n addition to this being the other side of the Sturgis was only about 40,000. So, over the years they have had Rally’s big 75th, the 2016 running of the to meet an increasing demand on resources by the flood of Classic brought with it another unique anniversary that rally goers that exceeded half a million by 1990. I thought it important to highlight in this issue: The Now for those that are recently new to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground’s 35th. Now the reports have Rally, or to motorcycling for that matter, you may see the already been pouring over my desk since I’ve been home monstrous creation that 35 years of this man’s life has Ifrom the rally about attendance numbers being down become and think that it’s always been a giant motorcycle and the rally being slow for vendors but for those in the music festival. In truth this is the story of a man with an know, this was a year like none other, a year of building idea, the will to see it through and the intestinal fortitude toward the future and a year in which the Buffalo Chip did to meet every obstacle with a solution and keep moving not disappoint. forward. In the early days of The Chip there was no water, Before we get into how The Chip killed it this year, let’s no sewage, even the steady supply of power was a problem take a look at their illustrious 35 years in making this spot as storms in local towns could knock the Chip off the grid the biggest show on the motorcycle planet. While this year and leave them with no way to entertain guests. One item at may have been down, the idea that they would have to a time Rod would get through an event, assess the specific overcome some adversity was no stranger to Rod “Woody” weak point in his fence and bolster their efforts for the next Woodrufff, owner and CEO of the famous Sturgis location. year. From drilling wells on the property to installing back In fact, the very inception of this now massive complex up generators, The Chip has worked over these 35 years to began from a time that the Sturgis Rally almost got voted become independent of everything around them, all in the out of existence. Most everyone knows of the infamous “City name of building a better mousetrap. Park” incident, where the outhouses were burned to the Woody’s own history highlights where the strength and ground. Well, it was put to a vote by the town of whether or determination came from for this lifestyle. He worked in a not to even have a rally again after that. The town decided local saloon as a young man to put himself through law to close City Park, Woody figured this was the perfect time school; eventually becoming a lawyer and a certified public to move the party out to less populated property and thus accountant. Both degrees I’m sure have served him well began the Buffalo Chip Campground. Well, actually that’s over the years but probably not as much as the will it took romanticized just a bit. Woody and some locals had begun to make yourself better through hard work. In the early to work the dirt road to lead out from town and the Chip days of the Chip, that’s exactly what it took. When they had been on its way, but the closing of City Park sealed would have tragedy like the roof blowing off their stage in the deal. The first big acts to play the Buffalo Chip stage ’86 during ’s first set there ever, Woody were and Susan Nelson. Now remember would just set that determination in motion and find a this was a time when the total number of rally participants solution. In that case, he scored some old steel, a set of

32 November ‘16 CYCLE SOURCE blueprints for an amphitheater and the very stage you see there, in fact, there is not a part of music culture that hasn’t at the Buffalo Chip today was created. been represented at the Buffalo Chip in these 35 years. By the 50th Anniversary the Sturgis Rally was in full gear. Even when it comes to the hard core, Five Finger Death The numbers went up and with it the party at the Chip Punch packs them in at the Chip. Moreover, acts that you grew as well. That year they had an incredible 28 acts take wouldn’t expect cut their teeth on the main stage. This year the stage. Names like Bachman Turner Overdrive, Marshall saw the likes of , who many wondered how the Tucker, Steppenwolf, all signed on to rock the crowd. As crowd would react to, but still as an innovator in delivering music became a bigger entertainment, the and bigger part of the Chip made it happen motorcycle rally, its and presented her to a place and importance crowd of motorcyclists with the Buffalo chip that stood in that same grew as well. Over field, now the size of a the years The Chip small town, to hear this has become one of lady lay down her craft. the greatest stages Daredevils also have to play and national made the Chip home musicians clamber throughout it’s time line at the chance to and acts like “Jesus” entertain their crowds jumping through a of over 65,000. Some flaming shithouse, Ed of the biggest names Beckley’s exploding ever have graced that coffin stunt and the steel welded stage one and only Robbie like: , Knievel jumped over Steven Tyler, Kid the main stage in 2000. Rock, Jethro Tull, Billy While everything hasn’t Idol, Poison, Guess always gone smooth, as Who, , , and Paul Revere and the many may react to the news of Roland Sands rolling off Raiders. PeeWee Herman has played the Chip, Weird Al the stage this year on his Indian Race bike, it’s not by any and from the ranks of comedians. Country means the first time. Steven Tyler fell off that very same music legends like and Big & Rich have all been stage, Peter Fonda wrecked a chopper behind it and even

