Tony's 1st Sturgis Adventure......
Tony's 1st Sturgis Adventure......
..........well after years of failed attempts, I'm exited to say I'll be embarking on my first Sturgis trip next year. I live in the Minneapolis area. I'm curious about a few things that I thought a few of the veterans might be able to help me with:
1)I reserved a room for the week @ the Iron Horse Inn in Whitewood. Costing a grand total. That $ seemed to be at the lower end of the prices I was quoted by all of the hotels I spoke with. Anyone ever been there? Does it suck? Is it decent? Does anyone have a regular place they stay at that they highly recommend?
2)I know SD doesnt recognize our MN Pistol Carry Permit. I'm I OK transporting a handgun unloaded for protection at my hotel room?
3)I plan on making the trip in one day. 9 hrs @ 607 miles according to mapquest. Why are people round these parts telling me to plan on a 14 hr day?
3)Is there anything I absolutely should not miss out on?
4)Is there any great riding outside of the National Forest that anyone can recommend or am I better off staying in the Black Hills?
5) Should I plan for cold weather, hot weather or both?
6) Is ALL of downtown packed or mainly just the main drag?
.......prolly have more questions to come.
1)I reserved a room for the week @ the Iron Horse Inn in Whitewood. Costing a grand total. That $ seemed to be at the lower end of the prices I was quoted by all of the hotels I spoke with. Anyone ever been there? Does it suck? Is it decent? Does anyone have a regular place they stay at that they highly recommend?
2)I know SD doesnt recognize our MN Pistol Carry Permit. I'm I OK transporting a handgun unloaded for protection at my hotel room?
3)I plan on making the trip in one day. 9 hrs @ 607 miles according to mapquest. Why are people round these parts telling me to plan on a 14 hr day?
3)Is there anything I absolutely should not miss out on?
4)Is there any great riding outside of the National Forest that anyone can recommend or am I better off staying in the Black Hills?
5) Should I plan for cold weather, hot weather or both?
6) Is ALL of downtown packed or mainly just the main drag?
.......prolly have more questions to come.
Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
Likes: 9,046
From: Wisconsin
1. You didn't say how much your hotel costs so I can't say if it's a good deal. We camp in Piedmont
2. Are you travelling alone? Do you really feel you need a gun? I didn't feel I was in any danger in Sturgis or any of the surrounding area. In fact I felt I was surrounded by brother bikers who were there to have a good time just like me.
3. There was road construction across half of Minnesota and a large part of SD this year. That really slowed things down. Figure on stopping for about a half hour every two hours for gas and stretching your legs. We did 500 miles the first day in about 10 hours total on the road.
4. There are at least 2 days worth of great riding in the Black Hills alone with Custer park, Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Spearfish Canyon et al. The run to Devil's Tower is around 200 miles round trip and is a must ride too. We ran the Badlands on our second day on the way out to Sturgis. We did the tourist route but did not return to the interstate by Wall Drug. Instead we took HWY 44 to Rapid City which runs about 60 or more miles through most of the Badlands.
5. The weather in the Black Hills is what you'll get in Minnesota only a day earlier. You should be able to get a weeks forecast from the internet or other sources before you go. I'd recommend not taking a lot of cold weather gear. Maybe a fleece jacket and stocking cap.
6. The two main streets downtown are packed like sardines. We didn't spend more than about 5 hours total in Sturgis itself. Most of our time was spent riding.
2. Are you travelling alone? Do you really feel you need a gun? I didn't feel I was in any danger in Sturgis or any of the surrounding area. In fact I felt I was surrounded by brother bikers who were there to have a good time just like me.
3. There was road construction across half of Minnesota and a large part of SD this year. That really slowed things down. Figure on stopping for about a half hour every two hours for gas and stretching your legs. We did 500 miles the first day in about 10 hours total on the road.
4. There are at least 2 days worth of great riding in the Black Hills alone with Custer park, Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Spearfish Canyon et al. The run to Devil's Tower is around 200 miles round trip and is a must ride too. We ran the Badlands on our second day on the way out to Sturgis. We did the tourist route but did not return to the interstate by Wall Drug. Instead we took HWY 44 to Rapid City which runs about 60 or more miles through most of the Badlands.
5. The weather in the Black Hills is what you'll get in Minnesota only a day earlier. You should be able to get a weeks forecast from the internet or other sources before you go. I'd recommend not taking a lot of cold weather gear. Maybe a fleece jacket and stocking cap.
6. The two main streets downtown are packed like sardines. We didn't spend more than about 5 hours total in Sturgis itself. Most of our time was spent riding.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,050
Likes: 12,326
From: Arkansas
I haven't been since 87 so can't be of too much help but....One place that allot of people don't visit that I think everyone should is the Crazy Horse Monument. It's a work in progress and well worth the time to take a look at. It's just a few miles from MT. Rushmore.
The hotel is 250 per night. A little over a grand for a five day stay. I was quoted anywhere from 200 to 350 per night from a few different hotels. I might end up going it alone. Depends on weather or not I find someone to come with.
As far as protection...........I dont feel the need to carry a firearm out and about. But I would like that extra peace of mind for the hotel.
As far as protection...........I dont feel the need to carry a firearm out and about. But I would like that extra peace of mind for the hotel.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,787
Likes: 5,615
From: along the shore of Mishigami
If you must carry on the way out, google the NRA website for state to state transport laws. Zip tie the action of the weapon open, put it in the bottom of one bag and ammo/magazine in the other bag. Carry a small pair of wire cutters and extra zip ties. If you get stopped don't try to B.S. the LEO that stopped you. My question to you is, how to plan to "secure" this weapon when you are not in the room?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
You can go 80 to 85 mph on I-90 and get there real quick. This year I left Cambridge, Il. and pulled into the Best Western in Sturgis in thirteen hours. That was 856 miles. I stopped for lunch and several fuel stops. I'm 68 and I was on a sport bike. You young guys should be able to beat that easily.
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Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
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From: Wisconsin
Like I said in my first post, both Minnesota and South Dakota had a great deal of construction and the interstate was down to 1 lane and 55mph speed limit. Good luck going 80-85. My point is don't plan on it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,460
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From: pasco county FL
I had no problem blasing across most of SD at 85-90 , maybe 3 longish sections of construction , as far as a room I got a 2 room king suite , next to the hottub/pool at the holiday inn , spearfish for $131 a night this year.
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