As you can see by my member status I spend more time reading posts than adding to the page. I thought, like many others, I would put down some of my thoughts on this years rally after getting back home. I have too many comments for one post on several different areas so I thought I would break it up over a few days. So here goes.
My general view first off: This years rally was great! Yes there were large crowds and lots of people, but I thought it pulled off great. Unlike a few on here I started my planning late last year. I kept my expectations low so I wouldn't be disappointed and it made all the difference in the world. With all the hype and warning I didn't want to get my hopes up to high. Sturgis pulled it off and went above my bar. This was my 10th rally. I arrived in town on Monday and got to my motel in Spearfish no problem. They did a fantastic job making all the riders feel at home, as usual. By the time we hit town I could see that traffic numbers were up but I never really had any problems even on my day rides. I think avoiding certain areas on big days was key for me. If I wanted parking in Sturgis I went earlier rather than later. I went out to Devils Tower and the Stoneville Saloon on Tuesday and missed the madness of Hulett on Wednesday. I heard the traffic back up was bad. In the Black Hills I felt the numbers of riders on the roads was about normal for the rally. When I hit Needles, Vanknocker and Iron Mountain I expected 2 or more hours back up to go short distances and we moved right along. Some riders could try my nerves, but that's for another post. Too many new and un experienced riders out.
The Sturgis bus (Da Bus) worked great for me with a few minor issues. Again another post. It made a safe DUI free night for me the whole week. Getting a beer at most places was the same wait time as any other year I thought. Waiting for gas not to bad, but the price gauging ridiculous! Over a dollar more for premium. Someone was taking big time advantage. Hotels have always done this, but this year the gas was way obvious. Weather was average for that time of year in the Black Hills. Some rain and storms nothing to drown out the ride or evening party. Sorry about the 13 rally related deaths, but they all could have been avoided by most of the riders IMO. The planning by the cities and communities paid off and the rally was a great anniversary year. I hope everyone else had as much fun as I did. I will follow up on riders and bus issues. I wanted to start on a very positive note. 1 out of 10 for the rally. I give this year a solid 8!

 

I agree with your overall assessment. I also agree with this part. Riding in on US85 about 20 miles from Lead, we got behind a group of 10 or 12 baggers who were from a state that will remain unnamed for pissing match avoidance. Lets just say it's a state that's stereotyped as having a lot of braggarts. Anyway, that's a curvy section of two lane, but not too bad, the speed limit is still 55. Hey guys, I guess 35 is almost just like 55. NOT.

Other than that, a good time was had by all.

 

Let's see. The biggest crowd ever. 13 riders killed. And you bitch about this? Why not just slow down and enjoy the scenery and stay alive?

 

Overall I thought it was great. Sure, there was lots of traffic, and more than a few times I got stuck behind someone going slower than I wanted to, but if I wanted to avoid that I'd go a different week.

 

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One of those deaths wasn't a rider. They included a car accident in that statistic because it was within the area and during the rally dates.

 

I enjoyed the rally, but I was not very fond of all the trailer queens this year.

 

I agree with the trailer comment this year as well. This was only my 4th Sturgis trip but seemed to have a lot of trailers and large RV's on the roads and in the campground. I always thought baggers were designed for the sole purpose of traveling and touring. Not being strapped down to a trailer. Traffic was a beatch though in my opinion!

 

Just thought I'd give my opinion real quick on it. Wife & I both ride & this was my 3rd rally & her first. We stayed right outside of Lead up on Terry Peak (fantastic view & ride everyday down & back up) Did Stugis on Monday. Left early (7:30am) Got into town before it was too crowded and by 9:30 it was packed for day 1. Great time!!! Left about 1 & rode into Deadwood. Plenty of traffic but not too bad. Day 2 hit Black Hills HD & met some friends who were staying close to there. Turned out to be a costly trip as the wife ended up trading in her Sporty on a new softail Slim. After that day, we spent everyday riding, spearfish, needles, Rushmore, & one day a free for all on some backroad for the entire day ending up by some lake with a handful of others who stopped in and had a blast. Never had an issue with anyone going to slow as we all were just enjoying the ride lol. I always tell my wife just to ride her own pace (was very true out there until she got used to the curves & 10% grade drops) We did do Da Bus one night into town from Deadwood to drink. Ya, wasn't the best choice but we did get there & back without a DUI (I'll add my opinion more to upcoming thread). All in all, was a great time by both of us & we still had today off from work. Woke up this morning & asked her what she wanted to do being we were back home, no work & no kids home.. she said "let's go ride!"

 

The gas prices have been that way for months sadly. Also heard from a person in the know that BH Harley sold 603 motorcycles in 10 days. The most ever for them.