gunkylump Posted February 6, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 6, 2011 Beth has decided that this year it's the Black Hills, Deadwood, Sturgis, Spearfish and all for our vacation ride. When is the best time to ride these parts? We don't want to be part of the rally in Sturgis, but would like to have been there type thing before the mad rush. So, weather wise......realizing that ol' Mother Nature doesn't always co-operate.....when do you think is the best time to head that way? gunk:think: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlh3rd Posted February 6, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 6, 2011 we went in august a few years ago....3 days before the rally.......it was perfect for us......but you cannot predict the weather.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merrride Posted February 6, 2011 Share #3 Posted February 6, 2011 september, after the leaves have changed, the crazies are gone and the kids are in school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunkylump Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted February 6, 2011 Pardon my lack of knowledge of the area...but is the weather still ok in the mountain passes to ride comfortably? We would like to miss out on all the crazies, that's for sure.....but we do enjoy warm weather when we ride. Is there a "rainy" season/time of year there to watch out for? gunk:think: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merrride Posted February 6, 2011 Share #5 Posted February 6, 2011 you might want to try early July, the reason being is it seams as though the rally ends up being a three week event, one week before and one week after.As fore the weather in early sept. I would think you would be fine.But since I live in south dakota one has go to deel with weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted February 6, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 6, 2011 We went the first week of July in 07 and it was too darn hot. Over 100 the whole time we were there. But had a great time. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlh3rd Posted February 6, 2011 Share #7 Posted February 6, 2011 the days we went before the rally, there were no crazies.....you could get a hotel when you wanted....you could eat when you wanted, no lines....ride all the roads with no crowds....see the monuments, no parking problems....yet there were just enough bikes and vendors around to feel a part of being in sturgis..........but you cannot predict the weather...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bj66 Posted February 6, 2011 Share #8 Posted February 6, 2011 Any time is a good time to go to the Black Hills. I live in the eastern part of SD. Early part of July can be hot. Late summer crossing the state to get there, you can run into grasshoppers if its dry (not fun and a mess). But I have had friends that have went out in early fall and said it doesnt get any better than that. The fall colors are awesome. My advice to you, is just do whatever works best for you. When ever I go, I know the Hills are going to be 10 or 15 degrees cooler than where I am at in summer, and the same as far as warmer in the fall. So for me, there is no bad time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryan52577 Posted February 6, 2011 Share #9 Posted February 6, 2011 In 2009 we spent a week, the weekend of July 4th and the following week. We had a blast, no traffic, no lines of people and great weather. (TIP Do the Badlands in the morning hours! It do get hot!) We stayed in Rapid City and made day trips out of there. Went to Devils tower, Caught the Corner of Montana and even North Dakota (for my map). A lot of great riding too. We even went to a few places my friends that have went out during the "Sturgis Rally" didn't even know about. (They went last year where we went and could not believe they had not found them in the 10 years they have been going!) Lisa really liked Custer park riding through the Buffalo and deer, "went through three times going both ways". Check the map, if you ride the "Iron Mountain Road" going from Custer park, the tunnels on Iron Mountain road will frame Mt Rushmore as you come out, don't want to miss that, pretty cool pictures that way. Have fun and send for the Black Hills tour info, it will help to make your vacation a great one. IMHO Bryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Haywood Posted February 6, 2011 Share #10 Posted February 6, 2011 First full week of September Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted February 6, 2011 Share #11 Posted February 6, 2011 We will be riding some of it either just B4 or during the VR International Rally if I choose to spend a day away from Cody that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted February 6, 2011 Share #12 Posted February 6, 2011 The only time I have ridden that area was during bike week. I tell you, it was an experience. I would love to go back and ride it when things are less crowded but I also very much enjoyed it during the time I was there. Anybody who rides a motorcycle should try to make bike week at least once during their life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunkylump Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted February 6, 2011 29 degrees over there Boss? Wow! Same here! There's a large group from our local SCRC #334 going over that way this year....I'm just not much for oversized crowds like that.....Port Dover on a Friday the 13th wears real thin on me in a few hours....funny how things change. Ahem...er...30 years ago I would have been in the thick of it...not now. We're getting a feel for what time is best to go....I'd really like to go the first two weeks of September.....just don't want to ride in snow! I get enough of that here at home It's been a long time "bucket list" item for me to get to Deadwood, ever since that series on television a few years back. Colorado is also part of the list....and we have to get over to D.C. as well, visit all the museums and stuff there....and the list goes on...and on...it seems to grow a heck of a lot quicker than I have vacation time for. The balloon festival in Albequerque, New Mexico......oh man, it never stops! Anyways, I appreciate your and everyone else's input and insights into my request, and someday I hope to respond in kind! gunk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted February 6, 2011 Share #14 Posted February 6, 2011 Yea, we are having a warm spell. Still plenty of snow though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyR Posted February 6, 2011 Share #15 Posted February 6, 2011 The weekend after the International Rally in Cody is when I'm going to ride it. Want to come along? