice you are new to the CF Family, and I see you have met a few of the members, and have heard their reply's to your post. We have seen Brothers like you come and go, and my only advice to you is, hang out a while and get to know the family before setting the CF family on fire. We love new people joining our group, however might want to turn it down a notch at first. Give ya credit for one thing......you make a hell of an entrance!

The working Night Dragon

Hell yea !!  I like it.  Welcome man.

jb

I definitely enjoyed reading the well put together sentence structure and the well thought out grammar... even bikers can get it right from time to time... *wink*

As for Sturgis, weapons, colors etc... a patch is well earned and hard earned and I don't disrespect it at all. But that doesn't mean it's wrong for me to wear a patch on the back of my vest because I didn't gang-bang all the guys from whatever MC...

And the guy who rides his definitely does deserve a high five for his accomplishment. However... that doesn't take away from what someone else has done the week before he trailered his. We each do out own thing on different levels at different times. 

Weapons?  There are places that are appropriate for them and places that aren't.  I understand where you're coming from, but the fact is that you either accept the rules and go have a good time, or don't go again.  

As far as Pee-Wee Herman... I'm just glad I wasn't there to see it.

 Never liked him in the first place.  LOL

He just always gave me the creeps... Kinda makes you wonder why he was there in the first place... Maybe he wanted to ride b*tch?

LOL

ROFLMFAO!

The world has changed. "Evolved" as the word has already been used. I totally get what a patched MC'er is and what he's done to earn his patch, etc, etc, etc, and I totally get the "brotherhood" mentality. But let's face it, Joe Blow Public now rides. Joe Public will be there unless you create and sanction an MC only event. And most of the time Joe Public doesn't care to see someone packing, or toking, or whatever.

Now please don't get me wrong, I have a whole lot of tolerance and am extremely open minded. I'm just sayin'... these events are not just open to the MC'ers, they are open to the entire civilian world of whoever has the guts to get on a bike, and to whoever thinks they have the guts to get on one. And I'm here to tell ya, there's some Joe Publics out there who put on just as many miles or more, have just as much loyalty or more, totally understand the word Respect, and are just as absorbed in their bikes as someone who earned a patch.

Ok, throw tomatoes and email me nasty grams, but it's true.

If you want an event that leaves the civilians out, then have one. Or attend one. It's crazy to assume that any of us are going to attend a public place and not have to deal with, tolerate, or otherwise rub shoulders with, rubs, newbies (of which I am one thank you very much) or wanna be's.

I find that I believe that the cycle fish members are the true model of a biker. The few number of people that declare the loss of the "biker" status and the rights that they "need" to be a biker continue to come and go... They rant and shake their fist in these forums demanding their privileges then disapear.. The creator of this topic has not returned. Yet the majority of people here continue to support is right to state his opinion, yet support the right to be yourself and do it in a respectful maner.
I am proud to see people share thoughts beliefs and fun as a group with respect to all and the website as it has been set to operate. I hope that this is the true world of being a " BIKER " brother and sister family.. Just my own thoughts..Howard

So let me get this right, and correct me if I'm wrong.  You're biggest gripe about Sturgis is that you feel your Constitutional right to keep and bear arms and fly your colors (although not a "right," but we'll just go with this for simplicity's sake), was invalidated, restricted, and violated while attempting to enter privately owned establishments whose owners choose not to allow colors or arms within the confines of those establishments, which may or may not, in your opinion, fall within their Constitutional rights.

Aside from the Pee Wee Herman issue, which I pretty much agree with you on, I'd just like to comment on a few things you've said.

First of all, the "exploitation and pussification of the American Biker," (commercial or otherwise) cannot occur unless said biker allows himself or herself to be exploited and pussified.  Having said that, to even suggest that Bikers can be exploited and pussified, does not say much about your opinion regarding the history, respect, sustainability, honor, loyalty, intelligence, and evolution of the American Biker. 

In addition, should a biker allow himself or herself to be exploited and pussified, then perhaps the individual is not really a biker after all.  I mean, you know the old saying, "20 miles and $20,000 doesn't make you a biker."  For some, 20,000 miles and $20 doesn't make one a biker either.

Now, on to your complaint about colors & weapons.  When Fast Eddie's in St. Petersburg, FL hosted the benefit poker run for my granddaughter (thank you Eddie, wherever you may be right now), NO ONE flew their colors inside his bar.  And trust me, there were a lot of colors that day, from all over Florida.  It was a matter of respect.  Period.  Same with the weapons.  Respect may not always be given TO us, but it should always be given BY us.

I may not always be honored, but I will always remain honorable.  I may not always be respected, but I will always be respectable.  I may not always be welcomed, but I will always be welcoming. 

One need not be politically correct, to respect the rights and wishes of other citizens within their own establishments, homes, or personal space.

Biker to me means respect thoes that do not respect me, Be a man of my word, follow the rules set forth to me. Open the doors for all people and most of all my elders. Help someone on the road that is having problems no matter if I know them or not. A broke down Brother or Sister is just that, if a business or a area I am riding through or to does not want colors worn then so be it. I have not always been the best human being around, I have hurt others, family, and friends. I have stolen, from friends and family to get what I want. I have used drugs and drank and not been allowed in my own home. Fortunately, I have matured and left that part of my life behind. Today I am my own man, I ride because I love it, I ride to be free in my own mind, to gain serenity and peace. I am not pussyfied, I am just grown up and respect places and areas that ask me to not have a weapon, or what ever they are asking me to not bring in. So, I get off my box and let it be, we all have our own opinions and some are worse then others. Remember, 20,000 dollars and 20 miles dont make you a biker. Riding is about the Journey not the destination!

Well said!!!

 I cant figure why anyone would have that stupid PeeWee joker around period, let alone at a biker event.  I believe in our rights, even though they are diminishing.  The colors/cuts thing, I can see both sides of, because of the TURF thing between the 1% er clubs.  I believe in the right to carry arms, but, and that's a big but.  I sure as Hell Don't  Want to be around a bunch of DRUNKS  Toting Pistols, even If I am toting too!                                                  And anyway, the sign says....."CycleFish Biker Website", not the Bitch and Complaint Department.   

as always hgsc, right on the money!