Despite spring flooding that closed bridges and washed out highways, and a very stormy Friday prior to the ride, ninety dedicated riders aboard 74 motorcycles showed up outside Lebanon in the early hours of June 22, 2019 for the fifth edition of the Smackdab Summer Solstice Run. Violent thundershowers rolled through the area between 4–5 AM, but by the time they gathered at the monument at 5:30 for the riders’ meeting and group photo, the rain had stopped. After the singing of the National Anthem, they headed out. Many riders found themselves back in heavy rain again for a good portion of South Dakota, but as the sun set in Rugby, the sky was clear as a record number of riders posed for the victory photo.
Thanks to everyone who helped plan this year’s ride, especially the great folks in Smith Center that cooked hamburgers for us Friday night and brought cinnamon rolls and beverages to the monument Saturday morning.
