Black Hills, SD (not a rally!)

[jesse v]

Hi STN,

First ride report here.  I went to the Black Hills in South Dakota last week, May 11 and 12, from my home in Sioux Falls, SD.  Not really much to say other than showing pictures.  My goal with the trip was the cure my straight-roads blues of the Midwest, and it was a success.



I left Sioux Falls on I-90 West, and exited at the Winner exit, hoping that HWY 44 would be an interesting alternative to I-90.  I was wrong.  All it did was take longer and subtract time from the ACTUAL riding I wanted to do in the Hills.  The Badlands were scenic, but i've seen them a dozen times (I've lived in Sioux Falls all my life).



Finally got to my hotel in Deadwood:  The Black Hills Inn and Suites.  $48.  Yes please.



After a break in the hotel room I hit Spearfish Canyon on my way to Spearfish for dinner.  Smiles all the way:









The next day I snugged my chain, checked air pressure, checked out of my hotel, and hit the northern half of the Nemo Road.  Turned left on Vanocker Canyon:





I did Vanocker a couple of times, buying gas in Sturgis in between romps, then the remainder of the Nemo Road.  Stopped for some homemade truffles and coffee (I can't remember the name of the place) in Hill City, picking up a couple mint truffles (I hate mint) to bring home for my wife.

Next, it was off to Needles Highway, which was nice for the scenery, but fairly boring and slow riding.  A park worker took this shot:



Of course, buffalo, just hanging out:



Then I did Iron Mountain road before stoppping for a very late lunch at a deli in Keystone.  Then it was off to I-90 again for the boring ride home.   Today I'm putting on my new rear tire and chain/sprockets.    

[vulcanbill]

Nice.  Is that last picture Custer State Park?  Looks just like where we camped when we were there.  Maybe even the same site.  

[agent9]

Thanks for the pics. I'm heading that way the end of July.

[black hills]

while only a few miles long, Norris Peak Rd. is my favorite piece of asphalt in the hills

[jesse v]

Nice.  Is that last picture Custer State Park?  Looks just like where we camped when we were there.  Maybe even the same site.  

No, actually that is a campsite right at the base of Needle's Highway... Something like Game Fish and Parks campground, er something.

[jesse v]

while only a few miles long, Norris Peak Rd. is my favorite piece of asphalt in the hills

THanks, I will keep that in mind for next time.  

[Rammer]

Thanks for posting the pictures. It's so nice to ride the Black Hills when it's not rally time!! I don't know why I go there when it is..   I was there one spring and when I went up and down Spearfish Canyon, I only saw one car!!

[vulcanbill]

No, actually that is a campsite right at the base of Needle's Highway... Something like Game Fish and Parks campground, er something.

Weird.  Looks exactly like the one at the end of the wildlife loop in CSP.

[2RR2NV]

Lucky Dawg!  i can't wait to get back there. Nice Pics! and you got a sweet ride.

[jesse v]

Weird.  Looks exactly like the one at the end of the wildlife loop in CSP.

Just looked at the map again.  It looks like we may be talking about the same thing--Looking back, I can't remember if the pic was as the southern end of Needles Hwy or Iron Mountain Road, which would also be the beginning of the CSP loop.

[vulcanbill]

Best I could find from our trip...

[Goat]

Ahhh memories, stationed at Ellsworth twice and retired from there.  I LOVED riding in the Black Hills!!