Willie W
Posts:18
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| 02/21/2006 8:50 AM |
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First time to Sturgis - I’m picking up a hired HD at Chicago and riding to Sturgis, probably setting of 4 Aug. Too much trouble shipping my Rd King custom from France to the US, and it takes too long. (I’m Irish but live here in not so sunny France – worst riding winter for yrs).
Travelling by myself, so wouldn’t mind hooking up - for the journey or at Sturgis. Any suggestions of a good place to stay on route? |
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Je retournerai – just try and stop me!
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Stroker
Posts:25
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| 02/21/2006 11:55 AM |
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Posted By Willie W on 02/21/2006 8:50 AM
First time to Sturgis -
Just be prepared for the time of your life mate.
Travelling by myself, so wouldn’t mind hooking up - for the journey or at Sturgis.
Your welcome to tag along, but I reckon I'll be a least a week ahead of ya.
Any suggestions of a good place to stay on route?
Camping or Motel? The farther you go into the green desert the fewer choices you have... ya basically take what ya can find. Unless you make reservations ahead of time.... but that takes all the fun out of it.  |
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FTW,
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Biker1159
Posts:2
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| 02/21/2006 4:23 PM |
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| Just Ride and Enjoy the Party. Lots of great people and one hell of a party.. |
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Love Riding, Meeting People and a good Party. |
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PekUSA
Posts:156
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| 02/22/2006 7:20 AM |
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You are leaving the 4th. You are wanting to get right to Sturgis, I presume. Then, get on I-90 and haul ass west to Sturgis. It's 940 miles, so you can do it in 2 days. 1st day stop could be anywhere between Albert Lea, MN or Sioux Falls, SD with Jackson, MN being about the halfway point. There are rest areas and other places for camping. (Ask I'm Rolling Stoned about the rest areas ;)). There will also be plenty of motels in that section. And plenty of bikers heading the same way as you. Ask Bill124 about the Chicago route. Have a safe ride and be sure to come stay with us at the Chip.  |
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Cervesa Golpe Fuerte '09 Mucho Recreo! |
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Willie W
Posts:18
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| 02/24/2006 3:06 AM |
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Thanks for the info – I might try to leave Chicago earlier, 2 or 3rd. Really looking forward to it. Been to similar meets in the UK – the Bulldog Bash for example – but much smaller by comparison. WW |
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Je retournerai – just try and stop me!
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Bill124
Posts:163
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| 02/25/2006 6:58 AM |
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| Willie W. Pek has given you the skinny. That is my route every year. Overnigh in Minn when I get tired. I will be leaving a few days earlier then you so See you when you get there. |
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Keep the rubber side down |
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Bill124
Posts:163
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| 02/27/2006 7:07 AM |
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Willie. another advantage of that route is you go through states thet do not require a helmet.  |
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Keep the rubber side down |
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Missy
Posts:6
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| 03/08/2006 8:50 PM |
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| If you make it to Sioux Falls the first day you are about 5 1/2 hours from Stugis. I live south of Sioux Falls most of the year and there are very few cops on I-90. It's a straight shot into Sturgis. |
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bonzi
Posts:34
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| 03/26/2006 9:56 PM |
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Thanks guys for helping our Irish - French biker. I'm surprised you didn't advise him to stay in Fenske Park VIP.
Willie W.
You will never experience anything like Sturgis, in particular the Buffalo Chip. And when you meet the awesome people that are posting here, you will be overwhelmed with kindness and generosity and you will have a new family. If you can work it into your budger, VIP is the way to go and well worth the money.
Coming on I-90 if you take Highway 34 through Pierre, where I live, you go right to the Buffalo Chip without going through the Sturgis traffic. Just make sure you get gas at T-34. They are good roads and little traffic.
If you don't stay at the VIP, make sure you catch everyone at the Beer Bash. Nicest people you will ever meet!!! My email bonniesuel@aol.com if there is anything I can help you with. Have a great one and hoping to see you. Bonnie |
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Guns
Posts:11
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| 03/27/2006 4:50 AM |
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Posted By Willie W on 02/24/2006 3:06 AM Been to similar meets in the UK – the Bulldog Bash for example – but much smaller by comparison. WW
Willie, I used to do "the Bash" every year up until about 10 years ago when I made my first pilgrimage to Sturgis, been going ever since.
We (GfL & I) fly over from the UK every year, pick up a scoot and hit the road to meet up with the fine people at the Chip and of course the Camp Stroker family :o)
See you at the chip mate,
Ride safe
Guns
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Willie W
Posts:18
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| 03/30/2006 10:57 PM |
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Well I’ve managed to get together enough pennies / euros / cents etc to get a VIP camping pass. I’ve also arranged to collect the bike on Tuesday Aug 1st, and will be at the Chip on Friday – I have a few “must sees” on route. 
I’ll take the I 90 for most of the way. Once at the Chip, I have to visit Deadwood and the area around it - I’ve heard of these places since I was young, such a long time ago, and am not going to pass up the opportunity.
