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Cruiser
Posts: 271
Belding Michigan | Finally after 43 years or riding and more miles than I can count. I think the stars are finally going to align and I get to go to Sturgis. I will be traveling with my Daughter and her husband as well as his Dad who is my riding partner. We are taking most of 2 weeks off and heading out. We are going from home by Grand Rapids Michigan up across the Bridge and thru the UP of Michigan and cross country to Rapid City SD that is our Hotel place.
I have a appointment with Sue Hopper see Signs and Wonders by Sue website she is a very talented painter. She will be in Custer and I get to have my bike painted.
My kid wants to see Mt Rushmore, Wall Drug and a number of other things as well as the bikes.
I have been there before but not when Sturgis was in progress so look out world here I come. Arch |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Sounds like fun....I just want to make AVR someday. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | last year I talked of going and never went. I'm now not going to say anything about going anywhere until I'm heading out the door... Have a great trip!!
Edited by varyder 2014-03-12 11:57 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | Like yourself, been there but never during the rally.
Guaranteed memorable for sure. Have fun |
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Cruiser
Posts: 78
| I have been there during the rally. It was an "experience". Keep on your toes riding the main roads as there are SEVERAL young/inexperienced riders that have not ridden in traffic. I enjoyed the Crazy Horse monument more than Rushmore. If you can see Rushmore at night it will take your breath away. Don't forget some warm clothing as it can get chilly in the evening.
Have fun and ride safe. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| You really should try to find a place in deadwood you'll be closer to every thing. Trust me 80% of your travels will be west of Rapid.
You can even find houses to rent. Look now rooms don't last long. Do not spend your time in the rooms get out and go. I put on 2 thousand miles riding out there a lone.
http://rapidcityjournal.com/sturgisrallydaily/news/sturgis-motorcyc... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 155
Victoria Tx, TX United States | I rode up there from South Texas in '09.. 4 nights there.. I had a blast.. Many places to see and do besides drink beer... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Lots to see in that area. Jewel cave and others are fun to walk through. Devil's Tower is a good ride. Hot Springs if you like dinosaurs. The Black Hills early in the morning. Remember the animals see 400,000+ bikes and don't respond to your horn. Stay way back from bison. I stay in Hill City.
Sign up for the Victory ride and luncheon. Do the Badlands on a "cool" day.
Have fun. |
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Tourer
Posts: 341
West Salem, WI United States | Badlands at sun up is the best time, amazing colors! |
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Fountain Inn, SC United States | And whatever you do, put BOTH feet down at the stop signs in downtown Sturgis or you WILL get pulled over. Cops lie in wait for just such an infraction. No need to 'splain how I know this. SD is a "pay or stay" state. In other words you pay for a traffic infraction on the spot or your bike gets impounded til you do. So, carry cash. How I found out?
I was enjoying the roads of Vanoker Canyon - nice twisties that you can take at 60mph. Only trouble is the posted speed is 35. Well I got nailed doing about 50. The cop was very pleasant, then said the fine was going to be $165 (he gave me a break) and asked if I had any $$ on me!!! I though I was getting a shakedown. He explained about the "pay or stay" to which I quickly dove into my wallet and started counting presidents. After emptying my wallet I went into my pockets for change. As I counted it in front of him it came to $164. <GULP> His smile got bigger, thought a second or two and said he'd spot me the buck. We did our transaction, shook hands (he really was a nice guy - and now rich) and he followed me down the mountain at 35mph back into Sturgis. My first stop was an ATM!!
BTW, many ATMs in Sturgis during bike week only dispense $50 bills and there's $10 service charge. This ain't your Grandpa's bike rally!
Later, I did see a petite lady cop pull over a biker. When she got out of the patrol car, she opened up the trunk and pulled out one of those old credit card "swipe" devices. Pretty funny.
Obey the Laws, but bring cash just in case! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Jedi Jeff - 2014-03-13 4:28 PM
And whatever you do, put BOTH feet down at the stop signs in downtown Sturgis or you WILL get pulled over. Cops lie in wait for just such an infraction. No need to 'splain how I know this. SD is a "pay or stay" state. In other words you pay for a traffic infraction on the spot or your bike gets impounded til you do. So, carry cash. How I found out?
I was enjoying the roads of Vanoker Canyon - nice twisties that you can take at 60mph. Only trouble is the posted speed is 35. Well I got nailed doing about 50. The cop was very pleasant, then said the fine was going to be $165 (he gave me a break) and asked if I had any $$ on me!!! I though I was getting a shakedown. He explained about the "pay or stay" to which I quickly dove into my wallet and started counting presidents. After emptying my wallet I went into my pockets for change. As I counted it in front of him it came to $164. His smile got bigger, thought a second or two and said he'd spot me the buck. We did our transaction, shook hands (he really was a nice guy - and now rich) and he followed me down the mountain at 35mph back into Sturgis. My first stop was an ATM!!
