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Big Sturgis Motorcycle Rally courts younger riders

By WTOP Staff

CARSON WALKER
Associated Press

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — As the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally turns 74 this year, the Black Hills is bracing for as many as a half-million bikers rumbling through the region — many of them with the creaky knees, portly midriffs and graying manes that mark them out as members of the Baby Boom generation.

Organizers love their older riders, but with an eye on the future, they’re making moves to attract an adrenaline-loving younger breed of riders. They’re bringing in pro racers Ben and Eric Bostrom, opening up a drag racing course and staging an area of vendors and demonstrations that target the energy drink crowd.

“You’ve got to keep replenishing the blood to keep it going,” said Tammy Bohn, who’s in charge of the motor sports geared toward younger riders. “I’m bringing in the young ‘uns.”

The Sturgis rally drew 466,000 people last year. This year’s edition, which starts Monday and runs through Sunday, is expected to do even better based on reservations and inquiries, said rally director Brenda Vasknetz. A survey of riders has suggested the event’s economic impact on the state is as much as $500 million, Sturgis city manager Daniel Ainslie said.

But the ridership is aging, Vasknetz said. Rally-goers don’t have to register, but she said the average attendee is 45 to 65.

“As our demographics are aging, we are looking at new things to do to entice the younger generation,” she said.

The highlight of the youth effort is several events featuring the Bostroms, known as the “Boz Bros.”

On Tuesday, the brothers will invite riders on any kind of vehicle to race on the Sturgis Dragway. “From mini bikes to golf carts, the drag course is going to be open for a good time,” Eric Bostrom said. “If you want to make a bet with your buddy about who can get to the end of the drag strip, that’s great.”

On Wednesday, the Bostroms will lead a 60-mile ride through the Black Hills.

They’re also advocates for the Black Hills.

In a telephone interview, Eric Bostrom praised the peaks, valleys and curves of the Black Hills for the thrilling rides they offer. He compared the terrain favorably to Florida, where events such as the Daytona 200 can be more attractive to the younger set.

“The area, the geography, is almost purpose-built for us,” he said. “It’s going to be a good time. That’s what a motorcyclist is all about — feeling the highway and taking those curves.”

A series of events are geared at young people, concentrated at Exit 32 on Interstate 90.

Unknown Industries riders Buddy Suttle and Nick Leonetti from the “Harley Wheelies” YouTube series will be performing daily freestyle Harley demos. Brammo electric motorcycles, where Eric Bostrom is head development rider, will have a display. So will Monster Energy Drink and Italian motorcycle maker Ducati.

The site will also feature other vendors, music, food and merchandise mostly geared to young people and “hip, young bike builders that will be showcasing their latest masterpieces,” according to the promotional flier.

“It’s finally a place where they can park all these sport bikes and hang out,” Bohn said.

Eric Bostrom said he and his brother last joined their father at Sturgis when they were kids and they look forward to working with rally organizers over the next four years to try to lure younger riders. He expects the real growth to start showing up next year as word spreads among their fans.

“I’ve had a huge response on social media. And a lot of people are saying, ‘I wish I would have seen it sooner so I could have scheduled it.’ That tells me the event is going to grow for 2015,” he said.

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Contact Carson Walker at https://twitter.com/carsonjw

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Online:

Rally: http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com

Bostroms: http://bit.ly/UQf3NT

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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