Are bikes generally safe in the car parks of motels en route? I will be picking up a hired one and the additional insurance packages are $40 a day, times 17 days – a lot of beer and fun money.
What do you recommend as the top three things to bring to / do at Sturgis?
Very much appreciate your comments and help so far. WW
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Je retournerai – just try and stop me!
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Bill124
Posts:163
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| 03/31/2006 6:58 AM |
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A Camera, a change of clothes The weather will go from 100 to 32 so dress accordingly and Money. If you get stopped by the cops they want cash.
Deadwood is a nice ride away, so is Rushmore, in fact everything is a nice day ride away.
Looking forward to meeting you when you get to the VIP camping. |
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Keep the rubber side down |
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FlaSteve
Posts:153
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| 03/31/2006 8:04 AM |
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| Willie W : 1)You might want to check out Devils Tower Wy. Our Nations first national monument ,2) Custer state park,where there is some great riding, (wild life loop to see free roaming buffalo), 3) MT. Rushmore,Do it on a night that you wont miss music at the chip to see the "lighting of the Monument" starts at dusk.(a great presentation ), Buyfla1 and I plan to be in on the 4th and will do Deadwood, im sure more than a few days, Hot springs SD for a day, Im still seaching for out of the way places that we might check out. Glad to see you got the "Vip pass". |
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FlaSteve |
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Willie W
Posts:18
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| 04/07/2006 4:05 AM |
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I appreciate the advice on the route and where to gas up etc – very helpful.
I’ve checked on the map and a trip to Devils tower and Mount Rushmore is definitely on the plan, and it must be great to see the buffalo roaming free. I’ve never ridden without a helmet and am looking forward to that too.
The hired bike is conformed as a Heritage Softail Classic - and I’m picking it up early on 1 August, and then heading West. Even with taking it easy, and visiting some places on the way, I’ll be at the Chip for Friday night – hope to have a beer or two with you all
WW
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Je retournerai – just try and stop me!
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Stroker
Posts:25
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| 04/07/2006 3:59 PM |
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Hey Willie,
When you make your trip to Deadwood ride Spearfish Canyon (Alt 14a). It starts off from Exit 14 on Interstate 90.
When you're taking the Wild Life Loop go Needles Highway (87) and Iron Mountain Road (16A). If you run the loop counterclockwise, (y'all say anticlockwise) so that you are riding North on Iron Mountain Road, then Mount Rushmore will be framed by the tunnels as you ride through them. Some of the tunnels are less than 9 feet wide... and the pigtail bridges are fun too. While riding the wild life loop don't do what the other tourist are doing and try to make friends with the nice Buffalo. They will kill you.... and I'm not joking.
It has been mentioned somewhere on the board before, but I say it again. When you get within about one hundred miles of Sturgis most of the gas stations, restaurants, and motels have a free full color map of the Black Hills area. They are bound in a pad, tear off one or two. It is a very good map to get around the hills and beyond with. It shows all the attractions, parks, and landmarks.
And use extra care getting out of Chicago. Lots of commercial traffic, road debris, potholes, and other obstacles... keep yer eyes wide open mate. |
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FTW,
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Bill124
Posts:163
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| 04/08/2006 6:16 AM |
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| You want to bypass I 90 downtown. They are doing massive construction there. |
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Keep the rubber side down |
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Mike
Posts:28
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| 04/08/2006 6:21 AM |
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| I believe that the constuction is scheduled to be done prior to the Rally but there is great alternate routes shown on the site Home/Maps/Alternate Routes. |
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Bill124
Posts:163
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| 04/08/2006 4:37 PM |
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| Mike we are talking downtown Chicago, not Sturgis. It is never done in Chi town. Only slows down when it freezes. |
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Keep the rubber side down |
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PekUSA
Posts:156
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| 04/15/2006 3:34 PM |
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There ain't much you can do about the Windy City ceptin' GETTIN OUT O' TOWN. Be safe on your way outa town. Most times Chicago put a smile on my face when I see it in my rear view mirror. ;)
Mate, we'll see you at Chip and at the VIP after you get across the big pond. |
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Cervesa Golpe Fuerte '09 Mucho Recreo! |
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Willie W
Posts:18
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| 04/16/2006 4:37 AM |
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Thanks for the comments.
I’ve got three nights planned in Chicago before I pick up the bike – to get over the jet lag and have a much fun as possible. I was thinking of going to Sturgis via Nebraska, Ogallala actually, but not sure if I’ll have the time as I want to be at the chip on the evening of the 4th, so I have all day on the 1, 2 and 3 then some of the 4 to get to the Chip and do a bit of sightseeing on the way. Same on the way back – about 3-4 days before I give the bike back. I was thinking of going N then E from the Chip before I head to Chicago. I may get time to go Walsh County, ND – its my family name, Walsh that is, not County, that would be just plain daft.  I don’t like to over plan and just let the journey develop, well that’s’ my excuse for being too lazy to plan.
Thanks for the invite for beers, sounds very good just now. Willie W
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Je retournerai – just try and stop me!
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