Sturgis 2026: A Solo Adventure, New Friends, and an Unexpected Calling

Sturgis 2026: A Solo Adventure, New Friends, and an Unexpected Calling

By Turtle

This year, Sturgis became more than another motorcycle trip for me. It was an adventure in independence, new friendships, and discovering something about myself that I never expected.

My journey began on a Monday when I headed out on my first long cross-country motorcycle trip riding solo. My husband, Brett, joined me for the first leg to Amarillo, Texas, where we spent the night. The next morning, it was just me, my motorcycle, and the road ahead.

I was headed to Sturgis, South Dakota.

There was something special about knowing I was doing this on my own. I love riding alongside Brett, but this trip gave me the chance to prove to myself that I could take on a long-distance adventure independently.

When I arrived in Sturgis, I met up with the owner and crew of Wild Ass Seat Cushions. Before long, I felt like I had found my people.

I spent most of my time working in Sturgis, with a couple of opportunities to work elsewhere in the Black Hills, too. My days were filled with motorcycles, conversations, laughter, and, of course, selling seat cushions.

What made the work especially rewarding was representing a product I actually use and believe in. As someone who puts plenty of miles on a motorcycle, I know how much comfort in the saddle matters. I could share my own experience with customers and relate to the riders stopping by our booth.

As much as I enjoyed the work, though, the people made the experience.

This was my first time working with the Wild Ass crew, and I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome. We worked hard, laughed a lot, and quickly became a team. I can’t single out one person who made the trip special because everyone contributed something to it.

Apparently, they thought I fit in pretty well, too. I’ve already been invited back to work other motorcycle rallies!

Somewhere between the long days, conversations with riders, and new friendships, I realized something:

I think I found my calling.

I absolutely loved working a motorcycle rally. It brought together so many things I enjoy: traveling, meeting people, being part of the motorcycle community, and sharing something I believe in. I went to Sturgis expecting to work and have a good time. I left wanting to do it again.

But my adventure wasn’t over yet.

Instead of heading straight home, I continued riding solo to Woodstock, Illinois, where I reunited with Brett. Together, we got to experience the finish of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

After everything I had experienced on my own, sharing that moment with him felt like the perfect way to wrap up the adventure.

Then we did what we love most: we rode home together.

I had left home headed for a job and an adventure. I came back with new friends, greater confidence as a solo long-distance rider, an invitation to work more rallies, and some incredible memories. Maybe even a new calling.

I’ll always remember Sturgis 2026 as the trip when I stepped out on my own, found a crew that made me feel at home, and discovered how much I love working motorcycle rallies.

And if Wild Ass calls and says, “We need you at another rally…”

Well, they probably won’t have to ask Turtle twice.