I want to go to sturgis. Help me!

[grandmasterchels]

Alright, I need your help/comments/suggestions/tips/anything...

I'm 19, a girl, I've had my license for maybe 5 months after doing an ABATE course, and I ride a 1982 Honda 250. I want to go to Sturgis next year, and I'll probably be traveling alone. I kind of want to try to avoid the interstate because I'm pretty sure that if a semi drove past, I would blow away. I also want to stay at the Buffalo Chip campground and camp along the way. By next year, I'll have a year's worth of experience, which may or may not be enough.

I realize how crazy this sounds. Anything anyone has to say about my travels, the Sturgis rally, the campground, anything will be appreciated. I'm sure I can do it, I just need to prepare myself properly. What do you think?

Thanks! ;)

[Uesque]

I've been riding for over 25 years, and I wouldn't stay at the Buffalo Chip alone. As for avoiding the interstate, SD only has 700K people in the entire state, once you're off the highway, it gets pretty remote, I'd be careful there also. I'd recommend staying somewhere like Rapid City or Custer where it's a little more sane.

[grandmasterchels]

hey thanks man. hopefully i can talk my dad into going with me, then it won't be as dangerous ;) . But, as of now, i have to assume that i'm going it alone.

[Uesque]

We're toying with the idea of doing an Iron Butt out there for the rally next year, might see you along the way.

[Maico Shark]

I'd for sure hook up with a group from your home area to make the trip with. Go on some local charity runs...Join the local abate group...meet and get to know some like minded bikers who will watch your back. Have fun!

[COFats]

I realize how crazy this sounds. Anything anyone has to say about my travels, the Sturgis rally, the campground, anything will be appreciated. I'm sure I can do it, I just need to prepare myself properly. What do you think?

Thanks! ;)

I am not sure it sound crazy, but a bit ambitious for sure.

First, you are probably to late in planning for this upcoming year. All lodging including campgrounds are reserved a year in advance.

Second I think you are asking for trouble at your age traveling alone, very dangerous! I think as Maico suggested you would be wise, if and when you do this, to travel with other MCist (or your dad, though I am sure he won't be as much fun). Safer and more fun. Problem is that unless you can find a group with MCs your size, you probably can't keep up and will work that 1982 MC to death. But if you know someone that is going, even if you are not able to ride along with them, make plans to connect in Sturgis. keep a list of phone numbers with you! Having a friend to share the experience makes the event safer and more fun.

Sturgis probably is not what you think it is. Its an event and big party sure, but it is a big mess. You are never quite sure weither you are in line with your MC or just parked. You may not be able to participate in many of the activities because of your age. If you do find lodging it is likely to be far from Sturgis. Driving at night is VERY Hazardous in the west! Trying to get to your camp late at night will NOT be fun or very safe for you.

Having said all that, you could do this trip if you spend the next year becoming a proficient rider. Hone your skills by getting in as many riding hours as possible. Do some longer distance rides ( 250-300 miles/day) on the type roads you plan to use going to Sturgis. Do some overnight trips, camping or motel, to see how far you can ride in a day. Keep track of your gas mpg (good isea any time) to see how far you can REALLY go between fueling stops under various conditions and speeds.

Along the route/direction you will travel there are long stretches of very windy country. Get some experience riding in the wind this year. Weather can be a real issue also. Plan for the weather, be prepared for rain, sand, etc. KNOW YOUR RIDING and SKILL LIMITS AND RESPECT THEM!!!!

Second, plan your route carefully. If you have a GPS use it to pre-identify Gas stops and distances along your chosen route. Good ones can also list other entities such as camp grounds, motels, sights along or near your route.

Have a 12 volt phone adaptor installed on your MC, easy to do for about $10.00.

You also need to think about how you will carry personal items on the MC. Saddle bags and/or a T-bag/sissy bar are necessary accessories. If you don't have them start getting them now.

To make your trip a success and a fun experience will require planning, skill, maturity and money! I wish you luck and good riding.

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats

[Uesque]

One thing I never realized was that Sturgis is not just Sturgis proper, It's really all the Black Hills, and that gives you a lot more options. There are events going on as far away as Custer and Devil's Tower, Wyoming. Deadwood, Rapid City, Hill City, Spearfish, etc. all have something going on.

Your best bet would either be to go early and make the opening weekend the end of your trip, or go late and make the closing weekend the beginning of your trip. You'll be able to do a lot more riding that way, but still get some of the flavor of the event.

I've stayed in Custer, it's really nice.

