Southern Illinois to Black Hills South Dakota

[coffey67]

Possibly going sometime this year. Any suggestions for places to go along the way?

[elvis]

Originally Posted by coffey67

Possibly going sometime this year. Any suggestions for places to go along the way?

You're riding from IL, no suggestions from me to go along the way but the following site is all you need for Black Hills:

http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/home/planyourtrip

http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/ho...nyourtrip/maps

Also there's a big party in Sturgis this summer: Aug 3-10, 2013.

[duffy]

Just stay off I90.......................

[glwilson]

No matter which way you go, eventually you'll have to take a slab to get there... or at least you'll want to do that to make better time to get to where the riding destination is. I-90 from the east ins't all that great of shape; however I am not so sure I-80 is much better either.

From southern Illinois, I would certainly ride up along the Mississippi River bank on the Great River Road (either side; although from the south above St. Louis I would ride the western bank).

Eventually you will have to go west. I-80 will go west out of the Quad-Cities (Davenport, IA, Moline, IL and etc). For giggles, in Le Claire Iowa (just off I-80) you can stop for a stretch and see the American Pickers store there. Not a lot to see... but what the heck.

However, to be truthful; depending on how south in Illinois you are... I would have a tendency to just head northwest across Missouri and Iowa until I hit I-80 and then find a map for the rest of the way.

One thing for certain... you simply want to eliminate the time spent getting to the Black Hills, because from where you live you will not find any better riding between there and the Black Hills -- so you might as well just get to your destination and enjoy it!

Have fun! It's a great place to ride...

[coffey67]

Originally Posted by glwilson

One thing for certain... you simply want to eliminate the time spent getting to the Black Hills, because from where you live you will not find any better riding between there and the Black Hills -- so you might as well just get to your destination and enjoy it! Have fun! It's a great place to ride...

I do have the option of loading the bikes in the toy hauler and getting them there. Do you think that would be the way to go?

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by coffey67

I do have the option of loading the bikes in the toy hauler and getting them there. Do you think that would be the way to go?

Well... I would hate to tell anyone to trailer their bike if they are willing to ride it. Considered blasphemy, by some.

But for me... I trailered mine there -- only because I wanted to waste little time to get there. Besides, once you are in to Iowa, it remains as flat as can be until you get there. Not much excitement to me to ride the slabs for hours on flat-land. Although I have a few friends that love it. Just not me...

All in all, the ride on the way there isn't going to close in comparison to the riding of where you are going... so I say just get there and enjoy the extra time you may gain doing so riding around that area. And besides... you won't be as tired when you arrive.

I'll catch a bunch of crap for recommending that, but so be it.

I figured I could always ride the Midwest flat-lands another time if I wanted. So far I haven't wanted to.

[GIBBY]

This may come as a shock to Greg, but I agree with him. The ride across the pancake flat lands to the Black Hills it not very fun. Many times you will battle a strong south wind that will have you wanting to stop after a few hundred miles. If you can trailer your bike there, do so. Every time I ride to the Hills I swear it will be the last time.

[usranger74]

For sure you don't have to get on a supper slab unless you want to. In my case I would not do so. If you are going to enter the BHs from the south, US 20 across NE is a easy ride. Wide open grass lands, rolling hills, little traffic and a few small towns. As far as to trailer or not opens the question = is it the ride that counts or the destination?

The BHs as a destination are over blown in my book if you go there during the prime summer season. Roads are crowded. Motels are expensive. Long lines everywhere.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

This may come as a shock to Greg, but I agree with him. The ride across the pancake flat lands to the Black Hills it not very fun. Many times you will battle a strong south wind that will have you wanting to stop after a few hundred miles. If you can trailer your bike there, do so. Every time I ride to the Hills I swear it will be the last time.

What???!!!

Originally Posted by usranger74

For sure you don't have to get on a supper slab unless you want to. In my case I would not do so. If you are going to enter the BHs from the south, US 20 across NE is a easy ride. Wide open grass lands, rolling hills, little traffic and a few small towns. As far as to trailer or not opens the question = is it the ride that counts or the destination?

The BHs as a destination are over blown in my book if you go there during the prime summer season. Roads are crowded. Motels are expensive. Long lines everywhere.

Do not disagree... but if the intention of the trip is to ride around the BH's, then it would a "destination-trip"... thus I would still skip the ride there.

With regard to US 20... he has to go a long way across flat-land to get to it first... but something to consider though. Looks like a great stretch along there.

I agree about the traffic in the BH's... so I would time my trip for the slowest part of the season as possible. The obvious "must ride" routes are going to be busy.

Again... not disagreeing, just pointing out there isn't much between where he is coming from and to where he is headed; unless he wants to stop along the way to look at the world's largest ball of string, the largest cow (made of fiberglass), the tallest outhouse... and so on.

If anyone hasn't gone to the BH's, they need to do so at least once. With regard to some great ride choices from southern Illinois... I would look more to the south, southwest, and southeast areas. Heading in those directions, you have a lot of great riding in Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and so on. If you can make it to the Blueridge Parkway area, it provides much better riding than the BH's, in my opinion. From southern Illinois, you would ride all the way there...

[duffy]

I'm from SD (left a long time ago though) and some of the secondary black top can make for an interesting ride. SD 44 parallels I90 and is good road and some of those small towns can be interesting. It comes into the Black Hills through the Badlands. As someone mentioned earlier, if this is a "destination" ride then I would use the toy hauler and trailer the bike. The Hills are a great place to ride just not in August when the Rally is going on. Which ever way you decide just take your time and enjoy.

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by usranger74

As far as to trailer or not opens the question = is it the ride that counts or the destination?

It's the ride @ the destination.

I'd toss it in the back of the toy hauler. You can probably get there quicker and you'll be more rested when you get there. Equals more (and more enjoyable) riding time at the destination. You can be a little tired when you're done and still get home safely. (It's less strenuous to drive a pickup pulling a trailer than it is to fight wind/rain/traffic on a bike.)

[elvis]

Originally Posted by coffey67

I do have the option of loading the bikes in the toy hauler and getting them there. Do you think that would be the way to go?

If I were you, I'd ride... Frankly, most suggestions made so far are too soft to my taste.

Having said that, what ever you decide to do, make the most of your trip.