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[SilverDawg]

If this is not the correct place to post this, please feel free to move it.

We have 8 bikes ( 1 CVO and 7 "regulars") slated to make the trip north.  Taking 3.5 days to get there from DFW through Colorado.  Have a house rented in Lead for our stay in South Dakota.  I'm really looking forward to the rides and the people watching, but not looking forward to the crowds.  Good news is we can get away from it at the house, which is far enough away for some peace and quiet.  I'm going to try to document it in photos and updates along the way so you can "ride along" for my first journey to this motorcycle mecca.

Anyone else heading that way?

[GtreetSlide]

Things to know when riding the hills.

It may sound stupid but pay attention to speed limit signs, With all the traffic, you get ant-see and given a clear lane ahead there is a great temptation to haul-a$$ for a break. The chances fo a deer jumping out in front of you increase every year (they are just waiting for a ltlle break in the traffic as well). Nothing like taking a sweeper curve leaned over and pushing it to find a 1500lb Bison standing right in front of you 10-5 feet ahead.

There are many types of curve signs. An arrow with a long shaft usually indicates a sweeper. An arrow with a short shaft means sharper. A row of arrows with no shafts mean some biker will not make this curve. Diamond shaped signs usually post a location where someone has died. Two of more of these mean it's a dangerous area for sure. Lots of bikers each year enter curves too hot and don't make it. Last year we come up on one that had to be given mouth to mouth about 5 times before the ambulance got there cause he stopped breathing cause some ribs punctured a lung.

If the animals don't get you, the tourist coming around a curve a foot or more into your lane claims it's share as well. Then there is the tourist who has never seen some animal and stops dead still in his lane to watch. This is also common right on a blind curve. If you have a close encounter of the deer variety slow down. even if they are just standing beside the road they yend to jump when you get almost right up to them. if it happens: aim for their butt.... Stay off centerlines, they claim some bikes every year...

Bison or Buffalo... please be aware that they are fearless, dangerous, and can run over 30mph... The young Bulls are the meanest. but even an old Bull can be set off by loud pipes. get between a calf and a Ma and you are as good as dead. They routinely attack even large tour busses and RVs. A young Bull can open one up with a horn better than you can opener at home works...

Ride safe and get home the same condition, jb

[SilverDawg]

Good pointers.  Depressing, but helpful

[GtreetSlide]

LOL, a lot more deprsssing is it happens to you...

Everyone comes to the hills to cut loose and have some fun. Please do have a great time, but just don't end up one the statistics in the accicent reports. I know, I almost died here in 2004. Don't forget to stop by and saw hello and thanks anywhere you see an ambulance, these EMTs in the hills will be your best friend if anything bad happens.

5 years riding the Hills accident free, jb

[PR3VS56]

"regular" here.. making the trek from Central CA.  Leaving 7/31.  

[Buy early]

Me & some buds will be arriving in Hill City on the 1st for 4 nites. Is there some sort of COVHarley gathering organized for this year?

[Fired00d]

Just would like to reemphasise what GtreetSlide said about staying away from the centerline. To many have been involved in accidents because of this. Recently we had two fatalities from riders meeting head on in a curve when one crossed the center line. Staying away from the centerline is something we should be aware of and practice always when riding. Have a great time there is some beautiful scenery in the Black Hills.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[geezerglide]

Myself and 8 others are heading out from Calgarty on July 29 (me) and 2 others, the balance heading out July 31, will be going through Choteau, Montana down to Cody to drop in on Ray at his bike shop next to the Irma Hotel, then on to Spearfish arriving Friday 31 st.

The others leaving July 31 st, going through Great Falls to Crow Agency (Custer Battlefield) taking highway 212 to bell Fouche, hooking up with us in Spearfish, then they are headed to Sturgis were they have rooms at the Holiday Inn on Main Street, look out for the Alberta Plates. We are heading back on Thursday, August 6th, anybody from these parts heading down or back and this timing suits you, come and jin us for the ride.

geezerglide

[PR3VS56]

Staying away from the centerline is something we should be aware of and practice always when riding. Have a great time there is some beautiful scenery in the Black Hills.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Good reminder.  Thanks. 

[Indenial]

Get yourself one of those spring excercise deals for your left hand and start using it now, to build strength. It will cramp up in all the stop and go traffic. Also, it's hot and you're usually dehydrated which doesn't help the muscles.

[Screamin]

Silverdawg;

Lot's of cautions here and wisdom contained therein but we've been twice and had a great time. You'll ride Main Street a couple of times and decide that's enough but once you get parked you'll enjoy the people watching, walking, cruising the vendors and cooling off in one of the only open during the rally establishments. There's a lot to see in the hills and just don't be in a hurry. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Spearfish Canyon, Devil's Tower, Needles Highway, Custer State Park are all worthy destinations and make for a memorable trip. Deadwood's a gas! We stay there when we go and always have fun (even if we leave a little poorer). The weather can be real concern w/ going from very hot to hail storms so pay attention to the sky.

Wish we were going this year as I expect that, like last year, crowds will be down a little.

I'm also interested in your trip through Colorado. It's a great motorcycle state and I'm sure there will be many memories from your journey.

Have fun and looking forward to your pics.

[Smuuth]

I will be leaving Denver on Thursday the 30th.  Riding freeway to Cheyenne, then US 85 all the way into SD.  (I prefer the two lane to the freeway.)  I usually stop in Lusk for lunch at the Silver Dollar bar.  Great burgers. 

[SilverDawg]

Good advice and info from all.  I'll get the route and post it soon.  Going up will be a blast...Coming home will suck as it two days of grinding it out to get back.

[JCZ]

Good advice and info from all.  I'll get the route and post it soon.  Going up will be a blast...Coming home will suck as it two days of grinding it out to get back.

I've learned that one the hard way, over the years.  Now, I jet to where ever it is that we want to go and then take our time coming back home.  We arrive home a lot more rested and relaxed in preperation for the work week.

I was in Sturgis three years ago and heard on the news that more people are killed and injured from head-on collisions (riding to close to the centerline) than any other way.  Like anybody whose been there, I've saw a number of riders ride beyond their abilities and skills and actually come around a curve over the line.  I think that they think as long as their wheel is not over the line that the other 15 inches doen't count......especially when they're in a left hand curve (leaning even further into the oncoming lane).

[Black Label Mark]

We have 15 bikes going on our trip to Sturgis this year. Headed up the California, Oregon and Washington Coast first. Then into British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan then drop down into South Dakota.  15 days and 5000 miles.  I can't wait!