The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is proud to announce the opening of its newest exhibit: “My First Ride.” The exhibit features motorcycles many riders will recognize as that first motorcycle they ever rode. In addition, the exhibit features stories by people from all over the country detailing the first time they climbed on a motorcycle.

“We are so excited to have this new exhibit open in the museum,” said Christine Paige Diers, Executive Director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. “So often, we hear visitors comment that we have their first motorcycle displayed in the museum. Those visitors tell us regularly how special it is to see that motorcycle and remember their first time on a bike.”

Black Hills State University graphic arts student Shandell Clutter designed special graphics for the exhibit, including a great new logo. Besides the bikes and short parts of various stories, the exhibit’s online component features special “bonus material.” When viewing the exhibit, patrons will see QR codes that can be scanned with a smart phone that access additional content on the web. The museum also hopes the exhibit will grow as people visit it. Anyone interested in sharing their story and photos can email them to [email protected] using the subject line “My First Ride.”

The mission of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of motorcycling, honor those who have made a positive and significant impact on the sport and lifestyle, and pay tribute to the heritage of the Sturgis Rally. Established in 2001, the museum is home to an ever-growing variety of motorcycles and memorabilia. On display is a huge selection of American and metric bikes on loan from private individuals, along with a wide variety of exhibits, photographs, memorabilia and Sturgis Motorcycle Rally history.

The museum is open during the summer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Rally hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.