I booked about 10 months ago, and am paying (slightly over) $200 a night at a chain motel.

I figure I was lucky to get that price based on past (previously attended three Sturgis rallies) and present (given that it is the 75th anniversary) experience.

That said, the day I checked out of last year's rally, they were already asking if I wanted to book for this year's rally to lock in a reasonable price.

The price was only going to go higher so I signed on the dotted line as above, almost a year ago, once I knew I could get time off work.

As the philosopher says, something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it :-)