Topic: Sturgis W/O Rally (Read 2159 times)

wreckman 42 · « **on:** May 25, 2009, 04:21:58 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2009, 04:28:15 PM »

Quote from: wreckman 42 on May 25, 2009, 04:21:58 PM

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2009, 04:42:18 PM »

Quote from: sadunbar on May 25, 2009, 04:28:15 PM

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2009, 05:29:51 PM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2009, 05:42:38 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:50:16 PM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:59:11 PM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2009, 11:04:29 PM »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2009, 11:38:38 PM »

Sad is right.

Sturgis a week after the rally

wreckman 42 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2009, 12:06:50 AM »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2009, 01:27:57 AM »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2009, 08:47:47 AM »

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

LarryB · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2009, 09:32:47 AM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2009, 12:40:04 PM »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2009, 01:21:47 PM »

Quote from: Indenial on May 25, 2009, 05:29:51 PM

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.

GregKhougaz · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2009, 01:23:46 PM »

Sturgis bike wash:

GregKhougaz · « **Reply #16 on:** May 26, 2009, 01:25:33 PM »

Do not miss Mt. Rushmore:

GregKhougaz · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2009, 01:26:53 PM »

Or, Crazyhorse:

GregKhougaz · « **Reply #18 on:** May 26, 2009, 01:29:11 PM »

Or the Badlands.

Dan_Lockwood · « **Reply #19 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:08:57 PM »

Quote from: unclejaz on May 26, 2009, 01:27:57 AM

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

How long ago did you do the ferry boat? I thought it was Manitowoc WI to Ludington MI. There used to be two lines, but the Badger is the only ferry I'm aware of anymore and it does the above route.

That being said, I'll change back to the thread.

In '06, my first trip to Sturgis, we stayed in Keystone. This is about 2 miles from Mt. Rushmore. We got there Sunday afternoon of the Rally week. It was busy, but not what I would call really packed. We could do just about anything we wanted to do without lots of waiting. It's close to Custer Nat'l Park, Needles highway, Wind Cave Nat'l Park and the ride from there up to Deadwood is great. Spearfish, where you're staying, is also nice and a bit closer to Devil's Tower and Sturgis. The Badlands are great and you have to stop in Interior for a drink and a burger while going to the Badlands.

The second trip there was last year, '08. Again we stayed in Keystone. We arrived mid rally week on Wednesday night. We did the Sturgis thing on Thursday, but we didn't do the walking through the vendors out on the main drag. I really missed the vendors last year because of other plans. Then we always go back to Sturgis on Sunday to get the 4/$20 T-shirts etc. Anything with a date on the shirt is discounted very deeply.

We stayed the next week and left for home on Friday following the rally week. This was great for riding, but I'll have to admit I did miss the bikes. I like to look at them and admire the old ones that make the trek to the Holy Land.

If it were an option again, I'd go the week before and do most of my riding then. I'd probably leave on Wednesday during rally week. This would get you riding and some bikes the first week and you'd get the full on affect of the rally doing Sturgis either Sunday or Monday.

Actually being there twice has been enough for me. I'm looking for other areas for my riding vacation. Myrtle Beach is out, Daytona is just the town. Riding in the middle of Florida is very boring to me and the scenery is less that viewable. I'll admit that southern Florida has not been an area I've been in so it may be worth doing. I have a friend that lives about 20 miles from Deal's Gap and the Dragon's Tail, so that might be a quick area to ride through. I feel that the Appalachian mountains might be some very good riding as they are pretty much the full length of the east coast.

Good luck to wreckman 42 on your trip. Ride safe...

Berk · « **Reply #20 on:** May 26, 2009, 03:04:47 PM »

Quote from: LarryB on May 26, 2009, 09:32:47 AM

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.

Anyone going ck out Black Hills State University dormitories for lodging very reasonable. Located in the town of Spearfish. Dorms available week before and week during rally. My wife and I stayed last year and definitely would do it again. there Phone # is 1-800-255-2478 or 1-605-642-6464

wreckman 42 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 26, 2009, 11:18:06 PM »

Thanks for all the replies. I am looking forward to seeing the sites in the black hills area. Really getting tired of the same stuff in our area. Gotta go while I can before I can't. Ride safe!

2009FLTRSE3 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 27, 2009, 12:59:12 AM »

last year me and dad on my 07rk

2009FLTRSE3 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:01:00 AM »

devils tower 08

hogasm · « **Reply #24 on:** May 27, 2009, 07:45:10 AM »

I have said that WHEN I go back to Sturgis it will be the week before or after the rally

Less crowds to enjoy the riding and still take advantage of some of the festivities of the rally

willymax4 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 28, 2009, 10:11:34 AM »

don't forget to check out a view of mt. rushmore that a lot of people don't take the time to see.

unclejaz · « **Reply #26 on:** June 03, 2009, 12:06:23 AM »

Hi Dan the last time I took the ferry was 2006 but I just checked the web site and the ferry is still running.lake-express.com

sem_bunda · « **Reply #27 on:** June 10, 2009, 05:40:09 PM »

Wreckman, pick up a Mad Maps probably from your local dealer - they have great routes planned out already all around Sturgis, into WY and MT even, including all the hot spots mentioned here. Sturgis area Mad Map is one most dealers have. We are headed up there the week before the rally too, launching from Rapid City for 3 days, riding up from Dallas area.

grandpadoc · « **Reply #28 on:** June 11, 2009, 06:02:41 PM »

Week before, great idea.

Doc

Author Topic: Sturgis W/O Rally (Read 2159 times)

hogasm