[CyBeRDiVeR]

Heading out to Sturgis in a little over a week, and just checking to see if there are any suggested routes to get out there?

I am on the West coast of FL, so I will be starting out north on I-75. I have used google maps to find a "direct route" which pretty much takes interstates all the way. I prefer to stay off the interstate if possible, without loosing TOO much time.

We plan to spend about 2 days around Sturgis, get a t-shirt, do some of the rides and see the sites, then we are heading northwest to Glacier National park, then we will head south, through Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and the million dollar highway. End up in New Mexico, and head back across the gulf coast.

Any suggestions????

 

[Bucfan11]

I went out West same time last year. Be prepared to soak yourself down, you'll be amazed at how much better you feel. Start very early and stop early too. IT IS HOT!!

 

[CyBeRDiVeR]

I actually bought one of those cooling vests. Hopefully that helps! I used it coming back from NC in June when it was 105 coming through GA. It definitely helped some.

What route did you take? Straight shot? Or did you find some back roads that paralleled the main roads?

 

[3turtles]

Go north young man! Had to!

 

[kwthom]

<...>I have used google maps to find a "direct route" which pretty much takes interstates all the way. I prefer to stay off the interstate if possible, without loosing TOO much time.
<...>
Any suggestions????

Google Map it, but use the 'avoid highways' setting & see what happens...

Like this:

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=T...SkDQjsukVstUzFv70I0mkV0JA&mra=ls&dirflg=h&z=5

Have fun!

 

[silverbullett]

Hydrate,Hydrate,Hydrate !!!

 

[slider]

Heading that way Aug 3rd, maybe ride together?

I'm leaving Miami, heading in same route to Sturgis. Leaving Wed the 3rd, let me know.

Heading out to Sturgis in a little over a week, and just checking to see if there are any suggested routes to get out there?

I am on the West coast of FL, so I will be starting out north on I-75. I have used google maps to find a "direct route" which pretty much takes interstates all the way. I prefer to stay off the interstate if possible, without loosing TOO much time.

We plan to spend about 2 days around Sturgis, get a t-shirt, do some of the rides and see the sites, then we are heading northwest to Glacier National park, then we will head south, through Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and the million dollar highway. End up in New Mexico, and head back across the gulf coast.

Any suggestions????

Hydrate,Hydrate,Hydrate !!!

 

[revrunt]

Hwy 84 across the south is a good road, lots of sweepers, shaded roads good hiway surfaces. My father in law lives in Panama City Beach, so we ride that way a couple times a year round trip. We usually take three or four days from PC to Nebraska, going this way. We also wander a bit through the Ozarks in Arkansas and southern Missouri. (If you have the time, take an extra day or two here and pick some squiggley roads and ride... there are LOTS of them!) It is slower than the slab, but much more relaxing and scenic.

When you get a bit further north, I would suggest the Loess Hills scenic byway in eastern Iowa and then pick up hwy 20 across northern Nebraska. Hwy 2 is not bad across Nebraska either, and there will be a LOT of MC traffic on this route. (if you go this way, stop in Grand Island and let me buy your lunch!) If you want to make time, either I-80 or I-90 are two very boring but high velocity hiways. (you will get run over at 80mph) I suggest you enter into South Dakota through a little town called Interior and up into the Badlands from the south. Don't miss this treasure. cool ride. Its good anytime, but I especially like it either early morning or late afternoon as the shadows really play off the landscape. Head north and stop off at Wall SD and check out Wall Drugstore if you would like to experience the the cheesiest tourist trap on the planet. Have a buffalo burger while you are there. Then head on up I-90 and on into Sturgis.

More suggestions if you need them.... We ride all these areas several times a year. You're going to love the trip!

 

[California Kid]

Sturgis

Cyberdiver: I totally agree with RevRunt. If your coming from the east stop at Walls Drugs... don't worry about signs, trust me they'll find you. Chessy to the max. Then continue on and stop at the badlands which is about an hour out of Rapid City.

When in Sturgis I suggest a couple of other cities close by. You have to go to Deadwood. They have some old gambling casinos where Wild Bill Hickcock played poker and it's very western. You might also stop at Hill City and Custer.

When going home, go south and stop in Boulder, CO and Ft. Collins, CO. Great places to visit. You can even go gliding in Boulder if you call a day in advance. It's sooooo cool.

Stop in the small town of Boulder and walk around or if you like Harley Davidson stores hit Ft Collin Harley (I like HD shirts, though I drive a Gold Wing) Their shirts don't leak oil!

Then drive down thru side road to get you back to a main road to your ride back home. These places will be the highlight of your trip.

When in Sturgis don't forget Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Have a terrific ride and carry water. Drink it before you get thirsty. Trust me!

Steven

"Never look bac"

 

[revrunt]

Don't know if you've found this yet, but there is a lot of good info here on the Black Hills and the don't miss rides in the area. My favorite ride(s) are highlighted in post #28.

http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=260144

Glacier is amazing too. I envy you your ride. If my bike wasn't broke I'd ride along with ya! Watch out for critters. They are thick! :thumbup:

 

[Section168]

oh yeah

There is a really cool western detour on the ride back home as well. It involves the states of Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California…
Have a great ride.

 

[Section168]

But seriously, well I guess I was being serious about the ride home.

