Well its not really like big inner city traffic. Rapid City is the predominant hub Metropolis for the greater Black Hills area. Its around 65 thousand population and is the second largest city in the state of South Dakota. Its roughly 30 miles from Sturgis. Sturgis during non rally time is home to about I'd say 7 or 8 thousand souls.

Intersate 90 is the slab that gets you from Rapid to Sturgis other than running through the Hills themselves. The area is a popular tourist area all Summer long for everyone including bikers with Mt Rushmore, Custer State Park , lots of lakes and camp grounds / fishing et al.

So during rally time the population of Sturgis, Spearfish, Custer, Hill City, and all the camp grounds in the Black Hill region swell to full and more. Sturgis residents rent out their front yards as camping spots, Add in cager tourists who seem fascinated with all the bikes and are rubbernecking constantly and you do have some congestion in there. Lots of different packs of riders on the various two lanes in the area all day long and into the night and they all want to ride at different speeds and or with a sense of urgency. Add in some beer for some of them and especially if you are out riding after the sun goes down...well if behooves you to watch your butt and check your six regularly for fast groups of four to five bikes hauling along who will not hestitate to pass you within your own lane. You really have to adhere to your line and watch your mirrors.

I got into the Black HIlls at night last year and I stayed off the bike after dark after that experience.


"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"