Posted by Joe Jones in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Sturgis 2012
I am finally in the right place at the right time! I will spend the next two days seeing Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park, and then I’m heading north to experience STURGIS!
August 7
I arrived last night, following the guys I met along the way. They all had rooms at the Holiday Inn Express, but of course, there was “no room at the Inn” for Mo and me, so I just buzzed around town for a bit. I ran into a couple on a bike who were camped nearby. They led me to “Hog Heaven” a nice campground just on the edge of town. It has hot showers and plenty of space to camp, but the gravel roads are a bit of a challenge for a big bike towing a trailer.
This morning, I slept in, as I have paid for three nights here, so I have a relaxed opportunity to experience Sturgis. I am at a laundrymat this morning, and typing this while my clothes tumble in the washer. I have a few errands to run today. I am going to find someone to do an oil change on the bike, and of course, I’ll have to take advantage of the “Bikini Bike Wash” sites that are there for … you know … to keep your bike shiny!
Sturgis is definitely a Harley-Davidson themed event. Unlike Bike Week in Florida, at Sturgis one would be hard pressed to find any vendors for Honda Goldwing accessories, or for other bikes besides the mighty Harleys. The streets are lined with bikes, regular, custom, and downright WILD in desin. I’m going to take a lot of photographs in the next few days!
I broke both of my unofficial rules yesterday. Having no energy, and wanting to get to sleep, I broke down and ate at Subway, just because it was the one lace where I could park my bike and trailer. Also, by following the group in from the south, I did hop onto Interstate 25 for about 50 miles, because they didn’t want to take the backroads, which would have added about 30 miles and maybe two hours to the final leg of the tour. Oh well! They weren’t written in stone!
I’ve been to Sturgis twice & it’s true, if your idea of a goodtime is sinppig your drink of choice while watching the sunset or a casual stroll with your lady before hitting the hay early THE BUFFALO CHIP is not for you. If that is you, PLEASE stay at one of the other fine campgrounds in the area. You, and I, will be much happier. You will enjoy your style of rally and I won’t offend you as my type of rally is LOUD! I’ll sleep when I’m dead. The Buffalo Chip is large, loud, brash, raucous, dusty & FUN! Everything a biker campground should be. The Chip offers the best collection of world-class concerts and party-goers, anywhere. Yes it may cost a bit more then the surrounding campgrounds, but keep in mind for what you pay for a week long camping pass at The Chip (including concerts & camping), is less then what you would pay for a single concert at home for you and a friend. The Chip is outside of Sturgis proper. That is a great thing as it can allow for easy access to all of what The Black Hills offer. Just make sure you use the alternative routes. It’s worth the energy to learn the alternative routes. They will save you a ton of time. Unless of course, you enjoy biker traffic jams. The first few days of the rally at The Chip are electric. There is a buzz of energy as folks are ready to have not a goodtime, but, a GREAT time!!! By midweek, the limitations of the facilities become very noticable. Toilets, showers and the staff, begin to show the strain and it’s still fun! By the end of the rally you will be ready to hit the road. But, that is part of the satisfaction of what a good rally can do for you and your peace of mind. You go home appreciating what you have and mindful of the fun you just had looking forward to the next Sturgis Run! Ride safe and I’ll see you at The Chip. I’ll be the guy with the beer in his hand, a wide grin and bugs in his teeth. Yeah that’s me .Let’s Party!