My dad and I have attended Sturgis at separate times/years for the rally and for riding that part of the country in general. We’ve done Daytona together, Laconia, ROT, Lone Star, BBBBQ, and several other national rallies together. It’s always a hoot with the ol man.

We have sort of made a pact to hit Sturgis together at least once before time gets away from us. His health isn’t so great and his long distance days are pretty well behind him. It’s looking like 2020 or 2021 will be the time to do it. Maybe even both years. This sounds fine and dandy... WELL GO!! You might say. And yes, that’s the intent but we’ve got some logistical hurdles to deal with. Like I mentioned, he’s not going to be in the kind of shape physically needed for 2-3 days on the road on a bike. Truck, maybe, but definitely not two (or three) wheels. I flat out won’t have the time available from work to be gone 7-10 days (14-16 days) like I want. 4-5 (with the weekends on either side) will be far more feasible. Realistically, we’re talking round trip driving of let’s just say 6 days. 2800mi. Time is my problem, not health, health is his problem, not time. He’s retired.

so... all that being said.

In the interest of having more time “there” I have made some recommendations to him.

A) He drives his truck/trailer with his trike, and my bike. Stops when/where he wants. Takes his time, has lodging on the way (his toy hauler is small and boondocks very easily) and meets me at the airport. We play in the Black Hills for a few days. I fly home, he takes his time driving back with both machines.

B) He drives truck/trailer only and we ship bikes both ways and I fly there and back.

C) We both fly, ship bikes both ways and figure out other lodging while in SD

D) Fly, rent bikes, party on

E) Other..... who the hell knows.

I won’t say “money is no object” because I understand some things cost what they cost. But we are willing to spend what is needed to make this a comfortable, enjoyable trip. What would you do if given our situation? What have you possibly done in the past under similar circumstances?

 

If you got the money and don't have the time. Id go with D

 

Questions
1st: Are you trying to spend more time together period or just ride/bike time together?
2nd: Are you limited on your vacation time?
3rd: Is his health not good enough to ride out?

Why not drive out together & then ride the local stuff together then return home together, or ride out together & then take in the sites and ride home?

Either of the two above would give you more time together.

 

I’m going to look at it the other side. You need to decide how capable your dad is on a venture of this.
1). I would jump in the truck and drive there with him and enjoy the time together and come home with him in the truck on your schedule.
2) You and him drive bikes together there and you drive your bike home on your schedule and he has his bike shipped home and flies home.
The trip is about fun together not to push him to far that something happens. It’s not fun getting old but the most important part is being able to accept reality

 

Huh?????

 

Dad has severe COPD Among other things and long distances on the bike have gotten to where they beat him down physically because he can’t breathe well.

he says riding in the truck would be fine. He doesn’t mind the solo drive.

The trip isn’t only about spending time together in general, we do a lot of that already fortunately. The goal of the trip is to do the rally and some riding together in that area.

 

How long can he ride on the bike? If it was me i would probably trailer both up to like denver or cheyenne wy and explore that area and ride up to sturgis from there. It appears to be close to 300 miles or so and if it takes 2 days to get there so be it, your spending time with your dad both of you enjoy doing.

If you think he can make the trip driving his truck and pulling a trailer with both of yalls bikes, let him take off and go and take his time getting there, stop when he wants and such. You fly up and let him pick you up at airport and go ride sturgis with your own bikes. That would maximize your time in sturgis, if you didnt have the time to see the scenery heading up that way.

 

A all the way.
The first year I went two of my brothers who don't ride brought my truck and camper out for me. I just met them there was perfect .

 

In that case - I vote C or D depending on if you want to ride your own bikes or not, and cost

 

Last time we went to Sturgis, the wife and I rode out taking our time, attended the rally, then shipped the bike home and we flew. We had more fun on the way to the rally then the rally itself. With just 9/10 days, I would consider taking 5/6 days to ride out, 2/3 days there then fly home. Sounds like you have been to plenty of rallies, so you get it. The adventure of getting there is the best part. I can get drunk at home. My thoughts, good luck to both of you.