Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[HoustonAgingDad]

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]

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

[ultrarider123]

Thanks for the update.

[JCZ]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.]

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

[ultrafxr]

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]

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.