[TFee3]

Uesque is right - there are almost as many people there the week before as there are during the rally. Buffalo Chip is the worst campground you could stay in as a young girl alone. It's common knowledge that anything goes there. They have their own security team, but they try to stay out of things as much as they can. So, find somewhere else to stay, or, as the others say, go with a bunch of people. My stepson lives in Rapid City, and my best friend lives in Black Hawk, just down the road from Sturgis. They both have told me that it's interesting to see all of the things the 150+ vendors present as new products, etc., so you will have a good time.

I had a '71 250 Suzuki I rode all over the country and never had a problem keeping up with anyone. BUT, it was a 2-stroke, and it was pretty fast. I'm not sure what yours is. Also, the interstate is about the only way you can get out there from your area, especially when you get to South Dakota. We drove through the Badlands on Highway 44 on the way back two days ago, and the road in some spots would shake your boots off. Also, the only way you can get through the Badlands is stop and pay $10 to get through them. (Used to be free when I was young!) Now, it's called the Badlands National Park, and as with anything federal, you pay!

If you're not in a hurry and take your time, there's nothing to be afraid of going down the interstate. There are hundreds of bikes on the interstate during that time, and people are careful of them. I know you'll get kicked around by the wind, but it's tolerable, even though irritating. When you get into South Dakota, it won't matter what road you take. The wind is always terrible out there. I used to live there, and that was my biggest complaint, the blasted wind!

One thought - if you bring your dad with you, and you stay at Buffalo Chip, he will probably lock you in a cage the following year during rally week just to keep you from going back! It's a rough place!

Good luck on whatever you decide. We'll be out there, so maybe we'll see you. (I ride a silver C90T Suzuki Boulevard.)

[COFats]

One thing I never realized was that Sturgis is not just Sturgis proper, It's really all the Black Hills, and that gives you a lot more options. There are events going on as far away as Custer and Devil's Tower, Wyoming. Deadwood, Rapid City, Hill City, Spearfish, etc. all have something going on.

Your best bet would either be to go early and make the opening weekend the end of your trip, or go late and make the closing weekend the beginning of your trip. You'll be able to do a lot more riding that way, but still get some of the flavor of the event.

I've stayed in Custer, it's really nice.

For this rider I think staying farther away is not a good idea. If she is in Sturgis for evening activities and events it puts her on the road at night. Night driving 'home' very dangerous in that area! Wildlife, traffic, secondary roads would be dangerous for a seasoned MCer.

I think she is a pretty anbitious, somewhat naive young woman, puting her at further risk by recommending commuting outside Srurgis (day or night) probably not the best advice for her even if she can find accomodations elsewhere.

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats

[Uesque]

For this rider I think staying farther away is not a good idea. If she is in Sturgis for evening activities and events it puts her on the road at night. Night driving 'home' very dangerous in that area! Wildlife, traffic, secondary roads would be dangerous for a seasoned MCer.

I think she is a pretty anbitious, somewhat naive young woman, puting her at further risk by recommending commuting outside Srurgis (day or night) probably not the best advice for her even if she can find accomodations elsewhere.

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats

Just showing either my age or my intolerance of morons, I planned on being back at my lodgings drinking with just a few friends by dark.


An amusing aside, when we took the kids to the Black Hills on vacation we went swimming at Legion Lake in Custer park. We couldn't figure out why there were hardly any people swimming there on a hot day in August. It wasn't till we got home that we found out about the Outlaws that were shot there just a few days prior.

The ducks were prepared, though:

http://www.doofclenasmc.com/forums/image.php?u=563&type=sigpic&dateline=1196083684

[TFee3]

Uesque, we were out there when that happened. In fact, as we were returning to our son's house, three vans loaded with feds pulled them over right in front of us and arrested every one of them. I assumed at the time that they were going after the other gang to get revenge, and the feds got wind of it. We were there the entire week, and the only other incident was the guy from Kansas City stabbing a guy to death in self defense. There weren't any charges made on that one. Last year, one girl got fined $90 for taking her top off on the street, so things have really toned down in the rally areas because of the police cracking down on offenders. I think the young lady will do fine as long as she's careful.

[Moe]

Im 23/m and truthfuly I wouldnt think about taking such a big ride on my own.... You should go to some meets and get to know some people and plan the trip in a group... It will be way more fun and not to mention SAFER! Specially for a 19 year old girl...god forbid your bike breaks down in the middle of nowhere and also there are some sick people out there. Not saying you shouldnt take the trip just shouldnt do it alone. Be safe.

[Roadrash]

Uesque, we were out there when that happened. In fact, as we were returning to our son's house, three vans loaded with feds pulled them over right in front of us and arrested every one of them. I assumed at the time that they were going after the other gang to get revenge, and the feds got wind of it. We were there the entire week, and the only other incident was the guy from Kansas City stabbing a guy to death in self defense. There weren't any charges made on that one. Last year, one girl got fined $90 for taking her top off on the street, so things have really toned down in the rally areas because of the police cracking down on offenders. I think the young lady will do fine as long as she's careful.

