Sturgis 2025 Day 4

 Very little riding today. My 71 year old body can't handle the heat like I could 30 years ago. It got over 90 today and hardly a cloud in the sky. I rode to the Catholic church for breakfast about 9 and you could already tell it was going to be a hot one.

The only other riding I did was out to the Belle Fourche reservoir hoping it would be cooler by the water. It made very little difference. The only pictures that I took were at the reservoir. It's supposed to be in the 70's tomorrow. Good riding weather.

Lots of camping available at the reservoir.

Sorry there isn't more to report.

Sturgis 2025 Day 3

 Today all I really did was shop and people watch. Ran down to Sturgis this morning to pick up my memorabilia, patch and pin, shirt and sign for my garage before sitting down on a bench to watch people. A very entertaining time. Lots of sun burn. Then I went to the post office and mailed the stuff home. From there I walked across the street to the Harley display and picked up my ride pin and spent a couple more hours watching people. When it was time to head back to camp i'm glad that I know some of the back ways around town. Traffic was getting very bad by 1 pm. Only had to sit for a short time.

Had Subway for lunch and sat around for a bit before deciding to go to the Stone House saloon. More people watching. And then on to Aladdin WY for a frozen popsicle. Had thought about heading out US hwy 212 to Alzada MT. Glad I didn't. Heavy rain by about 4-4:30 this afternoon. I got a picture of it as I was headed to the Stone House on SD hwy 34.

Sturgis main street.

At the Harley display.

The storm is developing where I had thought of riding.

Instead I was able to stay south of it.

Busy at the Stone House.

Hence its name.

And the band played on.

Aladdin was busy this afternoon.

Not to crowded except during Sturgis.

I'm the blue dot, glad I didn't head up hwy 212 to Alzada.

That's it for now.

May jump on the bike and go south 20 miles. More bad weather coming and it may hit us here in Belle Fourche.

It was a good idea to go for a little ride south to avoid the rain and pea to marble size hail.

What I avoided.

The storm aftermath.

Sturgis 2025 Day 2

 Left the Faulkton Inn at 9:15 this morning under mostly cloudy skies. Hit about 100 very large drops of rain around Gettysburg and that was it. Only one construction zone. delayed less than 10 minutes. US hwy 212 is a real joy to drive across South Dakota. Well maintained and very smooth. Stopped to take pictures of how green everything is and the harvest is now underway.

Very green and one tree out there.

There it is. Wonder if there is water there.

And into infinity and beyond.

I'm guessing that these are contract harvesters getting ready to get the crop in.

Sunflowers are looking good.

Missouri river crossing

Long downhill run to the crossing.

Infinity just ahead.

So green everywhere.

Gathered in the corner discussing what to do next.

Looks like there is still work to do.

Todays numbers.

Sturgis 2025

 Today, August 4th I left for the motorcycle rally in Sturgis SD. This will be my 49th year in a row that I've attended the rally. Have always rode and never trailered. I love to ride I guess. If you do it you get it.

I took my usual route across WI, MN and SD. HWY 77 across WI, MN 23 to US 212 west. I stopped for the night in Faulkton, SD. With the two detours I encountered the mileage for the day was 480 miles.

Did not take many pictures today. I was busy dodging the rain for about 35 miles between Mora and Milaca MN. It was just some off and on mists and a little drizzle. Didn't even put on any rain gear because I knew it was a narrow band of spotty showers. No rain the rest of the day, just looked like it could at any time.

Heading out, 8:45am

Crossing the St. Croix river into MN.

One of my favorite stops every year. Always something new has been added.

Lots of aliens on site.

Gotta have security.

ET phone home?

You'll find all this in Foley, MN at the intersection of MN Hwy 25 & 23.

Nice tribute to the armed forces and a nice rest stop at the intersection of MN 23 & 7 in Clara City, MN.

Everything is very green this year. They've got one cutting baled and should get another cutting this year.

Todays stats. the  87 max speed was passing a pickup pulling a trailer and a semi.

My stop for the night. My room is main floor way on the right.

Tomorrow it's off to Belle Fourche and Sturgis.