Dakota Thunder Run 2009 -- What to expect

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abigail Klein
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  As military and civilian motorcycle riders from around the world flock to the 69th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally beginning Aug.3, Ellsworth members and local riders are invited to partake in the Ninth Annual Dakota Thunder Motorcycle Run beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m., Aug. 4.

The ride is open to the public in conjunction with the Sturgis Military Appreciation Day and will consist of a ride from Ellsworth's flight line to the annual rally in downtown Sturgis.

"This ride is a chance for the Dakota Thunder Motorcycle Club to pay tribute to our veterans who came before us," said Senior Master Sgt. James Russell, 28th Bomb Wing staff superintendent and president of the Dakota Thunder Motorcycle Club, the group responsible for organizing the ride.

Riders interested in joining the run may register, free of charge, at the Box Elder Police Department beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 4. Registration for pictures in front of the B-1B Lancer, patches and pins are also available at this table.

Personnel who register will be escorted on and off base every half hour until the beginning of the ride at noon. 

"This is a unique opportunity for the local populace who aren't normally able to visit Ellsworth," said Lt. Col. Rory Adams, 28 BW Exercises and Evaluations and experienced rider. "They will also have a chance to be to view the B-1 up close."

The actual ride is scheduled to depart from Ellsworth at 12:05 p.m. and will pause in formation at Liberty Drive, between Ellsworth and Tower Road, to allow off-base participants a chance to join the main group before proceeding to I-90, Colonel Adams said.

Sergeant Russell expects approximately 350 to 500 riders will attend; he also highlighted the experience new riders can gain from participating in the run.

"Small group rides will help the new riders to better understand the proper spacing motorcycles must maintain for safety," Sergeant Russell said. "Many riders don't get much group riding in the Black Hills so this provides an excellent opportunity for them."

Reserved parking will also be available to the riders at Sturgis. A veteran's tribute ceremony will be conducted at approximately 2:30 p.m. During the ceremony, Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28 BW commander, is scheduled to speak and help Sturgis honor World War II veteran in their community.

Maury LaRue, the Sturgis mayor, is also scheduled to read proclamations declaring the day as Military Appreciation Day and also to honor a Sturgis World War II veteran, Warren Prascher.

Individuals interested in registering for the ride are encouraged to wear proper protective equipment and also ensure that they hydrate regularly, Sergeant Russell said.

For more information about the ride or about the DTMC contact, Sergeant Russell at (605) 385-4415 or my duty cell (605) 545-1264.