Sturgis
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 98
From: NC
Rode from NC last year for the first time. mostly highway out to Nebraska then hopped on RT2 in grand island,NE and took that to Alience, NE. It's a 2 lane road out in the heart land that's about 250 miles long. Very small towns along the way. When I think back about the entire ride, my memory takes me back to that road. Lots of other bikers use it too. even though its in the middle of nowhere, I pulled over for 2 min to grab my camera from my bag and as soon as I got off the bike I had someone pulling over to make sure I was ok. It follows a Union pacific railroad route. you find yourself out there with nobody else around but you, the cows, and the trains. I bet I got 6 trains to blow their horns when I would wave to them
Last edited by CalypsoNotch93; Jan 25, 2020 at 09:36 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,214
From: Michigan
You may want to consider motel(s) a little farther away from Sturgis, especially if you're planning on doing a lot of scenic riding.
Hill City, S.D. is a good location as a "hub" for the Badlands, Rapid City, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and Sturgis.
Sundance, WY is a good "hub"if you're planning on going to the Devil's Tower and there's a few other smaller towns including Spearfish and Deadwood, Lead, etc., that are within easy riding distance.
The tip on clothing is correct!
I sort of lead a small group of my wife's co-workers one year and I had instructed them to bring "proper attire" and needless to say we had some very cold, wet riders before we got back to our motel A typical 90 degree day ride can quickly turn into a 50 degree, chilly night ride!
Riding in the west can lead to some rapid weather and temperature changes!
I would also NOT recommend riding after sundown or too much before sunrise as they do have a lot of wildlife roaming across the highways.
Personally (and this may p**s a lot of people off) if I go to Sturgis again, I'll trailer out, do my tour riding, and then trailer home in an air conditioned vehicle
Hill City, S.D. is a good location as a "hub" for the Badlands, Rapid City, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and Sturgis.
Sundance, WY is a good "hub"if you're planning on going to the Devil's Tower and there's a few other smaller towns including Spearfish and Deadwood, Lead, etc., that are within easy riding distance.
The tip on clothing is correct!
I sort of lead a small group of my wife's co-workers one year and I had instructed them to bring "proper attire" and needless to say we had some very cold, wet riders before we got back to our motel A typical 90 degree day ride can quickly turn into a 50 degree, chilly night ride!
Riding in the west can lead to some rapid weather and temperature changes!
I would also NOT recommend riding after sundown or too much before sunrise as they do have a lot of wildlife roaming across the highways.
Personally (and this may p**s a lot of people off) if I go to Sturgis again, I'll trailer out, do my tour riding, and then trailer home in an air conditioned vehicle
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 4
I did the ride from Charleston SC, its about 1900 miles. 3 of us had planned to do 700 miles the first 2 days and then take it" easy" for the last 500. We only made 700 on the first day. 3 day trip turned into 4 and it wasn't for the lack of trying. Be prepared for rain (we hit rain every day), be prepared for mechanical problems (we had one on the way there). Bottom line, if you have the time let the journey be part of your destination, I wouldn't bother making reservations and just find motel/hotel as needed.
Did a vacation ride with the wife, only 2 rules, 1 no interstate and 2 the date we had to be back by. Best trip ever, some days we did up to 400 miles least we did was 80.
Did a vacation ride with the wife, only 2 rules, 1 no interstate and 2 the date we had to be back by. Best trip ever, some days we did up to 400 miles least we did was 80.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 117
From: NW Georgia
I cant thank all of you enough for all this valuable information and suggestions. Im leaning towards winging it for hotels coming and going, and will start looking for accommodations early in the day. Ive also decided to leave the whole trip open ended and not set any hard dates to make it home. Im assuming my wife will go along with that with minimal damage to my head and backside...;-)! And Im going to put together a route that avoids interstates as much as possible. I love riding two-lanes in the mountains in North Georgia/Western NC and just dont want to miss out on Americana by running 75mph, hours on end, on an interstate. Might want to re-think the day I leave too.
Lots to think about, and I promise to take some pics along the way, and recap the trip so you guys can see how well it went. Youve all been so nice and helpful...and I intend to make the journey the reward...
Lots to think about, and I promise to take some pics along the way, and recap the trip so you guys can see how well it went. Youve all been so nice and helpful...and I intend to make the journey the reward...
