Close Menu
Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

410-723-6397

Area bikers invited to ‘Ride to Sturgis’ in Snow Hill, Sat.

(Sept. 14, 2017) Snow Hill is preparing for a throng of throttle-enthusiasts during the second annual “Ride to Sturgis” event, this Saturday.
The motorcycle-themed event aims to attract a small percentage of the more than 100,000 bikers who descend on the Lower Shore during mid-September for OC BikeFest and Delmarva Bike Week to the town’s aptly named Sturgis Park.
Snow Hill’s Ride to Sturgis runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature food, drinks and music by hard rock outfit Scrapple from Lewes, Delaware.
After envisioning the concept in 2016 with Pocomoke River Canoe Company owner Barry Laws, Economic Development consultant Michael Day enlisted help this year from Walt “Big Poppa” Kuch, Fast Lane Biker magazine’s Delaware marketing and sales director.
“He wound up approaching me last year saying, ‘can you help me market and promote this?’” Kuch said. “I said, ‘absolutely, I think it’s a great idea.’”
This year, a mass exodus of bikers will head out from Cowboy Coast, on 1706 Philadelphia Avenue, to make the southbound journey from Ocean City.
“We are encouraging people to meet us at Cowboy Coast at 10 o’clock on Saturday and ride on down to Snow Hill,” he said. “I’m figuring we’re going to have somewhere around a couple hundred bikes riding down with us.”
Despite the initial contingent arriving in unison, Kuch said based on last year’s turnout Sturgis Park would see a steady influx of hogs and choppers.
“Last year … throughout the course of the event we had about 1,000 to 1,200 people show up,” he said. “It was a constant flow [and] it was never overly crowded.”
In addition to a pleasant time relaxing by the Pocomoke River, Kuch said the inaugural event provided ample networking opportunities, such as a chance meeting he had with Jack Korpela, International Drag Bike League (IDBL) president. This year Korpela is adding a new wrinkle, Kuch said.
 “They’re going to have some top-fuel bikes on display at Sturgis Park,” he said. “People will actually be able to check these things out up close.”
The IDBL is the nation’s largest motorcycle drag racing series and draws more than 700 racers to each meet.
To make optimal use of the drag bikes displayed, Kuch said Fast Lane Biker would stage a model-of-the-month photo shoot for its upcoming October issue.
“People will be able to see what a real life photo shoot entails,” he said. “Everybody thinks you just kind of get a camera out and snap pictures … there’s a lot of work to it. The best part [is], it’s free.”
Day said burgers, hot dogs and French fries would be available to satiate appetites, and the Snow Hill Rotary Club would vend beer to satisfy any desires for suds.
Numerous vendors will be on hand for both the Swap Meet at Sturgis Park and the Crafts & Treasures event held every third Saturday in Snow Hill, Day said.
“It coincides with third Saturday, so there will be vendors downtown and in the park,” he said.  
Kuch said vending space for the Swap Meet was well within anyone’s budget, at just $25.
“If anybody wants to clean out their garage, especially [of] motorcycle related parts and paraphernalia, [Day] is encouraging people to come out,” he said. “That’s always fun finding those hidden gems.”
Day also noted Jerry Nolte, who operates Pocomoke River Cruises, would be offering pontoon boat rides for free. Kuch said this would provide bikers visiting the region with an opportunity to get a different perspective from roadway views.  
“They’re going to be able to take a ride on the river and get an idea what the area’s like,” he said.
With a multitude of motorcycle-related activities taking place in Ocean City and the wider region, Kuch said the Ride to Sturgis provides yet another opportunity to explore Worcester County.
“This is just another venue you can get on your bike and ride to,” he said. “It’s the Town of Snow Hill opening up their arms saying come on down, take a ride, [and] check us out.”