Spinning Wheels at the Broken Spoke

By CCRyder

 

While in Sturgis there are many places to hang your hat and wet your whistle but my ‘all time favorite’ is the ‘Broken Spoke Saloon. Located at the end of Lazelle Street, it is a natural place to stop at the end of any evening.  I visited others like the ‘Full Throttle’ where they emulate success, and can host 10,000 at their free concerts, but traffic can be a killer there so head out early to avoid spending two hours, riding the two miles from town.

 

The ‘Camel House’, which was the only place with their own generator when the thunderstorm Wednesday night hit that knocked power out across town. They have some wild bikes and wilder women on display, with their bands appealing to a younger audience. My single friends from Denver like ‘One Eyed Jack’s’ cause they serve alcohol which seems to be the preference of single women. They also have a tasty, and slightly expensive menu.

 

Regardless of where we started, we always seemed to end the evening at the ‘The Broken Spoke. Wednesday night we rocked the house all night with Payback, these three guys were awesome. They did not stop once during four hours plus of flawless and inspiring guitar rifts and perfect vocals. Like Jay told me later, he is always looking for the top bands of tomorrow and books all his own entertainment. The Kentucky Headhunters are another of my favorite groups that Jay has on board, and they never fail to please the crowds.

 

Jay agrees that greed is killing these rallies. That is why he wants every one who visits his bar to leave thinking (knowing) they have had an experience that they will never forget. The walls of the bar are lined with bikes to celebrate our brothers in the wind and you are invited to put any name of a lost one forward to be added to the ‘Biker Heaven’ which is a memorial for all our fallen brothers, all at no cost.

If you are down to your last dollar, you can come down to the Spoke, enjoy the music, and drink free ice water all night (from any of the many coolers hanging around the bar). You don’t need to spend any money. Jay also states,

Every rally takes a piece of your soul. And although they only do six events a year in four locations, Jay hasn’t been home since April. Thankfully his family, including wife and daughter both work beside him along with a hundred other ‘Family members. Recent growth has taken its toll on finances so Jay’s advertising budget is mostly word of mouth. He did share that two years ago in Daytona, he took his budget of $3000.00 and gave it out to his patrons one dollar at a time.

That was the best advertising I ever did, he jokingly adds. In addition to great bands and ice water at no cost, the Spoke also has a parking lot, which is free for all bikes. There is still the danger of being towed near the entrance to the bar. I witnessed Tony (head of security) come in gasping on Monday evening saying he had just moved eighteen bikes but one guy had his Road King’s steering locked and they couldn’t move it. The County was scooping it as we talked. That will cost the owner near $150.00 in tickets and a $50.00 cab ride to pick it up.

 

Every day has its own personality and every day you have fewer workers so those left have to kick in more effort. Every night you can hear Jay warning his patrons of the dangers in night riding and offering to house any and all bikes as well as get you a ride home for the night if you are too impaired to ride or drive. I have personally seen this gentleman going through the crowd late at night looking for rides to get people home safely. Once again, I have witnessed the true essence of this week and if you ever come join our party here, Jays does his best to make this one of your best two memories.