Planning a Ride - Where to go?
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Same here, 19* outside windchill of 8* and a fresh blanket of 2'' of new snow, Ur question make me think of the trip my Son, one of our friends and I are planning this summer.
Last yr we headed south out of IN, to KY, TN, AL, then over and Up through MS, AL, AR, MO, IL and back to IN.
This summer we heading East out of IN, then OH, PA, NY, then maybe down the East coast and back home...
.
Last yr we headed south out of IN, to KY, TN, AL, then over and Up through MS, AL, AR, MO, IL and back to IN.
This summer we heading East out of IN, then OH, PA, NY, then maybe down the East coast and back home...
.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Small world, isn't it? Yes, Fat Daddy's is one of the places I was talking about. Also, the "Boondock's", not sure how long they been here either. I am not from here but have been here for a few many years now. Shoot, you probably know this area then better than I do!! Oh well, the offers always open just the same.
Sounds good to me, be nice to see ome of the old spots, haven't ridden around there in years. Hell I may know you. What town are you in, guessing but Morris, Seneca? Great back road along the river between the 2 towns, you familiar with that, not many people are.
I live about an hour west of Joliet on 80.
Lasalle peru area.
Might have to make a trip your way in the spring
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 19
From: Atlanta, GA
Kizzle,
Don't know if you've checked back here since your last post. But for you and anyone else reading this thread, I will give you some good intel on a few days in the Black Hills area. I assume some of your final plan will include Yellowstone and parts of Montana...but I have less experience there, so this will just be about the Rapid City area. I won't be detailed about anything, but if your group finds itself in the Black Hills, keep this "list" in mind:
From MN, try to make it all the way to Mitchell, SD for your 1st fuel stop...gas up n look at that ridiculous "Corn Palace" on your way out.
The Badlands Loop starts at I-90 exit 131 (and comes out at 110/Wall, SD)...dont go on I-90 all the way to Wall, but use the Northeast entrance at #131...no backtracking, and a nice stop at the world-famous Wall Drug Store...silly, but "country fun"..eat there too if its lunchtime. Park loop costs $10-12 for each bike, I think.
From Wall to Rapid City (RC) is about 1.5hrs, if you get there before dinnertime, DO NOT miss eating at the Firehouse Brewpub (main st, cant miss it). Stay the night in RC at one of many hotels.
Route 385 goes N-S through the Hills, you will be on it several times. BUT the best and "can't miss roads" are these: Sheridan Lake rd from RC out to 385. Iron Mountain rd (try to run it S to N, best direction for uphill corners and views of Mt Rushmore). 244westbd from The Faces to 385 is good. Rt 44 w out of RC to 385 is fast, curvy and fun. Nemo Rd NWbound is a MUCH better way to get N in the Hills vs the I-90 highway (like if you're going to Deadwood). 16A eastbd out of Custer or westbd if you ran Iron Mtn rd southbd is curvy and fast. You have to pay $$ for both the "Needles Hwy" and the Custer Wildlife Loop. Needles is the better of the two. (if you get both roads for one fee, then it's prob worth it).
Once up in Deadwood you MUST ride 14A Spearfish Canyon Rd...either direction is great but I prefer S to N. Try to stay at the Hitchcock Hotel on Main St...but any hotel up there is good. Great food at Hitchcock and upstairs at the Old #10 Saloon...or Chinese at Miss Kitty's, very famous (they have a great brunch menu there too). BEST place to eat, hands down, is in Hill City at the Alpine Inn...FIND a way to be there for a dinner (steak only, large or small) and the deserts are amazing...get two, tell them an old B-1 driver sent you, they'll laugh. Closed Sun.
That's it for now, best of luck. anyone can email me here on this site if they need more info. Sorry it's so long. Ride safe.
Don't know if you've checked back here since your last post. But for you and anyone else reading this thread, I will give you some good intel on a few days in the Black Hills area. I assume some of your final plan will include Yellowstone and parts of Montana...but I have less experience there, so this will just be about the Rapid City area. I won't be detailed about anything, but if your group finds itself in the Black Hills, keep this "list" in mind:
From MN, try to make it all the way to Mitchell, SD for your 1st fuel stop...gas up n look at that ridiculous "Corn Palace" on your way out.
The Badlands Loop starts at I-90 exit 131 (and comes out at 110/Wall, SD)...dont go on I-90 all the way to Wall, but use the Northeast entrance at #131...no backtracking, and a nice stop at the world-famous Wall Drug Store...silly, but "country fun"..eat there too if its lunchtime. Park loop costs $10-12 for each bike, I think.
From Wall to Rapid City (RC) is about 1.5hrs, if you get there before dinnertime, DO NOT miss eating at the Firehouse Brewpub (main st, cant miss it). Stay the night in RC at one of many hotels.
