Sturgis, South Dakota

[elmo]

Happy Monday Everyone!

Anyone else going out to the Motorcycle Gathering in Sturgis? I will be leaving Wednesday afternoon from Green Bay and heading back the following Wednesday.

Not sure what I am gonna do without a Ira story for more than a week!

Elmer out

[Chip]

Elmer,, I am not going ,,, but six buddies left out saturday from South Carolina heading that way,,, they were planning on a 4 day ride up and are gonna be there most of the week,,, Ya'll have a ball,,,,,,,, and take pics of the campground parade iffin ya can

chipper

[JunkMan]

I'll be working at the Buffalo Chip all week. I run the Domino's Pizza booth, stop by and say Hi if you get up there.

The Chip already has campers, and a lot of the T shirt vendors have been set up since last week. We start setting up today, will be open to check everything out Thursday, and out first concert is Friday night.

Luckily the weather is cooling off a little bit. We were in the 100's and 110's this week. Supposed to get down in the 80's the beginning of the week, possibly get back in the 90's by the weekend. That's a little easier to deal with.

[elmo]

I should be getting there on Thursday and will definitely stop by for a slice at some time.

It is supose to be a 100 here today and 81 on wed. so that will be a lot nicer. I'm not a big fan of ridding in 100 degree temps. You have a habit of leaving safety gear off. Also a air cooled motorcycle isn't to happy pulling a trailer in that kind of heat.

I stay at the Elk View Campground. It use to be pretty nice but was sold so my vote is still pending.

[JunkMan]

Stop in and I'll hook you up. I'll probably be there from open to close all week. Odie usually works the cash register nearest the stage, I'm in the back tending the ovens. If you come by early enough, I can let you use the laptop to get your fix of Ira

Yeah, it's hard to wear your leathers when it's in the 100's. I've done my share of riding in high temps, and I would almost rather deal with real cold weather.

Isn't Elk View the one right off the interstate a couple of exits (Pleasant Valley Rd) before Sturgis? It looks Ok from the road. I don't have any experience with any of them other than the Chip, although my wife has a relative that owns a campground across from the drag strip. We've been vendors at the Chip for about 15 years.

There are a bunch of new campgrounds going up around Bear Butte, and they are causing quite a stir with the natives. I can't believe how big the rally has grown, and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight.

[elmo]

The Elkview is at exit 37. I believe that is Pleasant Valley Rd.

I've been going for about ten years now and my mom and dad are on probally on 20 years or so...mom in spirit the last two. My dad actually has one Harley just for Sturgis, because it was their bike before she passed and he refused to ride it but I talked him into using it just for Sturgis kind as a memorial. He went and bought a new Softail Deluxe for everyday use.

It has definitely has grown alot since I've been going. Alot of good changes also alot of bad.

I just love that part of the country and the history. I think one of my favorite cities to go is Deadwood.

[JunkMan]

The riders are rolling in already! I was up there yesterday, and saw several campers at each of the campgrounds, including Elk View.

Main Street was busy with people buying T shirts, and checking out the vendors. Most of the large vendors are already set up. The smaller vendors are scrambling to get open.

I've been living here for over 20 years, and have never seen this many bikers here this early! A lot of people are predicting that numbers will be down this year because of fuel costs, but I think it will be business as usual. Between the Buffalo Chip and Glencoe, we have the biggest music line-up ever.

[elmo]

It seems the last couple of years the people have been coming early. Last year on the way out I thought I missed it because as many people were leaving as coming. I talked to a couple of them and say they come early to take the relaxing rides to the little towns in the area because it is to busy during the rally. Which I can't say I disagree.

I'm still trying to figure if I am leaving for home on Wed. or Thurs. because Kid Rock plays Wed. night. He just married Pamela and I am hoping for a glimpse.

[JunkMan]

I'm still trying to figure if I am leaving for home on Wed. or Thurs. because Kid Rock plays Wed. night. He just married Pamela and I am hoping for a glimpse.

The rumor is that she will be here. When Kid Rock played the Chip a couple of years ago it was one of our biggest nights ever.

[elmo]

I was there!! (sad thing is I kind of dance like that)

[Gaston]

met a nice lady on a Harley at Cave Junction OR. on my way home from the IRG at Pamplin grove. She said she was on her way from New Orleans to Sturgis! I didn't have the heart to tell her she was way lost maybe she was on an extended vacation.

[Finntec]

elmo,
We were there last week. It was nice when we arrived, but two days later the heat came in and went up to 98 degrees. We saw the forcast the next day was going to be 103 and got out of there. Everyone was gearing up for the big event and some travelers already began to arrive. Look like it will be a great week with lots of great entertainment. Have fun!

[elmo]

I hear it is getting cooler out there. Jeff can probally verify it a little better. I just worry about the bike. I pull a motocycle trailer behind it with a mountain bike on top of it. And if the temp. stay were they have been it is not a happy motorcycle. We are going to have a storm roll in tonight and tomorrow is only going to get to 70 something perfect cycle weather.

Sturgis also has some of the best mountain biking in the state, so I can leave the bicycle behind. If anyone sees a blue and grey Harley pulling a matching trailer with a bicycle on top it is me. Flag me down and I will buy lunch.

Only 14 hours to go.

Elmer out

[JunkMan]

It's cooled off some, forcast for today is highs in the 80's, low 90's later in the week. Had some rain in Sturgis last night, felt pretty good and cooled things off a little. Actually was supposed to get down into the 50's last night!

I've never ridden it, but the Centennial trail is supposed to be a great mountain bike trail. It starts at Bear Butte, but you can pick it up right by the National Cemetery, one exit east of Sturgis. The section from the horse camp in Ft Meade recreation area heading south is supposed to be a real nice section (I plan to hike that section this fall). I've hiked quite a bit of the Centennial, and it seems a little too much for me to bike it, I'm more of a bike path kind of guy

The Mickelson Trail is great, I've ridden it end to end in 2 days on my Mountain Bike, pulling a Bob trailer with my camping gear in it. It's about 115 miles long, the first 12 miles heading out of Deadwood are all up hill The section south of Crazy Horse is real nice, as is the section north of Hill City.

[elmo]

I love my Bob trailer. I just got the Ibex at the beginning of the year. I've been using it to go grocery shopping. It won't be coming with me this time. I am thinking about coming back out in early fall for that and also bringing the Honda dirt bike along.

I should be leaving in about 1.5 hours. At that time I need everyone to stop starting anymore exciting subjects until get back.