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[wreckman 42]

My riden buddy and I can't go during the rally. We are thinking about hitting Sturgis in mid July and the doing some site seeing in the area. Is Sturgis worth going to when the rally is not in force? It is a 1400 mile ride from Pa.

[sadunbar]

My riden buddy and I can't go during the rally. We are thinking about hitting Sturgis in mid July and the doing some site seeing in the area. Is Sturgis worth going to when the rally is not in force? It is a 1400 mile ride from Pa.

There is nothing special about Sturgis itself without the rally, but riding the Black Hills and the surrounding area is about as good as riding gets.  Do a bit of research before you go and you can plan a fantastic ride every single day for about a solid week.  Incredible roads and views.  Deadwood is a great town to call headquarters for the week!   

[Fired00d]

There is nothing special about Sturgis itself without the rally, but riding the Black Hills and the surrounding area is about as good as riding gets.  Do a bit of research before you go and you can plan a fantastic ride every single day for about a solid week.  Incredible roads and views.  Deadwood is a great town to call headquarters for the week!   

I concur, it's beautiful out there. I've done the rally once, but would love to go back during non-rally time just to enjoy all that area has to offer w/o the crowds.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Indenial]

Actually, going when the Rally is not in progress allows for a lot more riding. It's just not a crowded and no lines. It loses some of the ambiance though.  Much safer without all the idiots. Don't miss Devil's Tower----one of the prettiest rides out there (from Sundance side). A lot of people are starting to go the week before to enjoy the riding. There are still a lot of vender booths set up that time, as they are realizing people start coming then to ride.

[wreckman 42]

I think we will hit the town for a cold one or two and so we can say we made it. We will the do some rideing around the area.

[flhse]

There is a Corvette rally in Spearfish starting on July 16 and runs through the 19th.  Probably a couple hundred Vette's running around, they have a gathering Saturday night in downtown Spearfish.  If your in the neighborhood, fun time.  I've been there a few times for it.

Enjoy the trip.

Brad

[unclejaz]

I would go again!I got there the last night of the Sturgis rally and thought it was great timing.I woke up sat morning and hit the black hills you could spend at least 3 or 4 days just riding around I rode in the day and then raced back to Gillette WY every night to watch fireworks[the covention just so happened to be there last year].I was there for a week and wish I had 1 more.You would also be 1 day from
yellowstone.I am planning a 10 day trip early July from Minneapolis Minnesota to Sandpoint Idaho via Glacier park,yellowstone,blackhills and possibly Williston North Dakota.I can't wait to get out there again.

       Here is a sample.

[Buy early]

As a native South Dakotan, I can say with certainty that any time is a great time to go to the Black Hills! The skiing and snowmobiling are great in the winter and the riding and sightseeing are great the other 3 seasons of the year.

Be aware that there is a lot of cage traffic out there during tourist season. The cages generally know about bike week and avoid the hills during that time. You can easily spend 4-5 days riding the area. Devils Tower is a day trip, the Badlands are a must see day trip. Get down to the Mammoth site in Hot Springs and up to Bear Butte outside of Sturgis. Sturgis is no great shakes except during bike week. You will miss the vendors but you will get a lot more riding done.

You will not regret going!

[Screamin]

Sad is right.

Sturgis a week after the rally

[wreckman 42]

I think that we pretty much made our minds up to go. I am looking forward to some hard riding. Not looking forward to going through Chicago though.

[unclejaz]

I took a trip from Minneapolis Minnesota to Kalamazoo Michigan and instead of going around Chicago,Gary both scary I took the ferry from
Milwaukee Wisconsin to Muskegon Michigan a very nice exspeiance.Just bring you own tie downs as theirs are questinable.Here is the name of the place lake-express.com
                                    James

[Buy early]

I agree on the ferry ride. Very enjoyable way to avoid Chicago traffic!

[LarryB]

we go the week before the rally. saves me large$ and get the best rooms. most of the vendors are set up in Sturgis the week before and drag over a couple days. The riding is better because there are less novices. ill be there the last week of july, staying at Spearfish lodge.
If you get into Rapid City, which you should, check out the Hotel Alex Johnson. way old and cool.

[Gecko]

I've gone the last sixteen years and lately go the week before.  It gets to be a wiggling mass the week of the rally, and most of what I like to do doesn't involve crowds.  Easier to get to places and in places.  It is busy enough the week before.  I'd say go whenever you can.

[GregKhougaz]

Don't miss Devil's Tower----one of the prettiest rides out there (from Sundance side). A lot of people are starting to go the week before to enjoy the riding. There are still a lot of vender booths set up that time, as they are realizing people start coming then to ride.