I agree, if you have the time ride out, the trip is half the fun.

 

I’m opposite of this. With the distance from my place it’s a three day ride, at least. We would have been beat just getting there on the super slab. So, we shipped our bikes and rode back in a leisurely fashion, going through various tourist attractions such as Yellowstone etc. We took our time mostly on back roads. By shipping the bikes we were very eager to ride immediately, There are lots of miles to do in the area. Hundreds.
We arrived first day of rally and stayed in Deadwood. We got up fairly early to ride and never ran into any serious traffic. Most people seem hung over from excessive partying to get up much before 10:00.:-)

PS. Deadwood Social Club for dinner!

 

On my first trip (1989, the 49th) three of us road the full distance to and from Sturgis from the Detroit, MI area.
It was a long, hot ride and one of our bikes had a mechanical problem that extended the overall trip out to four days, but we planned for for emergencies so it wasn't a big deal.

After that, on my (our) subsequent trips we trailered and reserved the "riding miles" for touring and seeing the sights'

Riding in an air conditioned vehicle and having multiple drivers can sure make the trip across the plains a lot more comfortable and you're not as worn out as you would be if you ride the full distance. Additionally, it's really comforting to know that IF you have mechanical breakdown, or worse, and accident, you have the means to get your bike to a shop or to get it home.

I've ridden in all 50 states (rented in Hawaii) and I've never shipped a bike anywhere.
I either ride it or tow it myself and when the wife comes along she most of the time flies and I pick her up at an airport that's close to our destination hub and we ride from there.

Good luck on your trip either way you decide to go.

 

Since you aren't planning on riding to the destination, I think a trailer would be the best option.
This forum is a great resource for information on planning for trips like this. I started my planning based on mow many miles I can ride per day (about 450-500miles) and worked my way around that. Good Luck.

 

Toy Hauler, best bet, (my opinion). Check out what camp grounds you want to stay at. There are a lot to choose from. And many price ranges. I've been there only 3 times. But I fell in love with the area. Highly recommend it before you get too old!! Seriously ! As you get older it gets harder to get your *** to do the things you always wanted to. I enjoyed it way more when I was in my 20's and 30's. At that age you can stay up later, try more things, drink more, etc. I have friends that always wanted to go, and NEVER did ! Now they are in their 60's and most don't even ride anymore.. They ALL say , they regret it now. Life's too short when you are young and healthy enough. Don't waste your life thinking about it. Sometimes if you wait too long, it can become illegal or defunct!

 

I'm 71 and this will be my first. Wish I had gone sooner. Will try to make the best of it

 

Sturgis - I've gone three [four as one was a pre-rally] times. Usually, I've ridden from Fort McMurray, AB, or New Westminster, BC. To me - it is a pilgrimage. If last year has taught us anything, life is short. I say ride. Think about your rides prior, can you do 500 miles? 750? Are you camping on the way there, hotels? How much gear are you bringing? Lots to consider.

I went to Daytona in 2019. It was trailer week. It is in the dregs of winter, so I mean, I give that a pass, but we're enjoying a transportation type activity, why transport it on a trailer or with a shipping company..?

Everyone has their opinions too, and who cares what others think. Do what fits your time, as Captain America said, "I'm hip about time man..." Maybe you only have a week off. Maybe you wanna see Kid Rock or ZZ Top in that time. Maybe you don't have accommodation set yet. It will work out. You can pay $10 and have a shower in town. They give you a clean towel, toothbrush, and everything else you'd need.

Sturgis is awesome, but the border is -still- closed. I'd bet it will open, but in my world, it requires planning...

Good Luck, you'll have a blast.

H

 

You can pretty much make Sturgis into just about anything.

I go for the rides. But when younger, I went for the *******, beer and the concerts. So I stayed tent camping at the Chip.

But the Chip has changed, grown up I guess. It’s RV central, golf cart central, poor toilet and shower central. Hell, I used to just jump into bikini beach mud hole for exchanging my old dirt for newer dirt. I never caught anything, so I guess it was okay.

What makes the Chip is concerts, then and still today. But, tenting is a mess now. I guess because there are so many people. I’ve thought long and hard about renting a cabin there.

But now that I’m in my mid 70’s, partying all night just ain’t worth it any longer. One nice thing about the Chip was if you just had too much, you could crawl back to your tent and still listen to the concert.

But, now that Lynyrd Skynyrd is no longer coming, it was time for me to move off campus and focus on other things.

One day downtown, one day at Black Hills Harley and Ive bought all the trinkets that I can still fit on the bike and get home. It is about the rides, the rain, the hail, the mass of bikes.

Sometime, I’m going back at a non rally time and ride those rides for pure pleasure.

I don’t mind RV’ers, Just is different and not my style. If I lived in Florida and beat myself to death on the why’s to get to Sturgis, I’d sure as hell own a toy hauler, and I could shower and **** as needed! But I have too many fantastic ways to get to Sturgis, northern route, southern route, way southern route, Canadian (not in 2021) route, 4 day route, 5 day route, 1 week route, 2 week route.

My RV was for hunting, now I fly in.

Are are you there for the rides, the parties, the trinkets, the panache of it all?

First timers, just take more money, have patience on the roads when crowded, and make Sturgis your trip. I don’t do every year, about every third year. Next year, we’ll hit Sturgis on the way back from Alaska. Didn’t do it this year because of the closed Canadian border. Hope we are back working again by next year.

Have a a great time. Nothing brings back memories like my first time. Each time was great, but the first time when you don’t know **** is just so much fun you don’t know which way to turn.

 

Agree 100%
I used to tent camp at the Chip. Not anymore. While I have no problem with "roughing it", the Chip just isn't for me anymore. While the concerts are great, it's the same bands recycled year after year. Plus, if you attend other rally's, the same bands play the rally circuit and you can always see them at some other event.

I've tent camped a few times at Shade Valley Camp Resort and I like it. Bathrooms and showers are very clean. The location is a bit out of the way, but I don't mind the ride.

 

Last year was my first. it was last minute since someone bailed out of the original group, so I filled it. we went the week before, and 90% of everything was open, with only 10% of the people there. We were still were there for a couple of the official rally dates, then we headed back. We rode up, and I'm so glad that we did. The ride heading there was as good as the ride once we were there. It's all about sharing the road with brothers. This year we're renting a cabin and riding up again, my wife's going with this year. We also have a BIG *** toy hauler...maybe one day, I'll take it. It sure is nice to have your own **** when you go somewhere!

I get the time table you're dealing with...Have you thought about shipping them to someplace in the middle? Fly there and ride some of the way, rally up, then ride back to the midway point and fly home.

We take four days to ride up and three back (1,500 mi one way). Last year we went through Colorado and went up Pikes Peak. This year, we're going through Topeka Ks and seeing the Evil Knievel Museum. Hell, we might even stop and see the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. Who knows...someone might want to detour and go see the largest ball of twine.

It's your trip, do with it what best works for you. Have fun!