We made it—Sturgis at last! The excitement is real as I roll into town, ready to soak up everything from the legendary Main Street to the iconic Mount Rushmore, winding through Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, and the wild Full Throttle Saloon.
Day 1: Rapid City & Main Street Vibes
Our first stop is Black Hills Harley-Davidson in Rapid City, a true biker’s marketplace. The place buzzes with energy—vendors everywhere, deals on gear and parts, and plenty of friendly shop talk. I keep it simple and grab a cap, but it’s tempting to browse and dream.
After a couple of hours, we cruise into Downtown Sturgis and ride the famous Main Street. Parking is a challenge, but the people-watching is unbeatable.
Old friends and fellow chapter members pop up in the crowd, and the atmosphere is electric. $20 for a corn dog? Welcome to rally week!
The afternoon takes us through Spearfish Canyon. Honestly, it’s a slow crawl—lots of bikes, lots of noise, but not much else. Drinks on the far side help lift the mood, and we settle in to relax after days on the road.
Deadwood is next, and it’s easily my favorite stop for its history and character. A drink at Saloon #10 with Wild Bill sets the tone, and by evening, we’re off to the Full Throttle Saloon.
In the middle of nowhere, it’s a madhouse—thousands of bikes, live music, and even shaving foam wrestling. The night feels too short; I wish we’d stayed longer.
Day 2: Upgrades & Scenic Rides
Today’s plan: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and Iron Mountain Road. I’ve ridden these roads before, thanks to a local tip, and I’m eager to revisit them. But first, the vendor talk from yesterday lingers—I’m itching to upgrade my Road King. I split from the group and head back to Black Hills H-D.
Oehlins shocks, front and rear, installed in 45 minutes at a killer price. Saddlemen Road Sofa seat? Test fit, perfect, and left on the bike. Ninety minutes later, I’m rolling out with a transformed ride.
Fueled by coffee, I catch up with the crew at Needles Highway. The ride is smooth, especially with bikes getting priority during rally week. We snap photos at Mount Rushmore and cruise back to Rapid City via Iron Mountain Highway. It’s a day of epic riding and fresh upgrades—pure biker heaven.
Day 3: Badlands & Farewell
Our last full day starts early for those joining me to Badlands National Park, 80 miles east. Not everyone’s in, but those who are know it’ll be a scorcher.
We tackle the park from the south, enjoying a relaxed ride and lunch in Wall, where the famous drug store sits at the park’s gates.
After browsing the curiosities, we take the Interstate back home. The evening is long and laid-back—Ted’s grilled chicken, bourbon, cigars, and stories. My first Sturgis is officially in the books, and it checked every box. Time flies—just four hours until takeoff.
Bringing the days in Sturgis together in this video. It’s lengthy, but the chapters in the description will guide you. Enjoy!
Roaming Cage Free 
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