Anyhow, stay east think Sault St Marie then roll on over to Duluth via the hospitality you only find near the boarder then head straight west and poof drop in on those hapless fair goers from the north.

Then when they ask just where did you ride in from you can smile and say Florida via the northern backdoor route of course!

What road did you take eah? Is a good reply.

 

[ptwingmn]

Heading out to Sturgis in a little over a week, and just checking to see if there are any suggested routes to get out there?

I am on the West coast of FL, so I will be starting out north on I-75. I have used google maps to find a "direct route" which pretty much takes interstates all the way. I prefer to stay off the interstate if possible, without loosing TOO much time.

We plan to spend about 2 days around Sturgis, get a t-shirt, do some of the rides and see the sites, then we are heading northwest to Glacier National park, then we will head south, through Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and the million dollar highway. End up in New Mexico, and head back across the gulf coast.

Any suggestions????

I went to Sturgis last year from SW FL, Venice. I took back roads all the way, then went into Wyoming down to Colorado and then back to FL all on secondary back roads. I would have to look at my map to refresh my memory on the exact roads I traveled on. I made it there in 2-1/2 days. That trip I was alone so I kept moving and rode longer. I hope you made reservations for lodging out there if your planning on staying 2 days. I will look at my map and let you know how I went. It was a nice ride thru some beautiful country..

 

[dzrtracer]

Do yourself a favor. Buy a kewlvest! Absolute necessity in the west. $35.00 delivered to your door. Trust me. I know what I'm talking about. you will not regret it when the mercury goes 100, 110, 113, 115. i have personally seen it at 126 degrees crossing the Nevada desert. New Mexico won't be far off. My 2cents worth. Have a safe and spectacular ride.:thumbup:

 

[Mike (Michigan)]

Buy a kewlvest!

Is this the one? http://coolbandanas.com/vests/6529-sportvests.htm

 

[twyn]

We went across I-80 in NE when we went to the Black Hills. I thought that straight road would never end. They were dog miles...each one felt like 7. And it was hot!

 

[ptwingmn]

Heading out to Sturgis in a little over a week, and just checking to see if there are any suggested routes to get out there?

I am on the West coast of FL, so I will be starting out north on I-75. I have used google maps to find a "direct route" which pretty much takes interstates all the way. I prefer to stay off the interstate if possible, without loosing TOO much time.

We plan to spend about 2 days around Sturgis, get a t-shirt, do some of the rides and see the sites, then we are heading northwest to Glacier National park, then we will head south, through Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and the million dollar highway. End up in New Mexico, and head back across the gulf coast.

Any suggestions????

Sturgis Route: CyBeRDiVeR,
This is the route I took last year to stay off the Interstates. When you get into Iowa and SD, the Interstate is the best route to take. There is little traffic and it is spread out. You will start seeing alot of bikes in Iowa all the way into Sturgis. It gets fun and you will start to feel the exhilaration of riding and being with other motorcycles, the commradery was refreshing and fun.

From Florida: I-75N to US 82 in Tifton, GA. US-82W to US 231N in Dothan, AL. US231N to US82 W around Montgomery, AL. US 82W to Columbus MS. US 45N @ Columbus, MS. US 45 N to US 78 W @ Tupalo, MS. Take US 78 W thru Memphis (or the belt way around) to I-55 N to US 63 N in AR. Stay on US 63N thru Thayer,MO & Macon, MO to US 36W. Stay on US 36W to I-29N @ St Joseph, MO. Take I-29N into SD. to I-90W. I-90W to Rapid City, SD and Sturgis, SD. I went thru some beautiful country and small towns, but I kept moving, there was not much traffic and I made good time. It was HOT in MO & IA. it cooled down in SD.

Traveling alone I made the trip in 2.5 days. The first day I rode 1025 miles, 600 + the second day and 400+ the last day. (I got to Sturgis about 6:00 p.m.)

Good luck, be safe and I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you decide to take this route. I went to Colorado from Sturgis and came home a different way.

 

[WestFlDon]

When I went, I had to run the interstates. Darn, Time crunch!:evil:

Next time, slower and less direct.

Good luck !

 

[ben721364]

Crossing the Northern Plains in the Summer on a motorcycle is always "fun". With a more or less constant North/South (or is it South/North?) wind I find myself leaning into it coming and going. At least the shoulder wear on the tires evens out.

I see little reason to venture off the super slab except to visit certain sites in the Plains and Badlands. I like to get that part of the trip behind me quickly. Drink lots of fluids and have a safe trip.

 

[ptwingmn]

Crossing the Northern Plains in the Summer on a motorcycle is always "fun". With a more or less constant North/South (or is it South/North?) wind I find myself leaning into it coming and going. At least the shoulder wear on the tires evens out.

I see little reason to venture off the super slab except to visit certain sites in the Plains and Badlands. I like to get that part of the trip behind me quickly. Drink lots of fluids and have a safe trip.

Years ago I used to travel on the super slabs exclusively and get off to visit places of interest. Then I started traveling on the blue highways and found that almost every town had something of interest and it was more enjoyable and relaxing. The food was better in the local eateries and we always found lodging that was nice and clean. Also in the end I made just as good time reaching my final destination(s). I prefere the blue highways, you see heartland America and meet some very nice people along the way.