Hal @ Honda Direct Line
08-05-2005, 05:38 AM
Day ONE-Sunday
We left Marysville, Ohio around 8am Sunday after fueling and adding air to the tires. We got to Des Moines, Iowa about 6:30pm. Considering that we stopped and had a sit down lunch and spent a lot of time talking when we got gas I think that we made pretty good time. Gas was every 120 miles as my Retro has the worst gas mileage.
7 of us started out on this trip. Nate, Jason, Phil, Ed (the head), Wilbur, Lamont and myself. Phil was just tagging along as he lives in the Des Moines area and went on home last night. So that leaves six of us.
So far no big issues other then when do we put on the rain gear.
I read some of the Homecoming comments and I am glad that it worked out so well for everybody.
Sorry that we couldn’t post but our hotel did not have Internet hookup and we were unable to make any connections.
I will add some photos in a little bit.
So here is a recap of Day TWO thru Day FIVE:
Day TWO - Monday
Well we left Des Moines, Iowa this morning and made it to Rapid City, SD where our hotel was located. We averaged 72 MPH including gas and food stops. Once we got into South Dakota the temperature was over 100 degrees. Riding fast doesn’t help it seem cooler. If anything it makes it hotter.
We stopped at the Badlands Park on the way into Rapid City to check out the moonscape that is there. The road also makes a great racetrack. It is an unbelievable view throughout the entire park. Rapid elevation changes and scenery that you can’t see anyplace else.
Then we ran over to Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota. it’s a small store that now has taken over most of the town and has all kinds of stuff for sale.
Day THREE - Tuesday
Today we hit the road to do all of the touristy type stuff. We went to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mountain, the Town of Custer, and Custer Park where we were 10 feet away from a herd of about 40 buffalo. The big Alpha male buffalo had his eye on Wilburs bike and started to grunt so we decided it was time to leave.
The roads in this area are great. Every turn opens up a new vista and is so beautiful. We had a great time riding all of the roads in that area.
Day FOUR - Wednesday
We knew that today was going to be a long day as we had a lot of ground to cover so we started out early. The weather was iffy and a cold front came thru around lunch time with a lot of moisture with it. It helped cool things off but it was 50 degrees driving back to the hotel around 7PM.
We started the day by going to Sturgis to see if any one had arrived yet. We got up there around 10AM and a lot of the vendors were still setting up but quite a few bikes were there and we managed to find a t-shirt vendor that had some nice designs.
After Sturgis we went to Deadwood to eat but couldn’t find anything that was close to where we could park the bikes. We then decided to go to Spearfish Canyon and eat there. But due to a few short traffic lights we were broken up. I knew where the main group was supposed to go so I decided to run the route the opposite way so that I would see them at some point as long as they didn’t deviate.
So I ran up to the town of Spearfish and bought a pair of jeans as I was out of clean clothes. I then went north to a town called Belle Forche and headed northwest to Montana. Our goal for the day was to get into Montana while in the Wyoming area visiting the Devil’s Tower. So I made it up to Montana and had someone take a picture of me standing in front of the “Welcome to Montana” sign. This would turn out to be very important. I then headed into Montana to get to the road that runs south down to Devils Tower. I filled up with gas in Montana and headed out on the 40 miles towards the tower. I saw two cars and seven motorcycles on the road. It was an awesome road and felt really special to be in the middle of nowhere all by yourself.
I pulled into the Devils Tower parking lot to find the 5 amigos sitting there getting ready to head out. When I told them that I had been to Montana already they didn’t believe me. They wanted proof. Luckily I had taken the photo and had a gas receipt.
So Wilbur, Jason and Ed headed up toward Montana but they were very crestfallen that they had been beaten. Ed has a special story about his trip to the border but he will have to tell that one himself.
Lamont, Nate and myself headed back towards Rapid City. My gas cycle was now different that theirs so I had to stop and get gas. I knew that Lamont would stop somewhere and wait for me or get his own gas. As I came up to the Interstate 90 entrance ramp I saw them sitting in the gas staion but had already made the decision to get on. I knew Lamont would want to catch me so I stopped at the South Dakota/Wyoming rest stop to use the restroom. And sure enough he passed right back thinking that I was up ahead. I think he set a land speed record trying to catch me but he never did. Nate (who is a big boy) kept right up with Lamont on Nate’s VTX1300S.
Day FIVE - Thursday
Today was head home day but we had a few stops to make on the way. We went back to Custer and had our pictures taken dressed in western garb. I am sure Wilbur will post them. Wilbur was truly out of control. You will understand when you see the pictures.
At this point we said good-bye to Nate as he was heading to Colorado to see his sister before going back to New Hampshire. It was tough to see him go as we had a lot of fun.
