Bike Week - Circumnavigate or Run for Cover?

[Pacific]

We were heading for Mt Rushmore, the Devil's Tower, and Belle Fourche, but would wind up in that area on August 2nd. Bike Week starts in Sturgis on the 3rd. For all kinds of reasons (not least of which is a new BMW with RED seat), I don't want to attend the rally, not even accidentally, and I don't want to increase unnecessarily my chances of running into trouble of any sort. Question is, how wide a berth should I give the festivities, in days and/or miles?

Jay

[Donson]

Jay, You would have no trouble, nowdays, due to Your marque. I just spoke to a Buddy of mine, who is leaving for Sturgis. He had just talked to another Bud, who is already there. The place is already starting to hop, as of this afternoon. With all the inbound traffic, from all points of the compass, I would give it a WIDE berth, just to avoid traffic.

[Pacific]

Thanks, Don. The red seat comment was (mostly) tongue in cheek. The ral issue is traffic and the desire to avoid the risks that go with large groups of riders.

Jay

[DarthRider]

Jay I've been there twice and I'd advise minimum 50 miles from the Sturgis, Deadwood, Spearfish area to avoid *too* much traffic & monkey business. I-90 is probably OK but I'm not sure, haven't been on it much.
100 miles would be better or whatever you can. Even then be careful.

There is always "going to" and "going home" traffic, plus guys out for day rides.
Shoot for early AM to get though "day ride" territory, while many are sleeping off last night or are in town.
The later it gets the heavier the traffic, then in mid-late afternoon you start getting the stoned and/or drunk heroes. Watch faster corners very closely as some will start feeling like Kenny Roberts on their bar hoppers, then can't make them turn and run wide, often well over the double yellow. Head-on collisions happened both years I was there. One involved a drunk who went over the double yellow and hit a car. With his 7 year old daughter on the back. She was DOA, he walked away.
It's not unheard of the meet a "patch club" or wannabes running on the yellow, 1 sometimes 2 wide. Usually side by side. I don't know if they would yield or not...and I'll never know!

But make yourself a promise: That you will visit the Black Hills area again...well before or after the Sturgis Rally. Incredible riding, scenery, great roads, cool little towns, Custer State Park and much more.:ricky:

[Pacific]

Thanks, Dave. We're usually on the road by 7:00 and done by about 3:00. I think we'll head north and then run west through ND and Montana. I'll get there again for sure.

Jay

[Deans BMW]

Jay, you are still going to seea ton of Sturgis related traffic. Call way ahead for motels.

[Pacific]

Jay, you are still going to seea ton of Sturgis related traffic. Call way ahead for motels.

Check.

[DarthRider]

Thanks, Dave. We're usually on the road by 7:00 and done by about 3:00. I think we'll head north and then run west through ND and Montana. I'll get there again for sure.

Jay


Jay, the "touristy" places like Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower, Custer, etc. are fine, it's just the roads to & from at times that can be a problem.
The fact that you started this thread tells me you will be fine.

Some of my favorite pics are from that area...
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Daves-Images-Travel/Surgis-06-118/92409722_qQZ84-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Daves-Images-Travel/Surgis-06-125/92409729_RS3qJ-XL.jpg
After your trip I'll tell you some stories.

[vintagemxr]

Sturgis 24 hour Webcams (http://www.wwolf.net/webcam/sturgis.htm) to follow the fun, more or less.

the other Doug

[jamming]

Sturgis used to be cool. In the late 70's to the late 80's it was THE rally to go to. Everyone was cool to each other no matter what you rode. Then the dumbasses decided HD was THE ride to have and the posers started showing up. Now its about selling T-shirts and chrome, getting drunk and tattoed and how many pictures of tits you can get. It ain't about the ride anymore. Hell, Daytona bike week is just as bad. Arizona bike week is Daytona West. We love to make fun of them.

Avoid it like the clap. Go ride the Black Hills when the posers ain't there, you won't be sorry. The locals are great and the roads and scenery are too.

[Donson]

I think Roger stays up late , under the sheets with a Harley brochure, and a flashlight, until His Mom yells at Him.....:028:

[jamming]

I think Roger stays up late , under the sheets with a Harley brochure, and a flashlight, until His Mom yells at Him.....:028:


I'm busted... :)

LOVE the new HD's, just not in to the HD "lifestyle". I've often said there just might be an HD Bagger in my future. I guess I'm a bit miffed as Sturgis and the BMOA Rally used to be the 2 rallys I ALWAYS made it to. Then "they" screwed Sturgis up and made it about the party and not the ride.

I'm here to tell you, Sturgis used to be special in the old days. It just had a special feeling. Everyone from 1%ers to BMW riders got along, had a few beers and rode and rode and rode. The only trailers you saw were the ones that the bikes in the classic bike show came on. Look at it now, along with Daytona, etc. Bike week my ass.

[Donson]

"back when Our machines were held together with chewing gum , and baling wire.....and You know, You took real pride in just GETTING there....." Jimmy Stewart, FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX.

[isiahstites]

How did you take the last pic Dave? Mounted camera or was it in your throttle hand?

[DarthRider]

How did you take the last pic Dave? Mounted camera or was it in your throttle hand?

Throttle hand.
I wasn't going very fast...I was following Harleys.:remybussi:

[JCsman]

Ho Lee Katz*!

My baby sister is heading for the belly of the beast as we speak. Katie and hubby are in SD on the way to Sturgis.

I'd never have guessed. I knew Jerry rode, but STURGIS!?!?!

I guess I should note that my Sis and I are nothing alike. She's attractive, classy, slim and sophisticated. I'm.... well, ....you know.

Geez, I didn't even know Sturgis had a Four Seasons.

FWIW she's the managing editor of two magazines in Kansas City. One on style, the other on the cultural side of KC. If she writes an article on the trip I'll see if I can post it here.


* My Korean, Jewish cousin.