Some of the bikers I've known make the complaint about Sturgis that it "isn't a biker thing" anymore.

Their attitude is that you don't belong if you didn't ride your bike there, and Sturgis has gotten so big that all you see is people who hauled their $80,000 bike in a $50,000 trailer behind a $70,000 truck, roll the bike by hand down the ramp, and then sit on it at the side of the road while they debate with their buddies about how many of the 35 miles on the odometer was actually riding and how much was tune ups on a dynamometer at the custom shop - before delivery.

But then I've heard similar complaints about Burning Man.

There was concern here with yesterday's Toy Ride when it appeared they wouldn't get the direct route and police support, because some thought there would be quite a few "fair weather" bikers who might have difficulty in a "free form convoy," but at least all those who made the trip have ridden at least 8 or 10 miles now.

The majority in the Toy Ride run had sufficient bugs in their teeth to at least look fairly experienced.

John