BTW, many ATMs in Sturgis during bike week only dispense $50 bills and there's $10 service charge. This ain't your Grandpa's bike rally!
Later, I did see a petite lady cop pull over a biker. When she got out of the patrol car, she opened up the trunk and pulled out one of those old credit card "swipe" devices. Pretty funny.
Obey the Laws, but bring cash just in case!
So THAT'S why Sturgis tolerates bikers. It's a BRILLIANT money maker for them.
I'll stay away :-) |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| with 500 thousand bikes there just trying to keep every one safe. Think of say 500 guys going down the road at 90mph would you want to ride that road.
Drink in the bars or camp sites is fine but would you want a thousand drunk standing on main street.
We go to there town so we have to do what best for all.
Yes you can get a DWI yes girls can get a ticket for showing there tits but then there are kids around.
Do as you would like to have them do if it was your town and you'll be good. Yes tickets are pricie but then if you think with your wallet before doing you'll come home with money
I love Sturgis and the country side it would be a great place to live, |
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Cruiser
Posts: 67
| I lived in the Black Hills (Hot Springs) from 1984 to 2006 off and on. Sturgis is a great time but as far as riding goes not fun because of all the lines everywhere you go. Not to mention all the inexperienced riders out there. If you get caught in bad traffic around the town just jump off and take the back streets into downtown most of the time there is no one on them. When it is 100 plus degrees it can be a life saver for sure. As far as going to see Mount Rushmore the best time of the day to go is morning account the faces, face the east and you get the best sun and views of them during that time. Now there is a road called the Peter Norbeck Byway alas the pigtail bridge road. The best way to ride it is to take HWY 79 on the East side of the hills South out of Rapid City to just South of Hermosa. Then head towards Custer State park and at the park entrance take a right and start your way towards Rushmore. Going this way you get to see the best views from the road you can imagine tunnels framing the faces all the way up. Most riders take the route from the faces out missing the best views. This is just an example of some of the best riding you will ever experience.
The other thing is if Sturgis is not that important then consider going the end of August thru Sept. The park stores are still open but all the tourists are gone kids back in school. You will find the days in the 70-80's nights cool in the 50's elevation pending. These times the riding is nothing short of incredible traffic minimal. Motel prices drop to Winter rates saving a boat load of money. Many of the gift shops are selling out inventory for 50% off and Adults mostly are all you have to deal with. If anyone here has any questions I would be happy to help I miss my hills and the riding there, but then there are many places of hidden beauty to ride in this great country.... PM me if you would like amy help making plans for your trip there........ |
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Cruiser
Posts: 67
| One example of big money saving during Sturgis if you can handle roughing it. The Deadwood KOA have overflow tent spots for 20 bucks a night last Summer. Clean showers and a shuttle that takes you into town, last shuttle returning to the campground from downtown at 11PM. Go get a bite to eat hammer a few brews and leave your bike at home.... Heck they have this deal all season will drop you off right at your tent. Best deal and no DUI worst part trying to get in your tent when it is dark and your beers are running the show.....LOL |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| are you prepared for this. Just a normal day down town sturgis and every other little town
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Cruiser
Posts: 155
Victoria Tx, TX United States | Yeap thats about right from 6am to 2am.. Looks just like the pic!! Get ready to walk!! ENJOY!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Traffic, that ain't no stinking traffic. Live here by the best beaches in southern New England then have the 2 biggest casinos open minutes away. Yes, the traffic is year round. Nothing worse than a drunk casino loser speeding home to NY or some white haired lady looking through the steering wheel going to Indian bingo.
I go to Sturgis every year. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | Rode to Sturgis Bike Week 5 times, finally got to take my wife last year. Only been at rally time , love it. We don't spend much time in town except to maybe get a t-shirt. We ride Spearfish Canyon, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, See Rushmore, which by the way, I like more than Crazyhorse, Badlands are awesome, Devils Tower is my favorite ride and destination. There is amazing riding all around. For us , it's all about the riding and landmarks. Went to my first AVR last year. I loved the plant tour but I did the whole AVR experience in one day. |
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | radioteacher - 2014-03-12 10:21 AM Sounds like fun....I just want to make AVR someday. Just do it RT. I have exactly 10 months of Victory experience but I have decided that I will simply be there at the AVR. It is all about making the decision and then doing what it takes to make it happen. I hope to see and meet you there this year. Meanwhile I am going to decide today to be there and do what it takes to make it happen. Look for me wearing a name tag that identifies me by my logon ID, OM47. I have dione this for other events and it works out well. People will read the name tag and either recognize it or not. Those who do recognize it will approach you and start up a conversation. Even for a rather shy person like me, compared to my internet personality, it works out well. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| say if you can or want ups clothes to your hotel. Then you don't have to pack as much. Ship stuff home to. there are plenty of laundry mats around and motels will do or let you do wash.
Ride the country side and go down town sturgis at nigh see the great country side |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | You will have a blast !!! Sturgis is the best bike rally in the country. The riding all around the area is awsome.......... |
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