Topic: Warning for those going to Sturgis this year (road problems) (Read 4645 times)

HoustonAgingDad · « **on:** July 09, 2017, 09:18:33 PM »

I'm currently in Rapid City SD for a bit and if the roads don't change quick, this year's really is going to be hell. I90 from Rapid to Sturgis is mostly necked down to one lane bc of road construction.

Also if you plan to go to Devil's Tower, hwy14 from Sundance out to the tower has 3 mile section of gravel road up & down hills. Lots of pure lose gravel. There's going to be bikes going down everywhere.

I don't see either project completing before rally.

kiro · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2017, 08:06:50 AM »

Thanks for this update HoustonAgingDad - definitely going to be an issue for this year's trip west...

ultrarider123 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2017, 08:29:50 AM »

Thanks for the update.

JCZ · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2017, 02:09:08 PM »

Not uncommon to see them doing road work in that area in June/July but they usually have it completed by the first week of Aug.

It looks like they plan on being completed by July 27th....... http://www.safetravelusa.com/sd/

kiro · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2017, 03:23:56 PM »

Quote

It looks like they plan on being completed by July 27th

Thanks for the update JC! Even if it's not true and they don't complete I can get Cam to believe it...

coloradotom · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2017, 07:07:31 PM »

A heads up for anyone heading over Beartooth on the way to Sturgis because there's construction on the pass and they're shutting it down at 8pm except Fri & Sat, until Mid Aug.

JCZ · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2017, 11:33:29 PM »

Quote from: coloradotom on July 10, 2017, 07:07:31 PM

A heads up for anyone heading over Beartooth on the way to Sturgis because there's construction on the pass and they're shutting it down at 8pm except Fri & Sat, until Mid Aug.

Steve from Fullsac is on his way to the Beartooth Rally, right now.

coloradotom · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2017, 02:26:59 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on July 10, 2017, 11:33:29 PM

Steve from Fullsac is on his way to the Beartooth Rally, right now.

If you have his number, send him this so he doesn't get screwed.

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/beartooth/

Road Dad · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2017, 05:57:02 PM »

It's not hard riding in gravel. No resason for any bike to go down because of it. Or if they do maybe time to learn how to ride.

CVODON · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2017, 06:21:38 PM »

Riding in gravel at highway speeds, even 35-45mph whether skilled or not, is NO FUN. I have done it when I was younger and I survived, but chips abound and impacts to your body suck. Not anything I will even start to do now that I am older and hopefully wiser. I don't even drive in gravel in my cars, sure not doing it on the bike. I like my paint too much.
Not going this year but the fact someone was willing to take the time to make this posting and then someone else to investigate the date it is supposed to be corrected is very much appreciated by everyone I'm sure.

Road Dad · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2017, 06:37:44 PM »

I disagree. Riding gravel roads are lots of fun, and 95% of the worlds roads are unpaved. Personal choice I guess. Ofcorse more fun on a dual sport with knobbies but no problem on a HD with street tires. Most local gravel roads have a speed limit of 55 mph around MI. Faster in Europe.

coloradotom · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2017, 07:04:59 PM »

Quote from: Road Dad on July 11, 2017, 06:37:44 PM

95% of the worlds roads are unpaved.

There is a HUGE difference in gravel road and unpaved. I remember NM 465 and that is a 65mph highway that turns to dirt and mud. Its all good until a local in a pickup is hammering on it and you gotta get out of the way.

Also remember a long time back the dang off-ramps in rural WY were gravel and there weren't signs. Wasn't fun discovering that at 75 I tell ya that.

J.D. · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2017, 08:02:19 PM »

That little gravel can wreak havoc on drive belts (even with the guards in place).

ultrafxr · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2017, 11:40:41 PM »

Several years ago while in Yellowstone NP I had to ride several miles of gravel due to road construction. No big problem until an idiot in a big SUV passed and threw up gravel resulting in busted headlight and nice big dent/chip on my front fender. Another time resulted in damage and subsequent leaking of my oil cooler. I'm definitely not averse to riding some gravel when absolutely necessary but given any reasonable choice I'll avoid it if at all possible on my nice CVO. Big heavy touring bikes fully loaded and two up is just no fun in gravel and the possible damage makes it real chitty. Just sayin.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2017, 11:50:57 PM »

Quote from: ultrafxr on July 11, 2017, 11:40:41 PM

Several years ago while in Yellowstone NP I had to ride several miles of gravel due to road construction. No big problem until an idiot in a big SUV passed and threw up gravel resulting in busted headlight and nice big dent/chip on my front fender. Another time resulted in damage and subsequent leaking of my oil cooler. I'm definitely not averse to riding some gravel when absolutely necessary but given any reasonable choice I'll avoid it if at all possible on my nice CVO. Big heavy touring bikes fully loaded and two up is just no fun in gravel and the possible damage makes it real chitty. Just sayin.

