- A Motorcycle Ride Report /w Pics - Sturgis 2012' - Page 4:
The landscape is more varied here compared to the paved park road.
Bad water
I reach my friend Don on the phone, he and Stef, his new bride just finished checking in their place near Rapid City. Our plans were set before the ride and they will still work, meet at a shade tree ten miles north of Rapid City. I didn’t realize it was a dirt road, their riding an old Road King. I wait and wait in 95-degree weather.
The dirt road running from Rapid City to Sturgis. My friend Don and Stef handle it no problem but their Harley developed a loose shift lever.
At least the scenery is better then riding the freeway.
Fifty miles of loose gravel roads, we saw only one other vehicle.
While pulling into civilization it looks like an RV convention is happening.
Its the famous Buffalo Chip campground. This may be where I camp tonight, me along with twenty thousand other bikers.
But first I gotta show Don and Stef this little bar I know of, its hard to miss.
Right away, another biker offers to take my photo. OK
Then she rides off. Say what!
The newly weds, what a fun couple, and Don is into bikes big time, he has a couple Italian motorcycles that he loves “but not for two-up” he says. Smart man.
I’ve been here several times in the past and I always park here, in front of AngieLand.
Angie says “Hi! How ya doing?, Its been a while”
Its nice to see old friends. A photo of Angie is one of my all time top photos on smugmug.
I know some people hate Sturgis but I have no problem with it. I’ve been here less then an hour and I’ve already meet an old friend and four new friends. But I still wish Heidi was with me :grin
But I’m here for the bikes, enough goofing around. You can look around for days and not see ten percent of the cool bikes. Sturgis rocks, that is if you can look past the Sturgis ‘whatever crap’ and focus on what it is all about, the Largest Motorcycle Rally in the World.
Don and Stef’s loose shift lever needs attention, and yes, they rode from Barron Wisconsin on that old Road King. Don has always owned a couple motorcycles or three and is constantly looking at the next ride, a real biker and definitely enthusiastic about the sport. Anyway, their bike is being worked on by a busy staff of mechanics at the Full Throttle Saloon, their told it could be hours and it will cost $800. Ouch, my shift lever problem in the Dominican Republic cost me 300 pesos (~$25US), and that included three separate tips. Oh well, it’s an old Harley Davidson and its Sturgis Week, it ain’t gonna be cheap.
Don and Stef are good-to-go as they enjoy their honeymoon riding Sturgis. I have a schedule and need to keep moving.
A quick tour of Main Street is a must. If ya don’t do Main Street, ya didn’t do the rally. (Cheesy grin)
Nothing but bikes, what is not to like!
And people.
This couple looks familiar, humm…
Its not the same here without Heidi. The Buffalo Chip will have to wait, I’m sure there will be plenty of others to keep the party going. And, I have to get going to my next destination, the international border with Canada in northern Minnesota, Rainey Lake. This is exactly what I wanted, a great ride with a great spot to enjoy a beer as I take the long way to Rainey Lake.
I’m out of here, Sturgis 2012’ short and sweet, win-win.
Hwy 34 east from Sturgis
After Pierre I skirt along the Missouri River again looking for a public use area along the river. I know I’m going to ride until the last light, it makes the need to find a camp more urgent and to me, more fun. What is wrong with me!
Super timing
It would be hard to pick a better campsite if I had all day to look.
This is good primitive camping for sure
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