There is no such thing as a "motorcycle gang". The abreviation M.C. stands for "Motorcycle Club". The term "gang" was made up by Hollywierd trying to promote their late 60's / early 70's biker flicks, because 1.) It sounded more intimidating and dangerous than "Club". 2.) Everyone was familiar with the term as it had been used to describe the traditional Mafia, and "Gangster" movies were very popular at the time.
After that the term was adopted by Law Enforcement as a propoganda tool to instill fear in the average taxpayer. Repeating such falsifications only serves to unfairly intimidate someone who is considering taking a first big step into an unfamiliar world.
South Dakota is very rural, for the most part. The back-roads are very scenic and colorful during the day. However, at night, your chances of finding gas, food or anything at all which is open are slim to none once you leave the Interstate. If you are travelling from East to West, Interstate 90 is your best bet, Highway 14 is probably next and then I would say Highway 212. All of these will get you directly into Surgis. It's just a matter of how "scenic" you want your trip to be.
Int 90 and Highway 30 both go through Wall, which is an interesting tourist stop. They also pass through Rapid City, which probably has just as much Rally activity as Surgis itself.
There are plenty of campgrounds in the area, many which are much quieter and uh,... saner(?) than some of the bigger and better known ones. Bulldog, for example is only five miles East of Sturgis, located right on Int. 90 and almost always has camp sights available whenever you drop in. They don't have live concerts, round-the-clock wet T-shirt contests, races, etc. but it is a nice spot to flop after a long day of Rally-going.
All the advice that COFats gave about what gear to take and things to remember is excellent, and should be taken into consideration before almost any major outing.
One popular ride which you may want to avoid until you are VERY confident in your abilities as a motorcyclist is Spearfish Canyon Road. It is a great run, scenic, lots of twisties,... and every year they scrape quite an alarming number of bikes and bikers off of the canyon walls. If you wanna ride that one, go when the Rally isn't happening.
Most importantly remember: everyone who is at the Rally had a "first time". Keep your wits about you, be as prepared as you can, travel with friends if possible and above all HAVE FUN!!!
Respects,
Roadrash
PS: I have taken both of my daughters to Surgis during the Rally, but only when they were very young. Now that one of them is in her 20's, I hope every year that she is too broke to make the trip. Daddy's little girl is always gonna be Daddy's little girl, y'know?

[TFee3]

Come on, Roadrash, the term "motorcycle gang" is as much a part of American terminology as any other term used to describe a group of bikers. What's more, I think you're a little jumpy about the term, because I doubt that anyone else thought anything of my comment. It's pretty obvious that when a bunch of bikers ride down the road all wearing vests with big swaztika's on the back that they're more of a gang than a club. Anyway, that's how the normal public still views them, right or wrong. It's common knowledge that the Hell's Angels are heavily into distributing drugs and into organized crime. I suppose you think they, too are a "club." Also, if you read lots of the posts on this forum, you'll find that most of us use the initials, MC, as an abbreviation for motorcycle.

I hope your comments concerning South Dakota were directed to the young lady and not me. I spent the first 21 years of my life growing up there.

[Roadrash]

Come on, Roadrash, the term "motorcycle gang" is as much a part of American terminology as any other term used to describe a group of bikers. What's more, I think you're a little jumpy about the term, because I doubt that anyone else thought anything of my comment. It's pretty obvious that when a bunch of bikers ride down the road all wearing vests with big swaztika's on the back that they're more of a gang than a club. Anyway, that's how the normal public still views them, right or wrong. It's common knowledge that the Hell's Angels are heavily into distributing drugs and into organized crime. I suppose you think they, too are a "club." Also, if you read lots of the posts on this forum, you'll find that most of us use the initials, MC, as an abbreviation for motorcycle.

I hope your comments concerning South Dakota were directed to the young lady and not me. I spent the first 21 years of my life growing up there.

