Jeff's Alaskan Bike Trip 2010

Sturgis. What can I say about Sturgis. Jay took us on a ride through the Black Hills to Mt. Rushmore. Along the way you stop at small towns that have the population of like 909 and Jay had advised us that he was not going any father than Mt. Rushmore. He has ridden these roads several times. I did not have the cell numbers of the others who had gone with us. Jay got me to Mt. Rushmore with no problems. Shockingly, the monument isn't really that big or imposing. Super cool details on the faces, but just not that big. I had been forewarned about this fact and it was true. It's very cool that after you leave the front of the monument, you can get a profile of Washington as you go around the mountain.

Alone, I continued on through Custer National Park to ride Needles Highway. Again, it's a narrow winding road up through the park. The curves are very sharp (like 10 mph), but the ride itself is very slow. Great views in the park keep you busy. The road has some tunnels they made out of the mountains that you must pass through. These tunnels are only wide enough for one vehicle. Cool short tunnels, but very narrow. Buses actually go through these things. I didn't meet any of those until I got out of the park. You have to have nerves of steel to drive something big through there.

Figuring I may never be here again, I took a route to the Crazy Horse monument. It's not very big either. I didn't go into the park, but everyone says you should see the movie. I knew a little about the guy who started it and his family already. There are pictures of Crazy Horse and his family from way back. I hear he was not a handsome man. What I heard they had that really interested me was something you could look through the super imposed the final creation onto the mountain itself as it stands. That way the final outcome is there for you to see since it will take hundreds of years to finish this thing.

I went through Deadwood on my way back to Sturgis. I don't watch the show on HBO or Direct tv, but the town has lots of history. The only history I saw was tons of bikes and bikers walking around. Deadwood is a bigger city around here and many bikers go there to see vendors and party during this week. Out of Deadwood I followed a bout 70 bikes back to Sturgis through another famous parkway.

Our plan for the night was to hit Full Throttle. This bar is only open one week out of the year. If go early enough, you can park you bike right in the bar. The bar is made of wood and has multiple levels. The live music for the night came from several heavy metal bands finishing with Jackyl. They provide several contests and other activities throughout to keep everyone interested. The staff is encouraged to dress appropriately and pose for pictures. It pretty much lived up to expectation. Thank God buses take you from the campground to the place. Believe me, they are packed and everyone is screaming or dancing or anything you want to do or need.