From Custer we went to Hot Springs for lunch and here is where we said good-bye to Ed (the head). Once again it was tough to see him go. Especially since he had two more days in the Sturgis area to do by himself before heading back to Florida.
Only four of us are left now (Wilbur, Jason, Lamont and myself).
We headed towards the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as I wanted to see where the Wounded Knee Massacre took place. It was on the way as we were taking Highway 18 east across South Dakota. Wounded Knee was very disappointing. Very run down and several pan handlers in the parking area. We left there having completed our check list of all of the things that we wanted to do. Little did we know one of the best was yet to come.
We were still going east on Highway 18 and the road was a brand new concrete highway when we got to the Rosemead Indian Reservation. About two thirds of the way through the reservation we saw a sign that said road work ahead. It started out as a dirt road with big gravel rollered into it. We thought this was unbelievable and that the road should have been closed for all traffic let alone letting a motorcycle on it (Wilbur will post the pictures) as we went along the road got real bumpy and you had to maintain some speed to barge thru the dirt. We then hit a section that was so bumpy that we were doing motocross on our VTX’s and Lamont on his Boss Hoss. Then it got worse and actually turned to an almost 100% dirt roadway. I was afraid to stop because I figured I would bog down and never get started up again. When we finally got to the end and it turned back to asphalt we stopped and laughed and cursed. We all agreed that it was the worst road that we had ever ridden a street motorcycle on. At best they should have only allowed 4 wheel drive trucks. The whole off-road trek was 11 miles.
We got to a hotel here in Winner, South Dakota and I talked to a truck driver who runs that road every week. He said that several weeks ago he bogged his truck down to the axles and the road construction crew had to pull him out. If it had been night time or raining someone would have gotten hurt.
Jason may leave us in the morning as he is thinking about doing a 1,000 mile Iron Butt as he heads home. We have 1,050 miles to go to get back to our trucks that we left at Honda in Marysville.
We have all agreed that this has been the trip of a lifetime for each of us. We all have some new friends and some great memories.
If you ever get the chance to visit the Rapid City/Sturgis area you must do it. I now undertand why people come back year after year. The scenery is exciting, the riding is exciting and the people of that area go out of their way to be nice. it’s a special place.
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/1038tn_Stur-1.JPG
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/1038tn_Stur-2.JPG
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/1038tn_Stur-3.JPG
More photos:
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-2.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-3.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-4.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-5.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-6.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-7.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-8.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-9.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-10.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-11.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-12.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-13.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-14.jpg
We left Marysville, Ohio around 8am Sunday after fueling and adding air to the tires. We got to Des Moines, Iowa about 6:30pm. Considering that we stopped and had a sit down lunch and spent a lot of time talking when we got gas I think that we made pretty good time. Gas was every 120 miles as my Retro has the worst gas mileage.
7 of us started out on this trip. Nate, Jason, Phil, Ed (the head), Wilbur, Lamont and myself. Phil was just tagging along as he lives in the Des Moines area and went on home last night. So that leaves six of us.
So far no big issues other then when do we put on the rain gear.
I read some of the Homecoming comments and I am glad that it worked out so well for everybody.
Sorry that we couldn’t post but our hotel did not have Internet hookup and we were unable to make any connections.
I will add some photos in a little bit.
So here is a recap of Day TWO thru Day FIVE:
Day TWO - Monday
Well we left Des Moines, Iowa this morning and made it to Rapid City, SD where our hotel was located. We averaged 72 MPH including gas and food stops. Once we got into South Dakota the temperature was over 100 degrees. Riding fast doesn’t help it seem cooler. If anything it makes it hotter.
We stopped at the Badlands Park on the way into Rapid City to check out the moonscape that is there. The road also makes a great racetrack. It is an unbelievable view throughout the entire park. Rapid elevation changes and scenery that you can’t see anyplace else.
Then we ran over to Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota. it’s a small store that now has taken over most of the town and has all kinds of stuff for sale.
Day THREE - Tuesday
Today we hit the road to do all of the touristy type stuff. We went to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mountain, the Town of Custer, and Custer Park where we were 10 feet away from a herd of about 40 buffalo. The big Alpha male buffalo had his eye on Wilburs bike and started to grunt so we decided it was time to leave.
The roads in this area are great. Every turn opens up a new vista and is so beautiful. We had a great time riding all of the roads in that area.
Day FOUR - Wednesday
We knew that today was going to be a long day as we had a lot of ground to cover so we started out early. The weather was iffy and a cold front came thru around lunch time with a lot of moisture with it. It helped cool things off but it was 50 degrees driving back to the hotel around 7PM.
We started the day by going to Sturgis to see if any one had arrived yet. We got up there around 10AM and a lot of the vendors were still setting up but quite a few bikes were there and we managed to find a t-shirt vendor that had some nice designs.
