Sturgis: Is it the Ride or the Party
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,488
Likes: 3,687
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
For me its the ride. Coming from the Bay Area, Kali is about 1400 and some change (or greater bending the route around). Only freeway is to get out of local traffic. After thhat it is all about secondary roads. Not many choices getting accross Nevada but outside of that you can really take a lot of different routes to and from. And then to mix it up go North via Oregon/Washington and dip down, or go south via Arizona, New Mexico and angle up.
Time is an issue for many so options are limited but just once everyone should try to take the slow way there and truly see America. Just not possible traveling freeways.
Time is an issue for many so options are limited but just once everyone should try to take the slow way there and truly see America. Just not possible traveling freeways.
I can't say the ride there was exciting, but it certainly wasn't bad. We avoided the interstate most of the time. I can't imagine trailering there, but I'm only 650 miles away from Sturgis. The riding in the Black Hills is outstanding, at least compared to anything around Minneapolis. We got quite a bit of riding in while we were out there, but I wish we would have done more. Spent a lot of time wandering around Sturgis. Drank a lot of beer when we were out there, but I can do that at home.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
For me its neither.
Must be getting too old for some things anymore.
Only trip/ride I enjoy anymore is with my Son,, don't care where. As far as there are no Crowds,, I just don't care for all that group partying anymore.
Just give me a good ride where I seldom see anyone else and I am happy.
Must be getting too old for some things anymore.
Only trip/ride I enjoy anymore is with my Son,, don't care where. As far as there are no Crowds,, I just don't care for all that group partying anymore.
Just give me a good ride where I seldom see anyone else and I am happy.
And they can have the drunks and "partying".
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 25
From: Santa Fe NM
Sturgis, for me, is about the ride.
I loathe interstates so I stick to secondary highways. Been to Sturgis 7 times and have never taken the same route twice. Never go home the same way I got there.
I loathe interstates so I stick to secondary highways. Been to Sturgis 7 times and have never taken the same route twice. Never go home the same way I got there.
There's no question its an interesting place to "people watch". My wife and I spent a lot of time on Main St Sturgis and just watched the people go by. There was definitely a lot of people dressed for the occasion. Or undressed for the occasion in some cases.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 11,185
Likes: 7,961
From: In my head
It's about the women and getting laid every time I go
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, NC
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/the-g...n-sturgis.html
Not sure if you've posted in that thread or not, but I'd like to hear the stories.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
This may sound crazy to you all but the most stark memories I have from the actual ride out to Sturgis are not the sights, but the smells. You could close your eyes and tell what type of area you were in just by the smells.
Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and SD had changing smellls of fresh cut grass and hay, cow pastures, skunks, and corn/fruit. Every morning and evening there was a smell of fresh dew, like it is just after it rains. In illinois and near cities along the way, Diesel and Car exahusts were the dominant theme. Construction zones smell of hot road tar. Smells would always be changing every mile or so. It kind of broke up the monotony when the ride dragged a bit.
Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and SD had changing smellls of fresh cut grass and hay, cow pastures, skunks, and corn/fruit. Every morning and evening there was a smell of fresh dew, like it is just after it rains. In illinois and near cities along the way, Diesel and Car exahusts were the dominant theme. Construction zones smell of hot road tar. Smells would always be changing every mile or so. It kind of broke up the monotony when the ride dragged a bit.