Just because the term is "common" doesn't make it right. There are lots of "common" terms used to refer to all sorts of groups of people (ethnically, socially, religiously, etc.), but that doesn't make them accurate, or any less disrespectful. A Motorcycle Club, any Motorcycle Club, is a club,... hence the name.
Yes, I have noted that on this forum the abreviation MC is most commonly used to indicate "motorcycle(s)". I tried to differentiate by using "M.C." instead.
Does what someone wears make it acceptable to degrade them, or to assume that they are criminals?
As far as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, I will not comment on them (or any other patch-holding Club), except to say that the "common knowledge" you refer to is simply what Law Enforcement says is so. Just because it comes out of a cop's mouth or is reported by the press, doesn't make it the truth.
People outside of this motorcycle lifestyle, and people who are new to it see and hear how we conduct ourselves. If we treat others within this life with disrespect, how will they learn any different?
Maybe this is a better example. When several people ride by on performance street bikes, each with a head-to-toe color-matched outfit, it would be disrespectful to call them Power Rangers, rice-grindin' posers, crotch-rocket ridin' wannabees, stain-about-to-happens, yuppies, etc.. Of course, you could just say that those are all common terms used to refer to that particular type of motorcyclists. Although technically you'd be correct, it still wouldn't make it right.
Of course my comments on South Dakota were for the lady who originally posted asking for advice on her first ever trip to Sturgis. I was agreeing with your comments, and trying to add some additional helpful input. Hopefully she will make her trip, have a great time, and come back here to post a review and maybe even a picture or two.
Respects,
Roadrash

[TFee3]

You and I could hash this out for years on the forum, and it wouldn't make a bit of difference. People see what they see and believe what they believe to be true, and you nor I will probably change that in our lifetimes. I think you jumped on something that doesn't make a bit of difference to any of us on this forum. We already know the difference, so you're preaching to the choir, as they say.

I've known many law enforcement officers most of my adult life, and I've never heard any of them use the term, "gang", in their discussions of bikers. It might have been so back in the 50's and 60's, but at this late date, you're beating a dead horse.

And do you really think adding periods to MC is going to change anything on this forum? If you joined this forum to get us to conform to YOUR standards, you picked the wrong one. If you're that picky about things, I wonder why you even participate, because every one of us is going to insult you every day. Loosen up, partner, this isn't English class, nor is it Emily Post's etiquette class.

P.S. Evidently, you have a real hard -- for law enforcement, but that's your problem, not mine. You work it out!

[clockdaddy]

The closest I'll ever get to Sturgis is "Little Sturgis" in western Kentucky. I was going this year, but , this was one of the hottest summers on record and sleeping out in the heat (80 at night) with all the misquitos just didn't appeal to my.
The costs is outrageous. It rivals BIG Sturgis with its' camping and entry fees. I couldn't have gotten through the the weekend for less than about 5 hundred dollars.
Maybe this summer will be cooler...if it is, I might be going!

CD

[BH121869]

I have noticed that the subject of 1%r's or biker gangs, clubs whatever you want to call them has been missing on the web.
I doubt if many of you have any contact with them or idea of their lifestyle.
I have known a few of them thru the years and can say they are true bikers that are walking to a different beat than most. Several were frinds of mine raising families and they could blend in pretty well at times. They since moved on, got divorced, whatever and we lost contact.
They are a real part of our world and do exist and are a force not to be crossed. They are in every walk of live, most keep a low profile. I respect them and stay out of their way. If left alone they will do the same.
Enjoy your own biker lifestyle and be carefull who you pi-- off.
I'm just adding this so that when you are in Daytona or Sturgis or on the road you should be aware there are people that you do not scr-w with.
Sorry to get off subject here.

[TFee3]

BH, I just go my way and don't pick fights with anyone. I don't really care what they think of me, either, and if they forget that their freedom ends where mine begins, I'm going to gently remind them. If they get angry with that, then I guess it's war time. I might get my tail beat, but I'll be damned if I'm going to back down to some smartass who thinks he can push me around. I'm not big, tough, or even strong, but I am determined, and that's going to get the guy dead, just that simple. Some people are always spoiling for a fight (my brother was one of them), and I'm not walking on eggs for anyone. Grrrrrrr! :)

[vstar650]

I don't want to step on any toes ,but people are people.Some of us are just hard to take.I think the girl should be careful anytime she alone,on the road and around a few rowdy folk.Remember measure twice,cut once.

[TFee3]

vstar650, good point! I totally agree!

[bob weeks]

well I have been to a few but never as big as sturgis, stay clear of any one
that is loud and has been drinking ,the,alcoholic beverages is one of the big factors at a rally ,they get to drinking and get loud then next is a fight about
something that if the other guy said didn't say ,so stay away from the people
getting drunk and you will probably be OK hang with a friend or tow if you can
and have fun !!!riding and seeing the sights Blade :D :D :D :cool:
P.S. I also belong to a meet up group we have 115 members all family people
we are not a club just a group so if you see a big group it could be us no need to be afraid there will be a lot of groups there not at all bad ,we
are called cowtown motorcycle group.we all have a logo on our vest but we are good people ,my point is don't always judge a person by what they where
just go with the flow and be careful ,Blade