Several people have found the U.S. Center Motel in Smith Center closed for business recently. There is a “Closed for Season” sign on the door, with no contact name or number available. An area resident was told that the motel’s owner intends to reopen in mid May, but this has not been confirmed. The Smith Center Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development office have no additional information to provide currently.

We will keep looking into this and post more information as it becomes available.

Online registration for Smackdab #8 on June 18, 2022 is now available. Go to the Registration page to sign up.
There is no cost to register or participate.

After registering, participants will get detailed instructions sent to them via E-mail.

The original, smaller size (4″ wide) finisher’s patch is no more. For 2022 and on, ONLY the larger (5-3/8″) size will be available. This is due to a projected cost increase that would have made the smaller patch basically the same cost as the larger one, which offers much more legible embroidery. The large size is more popular, because it matches our rocker tabs. The small patches are completely out of stock, so unfortunately, smaller patches that riders already have cannot be replaced. Consider them a collector’s item that marks those who have them as an OG Smackdab pioneer.

Aided by nearly perfect weather conditions this year, the seventh Smackdab Summer Solstice Run beat the event’s previous largest turnout by a margin of more than 25 percent. This year, over 120 people completed the ride, including both riders and co-riders, with more still coming in.

The 2018 running had previously held the record with 94 confirmed finishers.

This year also marked a new record for oldest bike, at 44 years old. Calep H. of Mission KS made the ride on his 1977 BMW R100/7. In doing so, he became the third bike in the “25-Years-or-Older” Club. Kirk B. of Solomon KS and Steve & Geraldine B. of Newton became the initial members in 2019 by riding their 1990 Yamaha XV750 Virago and 1979 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing, respectively. Steve & Geraldine repeated the ride on the same bike this year.

After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, there will again be a get-together and meal on Friday evening, starting around 6PM. The event will be held the Old Dutch Mill in Smith Center’s Wagner Park. The Smith County Historical group will be hosting the meal, and donations are strongly encouraged. Watch the Facebook Smackdab group for any further details.

Wagner Park
200 E 3rd St, Smith Center, KS 66967
Google Maps Link

Despite having to revise how Smackdab was run this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, forty-eight riders and eleven co-riders successfully completed the 2020 Smackdab Summer Solstice Run. Participants “checked in” at the start and finish of the ride by texting pictures of themselves in Lebanon and Rugby to a special, dedicated number set up specifically for this purpose. The procedure proved successful and was well-liked enough by the riders that it is likely to remain a part of the validation process in years to come. Related activities such as the Friday night cookout, Saturday morning breakfast, and group photos didn’t happen this year, but organizers are hopeful that they will return as a part of the event next year.

Cindy Stones of Lebanon, KS, has confirmed that restrooms will be available Friday night for Smackdabbers camping in Lebanon’s city park. the park is located on the south side of Kansas Avenue, just west of Main Street, and is free of charge.

Laurie Odden of Rugby has confirmed that camping facilities, including bathrooms and shows, will be available in Rugby after the run on Saturday night, June 20. The fairgrounds will be available on a first come first serve basis, as well as the Oakwood Inn & Campground (701-776-5272).

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR EVERYONE RIDING SMACKDAB 2020!

In order to eliminate the need for physical interaction, Smackdab riders will be able to complete and validate their ride all on their own. This year only, there will be no morning meeting, no sign-in station, no Trail Boss, and no group photo. The validation process this year will be entirely “virtual.”

This article is just a brief synopsis of the process. Within the next few days, a PDF document containing complete, detailed instructions will be E-mailed to all registered participants at the address they specified when they filled out their registration form.

DEPARTURE: Have a camera or cell phone with you when you show up at the monument Saturday morning. A Smackdab banner will be on display somewhere at the monument site. Take a picture of you and your bike, including the banner somewhere in the background as proof that it was taken that morning. Text the photo to the special mobile number that will be e-mailed to registered riders. Riders are on their honor not to depart prior to official dawn, which is @ 5:34 AM. (If you do not have a cell phone or cannot text a photo, instructions will be included how to alternately E-mail or mail in your photo.)

ARRIVAL: Text another photo of you and your bike at the monument in Rugby and submit it prior to 10:30 PM Saturday night. If are not able to text a photo before the deadline, you can submit your photos along with an original, machine-printed cash register receipt from any business in Rugby, time-stamped between 4PM-10:30PM Saturday.

That’s it! The PDF document being sent out also will also include the mail-in form for ordering patches and being added to the official finishers’ roll.

NOTE: A couple of people registered with invalid E-mail addresses. If you registered and don’t receive your instructions by June 7th, please E-mail info@smackdab.org to request one.

Enough people have bugged me about t-shirts that I created a Redbubble shop. You can now order Smackdab t-shirts online in 5 different colors.

PLEASE NOTE that I am NOT making a profit on these shirts. Like all other Smackdab merchandise, I am selling these at cost, with zero mark-up. I simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of bulk ordering t-shirts, so if you want one, this is the only place to get ’em.

https://www.redbubble.com/people/tanshanomi/works/39805940-smackdab-logo?asc=u&p=triblend-tee