Alva

The guy I've stayed with (last 12 years) grew up in Sturgis and knows everything about the place.  He raced with the Jackpine Gypsies back-in-the-day . . . and recently told me a story about the time John Penton showed up.  The off road, enduro event started down low and worked it's way to higher and higher elevations.  Penton started off strong, but his jetting was miscalculated for the thin air at upper altitude.  So, Alva went streaking right by . . . The locals are always strong on their "home track."  I've seen many professional riders get their asses smoked by the local Jackpine Gypsies.  ( He got out his photo album and I liked this photo of Alva at the hillclimb on his DT )