Worst I ever found was mud instead of gravel. Would have taken gravel in a heart beat that day. Spring of 2002 on a long trip and dropped out of Canada then came across Lake Champlain east toward Maine. Not very far in to Maine on US 2 and saw first construction warning saying construction started in 1/2 mile.

Got to the construction point and the road stopped. Dirt road bed on a rainy day with no place else to go. Had to keep at least 1/4 mile back behind the car in front or simply couldn't see. Rear end of the bike swimming side to side and car behind me honking like a moderator in a misplaced thread factory if I dropped below 50. Had what I think I remember as almost 15 miles of that. When finally got on to destination of Ellsworth that evening I looked like the Pillsbury DoughBiker. Sometimes the mess just isn't up to us. We'd best be able to make the best of it if we have to.

9 1/2 Beers · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2017, 08:05:27 AM »

Quote from: Road Dad on July 11, 2017, 05:57:02 PM

It's not hard riding in gravel. No resason for any bike to go down because of it. Or if they do maybe time to learn how to ride.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2017, 08:18:17 AM »

Quote from: 110 Mofo on July 12, 2017, 08:05:27 AM

He was obviously not one of those nicest people you ever met writing a Honda.

Road Dad · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2017, 11:51:46 AM »

Or riding

Quote from: Twolanerider on July 12, 2017, 08:18:17 AM

He was obviously not one of those nicest people you ever met writing a Honda.

HoustonAgingDad · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2017, 12:19:44 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on July 12, 2017, 08:18:17 AM

He was obviously not one of those nicest people you ever met writing a Honda.

I wasn't going to reply but no kidding. This guy obviously has never seen the area during Rally time. They peak at over a million attendees! Now just imagine if only 25% of those go to Devils Tower (which btw is a major attraction/riding destination during rally). You have tens of (or hundreds of???) thousands of bikes, packing the roadways to and from the tower. Now just guess how many of those are less than ideally skilled riders. Yeah, YOU might be fine on gravel hills but those others going up and down may not. And when someone in a crowd like that dumps it on the gravel road, you and the other couple of thousand riders around you are making evasive maneuvers on gravel.

I just don't get some people. You try to be helpful and you get this kind of response. (I've noticed that fortunately most of this forum is not like that. The vast majority are helpful.)

HoustonAgingDad · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2017, 12:23:41 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on July 10, 2017, 02:09:08 PM

Not uncommon to see them doing road work in that area in June/July but they usually have it completed by the first week of Aug.

It looks like they plan on being completed by July 27th....... http://www.safetravelusa.com/sd/

thanks for the link JC. I'll add that to my bookmarks. I don't see how they'll get the construction done but MAYBE they can on the highway. the signs on the way to the tower said completion was slated for October. (even then I don't see how). fingers crossed for those here during rally.

I plan to be outta here by then. It's just too crowded imho. (not knocking those that enjoy it. it's just not for me.)

Road Dad · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2017, 06:17:31 PM »

Did not mean to offend anyone. I been to trailer week 13 times so far so I know the crowds.

Indenial · « **Reply #21 on:** July 25, 2017, 03:13:18 PM »

Any updates on the roads? Are they gonna make the 27th?

kiro · « **Reply #22 on:** July 25, 2017, 03:31:15 PM »

Quote

Any updates on the roads? Are they gonna make the 27th?

You heading out for the 77th Fred? I'm riding west this Friday - Cam and I are stopping in Milwaukee for a few days and will get into SD on Monday... No matter how poor a condition the roads may be around Sturgis I doubt they'll be much worse than many between home and South Dakota.

HoustonAgingDad · « **Reply #23 on:** July 25, 2017, 03:55:26 PM »

Quote from: Indenial on July 25, 2017, 03:13:18 PM

Any updates on the roads? Are they gonna make the 27th?

I'm back in TX now. I'll ask my inlaws if they opened the highway yet. There's no way in Hell that the road to the Tower is paved by now though.

ultra13 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 25, 2017, 09:39:34 PM »

Yep, great road update...Been to rainy Laconia bike week and rode muddy back roads and not real happy when they tar and chip roads here in Ohio! Heading to Sturgis Saturday...Now that I know Steve (fs) is going to be there is he going to have a display? Maybe a "Bike Week" deal? lol I may have to buy my pipes early!

Indenial · « **Reply #25 on:** July 30, 2017, 06:58:59 PM »

Hey Kirk, yeah I'm heading out thursday afternoon, go half way, then other half on Friday morning. That way I'm not beat when I get there. Coming home in one day on Monday. Short trip, but I can see everything I need to see. FC

Dean_Nelson · « **Reply #26 on:** August 04, 2017, 11:21:54 AM »

and if you want to see what going on, if you load up that safe travel USA, for S.D. they have all the cameras up and down all of 90 and the roads in the black hills.
fun to look each day and see all the bikes on the road going and coming all day long.

Dean Nelson

Author Topic: Warning for those going to Sturgis this year (road problems) (Read 4645 times)

ultrarider123

J.D.