Saipan, Guam riders make dream pilgrimage to Sturgis

For Saipan rider Romeo “Bong” Malasarte, the road to Sturgis was more than a motorcycle trip. It was a roughly 1,300-mile pilgrimage across the American mainland with fellow riders from Saipan and Guam to a destination many motorcycle enthusiasts dream of experiencing at least once.

The Marianas group's journey began last Aug. 4 in Tennessee and ended Aug. 10 in Sturgis, South Dakota, where the riders took part in the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

“We rode as part of the Marianas H.O.G. riders from Guam and Saipan, together with friends who share the same passion for motorcycles and adventure,” Malasarte said.

For Malasarte, getting there was as important as the rally itself.

The 59-year-old Malasarte, secretary of the Saipan Easy Rider Motorcycle Club, has been riding with the group on Saipan for six years and owns a 2019 Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout.

Joining him from Saipan were Malou Malasarte, Steve Llagas, Sherina Llagas, Scott Pinaula, and Loraine Pinaula.

The Guam contingent consisted of Robbi Crisostomo, Le Ann Crisostomo, Ray Quintanilla, Lisa Quintanilla, Bob Findish, Giada Findish, Will Eubanks, and Tanya Eubanks. The riders are members of the Mariana Islands Chapter of the Harley Owners Group.

For the group, Sturgis represented something much bigger than simply attending another motorcycle event.

Malasarte said making the journey from the Mariana Islands added another dimension to the experience— friendship, brotherhood, adventure, and the opportunity to represent their islands at one of the motorcycle world's biggest gatherings.

The group did not ship their personal motorcycles from Saipan and Guam. Instead, they flew to the mainland and used motorcycles there, simplifying the considerable logistics involved in making the trip from the islands.

Then came the open road.

They rode approximately 1,300 miles from Tennessee to Sturgis, traveling through different states, highways, small towns, and countryside along the way.

“The experience was unforgettable,” Malasarte said. “There were long days on the road, changing weather conditions, and moments when we were tired, but those challenges became part of the adventure.”

After all those miles, simply rolling into Sturgis became one of the highlights.

Malasarte recalled seeing thousands of motorcycles and riders and realizing that their group had made it there all the way from the Mariana Islands.

But Sturgis was only part of the experience.

The riders also toured Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, with Malasarte saying that beyond the destinations themselves, the friendships built during the journey became its greatest reward.

For Guam rider Ray Quintanilla, meanwhile, the Sturgis pilgrimage was a return to familiar ground.

Quintanilla, 62, of Talofofo, Guam, started riding dirt bikes at 8 years old and Harley-Davidsons at 19. His first trip to Sturgis was in 1983.

“As a long-time Harley rider and enthusiast, Sturgis is one of those that has to be a ‘MUST’,” Quintanilla said.

What made this year's trip different was sharing it with riders from both Guam and Saipan. 

“Amazing, and the trip was highlighted by the brotherhood and camaraderie among the Guam and our Saipan Riders,” Quintanilla said.

Quintanilla said the Sturgis experience should also include riding to Mount Rushmore, Needles Highway, Deadwood, and the Badlands. He also recommended stops at the Full Throttle Saloon and Buffalo Chip for the annual concerts and events held around rally time. 

Pulling off such a trip from Saipan and Guam, however, requires considerable preparation—and money.

Malasarte said planning began months ahead because the riders had to coordinate airline tickets, motorcycles, hotels, routes, schedules, and other expenses.

No exact cost was provided, but Malasarte said the total varies depending on airfare, motorcycle rental, accommodations, fuel, food, and how long a rider stays on the mainland.

“It is definitely a significant investment for riders traveling from our islands, but for us, the experience and memories made it worthwhile,” he said.

Quintanilla said the trip ultimately came together after more than a year of planning among Mariana Islands Chapter Harley Owners Group members, who also extended the invitation to their fellow riders on Saipan.

His advice to other island riders dreaming of making the same pilgrimage is to start planning at least a year ahead. Motorcycle rentals, lodging and travel arrangements, the group's financial commitment, dates and times, routes, and stops should be worked out before leaving.

Malasarte likewise advised riders from Saipan and Guam to prepare physically for long hours on the road, map out their routes, secure accommodations and motorcycle arrangements well in advance, and have enough money set aside for unexpected expenses.

“My advice is: if Sturgis is one of your dreams, prepare well and make it happen,” Malasarte said.

Above all, Malasarte said riders should travel safely and stay together.

“Sturgis is not only about reaching the destination. The journey itself—the roads, the challenges, the laughter, and the people riding beside you—is what makes the experience special,” he said.

For Quintanilla, this year's Sturgis run probably won't be his last. He said the group plans to return for the rally's 90th edition, “if not sooner.”

For Malasarte, the miles may be behind them, but the experience is staying with the riders.

“We came a long way from our small islands in the Pacific to the open roads of America and all the way to Sturgis,” he said. “The ride may be over, but the friendships, experiences, and memories will stay with us forever.”