I enjoy the ride there. It's only 1K miles, now that we moved 500 miles closer than when we went to the 50th. When I was there in '02, at the camp ground was some guy that trailered his. He said "I rode a thousand miles since I got here." I said "I rode a thousand miles to get here." Last year at a gas stop in north Iowa or south SD, some guy looks at Dr.Linda riding her 87 Sportster with Arkansas plates and said "You're one tough lady."

Anyway, some people are short on time and trailering it can make or break the whole trip, and some people have physical disabilities that prevent a 1 or 2K mile ride, but do OK on shorter hops. And some people are just pussies.

 

Often it's the amount of time people have...i know it is the issue i usually have!! Was supposed to make my 1st trip to Sturgis last year but didn't make it (NO FREE TIME LOL)...had to go to Laconia instead but that is close enough to me so its easier to make a good trip fit into 4-5 days.

 

Hey, me too......... but I don't remember.

 

arent trailers for breakdowns ? bikes are for riding

 

My plan next time, big bird lands in Rapid City, bike setting in Rapid City via delivery company leaving 10 miles from my house. 4 days of well needed vacation saved and more riding time in Sturgis, plus will have a sticker flew to trailer week on the bike somewhere.

 

^^^

Rode two up with the wife, from SE Michigan, to Sturgis in 1994. I was the guy on the Black Harley with the jeans and t-shirt, not Dr. Hess... Three days out, and four days back. Eleven days camping. We stayed outside of Rapid City during the event. Did a lot of sight-seeing on both legs of the trip. Along with daily trips when at Sturgis: Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Lead/Deadwood, Devil's Tower, etc. But I was a lot younger then. The thought of 500+ mile days (either in a car or on my bike), just aren't as appealing as they once were.

I've ridden to Daytona a number of times, but only for Biketoberfest. The weather is just too unpredictable for Bikeweek. Did Milwaukee twice, York once, been to Niagara Falls, and a few other destination rides. I can definitely see the benefits to having a RV. Most motels, even during major events, will have some sort of parking for trailers. But best to check before booking.

It's been fifteen years since my last Bikeweek, and I may just put the bike on my trailer and make the journey next year. And hopefully, make the trip to the 2020 Texas get together.

 

Time is the main factor. For long trips I can get there quicker using the trailer and have more time to enjoy the destination. When I retire next year I will take a trip on the bike but I will have no time restraints related to work.

 

We rode out in 2016, just me and my wife, 9 days over 2500 wonderful miles wandering around. Detoured down to the Ozarks and finished the ride West via Nebraska. Then when we got to Sturgis, shared a beautiful log home with three other couples for 7 days and rode the **** out of those Black Hills. That was all the vacation time I had, we shipped the bike home and flew back on the last Sunday, only about 4 hours and I was back on my Island. You gotta do what you can, if I was retired I wouldn't be talking to you right now, I would be in the middle of a 6 month journey, likely currently in Sturgis. Good luck to us all.

 

Planning on riding from the Atlanta area to Sturgis next year. A little over 1500 miles one way. Then riding the Black Hills, seeing Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood, Devil's Tower, etc.. 3 days out, 5 nights in Rapid City and 3 days back.

 

Hell, I only live 350 miles from Sturgis and me a my bro took 2 days to get there and 2 back. It was fun back in the 70’s.