Route 385 goes N-S through the Hills, you will be on it several times. BUT the best and "can't miss roads" are these: Sheridan Lake rd from RC out to 385. Iron Mountain rd (try to run it S to N, best direction for uphill corners and views of Mt Rushmore). 244westbd from The Faces to 385 is good. Rt 44 w out of RC to 385 is fast, curvy and fun. Nemo Rd NWbound is a MUCH better way to get N in the Hills vs the I-90 highway (like if you're going to Deadwood). 16A eastbd out of Custer or westbd if you ran Iron Mtn rd southbd is curvy and fast. You have to pay $$ for both the "Needles Hwy" and the Custer Wildlife Loop. Needles is the better of the two. (if you get both roads for one fee, then it's prob worth it).
Once up in Deadwood you MUST ride 14A Spearfish Canyon Rd...either direction is great but I prefer S to N. Try to stay at the Hitchcock Hotel on Main St...but any hotel up there is good. Great food at Hitchcock and upstairs at the Old #10 Saloon...or Chinese at Miss Kitty's, very famous (they have a great brunch menu there too). BEST place to eat, hands down, is in Hill City at the Alpine Inn...FIND a way to be there for a dinner (steak only, large or small) and the deserts are amazing...get two, tell them an old B-1 driver sent you, they'll laugh. Closed Sun.
That's it for now, best of luck. anyone can email me here on this site if they need more info. Sorry it's so long. Ride safe.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 2
From: Mill City Mass.
Since I can't figure out how to insert the link that includes the route I have mapped out, here is a crappy picture I took of my computer screen with me cell phone. I know that this trip would be definitely ambitious (closing in on 4300 miles in 8 days).. But there are countless sites to be seen throughout the trip, and as long as the day is broken into morning and afternoon riding, there should be no reason why it is not feasible. With stops at Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, Las Vegas, Pacific Ocean, the Mojave Desert, Grand Canyon (if time), as well as several National Parks, National Forests, National Monuments.... I think that this ride would ultimately be a once in a lifetime deal with all of the guys. (Of course they would have to be on board). Here is the picture of the route. (I had a whole itinerary typed up in the message box here, but it took me so long that by the time I wanted to submit it, my login had timed out. Caused me to have to redo the whole thing so I said F-it and gave you this short little excerpt. lol). Ok, now the picture:
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
4300 in 9 days? I did sturgis with a few buds in 11 and it was just over 4k round trip plus we put on a good amount out there. I actually did the ride home solo in one sitting (not counting gas stops obviously) took me 31.5 hours straight for 2100 miles haha. I had a blast the whole trip but I was on the highway most of the time which is okay if the scenery is nice. Id recommend what others said. Scale down and enjoy the places you do go. I put on some good miles but missed out on a lot of good riding spots cause I was too busy try to get to my destination.
4300 in 9 days? I did sturgis with a few buds in 11 and it was just over 4k round trip plus we put on a good amount out there. I actually did the ride home solo in one sitting (not counting gas stops obviously) took me 31.5 hours straight for 2100 miles haha. I had a blast the whole trip but I was on the highway most of the time which is okay if the scenery is nice. Id recommend what others said. Scale down and enjoy the places you do go. I put on some good miles but missed out on a lot of good riding spots cause I was too busy try to get to my destination.
Kizzle,
Don't know if you've checked back here since your last post. But for you and anyone else reading this thread, I will give you some good intel on a few days in the Black Hills area. I assume some of your final plan will include Yellowstone and parts of Montana...but I have less experience there, so this will just be about the Rapid City area. I won't be detailed about anything, but if your group finds itself in the Black Hills, keep this "list" in mind:
From MN, try to make it all the way to Mitchell, SD for your 1st fuel stop...gas up n look at that ridiculous "Corn Palace" on your way out.
The Badlands Loop starts at I-90 exit 131 (and comes out at 110/Wall, SD)...dont go on I-90 all the way to Wall, but use the Northeast entrance at #131...no backtracking, and a nice stop at the world-famous Wall Drug Store...silly, but "country fun"..eat there too if its lunchtime. Park loop costs $10-12 for each bike, I think.
From Wall to Rapid City (RC) is about 1.5hrs, if you get there before dinnertime, DO NOT miss eating at the Firehouse Brewpub (main st, cant miss it). Stay the night in RC at one of many hotels.
Route 385 goes N-S through the Hills, you will be on it several times. BUT the best and "can't miss roads" are these: Sheridan Lake rd from RC out to 385. Iron Mountain rd (try to run it S to N, best direction for uphill corners and views of Mt Rushmore). 244westbd from The Faces to 385 is good. Rt 44 w out of RC to 385 is fast, curvy and fun. Nemo Rd NWbound is a MUCH better way to get N in the Hills vs the I-90 highway (like if you're going to Deadwood). 16A eastbd out of Custer or westbd if you ran Iron Mtn rd southbd is curvy and fast. You have to pay $$ for both the "Needles Hwy" and the Custer Wildlife Loop. Needles is the better of the two. (if you get both roads for one fee, then it's prob worth it).
