First women’s day at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

BUFFALO CHIP CAMPGROUND, SD (KELO) – The fifth day of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brought something new, the very first Women’s Day. Women from across the country attend the event, which also pays tribute to a native of South Dakota who is known as the “fastest woman on four wheels.”

Jet car speed racer and South Dakota native Jessie Combs died almost two years ago in an accident in Oregon.
But today her presence is known through her foundation and all the women who were inspired by her. Combs wanted women not only to ride their motorcycles, but also to work with the cars they drive.

Danielle Theis, Jessi Combs’ sister, rode Jessie’s bike on the Biker Belle Ride today. She is inspired by all of the women here today.

“Sometimes when you try something like horse riding, for example, it can be a lot of things, shooting with guns, working with tools, and it might not be really a woman’s thing. Learning from other women is the best way to do so, so this community of women is fantastic. We have a lot of diversity today, but we all have one thing in common that we love to drive, ”said Theis.

Keeping the Sturgis rally clean

More than 170 women from around the country traveled here from Deadwood to see the Chip. Including Sherry Evans and Debi Frohs from Vancouver, Washington.

“To see all these women, some small, bigger ones who just handle these bikes like champions,” said Frohs.

“The men ride these bikes and we handle them as well as they do,” said Evans.

The women say COVID-19 is not a problem for them. Toni Woodruff and Kelly Yazdi are the organizers of the Women’s Day events.

“So we took some precautions and respected each individual’s choice.

There are five different workshops here at the event. Including silversmiths, automotive 101 and leather production. “

“This day has really turned into a full celebration of what it means to be a woman in motorcycle culture,” said Yazdi.

The organizers of the women’s day events at the Sturgis rally urge women who did not come this year to find a way out next year.