Went on a nice little ride this past week that I would love to tell everyone about. Still mad that I couldn't get off work in time to go to the New Hampshire Rally. My vacation didn't officially start till 1500 sunday the 5th and didn't find out that I couldn't get the two extra shifts off until 24 hours before i was going to hit the road. All my bags packed and the bike ready for the road so plans changed and a new course was plotted.
One of my best friends bought the first H-D Nightster to hit our area and was on edge to go on a big road trip. So far the furthest he has ventured from home was to a rally with me 350 miles away in Austin Tx. Time to show him what the open road is all about. We work at the Fire Department on the same shift so he got the same vacation as me and was all set to ride. Only a destination was set to make it to Sturgis and be home inside of 9 days.
After 2 nights of pitiful sleep from being so anxious to hit the road, we are locked and cocked ready to rock. Pull out of our driveway (he happens to live 100 yards from me on the same 40 acres) and let them bikes get a taste of the asphalt. I hope they are really hungry cause this is going to be an all-u-can eat buffet. That little 3.3 gallon tank on the sportster made the fuel stops a bit close together for my taste but it will eventually feel good and help keep the fatigue down.
Riding across north texas into the sunset was a perfect start. Since we had both worked the night before at the fire station, we only did around 450 miles. Found a nice roadside park next to a nice little river in the Panhandle area of northwest texas. Rolled out the sleeping bags on some picnic tables and was out in 30 seconds.
Day 2: Up with the sun and out of there before the park host could hit us up for the fees to stay there and pointed north. We stop for gas, water, quick food, and pics at each state line only. Oklahoma was a blur without so much as even having to come to a complete stop but once to take a pic of the welcome to Kansas sign. Just so yall know we are heading up US 83. Couple fuel stops in Kansas and hello Nebraska. The scenery doesn't get worth taking any pics other than of the welcome signs till we get north of I-80. We make Valentine Nebraska close to sunset. There is a great family run campground called Riverside. Having been here before, I had to make this a stop on our route. Stopped in town first to buy some much needed cold beer before checking in. $7.50 for a sweet spot under the stars and a bath house. Sat around for several hours drinking beer with the owner. Swapped fire department T-shirts and even drank some of his beer when mine ran out. Another great day of riding behind us.
Day 3: Wake up at the break of day and hit the showers. Spend a good bit of time in there cause who knows when I may see another one. Head to the Badlands to the east of the Sturgis area to see some sites on our way in. Time for mishap #1. While pulling up to the welcome sign at S.D. I drop off the shoulder and hit some sand that makes the wheel slide left and the top go toward the pavement. My bike is so low that the right side pipe hit the road first and it stopped there. Was good for a laugh or two then moving again. With no plans for where we will camp, we head to the Crazy Horse Mountain monument. Next up to Hill City for a mid-afternoon meal. Here comes the first rain of the trip minutes after we hit town. Parked close together, draped one of the 10 x 12 tarps over both bikes and ate the worst mexican food i have ever had. I am talking so bad that an Ethiopian wouldn't want seconds. Rain stops and we head to Custer State Park and the needles highway. Beautiful ride but sucks cause roads still wet and keeps the speed down. Came out of the hills and found a cool little campground in the base of the valley. Cut a deal on sleeping in a teepee they had set up in the field for $10 each including a nice shower. Tossed the tarp on the ground inside and had a great night sleep.
Day 4: Onward to Sturgis. Stopped at the first T-shirt vender and spent my $100 for friends and family at home. Headed to One Eyed Jacks for some liquid refreshment and some site-seeing (they have the most scantily clad waitress in the town). If you have ever been there you know what I mean. Bought a cold one from their outdoor section and headed into the bar to look around. Well that lasted about 20 seconds before 2 bouncers decided that they would rather we left their establishment. Just enacted a policy this year on the wearing of colors, more than likely over the big shootout in custer state park last year. Head back to the outside area near the door and get greeted by another bouncer. He procedes to talk about how the owner wants it to be more family orriented and I said turn around and look at those bartenders. We all just laughed. Finished my beer (wasn't going on my own till i did that) and walked around town to laugh at all the trailer queens. About 4 hours later we split town and head to Wyoming. By this time we have decided to sleep in a different state every night. Found a little back road campground in the Black Hills national forest for $3 each. Another beautiful night under the stars.
Day 5: It is not my nature to be really noisy in the mornings when I leave a campground but there were a bunch of noisy yutes goofing off till very late the night before so I was sure to let the bike completely warm up on high idle before we pulled out with the rising sun. Headed to Devil's Tower. Time for mishap #2. Just past Aladin, Wy there was a small group of horses on a hill overlooking the roadway. I give them the wave (yall knew it would be in this story somewhere) and hit the biggest bump, hole, dead body, who knows in the road. No problem for me but Paul was 25 yards behind me also waving and didn't see me hit whatever it was causing the hazard. Half his gear came loose (still a rookie at packing for the road) and he pulled over to adjust. I swear those horses were laughing and I think I saw one of them make a couple marks on the fence rail. While watching Paul fix his stuff on the shoulder, I see his bike start to tip toward him on the ditch side of the road, goes down to his highway peg and he is having a time getting it back up due to being down hill from it. Now the horses are really laughing. Continue on to devil's tower then head south toward colorado. Lots of trailer queens slowing progress so we just enjoy the ride and blast them when we can.
Almost to the colorado state line so I will post this before I loose it and pick back up later if I don't get told to stop.
