Bob, some great pics there! Wife & I were there in Sept, 2016. Thanks for bringing back some memories!

 

It will go too fast when you're there. I retired in '09. That feels like about two years ago.

 

Hey neighbor! This was from late June of 2016.

 

Funny! Been there many times. And still get excited looking other peoples pic's and explanations of the beautiful sites out there.

 

We headed down 87 towards Hill City. I had not been there in awhile so I couldn't recall what exactly was there. I just remembered I liked it. We figured we would stop and get some appetizers and maybe a beer or two. Hwy 87 heading out of the park runs downhill through a series of switchbacks. Like so many roads in that region, the riding is great.






We came across a few more participants in the Great Race as well. These folks were from our home state.



Before long we pulled into Hill City and parked in front of the Mangy Moose Saloon. I wondered if it was the same owners as the Mangy Moose in Jackson Hole. I've tipped many a beer at that one after skiing.



Wsn't busy at all. Probably weird to see if you've been there during the rally.



Couple of guys playing guitars made for a nice and relaxing low key time.



We had some wings and a couple of beers and decided to walk around town a little. Nice place. It's obviously touristy, but not like Keystone so much. We liked it better.

We didn't stick around too long. Even though the days are long in late June, it was a good ride back to Sturgis. I didn't want to be out at night. With the sun lower in the sky it was cooler and made for a perfect ride. A few shots along the way -









We wanted to avoid Deadwood, so we headed toward Nemo and ran in to a little of this -



Yes! I love loose gravel!



Yup. It's loose alright.

Didn't last for more than a mile. Then back to paved. As you can see, it's getting near dawn -



Which is the perfect time for - YES - more gravel! This patch went on for quite a ways.



But totally worth it! Vanocker Canyon Rd is a blast to ride. The bike was running great and it just felt like we were in the groove, running quickly through the curves. Honestly, people can knock Harleys for being slugs, but it sure felt great and I doubt I would have been doing it any quicker on one of my BMWs.







And very scenic -







We made it back just as the sun was setting. The pictures don't do the colors justice at all. The sky was a brilliant orange red.



Cheryl wondered if maybe there was a forest fire nearby to create such a dramatic sunset. I assured her that wasn't the case.

Next up - Day 5 and riding through forest fire smoke.

Time - about 8 hours

Distance - 250?

Temps - high 70s to high 90s

Water - about a gallon

Beers - 2 each

Wings - okay

Bugatti - DOA

 

all the roads we ride out there, all the places we been I always melt when I'm riding past that Ranch in Nemo..

Vanknocker down to Nemo rd is some my favorite places to be

I always think about who owns it? what do they do there? why don't they rent them cabins during rally...wish i had that kind land...

guessing its something to do with Horse trail riding or a church group....

thanks for taking us along Its always great to return to the Hills

 

Day 5 - A smoky ride to Devils Tower.

As it turned out, Cheryl was right. A lightning strike from the storm the other day caused a forest fire at Crow Peak nearby. The prevailing West wind dragged the smoke right over the Black Hills. We could smell it in the room. But outside it was just a little hazy. No reason to alter our plans to ride to Devils Tower. Naturally we decided to take the scenic route.



Also, some of the good members here recommended a place to get breakfast - Cheyenne Crossing Store. So bright and early we headed out for a long day on the bike. We cut through Deadwood, not really my favorite place. It's way too touristy for me. But Alt 14 runs right to Cheyenne Crossing, so no biggy. Plus there's a bypass anyway.

Cheyenne Crossing is only about 25 miles away, so we were able to get our breakfast/coffee fix early. It's a really nice place to get a good breakfast. Plenty of parking and seating. I think we waited all of 10 minutes to get a table on a busy Saturday morning. In the meantime I took pics.

You can tell this is pre-coffee. Cheryl was not in the mood for pictures -



I love places like this because they stick to the country theme with heavy wood furniture and decorations that fit in with the western theme. Just comfortable. The place was very busy. You could tell at least half of the folks there were locals enjoying socializing. A group would walk in and stop by a table where friends were eating breakfast, shake hands, chat a bit, and go to get breakfast of their own. It was pleasant and how I remembered things to be back when I would join my grandparents for breakfast somewhere after church. Good memories of a time gone by.

