Anybody heading to Sturgis?

[DucTape]

   I'm going to be up around there next week, Aug. 3rd through the 6th, for a bit of a family reunion (a lot of us ride) and thought it'd be cool to maybe plan an unofficial Monster Meet-Up^TM if people are around on Friday or Saturday.  Anybody else going to be up there next week?

   It's my first time going... for those that have done it before, any suggestions on things to do, specific routes to hit, or places to avoid?  I'm certainly up for a *bit* of the madness, but hope to avoid any permanent damage.  Ha.

   And yes - I'm riding it up, of course.  Trailer queens suck. 

-DT

[Speedbag]

Wait until the week after and really enjoy it. 

(this from a Harley owner)

[DucTape]

Wait until the week after and really enjoy it. 

(this from a Harley owner)

I'm actually going to be up there the week *before* official "Bike Week" - the plan is to get our fun in and get out before the place gets all crowded and even more excessively stupid.  I've heard some stories... 

it's okay to admit it, Speedy.  That's the first step to recovery.

 

[Speedbag]

Or that. 

I haven't actually been there since the early 1990s. Since then it's become too much of a tourist attraction, full of folks who only "ride" that week out of the year.

[fastwin]

The only folks I know who have gone have trailered. They do the same at Daytona Superweek. Probably put 50 odd miles on their bikes at Sturgis and Daytona. Poser capital of the world. I've trailered to some spots but actually did a lot of riding once I got there. But there are some real riders at both places who don't own trailers.

[muskrat]

not me Fastwin.  My poor little Roadstar made the trip three times.  Next year though a guy a do business with wants to go and he's as old as you.  He mentioned trailering and the only benefit I see is we can camp out of it but then again he's your age so probably going to camp at a hotel. 

[fastwin]

I know you are a rider. My neighbor has been to Sturgis a few times and he has also ridden up each time. He's the one who complains the most about the posers who trailer up and put a handful of miles on their bike while they are there but act like they've ridden from South America. Nothing against anyone trailering their bikes anywhere, just don't act so damn cool about it all when you get there... and how about riding around some once you are there?

That same neighbor has some friends that only ride their bikes to the Blue Goose for beers. It drives him crazy. He actually rides his bike in all kinds of weather (like now... 105 degrees!) and they ride the 2 miles to the Goose and pose next to their bikes all afternoon. It's funny to listen to him pregnant dog about it. A Harley rider pregnant doging about other Harley riders!

Oh well... back to Sturgis stuff.

[Speedbag]

I would love to make the trip on my hardtail, but my back would scream defeat in less than 100 miles. 

And there's nowhere to haul anything on it....

[mitt]

I rode out there 3 times - 1992 (summer after high school), 2005, 2006 - 1500+ miles in 3 to 4 days every time.  No trailering or sitting around out there for our group.  It is something everyone should see at least once if you like to party, not sleep, and ride with thousands of similar idiots     


mitt

[geoffduc]

I was lucky enough to go in 1994, stayed at the best western in Wall and rode to Sturgis each day plus afew organized ride outs, what really amazed me was riding at 65mph and sweating (it don't get that hot in the UK) and the number of riders who didn't wear a helmet (jeez I got some funny looks with my full face helmet). Like mitt says its great to be in the company of similar idiots but if you want to visit one place in your life make sure its Misano for a WDW event as its the most memorable thing that I've personally done and if I can get my butt over to your side of the pond I'm sure that alot of you guys could make it to Misano. I don't have a trailer but have driven a van to Misano twice because like Speedbag I to have health problems which keep the milage down but some of the best ride-outs I've had in years were last year on my hypermotard whilst in Italy at WDW, blimey I felt like a teenager again, the warmth of the sun did my old bones good and the group of guys I rode with were fantastic.
Babs and I have just returned from the motogp at Mugello, we did a 3100 mile tour in her VW golf and I must say that the italian fans certainly know how to party, I spent the weekend in the company of a group off Vale fans who took me under their wing and looked after this olde fart, the atmoshere is really some thing special and the fact that Vale didn't win this time didn't spoil the party, they really do worship him.


Geoff...

[muskrat]

  It is something everyone should see at least once if you like to party, not sleep, and ride with thousands of similar idiots   

So true.  We now go early or better yet after the rally (last two days) because there are so many riders who DON'T ride it can scare you watching them.

[mitt]

Like mitt says its great to be in the company of similar idiots but if you want to visit one place in your life make sure its Misano for a WDW event as its the most memorable thing that I've personally done and if I can get my butt over to your side of the pond I'm sure that alot of you guys could make it to Misano. I

I did misano wdw in 2004, and agree, it was a great as well - though completely different.  Camping on the adriac beach was awesome.

mitt