View Full Version : Warm-up for Custer in '09
With the '09 National KawaNOW rally planned for Custer, SD, Waterman and I did a little unofficial scouting around there this past week.
Due to previous plans and a expressed desire on my wife's part to see the Black Hills this summer, which she never had, her and I did a 5-day trip there returning last night. This precluded my attending either the Western or Central rallies this year, which I truly do regret but made the best of it. We hooked up with Waterman in Custer Friday after he wrapped up a meeting in Rapid City.
I had some previous experiences in the region since growing up in rural Iowa it was a common family vacation area and had returned once about 25 years ago for a camping trip. But, have never been there as M/C riding destination, even though I did get to Sturgis once during bike-week but as a pedestrian.
About all I will say for now, and Waterman can fill in some gaps, but the riding there is fantastic, as some Sturgis attendees may have noticed. Plus, there are enough genuine local attractions for some engaging additional diversions over a period of several days. When I was a kid many of the advertised attractions there were just tourist traps but that has been clean up a lot.
Spent some time checking out motels and activities in and around Custer and looks like a outstanding location for the National rally. Could ramble on about more details of the possibilities there but that will come up more as next year's rally gets closer. Just a little teaser for those that haven't been there, but the 360 deg hairpins on Iron Mt road are a real kick, don't recall running into any of those even in Colorado.
Just a note to this year's Western Rally attendees, it got cool enough there one morning that we had to think about breaking out the cold weather gear.
dantama
06-30-2008, 09:48 AM
Thanks Ells, got pics?
The Black Hills are at the top of my riding destinations. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the report Ells......looks like we need to decide on a hotel base in Custer for the rally next year. Any suggestions?
cactusjack
06-30-2008, 11:05 AM
I'm still on the fence about the Custer rally. I'll probably end up going because I have always wanted to see the area.
audiogooroo
06-30-2008, 11:49 AM
I'm still on the fence about the Custer rally. I'll probably end up going because I have always wanted to see the area.
Come on Scott, time for you to "cowboy up" and just go for it! :)
You won't regret it!
waterman
06-30-2008, 02:33 PM
Thanks for the report Ells......looks like we need to decide on a hotel base in Custer for the rally next year. Any suggestions?
Trip,
We have two locations we looked at. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I will get some information together and get to you.
Waterman
waterman
06-30-2008, 02:36 PM
Ells and I had a good time. Even met his lovely wife. Traveled a few good roads, missed a couple of turns (no markings).
On a side note, I have got to get something done to the seat. I have done 200 miles with no problems on the seat. But after 250 miles and on, butt numness is a major issue.
Hmmm...
San Diego to Custer (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=San+Diego&1s=CA&2c=Custer&2s=SD)
Traveled a few good roads, missed a couple of turns (no markings).
I should clarify - by "missed turns", Waterman means that we went past the intersection we were looking for, not that we missed a turn and ended-up off the road. Once I was in the lead and once he was, but they were very good roads to find eventually.
audiogooroo
06-30-2008, 04:40 PM
Hmmm...
San Diego to Custer (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=San+Diego&1s=CA&2c=Custer&2s=SD)
Piece of cake Nico. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
cactusjack
06-30-2008, 04:47 PM
Hmmm...
San Diego to Custer (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=San+Diego&1s=CA&2c=Custer&2s=SD)
Piece of cake Nico. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
Ironman Gooroo!
audiogooroo
06-30-2008, 05:15 PM
Piece of cake Nico. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
Ironman Gooroo!
Yeah, easy for me to say...it's only about 400 miles for me! :-[
Hmmm...
San Diego to Custer (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=San+Diego&1s=CA&2c=Custer&2s=SD)
Stop Whining ;) ;)
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Greensboro&1s=NC&2c=Custer&2s=SD
kawgirl
06-30-2008, 09:35 PM
And here is mine..........
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Greenville&1s=NC&2c=Custer&2s=SD
Hmmm...
San Diego to Custer (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=San+Diego&1s=CA&2c=Custer&2s=SD)
Stop Whining ;) ;)
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Greensboro&1s=NC&2c=Custer&2s=SD
C'mon... that's all downhill with a tailwind... ;)
Good to see some of you already have your routes planned, now all you got to do is pack!
Hmmm...
San Diego to Custer (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=San+Diego&1s=CA&2c=Custer&2s=SD)
That's about what I got, if I go through Vegas, only 100 miles farther for me. I think i'd go through Tahoe, which is only about 5 miles more plus I get to avoid Mojave.
Thanks for the report Ells......looks like we need to decide on a hotel base in Custer for the rally next year. Any suggestions?
Trip,
We have two locations we looked at. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I will get some information together and get to you.
Waterman
Thanks Waterman!
justbrian
07-01-2008, 10:18 AM
Total Estimated Time: 29.0 hours 54 minutes
Total Estimated Distance: 1947.79 miles
Awesome
rlfaubion
07-01-2008, 03:53 PM
We'll be there!
jeffm
07-01-2008, 05:23 PM
Looks like St. Louis would be a good meeting point to pickup riders. Especially since it is only 30 miles for me. I'll be waiting. :)
waterman
07-01-2008, 05:32 PM
Ells, I forgot to tell you, there is no need to warm up for Custer for me. I have been there every year since 2004. I keep telling myself that I need to find another location to ride to but something fun always comes up to point my bike in that direction.
Saturday morning I thought I was going to need a little warm-up but cleared nicely about Hill City. The wind kept up but was a tail wind until I-80. You probably will notice on another tread that Vic and I passed PrairieCrusier that morning with out realizing it but he figured out it must be one of us.
phenrichs
07-02-2008, 11:23 AM
Gentlemen,
May I make a suggestion being from South Dakota. While a hotel is good, South Dakota has a fabulous feature that the Rally will be close to, Custer State Park. It offers fantastic riding and a wide variety of camping options. They have everything from tent sites (cheapest, around $12/night), to a full resort lodge with suites.
Cajun chef and humorist Justin Wilson opined:
"There's more than one way to skin a cat, but whichever way you do it, the cat wont think very much of it, I guaranteeeee"
State Parks info: http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/Custer/index.htm
Custer Lodging search results: http://tinyurl.com/Custer-Lodging
Custer Chamber of Commerce: http://www.custersd.com/
And FYI. . .
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway-
http://peternorbeck.americasbyways.net/
Looks like some twisty roads. . .
http://peternorbeck.americasbyways.net/files/black_elk_wilderness.pdf
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