The plan is coming together nicely. GF and I are going out with another couple for the 74th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. It'll be the first time for all of us. We'll be leaving Vt on the Wednesday before the rally. Planning 3 day's for the 30 hour trip towing a trailer with 3 motorcycles in it. We'll be staying at the Buffalo Chip in the south 40 zone. The plan is to stay for the week, leaving Sunday for the trip back east. Looking forward to some great riding, concerts and a great trip in the coach. It'll be our first long trip in the the new to me Class A.Any tips or advise are always welcome along with must see's either there or on the trek west. Also if anyone else is planning to attend we'd love to hear from you.

If you post the route & states you're traveling we can give better input. Posting your interests helps too.

Pretty much planning on I90 from NY to SD. I did this route in the late 80S and remember all the Wall Drug signs and the Corn Palace. Stopped at both and plan to again. I also remember a lot of long straight roads through farm country. We're going to dry camp while traveling and plan to take advantage of Wally World, Cabela's and truck stops along the way.

You are missing the best part. Those bikes should Not be on a trailer!

I know you've done the trip before but, that's three long days of driving to cover the distance.Here's some additional places to overnight if you didn't see them on the forum in the past.Free CampgroundsFree CampsitesCasino CamperI like to use Roadside America when traveling.Maybe you can find something of interest.Enjoy your trip and Sturgis.

Ride out to Hulett, WY on Wednesday of bike week, good party ... it's near Devils' Tower and that is worth a stop.. a bit over an hour from Sturgis . Go up Spearfish Canyon, stop at the lodge at the top for one of their bloody mary's .. then head to Deadwood. Make sure you get to Custer State park,Needles Highway and Mt. Rushmore along with a stop in Keystone. The Badlands is also worth a ride thru, though a bit further away. We also do a 3 day trip from FL to get out there. Going into Sturgis during the day can be a bit of a challenge with all the traffic, what we do is stop at the KOA in Belvidere, it right off the interstate. Relax and then head into Sturgis in the a.m before traffic builds up. It's about 2 hrs from the KOA to the Sturgis exit There is lots of great riding out there and lots of back roads to explore. We won't be there this year , but probably will go for the 75th

Sturgis 2014 | Good Sam Community

SBL9A
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
FYI...Highway 16 is torn up between Custer City and New Castle.(construction)
LowRyter
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
the riding is really great from Deadwood on south to Cuter SP and Spearfish Canyon, at least when it's not bikeweek.

Bikeweek is for partying -too much traffic for riding.

Next time I go, I'd like to stay at the Chip too.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2014
Vt Rv wrote:
usmohls2@yahoo.com wrote:
You are missing the best part. Those bikes should Not be on a trailer!

I don't disagree! But staying at the Chip I prefer an RV to a tent and sharing a toilet and shower with a few thousand other drunks. It will be much more enjoyable once we're there and we'll still want to ride.

Friends from Vt road out the first year they went and didn't want to ride once there. The second year they took the Harley in the back of the truck and explored the area.

I probably wouldn't be going if the girls were looking at sleeping in a tent for the week. We've done week to 10 day long trips on the bike and found we enjoy a much slower pace. One or two 8-10 days on the bike are ok but Sturgis would be pushing it for us.

Looking forward to the concerts and party at the chip.

When you get there and unload the bikes, if they are too clean you can throw some mud and dirt on them (and yourself) and then you can ride into town and nobody will know you trailered the bikes in. :) And people do actually do this!
bobsallyh
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2014
Leather, Lace, Chrome, Tattoos, and body paint. Americana at it's best!
SBL9A
Explorer
Jul 02, 2014
We have been there many times. I've trailered and ridden there. It is fun either way.

Tips:
Take extra money/credit card for emergencies.

Be patient. The Beer trucks are the only vehicles that get the "right of way". I have seen it.

The Buffalochip is a wild party.

Watch out for the cattle trucks. (Don't ask)

Put both feet down at stop signs.

My ride priorities:
Spearfish Canyon
Vanocker Canyon
Needles Highway
Iron Mountain Road

Bars:
Easy Rider
One Eyed Jacks
Full Throttle Saloon
cman60
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
Been going since 1990, it's agreat time.
johntank
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
JoeH wrote:
Ride out to Hulett, WY on Wednesday of bike week, good party ... it's near Devils' Tower and that is worth a stop.. a bit over an hour from Sturgis . Go up Spearfish Canyon, stop at the lodge at the top for one of their bloody mary's .. then head to Deadwood. Make sure you get to Custer State park,Needles Highway and Mt. Rushmore along with a stop in Keystone.
The Badlands is also worth a ride thru, though a bit further away.
We also do a 3 day trip from FL to get out there. Going into Sturgis during the day can be a bit of a challenge with all the traffic, what we do is stop at the KOA in Belvidere, it right off the interstate. Relax and then head into Sturgis in the a.m before traffic builds up. It's about 2 hrs from the KOA to the Sturgis exit

There is lots of great riding out there and lots of back roads to explore.

We won't be there this year , but probably will go for the 75th

I agree with the places to ride and would add Iron Mt. wish I could find one of my old maps as it would help me to remember some the places to go, as my last trip was 09. have fun, enjoy and be safe.
OFDPOS
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
What kind of trailer for the bikes ? Hopefully an enclosed one !
We are holding off till 2015 , we both will be turning 50 and it will be the 75th. Look for us we'll be on the Black Harley... ;)

Went there in 05 for the 65th. All I can say is ride like you are invisible (nobody sees you even other bikes on the road !!!)and try not to be stuck out at night on the bike !!
John_S_
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2014
You can drive the MH thru the badlands loop. Stop and see the corn palace in Mitchell too. That is a long trip so you will not have much time for sightseeing along the way. You can stop in Wall and see Wall drug for a break too. I can make western Iowa in two days from VA and those are 10 hour days. It is another ten to Sturgis from there. The issue is that if you have three back to back days like that it will be hard to see much. The choke points will be around Chicago. You can lose a couple hours. Might want to build in an extra half day. Leave Tuesday night and get 200 to 300 miles done. Makes the next three days easier.
Vt_Rv
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
Bombfixer wrote:
I will be coming up from Alabama with my toyhauler. Bringing my Heritage Classic with me. I agree with driving the Needles Highway and Spearfish canyon. Lots of good back roads to ride. Afterwards stop by and have a beer. I will be easy to find. I'm the toyhauler with the Stripper Pole on the back porch.

Bomb - Where are you staying?

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