Knowing that we would be heading east right through the Mojave Desert in the middle of July, we decided to get an EARLY start and hit the road at 4:00am on Thursday morning. We had just a short ride through the canyon to Norco where we met up with Terry (wheels) & Cheryl. After a quick hello we were on the road in what was fairly cool weather (high 50s) as we headed up over the pass on I-15. After a quick stop in Barstow for breakfast we could already feel it getting hotter by the minute and hit the road rolling as fast as possible to get through the desert and into the Arizona high country before early afternoon. Once we got through Kingman we were at 3,300 feet and climbing with absolutely beautiful riding weather.
We exited the main highway in Flagstaff with about 35 miles left to the venue at Mormon Lake. Since this was our first time at Too Broke for Sturgis we were excited to see what it was going to be like, and since we were getting there the day before the rally officially started, we were looking forward to getting a really good camping spot. We approached the Mormon Lake Resort and right away liked what we saw... lots of trees in the camping area to shade you from the Arizona sun, and lots of open area for games, concerts, etc. But as for being one of the first there - that wasn't the case at all. There were already around 500 people who had set up camp - some as early as Monday. We still found a nice shady spot - a little further from the action then we had planned - but still comfortable and amongst some great people. Another thing that was noticeably missing was A LAKE. I just assumed that a venue with the name Mormon Lake Resort would have a lake.
After we set up camp, hung the CycleFish banner, and met our neighbors, it was time for a store run. Another great thing about this venue is they have a Country Store, Bar and Cafe right there on site. When we got to the store we finally found the lake known as Mormon Lake, which was actually the size of a community swimming pool. We also found some buffalo! Now if any of you have followed our other trip reports, you know that Laura's biggest frustration is that in all our trips to Sturgis and other rallies, she has never seen a buffalo. So even though these were behind a fence and each had a name, Laura finally saw buffalo!!!
We returned from our store run and as we pulled up to our camp site it was surrounded with emergency vehicles and paramedics. Apparently one of our neighbors (totally sober) had gotten of his bike without putting the kickstand down. The bike had fallen on him in such a way that it severely broke his leg and he had to be air-lifted out. Once that was all over we were finally able to relax in our campsite and enjoy a few cold beers and some snacks. We took a walk through the vendor area and introduced ourselves and CycleFish to all of the vendors, and got to meet MustangSally - a new member here on CycleFish - who was vending at the event. It was now around 9:00pm and since we started our ride at 4:00am it was time to hit the sack.
Friday morning the sun was rising on our tent so we tossed around a bit and finally got up, but surprisingly there were only two other people awake and moving in our area... that's because it was 5:30AM!!! Since they don't set the clocks ahead for daylight savings time in Arizona, the sun comes up REALLY early in the summer time!!! Oh well, at least the vendor selling coffee was already up too.
After our coffee Terry, Cheryl, Laura and I, along with our new friends from the next campsite - Mike and Kat - set out on a ride through the canyons just outside of Sedona. Definitely some great riding and beautiful scenery in that area. We stopped for lunch and picked up a souvenir for our son. Since we really didn't know exactly where we were, we decided to turn around and take the same route back.
As soon as we got back to camp our good friends Tony (08streetglide), Danielle, and their daughter Ashley wandered in to say hi. Somehow they got there that day and wound up with a camping spot right in the middle of all the action on the main road. We decided to take the CycleFish banner over there and made that our spot for when we just wanted to sit around and hang out. We took another walk through the vendors, which there were now plenty of - both for products and food - and then we headed over to the people games. Laura and Cheryl both entered the helmet toss - sorry to say neither one of them fared very well. After that Danielle and Ashley entered the tattoo contest, but again, no winners in our group.
The games and contests went into the early evening and now it was time for our good friend Charlie Brechtel and his band to take the stage. For the first song the band was joined on stage by Carey Slade who performed her song "Too Broke for Sturgis". 
Then it was time for the Charlie Brechtel Band to Rock the Crowd for the next 3 or 4 hours. Now they don't call him "Good Time Charlie" for nothing... It only took a couple of songs before the lovely ladies from the crowd joined him on stage removing articles of clothing as they danced to the music. Laura and I enjoyed the show and the music as we danced with the rest of the crowd that stayed on their feet through the entire first set. As Charlie left the stage he was kind enough to mention CycleFish and invite me to the stage to say a few words about CycleFish. Wish I would have known that before all the beers and Jack - then I might be able to tell you what I said!
Durning the band break Laura and I went over and talked with Charlie for a bit and then headed back to the tent to call it a night. As we dozed off we could hear the band take the stage and start their second set and the sound of more bikes rolling in. Just before midnight I was awakened by the sound of helicopters and what seemed to be an excessive amount of light for that time of night. I got up and as I headed for the porta-potty I ran into Terry who told me about the tragic chain of events that had just taken place. Apparently there was a shooting right there in the campground (about 100 yards from where we were) and from what he knew at the time three people were dead and one was critically wounded. After we realized that we were not going to learn anything else that night, and all seemed to be under control we went back to sleep.
In the morning as Laura and I walked to the showers we heard at least 4 or 5 different versions as to what had happened, but no one seemed to know for sure. On our way back from the showers we saw most people breaking camp and packing up. We stopped by Tony & Danielle’s camp and they confirmed that the event was being shut down and we all had to leave. As we packed up our stuff we heard even more versions of what had happened, but none consistent with anything else we heard. Since I didn't witness it myself, I am not even going to attempt to tell you what happened. You can read what was reported by the news HERE.
Our prayers go out to all those who were affected by this senseless tragedy.
Now since we weren’t planning on leaving until Sunday, I wasn't in the best condition to break camp, pack up and ride. I had drank quite a bit the night before, and by time we were told to leave it was already 10:00am and getting hot. Plus I knew that leaving now would mean I would be riding across the Mojave Desert right in the middle of the day. Oh well we did what we had to do and except for Laura almost passing out in the 110° weather coming across a part of the desert where there was no shade to stop in for a 100 miles or so, we made it home.
We certainly appreciate the hospitality we received from ABATE of Arizona and hope this isolated incident does not tarnish the name of this great organization or the Too Broke for Sturgis Rally.
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Here is a message we were asked to pass along...
On Behalf of ABATE of Arizona, I would like to send our deepest condolences to the victims and the victims' families and friends involved in the tragic chain of events this past weekend. We will hold them in our thoughts and prayers. This was a tragic but isolated incident that has profoundly affected us all. I would like to thank everyone for their help and cooperation during this trying time. We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement during this investigation.
With much respect,
Margie Ferrucci
State President
ABATE of Arizona
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story by Lucky
2011 Too Broke for Sturgis Rally Pictures
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