CYCLE SOURCE November ‘16 33 ’s famous boots stumbled buffalo chip - then and now across it. In the end, the show goes on It’s human nature to resist change. But in the world of biking reaching back and the party just got bigger. to simpler times is easy because motorcycling deals with basics. As one T-shirt There have been so many important proclaims: Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat.” These images, from yesterday and today, aspects of our time and this culture that prove the concept. have come from the efforts of the good people behind the Buffalo Chip. One that demands recognition is the Sturgis Museum and Hall Of Fame. Woody himself was partially responsible for the Museum getting off the ground and was elected to its board in 2003. Just a few short years later he would start the Legends Ride through the guidance of Lon Nordbye, a Chip Lifer. A portion of the proceeds they generate each year go directly to the museum and it has grown into one of the largest annual Charity rides in the world today. In 2009 Michael Lichter had no home for his annual Sturgis Gallery. Through work with Ken Conte, Rod agreed to build a 7,000 square foot facility that would ensure Michael had a permanent home for his “Motorcycles As Art” exhibits. As you can read in this issue, Michael’s exhibits have become such an important facet of our life and times that this single act by Mr. Woodruff deserves a huge debt of gratitude from the riding public. Many artists such as Jeff Decker, Richie Pan and George Painter have graced the walls of these shows and of course the compliment of Michaels own photography is always a breath taking experience for anyone who appreciates our history and his perspective on it. I could go on for thousands of words about the work they have done in the past and the careers they have helped launch through their work at the Buffalo Chip, but the reason I laid down the little bit of it here was to celebrate their 35th Anniversary and give you a sense of why I think what they did this year was so important, in regards to where we go next. While many may have laid back for what was surely to be a slow year at the Sturgis Rally, the Buffalo Chip forged ahead. They have had enormous success over their storied history and much of that has come from being able to predict where things go next. To that end, it would seem as if Woody went to his crystal ball again and filled the Chip with the cement that would create the foundation of our next decade. They continued the good work of “The Biker Belles” women’s motorcycle ride, The Legends Ride and the many social and charitable causes that typically fill the days of their rally week, there was an air of something new that came along with it all this year. On Wednesday, August 10th of this year the Chip threw down an anchor that made sure the racing heritage of the Black Hills Classic would never be lost. While professional racing has moved further and further away from the party, this year they would be reunited under the name Moto Stampede. One side of the Chip’s Amphitheater became an invitational

34 November ‘16 CYCLE SOURCE drag race track that saw heads up racing just feet away from spectators. The crowd was in awe as the mix of waiting Hooligan racers filled in for their shot at this new feature of the Chip. Just a short while later the tables were turned as Roland Sands and celebrity Carey Hart kicked off the first Super Hooligan Flat Track Races in the Amphitheater on a track built specifically for this event. This garnered the attention of major media outlets and moto journalists alike, the real victory was won on a level that I’m not quite sure many of them get: the passion of motorcycle riding. You see, in our minds the thrill of the very first time you ever rode a motorcycle, ever did a wheelie on one without crashing and the first time you ever went faster on one than you thought you should, that feeling still exists. Roland Sands and his team of Hooligans along with the Buffalo Chip deserve huge kudos for tapping into that and making motorcycling fun again in a way that just throwing a field party doesn’t do. With the help of the staff at The Buffalo Chip we have collected some outstanding imagery to represent the then and now of their timeline but you’ll be surprised, for as much that has changed, so much has stayed the same. While young upstarts might say that Sturgis has become a circus where drunk people act out, and in part they might be right. From these pictures you can see that’s always been a part of it’s tradition, but at the same time the Buffalo Chip has never let off the throttle and has taken the steps to build toward a future. The future that now sees the motorcycle rally as an important part of both the music and the motorcycle industry, and will forever have the Buffalo Chip to thank for a large part of its growth. Now, like I said, there’s so much more to talk about here, the fact that the work of reaching out from the Chip even beyond the gate where you pay to get in, continues in a facility just a few years old called the Crossroads. In this smaller amphitheater, free to the general public, they host live music events, some of the best bikes shows in the business go down and many a good cause is given a rally point. To that end, the days are long for Mr. Woodruff and his staff. At the end of this year’s rally they already had travel arrangements made and you will see them at every other show, collecting intelligence, gathering performers, taking a barometer of what the next big thing will be so that next year’s Sturgis Rally remains ahead of the curve. It’s an old practice I’m sure he learned from the master and one of his own heroes, William F. Cody “Buffalo Bill” which continues to give The Buffalo Chip the title “Best Party Anywhere.”

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