After Sturgis we went to Deadwood to eat but couldn’t find anything that was close to where we could park the bikes. We then decided to go to Spearfish Canyon and eat there. But due to a few short traffic lights we were broken up. I knew where the main group was supposed to go so I decided to run the route the opposite way so that I would see them at some point as long as they didn’t deviate.
So I ran up to the town of Spearfish and bought a pair of jeans as I was out of clean clothes. I then went north to a town called Belle Forche and headed northwest to Montana. Our goal for the day was to get into Montana while in the Wyoming area visiting the Devil’s Tower. So I made it up to Montana and had someone take a picture of me standing in front of the “Welcome to Montana” sign. This would turn out to be very important. I then headed into Montana to get to the road that runs south down to Devils Tower. I filled up with gas in Montana and headed out on the 40 miles towards the tower. I saw two cars and seven motorcycles on the road. It was an awesome road and felt really special to be in the middle of nowhere all by yourself.
I pulled into the Devils Tower parking lot to find the 5 amigos sitting there getting ready to head out. When I told them that I had been to Montana already they didn’t believe me. They wanted proof. Luckily I had taken the photo and had a gas receipt.
So Wilbur, Jason and Ed headed up toward Montana but they were very crestfallen that they had been beaten. Ed has a special story about his trip to the border but he will have to tell that one himself.
Lamont, Nate and myself headed back towards Rapid City. My gas cycle was now different that theirs so I had to stop and get gas. I knew that Lamont would stop somewhere and wait for me or get his own gas. As I came up to the Interstate 90 entrance ramp I saw them sitting in the gas staion but had already made the decision to get on. I knew Lamont would want to catch me so I stopped at the South Dakota/Wyoming rest stop to use the restroom. And sure enough he passed right back thinking that I was up ahead. I think he set a land speed record trying to catch me but he never did. Nate (who is a big boy) kept right up with Lamont on Nate’s VTX1300S.
Day FIVE - Thursday
Today was head home day but we had a few stops to make on the way. We went back to Custer and had our pictures taken dressed in western garb. I am sure Wilbur will post them. Wilbur was truly out of control. You will understand when you see the pictures.
At this point we said good-bye to Nate as he was heading to Colorado to see his sister before going back to New Hampshire. It was tough to see him go as we had a lot of fun.
From Custer we went to Hot Springs for lunch and here is where we said good-bye to Ed (the head). Once again it was tough to see him go. Especially since he had two more days in the Sturgis area to do by himself before heading back to Florida.
Only four of us are left now (Wilbur, Jason, Lamont and myself).
We headed towards the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as I wanted to see where the Wounded Knee Massacre took place. It was on the way as we were taking Highway 18 east across South Dakota. Wounded Knee was very disappointing. Very run down and several pan handlers in the parking area. We left there having completed our check list of all of the things that we wanted to do. Little did we know one of the best was yet to come.
We were still going east on Highway 18 and the road was a brand new concrete highway when we got to the Rosemead Indian Reservation. About two thirds of the way through the reservation we saw a sign that said road work ahead. It started out as a dirt road with big gravel rollered into it. We thought this was unbelievable and that the road should have been closed for all traffic let alone letting a motorcycle on it (Wilbur will post the pictures) as we went along the road got real bumpy and you had to maintain some speed to barge thru the dirt. We then hit a section that was so bumpy that we were doing motocross on our VTX’s and Lamont on his Boss Hoss. Then it got worse and actually turned to an almost 100% dirt roadway. I was afraid to stop because I figured I would bog down and never get started up again. When we finally got to the end and it turned back to asphalt we stopped and laughed and cursed. We all agreed that it was the worst road that we had ever ridden a street motorcycle on. At best they should have only allowed 4 wheel drive trucks. The whole off-road trek was 11 miles.
We got to a hotel here in Winner, South Dakota and I talked to a truck driver who runs that road every week. He said that several weeks ago he bogged his truck down to the axles and the road construction crew had to pull him out. If it had been night time or raining someone would have gotten hurt.
Jason may leave us in the morning as he is thinking about doing a 1,000 mile Iron Butt as he heads home. We have 1,050 miles to go to get back to our trucks that we left at Honda in Marysville.
We have all agreed that this has been the trip of a lifetime for each of us. We all have some new friends and some great memories.
If you ever get the chance to visit the Rapid City/Sturgis area you must do it. I now undertand why people come back year after year. The scenery is exciting, the riding is exciting and the people of that area go out of their way to be nice. it’s a special place.
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/1038tn_Stur-1.JPG
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/1038tn_Stur-2.JPG
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/1038tn_Stur-3.JPG
More photos:
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-2.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-3.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-4.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-5.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-6.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-7.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-8.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-9.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-10.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-11.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-12.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-13.jpg
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4281/190Sturgis-14.jpg