The other day I caught myself sharing one of my earliest Buffalo Chip / Sturgis stories to a group of riders talking about committing to making the Black Hills pilgrimage this year.

I started the story by commending them for making the commitment to heading out for the massive rally, especially months in advance.  I told them that the trip might just change their lives – although in ways they might not anticipate.

My first trip out to Sturgis was more than 20 years ago, and it awakened my eyes and heart to the full breath of not only our country but our very own riding community.  

It was on one of these earliest trips out, that I happened to stop at a free pancake breakfast hosted by a local motorcycle ministry for riders coming through for the Rally.  One of the myths about the Rally is that it’s completely commercialized and everything is going to cost you an arm and a leg.  Sure, somethings are a lot more expensive than normal – and justifiably so, many of these communities and organizations really depend on the rally for the traffic and influx of dollars that it provides.  But many of these same communities and organizations offer help and support to the riders, and often at little to no expense.  You just have to take the time to look beyond the “tourist rider routes”.  The deals and opportunities are there.

One such offering is FREE pancakes served up by a local motorcycle ministry, and I believe that they may have been doing this for as long as the big mega campgrounds have been welcoming riders.

I had heard about the pancakes and had come out try them out.  Now it was worth noting that rumor had it that the pancakes were not only free – but they were massive.  They were true PAN CAKES, as big as a frying pan covering the plate from edge to edge.

After getting my pancake, I went down the line and found a massive bucket of peanut butter next up.  Now this part of the story, admittedly, may have grown over the years.  As I recall it was a huge bucket – possibly even a 5 gallon bucket size of thick peanut butter.  And I was surprised to see it there, because I had never considered putting such a topping on a pancake.

As I was considering it, the next fellow in line spoke up – seeing my confusion.  “Oh you’ve gotta try it.”

I turned around to see none other than Rod “Woody” Woodruff – the owner of the Buffalo Chip Campground and certainly one of the most well respected men in the riding community.

“It adds a whole ‘nuther aspect to the pancake.  It’s a protein and really makes it a meal – and if the pancake is still hot, it melts just a little and it’s really great!”  he added.

How could I argue that?  So despite my uncertainty, I went ahead and covered my giant pancake with a thin layer of peanut butter.

And you know what – it really was great, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

Now Woody ended up sitting next to me on the picnic table for breakfast and we chatted about all sorts of random Sturgis things.  I never once claimed I was anybody, and he never once said that he was not only the owner of the largest venue in town but arguably one of the most influential figures in the motorcycle community – nationwide!  He was just another guy and we talked about pancakes and the BlackHills.

Years have past and I’ve had a few occasions to meet up with Woody – sat next to him at an AMA Hall of Fame Dinner and even did a little business with the Chip from time to time.  All of those times, I never once brought up the pancakes and peanut butter – until this year, when I ran into him at Billy Lane’s Sons of Speed races during Bike Week.  Coincidentally it happened to be right after I shared the story and breakfast advice with the riders from Sturgis.  He laughed and some of the folks with him chuckled, because they apparently knew of his penchant for the PB & Pancakes.

That’s really the magic of not only Sturgis – but just about anytime you hit the road.  You never really know where your journey will take you or who you might along the way.  Regardless, chances are that it will change your life in ways you might never expect – but only if you allow it to.  If you hit the road thinking that you know at all and are on a mission to let the world know how cool you think you are – you’re going to miss out on a lot.  However, if you head out with open eyes and heart – you’re going to learn something new about life and possibly even yourself.  And if you’re really lucky – you might just be the one making a difference in someone else’s life.  It may not be something dramatic, but you just never know. 

Few individuals have left a mark on motorcycle culture quite like Rod Woodruff, better known to riders everywhere as “Woody.” As the visionary behind the legendary Sturgis Buffalo Chip, he transformed a simple campground into one of the most iconic destinations of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where music, freedom, and motorcycle culture collide. Since 1981, Woody has built more than a venue—he’s created a tradition, shaping the rally experience for generations of riders while staying true to the spirit of the open road and the community that defines it.  In my case, he forever impacted the way I eat pancakes – and consequently my kids as well.  How cool is that?!

Celebrate Life and be the Brother or Sister that changes the world today – even if it’s just one person at a time.