Last edited by HaydenHeywoodHayes; Jan 26, 2020 at 10:22 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,214
From: Michigan
I can’t thank all of you enough for all this valuable information and suggestions. I’m leaning towards “winging it” for hotels coming and going, and will start looking for accommodations early in the day. I’ve also decided to leave the whole trip “open ended” and not set any hard dates to make it home. I’m assuming my wife will go along with that with minimal damage to my head and backside...;-)! And I’m going to put together a route that avoids interstates as much as possible. I love riding two-lanes in the mountains in North Georgia/Western NC and just don’t want to miss out on “Americana” by running 75mph, hours on end, on an interstate. Might want to re-think the day I leave too.
Lots to think about, and I promise to take some pics along the way, and recap the trip so you guys can see how well it went. You’ve all been so nice and helpful...and I intend to make the journey the reward...
Lots to think about, and I promise to take some pics along the way, and recap the trip so you guys can see how well it went. You’ve all been so nice and helpful...and I intend to make the journey the reward...
Believe me, if you're riding two-up and you're looking a a 1500+ mile trip, across some "not-so-pretty scenery" knocking down the mileage at 75MPH works to your advantage and sanity!
The fact that you'll be arriving in the region prior to bike week offers you more flexibility in obtaining motel rooms but keep in mind that it's also prime vacation time and rooms near scenic areas and attractions such as Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse may be more difficult.
Last edited by 2AMGuy; Jan 26, 2020 at 10:33 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 230
Likes: 162
From: Northwest
There will be no rooms available during Sturgis week unless you pre register. We camp at the Chip and that is just for a piece of grass field but you will not need reservations there. Youll need earplugs to get any sleep... and dont pitch your tent near pathways. I booked the Cody Best Western reservations 2days ahead and got a room. I dont worry about it because we can always pull up to a packed RV campground or even a motel, and they have let us put up a tent somewhere if they are full... Im not riding with my wife though. She couldnt handle that. She needs a bed and a bath. I just go with a riding partner who is really flexible. We are usually in a motel every 2nd or 3rd day.
If you NEED a motel anywhere within 200 miles of Sturgis during bike week, you will need reservations well in advance. To put it into perspective, the population of the town of Sturgis is about 7,000 people and up to a half a million bikers show up.
If you NEED a motel anywhere within 200 miles of Sturgis during bike week, you will need reservations well in advance. To put it into perspective, the population of the town of Sturgis is about 7,000 people and up to a half a million bikers show up.
Last edited by EGS; Jan 26, 2020 at 11:06 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 3,366
From: Idaho Panhandle
I was the latter, and my motorcycling is the same. It is about the ride, the trip, the stops, the curves, the people and not the destination, though being pool side by 4:00 PM sometimes feels awfully good.
We have a group of riders that we've met on the road over the last 20 years. Each year one of us picks a location somewhere, West of the Mississippi, South of Edmonton, and North of Mexico. We'll all spend 3-5 days riding to get there, then spend the weekend riding together, then head home our separate directions.
While we we really enjoy our couple of days together, we are always talking about the experiences we had getting there.
Enjoy the trip, it will be more memorable than Sturgis.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 20
From: Nebraska
I used to live in Grand Island Nebraska and agree with all the great information people have been sharing. Highway 2 from Grand Island to Alliance is a great ride for sure. Make sure you keep your gas tank full because some of those small towns are spread out and they all won't have premium gas. Nebraska is also a helmet state so make sure you bring a helmet if you ride in Nebraska.
Riding the Black Hills is magical. Make sure and pick up a road map of the Black Hills when you get there. They have a one page sheet that will have all the rides color coded. The most popular rides will be highlighted. You can spend a week riding the Black Hills and still won't see everything.
I rode to Sturgis alone in 2005 and didn't know anyone. I haven't missed a year since then and now have friends from all over the country that I have met there. Each year it's like a big family reunion. Like other have said, enjoy the journey. You will meet lots of like minded people heading to the same place. Have met people at gas stations and in restaurants and bars that have become good lifelong friends. There is something there for everyone so like others have said, decide what you want to experience and do whatever makes you happy. Safe travels. It will be a trip you will never forget.
Riding the Black Hills is magical. Make sure and pick up a road map of the Black Hills when you get there. They have a one page sheet that will have all the rides color coded. The most popular rides will be highlighted. You can spend a week riding the Black Hills and still won't see everything.
I rode to Sturgis alone in 2005 and didn't know anyone. I haven't missed a year since then and now have friends from all over the country that I have met there. Each year it's like a big family reunion. Like other have said, enjoy the journey. You will meet lots of like minded people heading to the same place. Have met people at gas stations and in restaurants and bars that have become good lifelong friends. There is something there for everyone so like others have said, decide what you want to experience and do whatever makes you happy. Safe travels. It will be a trip you will never forget.
