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Event Reports

Big Joe’s Sturgis FXR Show

Article By Joe Mielke

Photo By: Walt Lumpkin

Originally Published In The November 2016 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

So here we are, another Sturgis Rally over and the 4th Annual Sturgis FXR Show is in the books. This year we had a new venue at the Sturgis Dragway/Glencoe Camp Resort. We had a few speed bumps that got my blood up a little bit but the people and their FXRs still came out to support the cause. It all worked itself out and we had a great event. Last year was the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Rally so the numbers were crazy. We had 103 FXRs registered in the show. With that in mind I didn’t figure we would top last year’s numbers. In order to keep the event growing in what was predicted to be a down year I decided to add a DYNA show along with the FXR show. For the first year of the DYNA show we had 30 DYNAs show up. I was pleasantly surprised and S pleased that we had 100 FXRs in the show in what was a drastically down year for rally attendees. The typical FXR rider goes a little bit against the grain and they just enjoy riding their FXR. They don’t mind hanging out with other FXR riders and checking out each other’s rides for a few hours on a hot August day in South Dakota.

This year’s DYNA show first place winner was Brian. If you are like me, you saw this motorcycle coming together via social media with wishful anticipation of getting to see it in person at the show. The motorcycle obviously didn’t disappoint. The way my show works, the people who enter bikes into the show vote. Their popular vote alone determines who wins the show in both the FXR and DYNA shows. I was blessed once again this year to have overwhelming support from some great companies in the motorcycle industries. We had lots of donations from companies that have supported the event from the word jump and from several new companies who wanted to get onboard. We were able to give away top ten prizes for both the FXR and DYNA show. We also had a mountain of great products to give away and many great items that we raffled off to help raise money to support LifeScape of South Dakota. LifeScape provides assistance to families of special needs children here in South Dakota. All totaled I estimate we gave away somewhere between 15 and 20 thousand dollars’ worth of donated products and merchandise. Biltwell donated a huge amount of product this year and I gave away 8 Gringo Helmets. We raffled a 9th Gringo Helmet that was very special. It was hand painted by Darren McKeag. If there hadn’t been 130 killer motorcycles there, the helmet would have stolen the show. Due to the tremendous support when all was said and we were able to raise a little over $7000! Which I was able to hand over to LifeScape in cash! That feels pretty damn good. However, please understand, by the time the Sturgis rally comes around every year I’ve pretty much had it with organizing the show and a little part of me is always excited for it to be over. But once I see how the motorcycle community can come together and support a fundraiser like this all the time invested is worth all of the agony. It turns me around from being exhausted to thinking about how to make it better for next year.

I am truly blessed to have the support of so many great people and companies who help me make this show possible. I am doubly blessed that you, the FXR riding community continue to support the event and keep it growing. My biggest shout out however has to go to my wife Michelle. It’s no joke, without her, the show would not happen. I work the hustle, kiss the hands and shake the babies but she is the one who organizes my mess to make it all work. Thank you to the FXR community! You are the greatest!! And thank you to Chris and Heather Callen and Cycle Source magazine for allowing me to Spotlight the FXR monthly for all of you FXR Freaks! Yes, Brad Gregory that includes you. If you have an FXR story you’d like to share give me a shout so we can Spotlight you in an upcoming issue of this fine publication. You can reach me at joe@fxrshow.com

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