It’s always hard to say goodbye. We had a great time at the Sturgis Rally this year... in large part because of where we stayed, Hill City. The location is ideal, and the town has really figured out how to embrace the Harley/Bike culture, and make the experience comfortable, relaxed, and fun! Some of the best rides are minutes away, and the surrounding countryside is beautiful.
Sheridan Lake outside of Hill City.
The Holiday Inn Express here is excellent. The owner, management and staff make you feel at home, and cared about. Guests are made to feel special and important, that they matter. Staff pay attention to the details. They are friendly, outgoing, and sincere - you definitely feel they really do care about you, your stay, and your safety. Kudos to all of them for their hospitality.
Cheryl Barlow, General Manager
Holiday Inn Express, Hill City, SD
Finally, while I was in Sturgis today, after dropping Tish off at the Rapid City Airport, I decided I really should have my oil changed - lots of heat, mountains... extremes over the last 3000 miles. So, after the stop and go traffic up main street (hundreds of bikes per block), to negotiate the alley behind the Harley store where they had a temporary pit stop for bike maintenance, I was told that the mechanics were out racing; that it would be three hours before any service was available. NO WAY! It was crowded everywhere, and HOT! I had seen lots of small independent vendors set up for oil change and bike repairs all the way into the heart of main street, so I decided to try one of them.
The first place I stopped that looked relatively legitimate/professional, was slammed with repairs and tire replacement jobs. I went further toward the junction with the I-90 and saw a vendor that looked promising. They were... a motorcycle repair and service shop set up under tents with 6 lifts, bays, service writer, the works. Maddog Custom Cycles, out of Conifer, Colorado, shuts down their operation there and sets up their shop in Sturgis starting 2 weeks before the rally. Man, they really know their stuff.
Maddod Custom Cycles, Conifer, CO
I’ll pack up and head out tomorrow without feeling rushed, as I am only going as far as Buffalo, WY. I just want to take my time, run Spearfish canyon on the way up an out to the I-90, then on through Gillette, to Buffalo. Hopefully the winds will be relatively calm, ha!
I’ll continue to update the blog daily all the way back to Eugene, OR. I should be back by next Wednesday, after a stop for the weekend at my mom’s in Dubois, WY.
Keep checking in...
E
