Wheels: Part 2 of 3

I live at the end of my road, between a town forest and an air force base. Most of the time it's very quiet and peaceful. Until a pair of F-16s take off in quick succession. Then the glassware clinks for a time and we have to pause the movie we're watching until calm is restored. In that and other ways the rhythms of my house are dictated by the regularities of daily military routine. Reveille at 7:30 a.m. National Anthem at 5:00 p.m. Taps at 9:00 p.m. When my oldest daughter was little she used to turn to face the base at five o'clock and hold a hand over her heart at the playing of the National Anthem. I thought it was cute and as a show of paternal and patriotic support I would turn and join her.

A trailor camp for families of military is just beyond my house and stretches along the fence that lies parallel to the runway of the base. It's a good place to take a walk, watch the planes come and go, meet dogs, say hi to folks, check out their motorcycles in tow, compliment their various motor homes, portable abodes held up by wheels. License plates from Arizona, Texas, Wyoming, Maine, Florida, and everywhere in between. I'm always struck by the community of motor homes that gravitate here from all over. The people all seem to possess the qualities of that unique American who takes both pride in her country and all practical measures to ensure seeing it. This kind of community reminds me of the series of photographs in Joey's portfolio that documents a profoundly similar American phenomenon.

Every August for the past seventy-one years, bikers from around the country gather in Sturgis, South Dakota for the annual Motorcycle Rally, originally known as The Black Hills Cycle Classic. Like Pamplona in Spain for the Running of the Bulls, Sturgis in South Dakota books up hotel rooms years in advance and local businesses look to cook up half a year’s revenue during the two week Bikerfest.

In 1994, Joey and his then girlfriend Lex, made the trip out west to take part in the festivities. I believe it was also to attend longtime friend Chris Warren's wedding. The following photographs record their trip.

American bikers at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota. 1994

Unknown biker with bullwhip, Sturgis, South Dakota. 1994.

Black Hills Cycle Classic, Sturgis, South Dakota. 1994.

Lex and Joe before Renee and Chris' Wedding, Winona, Minnesota. 1994.

Lex at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota. 1994.

Manikin at Rushmore Leather, South Dakota. 1994.


Woman lighting cigarette. Sturgis, South Dakota. 1994.

I love how the Rally is sponsored by both the American Cancer Society and Camel Cigarettes. Only in America.