Once up in Deadwood you MUST ride 14A Spearfish Canyon Rd...either direction is great but I prefer S to N. Try to stay at the Hitchcock Hotel on Main St...but any hotel up there is good. Great food at Hitchcock and upstairs at the Old #10 Saloon...or Chinese at Miss Kitty's, very famous (they have a great brunch menu there too). BEST place to eat, hands down, is in Hill City at the Alpine Inn...FIND a way to be there for a dinner (steak only, large or small) and the deserts are amazing...get two, tell them an old B-1 driver sent you, they'll laugh. Closed Sun.
That's it for now, best of luck. anyone can email me here on this site if they need more info. Sorry it's so long. Ride safe.
Don't know if you've checked back here since your last post. But for you and anyone else reading this thread, I will give you some good intel on a few days in the Black Hills area. I assume some of your final plan will include Yellowstone and parts of Montana...but I have less experience there, so this will just be about the Rapid City area. I won't be detailed about anything, but if your group finds itself in the Black Hills, keep this "list" in mind:
From MN, try to make it all the way to Mitchell, SD for your 1st fuel stop...gas up n look at that ridiculous "Corn Palace" on your way out.
The Badlands Loop starts at I-90 exit 131 (and comes out at 110/Wall, SD)...dont go on I-90 all the way to Wall, but use the Northeast entrance at #131...no backtracking, and a nice stop at the world-famous Wall Drug Store...silly, but "country fun"..eat there too if its lunchtime. Park loop costs $10-12 for each bike, I think.
From Wall to Rapid City (RC) is about 1.5hrs, if you get there before dinnertime, DO NOT miss eating at the Firehouse Brewpub (main st, cant miss it). Stay the night in RC at one of many hotels.
Route 385 goes N-S through the Hills, you will be on it several times. BUT the best and "can't miss roads" are these: Sheridan Lake rd from RC out to 385. Iron Mountain rd (try to run it S to N, best direction for uphill corners and views of Mt Rushmore). 244westbd from The Faces to 385 is good. Rt 44 w out of RC to 385 is fast, curvy and fun. Nemo Rd NWbound is a MUCH better way to get N in the Hills vs the I-90 highway (like if you're going to Deadwood). 16A eastbd out of Custer or westbd if you ran Iron Mtn rd southbd is curvy and fast. You have to pay $$ for both the "Needles Hwy" and the Custer Wildlife Loop. Needles is the better of the two. (if you get both roads for one fee, then it's prob worth it).
Once up in Deadwood you MUST ride 14A Spearfish Canyon Rd...either direction is great but I prefer S to N. Try to stay at the Hitchcock Hotel on Main St...but any hotel up there is good. Great food at Hitchcock and upstairs at the Old #10 Saloon...or Chinese at Miss Kitty's, very famous (they have a great brunch menu there too). BEST place to eat, hands down, is in Hill City at the Alpine Inn...FIND a way to be there for a dinner (steak only, large or small) and the deserts are amazing...get two, tell them an old B-1 driver sent you, they'll laugh. Closed Sun.
That's it for now, best of luck. anyone can email me here on this site if they need more info. Sorry it's so long. Ride safe.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Windsor Ont. Can.
looks like were gonna do a 5 day this year. Leave WIndsor Ont can (Detroit) head to Lexington, then Gatlinburg, over to Maggie Valley, then take 2 days coming back home along the blue sky parkway over to Ohio and back home. Should be fun. Teflon
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MONTANA!!!!!!!! How ever if your planing on heading this way I'd recommend doing it in early July as June can be a pretty rain soaked month in this part of the country and the weather almost always gets super nice after the 4th.
All I can say is this State has some of the best most scenic routes in the country. With minimal traffic and a lot of sweet curvy 2 lane high way riding.
It just cant be beat. Plus you'll probably be able to have alot more fun and see alot more then on a marathon ride to the west coast.
Also if your headed this way consider checking out Glacier National Park,
Going to the Sun Road is easily the best ride I've been on, over 13000 feet above sea level the ride and scenery are unparalleled. White Fish is a chill little town with laid back people and its just down the road from the park.
It's your trip have fun and good luck.
All I can say is this State has some of the best most scenic routes in the country. With minimal traffic and a lot of sweet curvy 2 lane high way riding.
It just cant be beat. Plus you'll probably be able to have alot more fun and see alot more then on a marathon ride to the west coast.
Also if your headed this way consider checking out Glacier National Park,
Going to the Sun Road is easily the best ride I've been on, over 13000 feet above sea level the ride and scenery are unparalleled. White Fish is a chill little town with laid back people and its just down the road from the park.
It's your trip have fun and good luck.