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBJ Posted February 6, 2011 Share #16 Posted February 6, 2011 Tailfeather has been there couple of times in Mid June when the local tribes have their Sundance celebrations. Celebration of the longest day of the year . Weather varies but its usually not as hot as in July. But i'll bet fall would be more colorful. It is here in New York. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunkylump Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted February 6, 2011 One of our issues, Beth and I that is....is getting vacation time off together. I'm the bottom guy...I get what's left over. Last year we got the first two weeks of September without any issues.....it may end up the same again this year...we have to see how it pans out. I can usually get time off in June and September relatively easy...we just have to make sure that where we want to ride is ok with that kind of timing. What dates are you planning on riding there? I can try to get vacation time then....we're looking at two weeks, probably 3 days to get there, and a 3 day ride back home. And, THANKS for the offer randy. gunk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyR Posted February 6, 2011 Share #18 Posted February 6, 2011 The Venture Rider International Rally is July 25-28 in Cody, WY which isn't very far from the Black Hills and Sturgis (before bikeweek). So, I will ride that way July 29-30-31. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friesman Posted February 6, 2011 Share #19 Posted February 6, 2011 One of our issues, Beth and I that is....is getting vacation time off together. I'm the bottom guy...I get what's left over. Last year we got the first two weeks of September without any issues.....it may end up the same again this year...we have to see how it pans out. I can usually get time off in June and September relatively easy...we just have to make sure that where we want to ride is ok with that kind of timing. What dates are you planning on riding there? I can try to get vacation time then....we're looking at two weeks, probably 3 days to get there, and a 3 day ride back home. And, THANKS for the offer randy. gunk I am thinking June and September would be no problem at all as youre not into too much in the way of high altittudes in the black hills (not like the Rockies at least) and the daytime temps would be fine during the days. (the evenings might be a bit cool tho) Plus in June or September the prices are probably better for lodging. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarlS Posted February 6, 2011 Share #20 Posted February 6, 2011 When I rode the area was the 2nd week of June. Had great weather, no traffic, no crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moped Posted February 6, 2011 Share #21 Posted February 6, 2011 Don't let Sturgis get in the way of your plans. Was there all week in 09. Plenty of people and bikes but no traffic or eating problem's except traffic in downtown Sturgis. Still wasn't that bad. All the other town's no problem. Badlands, Blackhills, etc no traffic problems at all. Lodging, is a problem during that time but we tent camped and no problem again. Whenever you go don't forget the Badland's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricky lopckhart Posted February 6, 2011 Share #22 Posted February 6, 2011 Was there during bike week of 2006. Even thou it was bike week I really enjoyed it. The area is so big and with all the other things to do, it really didn't seem crowded unless you went into Sturgis. In some ways all the other bikes made it exciting. Some friends went last year about the middle of July and had to wear coats. Any time you go you'll enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celling Posted February 6, 2011 Share #23 Posted February 6, 2011 2010 we went out the last week of June come home the Saturday before the 4th of July. Traffic was great, weather was great. We had one small storm on the way out and one the night before we went home.The wind on the way home was just terrible that was the worst part of the trip. Be sure to take your time and enjoy everything you can wear a hat or use sun screen the sun will burn with out you knowing it. If you go Crazy Horse be sure to back a night for the laser show it's a great show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted February 7, 2011 Share #24 Posted February 7, 2011 Randy we stayed a couple nights in Deadwood, what nice little town. Restaurants seemed to close a little early though, but still not hard to ind something to eat. It was like taking a step back in time with all the wooden floors and Casinos. It is a nice ride in from the main highway. The town is busy so book ahead if you plan on staying. Take a trip to the cemetary where wild bill and them are suppose to be buried. The ride to the top of the hill was pretty neat seemed like it was almost 90 degrees. Enjoy Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Annie Posted February 7, 2011 Share #25 Posted February 7, 2011 In 2009 we spent a week, the weekend of July 4th and the following week. We had a blast, no traffic, no lines of people and great weather. (TIP Do the Badlands in the morning hours! It do get hot!) We stayed in Rapid City and made day trips out of there. Went to Devils tower, Caught the Corner of Montana and even North Dakota (for my map). A lot of great riding too. We even went to a few places my friends that have went out during the "Sturgis Rally" didn't even know about. (They went last year where we went and could not believe they had not found them in the 10 years they have been going!) Lisa really liked Custer park riding through the Buffalo and deer, "went through three times going both ways". Check the map, if you ride the "Iron Mountain Road" going from Custer park, the tunnels on Iron Mountain road will frame Mt Rushmore as you come out, don't want to miss that, pretty cool pictures that way. Have fun and send for the Black Hills tour info, it will help to make your vacation a great one. IMHO Bryan Hey, you'll have to tell us about those places too. We will be in Sturgis for 10 days. Plan to use it as our base and ride out from there during our stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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