With our bellies full of great food and not terrible coffee, we continued on Alt 14 toward Spearfish. Hwy Alt 14 is also known as Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, and it's rated as an excellent road to ride. I wouldn't disagree. Lots of curves and scenery.



As you can see, it's a bit hazy from the Crow Peak fire, which wasn't at all far to the west, and just south of Spearfish.

Along Spearfish Canyon Rd is Bridal Veil Falls. There were a bunch of cars parked and we did not feel inclined to join them to see the falls on foot. We just took a gander as we rode by, which is usually good for us. We enjoy our sight seeing from the saddle. Doesn't make for the best pic sometimes I'll admit.



We continued into Spearfish and up to Belle Fourche. I had never been there so we went past our turnoff to Devils Tower to check it out and get some fuel. Really not much to see as it turns out, so we filled up and doubled back to head west on Hwy 34 towards Alladin and on to Devils Tower.

Hwy 34 is a nice country ride, not all that dissimilar to some riding we have in the Midwest. Fairly scenic and straight, it wasn't a bad change of pace from the constant curves of Spearfish Canyon Rd.



You'll notice on the map that Hwy 34 turns into Hwy 24 at the Wyoming state line. And of course, it takes you through Alladin. Don't blink or you'll miss it.



Obviously it's a popular place to stop for two wheeled travelers.

Hwy 24 is great. The riding is nice and relaxing.



With a few curves thrown in the mix to keep it interesting.



And before long we see what we came for.



Ever since seeing Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind I've wanted to see Devil's Tower. This was only my second time back, and Cheryl's first visit. Seeing this definitely piqued her interest and I could tell she was clicking away to get every angle possible. No, I won't bore you with all of them. Just a few.





I like this one at the entrance to the park with the flag.



It's really cool as you work your way up the hill and catch glimpses of the tower here and there. It really builds the anticipation.



Then, before you know it, you're in the parking area with hundreds of other vehicles, all vying for a spot. Fortunately, it's way easier to find a spot for a bike, so we were able to park right in front of the restrooms. Which was good for a lot of reasons. Not the least of which we needed a place to change into our hiking duds. Remember, it was a hot spell, so we brought some light clothing to do the Devil's Tower Trail, which is only 1.3 miles.



We hike a lot so 1.3 miles is nothing. But again, it was hot. And there is some climbing to consider. Not to mention we don't like to spend too much time off the bike. Here's Cheryl ready to take on Devil's Tower.



Lots of wildlife to look at on the trail. This Doe was grazing silently not 20 yards from us.



Obviously they are very used to humans. A little farther up the trail was a nice lookout to the east. We were stunned by what we saw.





It certainly gave us some perspective on what was happening on Crow Peak. As well as all the smoke we were riding through.

We continued along the trail and came to a bunch of people looking up. So naturally we looked up too.

Uh.......no thank you.



I have no desire to ever do anything like that. A - I have a fear of heights. B - It was hotter N Hell. Not my idea of a good time at all.

Looks like Crow Peak wasn't the only place that had forest fires.



Of course all along the trail are many vantage points to see the tower from a different angle. Some places offer seating and occasionally there would be someone sketching their version of the tower.



But we're not the type to sit and relax. We kept on moving and took it all in in well under an hour. I can understand if someone wants to sit on a bench and reflect. Just not our bag when we're on a riding vacation...I mean work trip.

We switched into our riding gear, which at this point wasn't exactly ATGATT. We did wear our helmets, but the jackets went in the bags. We had already layered on the sunblock, so we were okay for the ride as long as we stayed on the bike.

Exiting the park Cheryl wanted to see the Plague rats.



Yeah.....cute and cuddly....and loaded full of plague. At least that's what the sign says.



To be continued........

 

The Aladdin Store is one of my favorite places. I saw they had an auction last year but the deal feel apart and a semi local bought it in the fall and it sounds like they plan on leaving it "as is". It's like stepping back in time 100 years seeing things that were old when I was a kid.

 

To answer one of your questions about why the trees are all down. It comes from winter storm Atlas in October 2013. It was a ton of snow and a ton of wind.

 

Cool - thanks for the info! Just figured it was a fire some time back.