The Gray Ghost II makes her first trip through the Bighorns

I queried the Black Hills BMW "Riders" to find someone to accompany me on my ride today but had no takers.

I left Spearfish at 0600 and returned at 1600 - a great little ride with two stops.
I slabbed it on I-90 to Buffalo WY and stopped for gas, coffee, and a breakfast burrito.

Rode over the Cloud Peak Skyway (US-16) and down through Ten Sleep Canyon - traffic-free, I passed three or four vehicles in 65 miles.

North to Greybull from Ten Sleep and back over the Bighorns via US 14 and Shell Canyon to Burgess Junction, then down the East face to Dayton - not one vehicle impeded my run - unbelievable on a Friday before a three day weekend!

A stop for gas and sustenance in Sheridan and then US 16 to Gillette WY before the 90-mile slog home on I-90.
My original plan was to take US 16 from Moorcroft and run by Devils Tower but there were some ominous-looking clouds to the North.
The clouds caught me between Sundance and Beaulah WY and I ran in a bit of rain and hail for about 10 miles.

There are a bunch of pictures in the video below.

A fantastic run, and IMO one of the most underrated in the region!

Pete

Nice run, my brother and I are staying in Spearfish for 3 days 2nd week of July to explore the area once again [ we liked spearfish that much as it's centrally located for great day rides like yours here.

Where you live there, any suggestions other than the obligatory rte 16/a through Custer park and running up to Deadwood and over to Sturgis? We did Mt. Rushmore and Devils tower last year.

Thanks

brownie0486 said:

Nice run, my brother and I are staying in Spearfish for 3 days 2nd week of July to explore the area once again [ we liked spearfish that much as it's centrally located for great day rides like yours here.

Where you live there, any suggestions other than the obligatory rte 16/a through Custer park and running up to Deadwood and over to Sturgis? We did Mt. Rushmore and Devils tower last year.

Thanks

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Yes - FromSpearfish head to Sturgis, from Sturgis ride South toward Rapid City via Vanocker canyon and the Nemo Road, then take the Norris peak Road to Hwy 44 and continue West to US 385. Take 385 South to Custer then West on US 16 to Newcastle WY, North on US 85 to Spearfish Canyon, North through Spearfish Canyon to Spearfish, and then back to Sturgis - about 200 miles.

From Spearfish ride South through Spearfish Canyon to US 85, South on US 85 to WY 585, NW on WY 585 to Sundance, West on US 16 towards Devils Tower, past Devils Tower to Hulett, North to Alzada MT on WY 112/MT 326. Stop in Alzada at the Stoneville Saloon for a good burger and to look at the memorabilia. The owner is tattooed like a tiger and they sell cans of Sheep's A$$holes (rebadged spaghetti-o's) for your most deserving friends.
From Alzada head East to Belle Fourche SD - "The Center of the Nation" before returning to Spearfish.

Another good little loop is from Spearfish North on US 85 to Belle Fourche, West on SD 34/WY 34 through Alladin WY to Hulett, and then return via either Sundance or Alzada. If you come back via Sundance take a few minutes to ride to the top of Warren Peak and go to the fire lookout. Warren Peak was the site of an early Cold War Air Force Radar installation that was powered by a small Nuclear reactor.

West of Spearfish along I-90, just West of Beaulah WY, is the Vore Buffalo Jump. Worth a stop and a walk down into the pit to see what the University of Wyoming has excavated and to gain a glimpse into the life of the Plains Indians before they had horses in the early 18th century.

Also in Spearfish is the High Plains Heritage Center, one of the finest and underutilized western Museums in the country. A great collection of both Cowboy and Indian artifacts. A great 'rainy day" destination.

PM me when you are closer and I'll see if I can join up for a ride.

The Black Hills BMW Riders meet on Sunday mornings for coffee at various locations throughout the hills, usually in Rapid City. https://chatkatodonnell.wixsite.com/bmw-riders/coffee-locations

Thanks bigjohnsd, I'll connect closer to the dates.

Great rides you've posted.

I guess it is a good thing that I rode "The Loop" on Friday as there is a Winter Storm Warning in effect from now through Tuesday evening for the Northern Bighorns. Ten to Twenty inches of heavy wet snow are expected at elevation.

Will winter end in May?

bigjohnsd said:

I guess it is a good thing that I rode "The Loop" on Friday as there is a Winter Storm Warning in effect from now through Tuesday evening for the Northern Bighorns. Ten to Twenty inches of heavy wet snow are expected at elevation.

Will winter end in May?

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Yes, yes it will, just not where we live.

bigjohnsd said:

I guess it is a good thing that I rode "The Loop" on Friday as there is a Winter Storm Warning in effect from now through Tuesday evening for the Northern Bighorns. Ten to Twenty inches of heavy wet snow are expected at elevation.

Will winter end in May?

Click to expand...

100 degrees and 40 mile an hour winds today in the Texas Panhandle.

Nothing like a casual 580 mile ride to get ice cream. Wow.

bluehole said:

Nothing like a casual 580 mile ride to get ice cream. Wow.

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Team Pterodactyl - When we ride, we ride!

The Big Horns are one of my favorite places to go. 14& 16 are great roads. Wish I lived closer to them. Great restaurant in Sheridan. Wyoming Chop House.

bigjohnsd,

My brother and I changed plans last night. We're going to forgo Keystone and stay further west in the Tetons, getting as far east as Cody then dipping back down into Colorado.

Enjoy that area you live in, one of the best for riding I've ever been through