Chasing Freedom, One Mile at a Time
There’s something electric about rolling out onto the open highway—anticipation buzzing, the world stretched wide in every direction. For Sturgis 2025, I logged 4,400 miles (7,000 km) in just 8 days. My goal was clear: make the most of every mile, soak up the Black Hills with a Buddy, and let each detour become part of the story.
Sure, not every stretch is a thrill. Long, straight roads through Nebraska and North Dakota tested my patience, with endless horizons and little to break the monotony but the hum of tires on asphalt. Still, the wind in my face made every “boring” mile worthwhile. Road trip life is never perfect, but it’s always rewarding.
The challenge coins for “50 Rides 1 Nation” and “15 for 25” kept me motivated, checking new places off my list and feeling that tingle of accomplishment—the Midwest, mostly conquered for now.
Tallgrass Prairie, KS 
Deadwood, SD 
Oark Cafe, AK 
World’s Largest Buffalo, ND 
Mt. Rushmore, SD 
Sturgis, SD 
Cawker City, KS 
Cawker City, KS 
Belle Furche, SD 
The Black Hills are looming 
Fun, indeed! 
Painted Hills, ND 
North Dakota 
Hell, MI 
Mackinac Bridge, MI 
Mentone, IN 
Tunnel of Trees, MI 
Needles Highway, SD 
Helena, AK 
Prost!
- The Ride: My Road King didn’t skip a beat. Reliable, ready, and always up for adventure.
- The Route: While some sections lacked curves, highlights like Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills and the Pigtail Scenic Highway in Arkansas delivered pure riding joy.
- Travel Buddy: Props to Slacker Ken—always ready to roll. Would ride with again, any time.
- Night’s Best Rest: Holiday Motel (Manistique, MI), Bluemont Hotel (Manhattan, KS), and Tin Lizzie (Deadwood, SD) stood out above the rest.
- Should’ve Lingered: Black Hills, SD—never enough time for those winding roads and hidden gems.
- Could’ve Skipped: Bagnell Dam, MO and Frankenmuth, MI didn’t quite live up to the hype. That MO coin was well earned.
- Strangest Stop: Hell, MI—because every trip needs a tale from the weird side.
- Most Consumed Snack: Payday Chocolate—fuel for the soul and body.
- Most Consumed Drink: Starbucks Triple Energy (cans) and plenty of PBR to wind down.
- Trip Highlights: Deadwood, the Black Hills, and scoops of Huckleberry Ice Cream.
- Trip Lowlights: The vanishing café culture—where have all the cozy roadside stops gone?
- Gear Regrets: Should’ve packed a spare GoPro battery and a travel humidor. Didn’t miss my point-and-shoot camera at all (not a single photo snapped!).
Every road trip is a blend of thrill, tedium, surprises, and laughter. But the open road always calls me back—wind in my face, sun on my back, and freedom just a throttle twist away. Here’s hoping this recap nudges a few of you to break out of the cage and chase your own adventures. Ride on, and “roam cage free”.
Roaming Cage Free 
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