Sturgis 2012
Sturgis 2012
So this will be my first trip to Sturgis. Going with a group of about 15 bikes, and none of us have been before.
Who all has been, what are the best rides....do you have maps to share (via Google Maps)?
What are the must see sights?
Any little gems that you have found while out there (bar, roads, photo ops, etc)?
We will be there a week (Deadwood), so I should be able to cover some ground with that kind of time on my hands.
How bad is the traffic? Do the local business try to screw you since its Sturgis, or are there good deals to be had on food/drinks....
Any info is appreciated. If you have pics, post them - I'm curious what I'm getting myself into.
Who all has been, what are the best rides....do you have maps to share (via Google Maps)?
What are the must see sights?
Any little gems that you have found while out there (bar, roads, photo ops, etc)?
We will be there a week (Deadwood), so I should be able to cover some ground with that kind of time on my hands.
How bad is the traffic? Do the local business try to screw you since its Sturgis, or are there good deals to be had on food/drinks....
Any info is appreciated. If you have pics, post them - I'm curious what I'm getting myself into.
All the roads around there are a blast. Here are just a few things to check out. Google them for more info. Be sure to look up Iron Mountain Road on YouTube.
1. Needles Highway
2. Iron Mountain Road (you'll be able to see Mount Rushmore from there)
3. Crazy Horse Monument
4. Spearfish Canyon
5. Devils Tower
Iron Mountain Road and Spearfish Canyon are by far my favorites up there.
Here are a few pics.
1. Needles Highway
2. Iron Mountain Road (you'll be able to see Mount Rushmore from there)
3. Crazy Horse Monument
4. Spearfish Canyon
5. Devils Tower
Iron Mountain Road and Spearfish Canyon are by far my favorites up there.
Here are a few pics.
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The Black Hills are relatively small. About 50 x 150 miles. There are not that many roads, and every one is a scenic adventure. Take a different route every day, or drive the same route the other direction, and you will enjoy them all. Every gas station or store has free maps on tear off pads. Take as many as you need.
Pay particular attention to the Iron Mountain Road. If you drive it the right direction, when you go through the tunnels you will see Mt. Rushmore framed in the exit.
Pay attention to where you park.
Pay particular attention to the Iron Mountain Road. If you drive it the right direction, when you go through the tunnels you will see Mt. Rushmore framed in the exit.
Pay attention to where you park.
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everybody needs to spend at least one night at the Buffalo Chip. Going to Sturgis and not going to the Chip is like going to the Superbowl and staying in your car and listening to the game on the radio. Pick one concert you want to see and have a ball. We are going to Zac Brown on the 5th but there are a lot of good concerts lined up. I go every year and never get tired of it.
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From: Kansas
YES! Still trying to decide if I want to go for my fourth consecutive year or take a break!
KSRoadKing mentioned most of the rides/sights except Mt Rushmore. And even downtown Sturgis is cool to see with all the venders and crazies. Even 385 from Lead/Deadwood is a cool ride. Big swooping turns and bikes everywhere! And the Rapid City dealer is pretty cool to see as well.
If you guys have a lot of time ride out to wyoming and check out the stone house saloon. There is a place in deadwood called gold dust, if you go in and upstairs they usually have breakfast buffet for like $10 a person and its usually very good. Last year there was a gas station just south of deadwood called steel wheel or something like that and there is a couple places right there that have a breakfast buffet and nice dinners in the evening.
I dont like riding with a lot of people, and I had the mentality "im on vacation" so I would wake up at like 9 or 10 then go shower and get breakfast and then ride all day and head back to camp as soon as it started getting chilly out. There is always a lot of wild life out and about day or night, so keep your eyes peeled. And deadwood is a decent ride form sturgis if you go out drinking. They are strict over eye protection and handle bar height (shoulder height) especially at night. But all in all have fun and ride safe!
KSRoadKing mentioned most of the rides/sights except Mt Rushmore. And even downtown Sturgis is cool to see with all the venders and crazies. Even 385 from Lead/Deadwood is a cool ride. Big swooping turns and bikes everywhere! And the Rapid City dealer is pretty cool to see as well.
If you guys have a lot of time ride out to wyoming and check out the stone house saloon. There is a place in deadwood called gold dust, if you go in and upstairs they usually have breakfast buffet for like $10 a person and its usually very good. Last year there was a gas station just south of deadwood called steel wheel or something like that and there is a couple places right there that have a breakfast buffet and nice dinners in the evening.
I dont like riding with a lot of people, and I had the mentality "im on vacation" so I would wake up at like 9 or 10 then go shower and get breakfast and then ride all day and head back to camp as soon as it started getting chilly out. There is always a lot of wild life out and about day or night, so keep your eyes peeled. And deadwood is a decent ride form sturgis if you go out drinking. They are strict over eye protection and handle bar height (shoulder height) especially at night. But all in all have fun and ride safe!
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The prices are what you would expect at a rallye..yes, high priced. Last year a beer was $5.50.
Best places for a beer....Stop at the local VFW's and American Legions in each town. I have yet to see them raise prices. You will probably find the original Jackpine Gypsies at the Legion in Sturgis, and they sell T shirts too, for a very reasonable price. Subways will give you a standard meal for the regular price.
The main attraction for everyone is Mt. Rushmore. Go early in the day, and beat the crowds. It's free to get in, but they charge for parking. Crazy Horse Monument and their museums are a must see, and they usually have a biker discount during Sturgis week. You can spend an entire afternoon there.
If you want to be befuddled, go to the Cosmos, where the gravity is all screwed up.
Don't buy the first t-shirt you see. Lots of the outlying towns sell them much cheaper than downtown Sturgis.
The Patriot Guard is dedicating the Flag Field at the Buffalo Chip at 5:00 pm, on Monday. Bring your hankerchief.
Best places for a beer....Stop at the local VFW's and American Legions in each town. I have yet to see them raise prices. You will probably find the original Jackpine Gypsies at the Legion in Sturgis, and they sell T shirts too, for a very reasonable price. Subways will give you a standard meal for the regular price.
The main attraction for everyone is Mt. Rushmore. Go early in the day, and beat the crowds. It's free to get in, but they charge for parking. Crazy Horse Monument and their museums are a must see, and they usually have a biker discount during Sturgis week. You can spend an entire afternoon there.
If you want to be befuddled, go to the Cosmos, where the gravity is all screwed up.
Don't buy the first t-shirt you see. Lots of the outlying towns sell them much cheaper than downtown Sturgis.
The Patriot Guard is dedicating the Flag Field at the Buffalo Chip at 5:00 pm, on Monday. Bring your hankerchief.
Last edited by MNPGRider; Jul 27, 2012 at 06:56 PM.
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From: In your head rent free
Good rule of thumb.
Don't try to do everything.
Pick a few main rides and build days around that. There are no shortages of beer, food, entertainment.
Downtown. Full Throttle/Chip. Sundance/Devil's Tower. Rushmore/Crazy Horse/Needles. Deadwood.
If you try to see all of it you'll be like the kid at Disney, getting dragged around tired, having a shitty time.
Don't try to do everything.
Pick a few main rides and build days around that. There are no shortages of beer, food, entertainment.
Downtown. Full Throttle/Chip. Sundance/Devil's Tower. Rushmore/Crazy Horse/Needles. Deadwood.
If you try to see all of it you'll be like the kid at Disney, getting dragged around tired, having a shitty time.