As part of our continued commitment to providing Performance Motorcycle Solutions as well as our sponsorship of the Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis, our team member Angela rode with the VCR to Sturgis, and is chronicling her adventures with the Veterans Ride, as well as her representation of Liberty at a booth at the Buffalo Chip Campground. Read below to hear how Angela's 2nd day of the trip went!

Day 2: August 7th, 2016

VCR (Veterans Charity Ride) group lines up to take break along roadside.

It was a long but fun day 2 on the route to Sturgis with the VCR crew. We woke up to an overcast and foggy humid morning. After a quick check of the weather, it didn't seem like rain so we kept our fingers crossed for the sunshine to break through the clouds soon.

After a hearty breakfast, we were initiated into the official VCR family with our new Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis t-shirt and tank and began to prep bikes and reload our gear for the journey to Sturgis. It was only our second day with the vets, but they were already making us feel like part of the family. It was such a cool sight to see all of the bikes lined up outside the hotel and everyone suiting up for the ride and throwing on their Liberty motorcycle shades - even with the cloud cover.

At the ride brief, Dave (One of the founders of the VCR) rallied the troops as this was the moment they had been not only waiting for, but training for. As always, he was in good spirits to get everyone motivated for the ride ahead. I can only imagine the excitement these guys all felt after the journey they had been through to get here. From 117 degree heat to hail to mountain passes with heavy rains, the final stage was finally here. Even though I had only been through a day's ride to make it to this point, even I was amped with the road that would lie ahead.

Although the day prior we had split into two groups, today we would ride as one large procession. We departed Hot Springs and started to hit the rolling hills that South Dakota was famous for. The fog started to come in as the cloud covered lowered and a light mist began. The ride had a surreal but erie feel as the group of over 25 bikes rolled on through the fog and some disappeared into the clouds. Nothing would stop the film and camera crew today as the captured this special part of the ride. Very cool to see them capturing the moments that were so incredible looking back you would need the photos to remember it was real.

The sweeping turns continued as the cloud cover started to break. Blue skies were ahead as the heavens began to smile on those that were nearing an incredible moment in their ride. There was something beautiful in this group as we lead each other through twists and guarded stop lights to travel in a pack. The scenery was breathtaking and we were welcomed for lunch at the Pasta Coral in Nemo. The Veterans were greeted by cheers and clapping as they pulled into the lunch stop. A special site and an honor to see.

Two VCA (Veterans Charity Ride) riders wearing helmets.

After lunch, we were escorted on the route to Sturgis where we stopped at the Elementary school to meet our official Sturgis Police escort. Only 2 groups get the Main Street of Sturgis closed for their welcome and the VCR crew was one of them. Words cannot explain what I was feeling in that moment...honor, excitement, nervousness, joy. Dave lined everyone up and we brought up the rear with one of the Vets, Virgi, who had a gorgeous hand detailed rhinestone bike pulled up behind us. I will never forget her sparkle each time I looked in my rear view mirror. I made sure my Rider Collection frames were in full view with my special VCR tank top as I uncharacteristically prepared to for our entrance in a tank and shades-no helmet. Just like a parade, the police escorted procession began towards Main Street. My heart raced as we got ready to turn the corner...the streets were packed with bikes on every side and people stopped to salute the veterans or wave their flags. We had arrived..Sturgis...and so it begins!

Angela Gerber, Liberty Sport

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