Minneapolis, MN to Sitting Bull, WY
Day 1 Saturday
Left the house at 5am.
Wore snowboard gear to keep warm. Hit a little rain in the first few hours but all good.
Shot for 400 miles min, 500 ideal, 600 for a killer day.
Made it 500 to the Badlands, and took the loop road.
Really dig cruise control. I was going to remove it, but it really helped knock out miles.
Kept going till Spearfish, SD and setup camp at 720 miles.
Found a campsite with a Mexican joint next door and chowed on some enchiladas.
Day 2 Sunday
Left KOA around 9am and back onto i90 for a few hours.
Super excited to see the mountains in the distance.
Had reservations at Sitting Bull for nights 2, 3, 4, and 5 to avoid moving every night.
Figured the area was all new, so 3 full days in the same spot would be ok.
Got close and started seeing signs for FSR (forest service roads.)
Before leaving I had made routes on Osmand, but couldn't tell what to expect for terrain.
The first trail was hard packed dirt with rocks, which was great for battle wing tires.
The canyon was really impressive, one side paved (US16)----->
and the other dirt (FSR18), both with switchbacks.
Saw a sign the said, camping limit 14 days and had to ask someone.
Turns out in National Parks, you can just camp in designated areas.
Found a dirt road (FSR18) and setup camp.
No buffer from the wind coming over the hill into the canyon, and had to put my sleeping bag over the tent to keep it together.
Day 3 Monday
Woke up, made coffee on my mason jar stove, and packed up camp.
Headed south on FSR18 ---->
, then north on FSR27 to Battle Park which has a trailhead to Darton Peak. Great 16 mile trail, with the only traffic being the occasional horse trailer.
Headed back south towards Ten Sleep where I had a bunch of trails mapped. Got onto Juniper road, and the trail was red clay. Decent at first, then turned to mush a few miles in.
Not sticky at all, just slick. Got to the bottom of a hill, and couldn't keep going forward. Turned the bike around and had to go back up that hill. Lots of gas got it there.
Happy to make it back out. Still wanted to find a spot to hike. Went to Pole Creek Road.
6 miles and 1000ft elevation gain, leading to the fire outlook at the peak of Sheep Mountain. Killer view
FSR430 was another connection to Bighorn peak. The road turned to large stones, and with no skid plate, I walked the bike backward, riding the clutch and brakes. Would only attempt it with knobbies and a skid-plate. Setup camp at that spot tho. Was only a mile from my reserved campsite, but I didn't want to hear cars and people in the morning, just quiet. Used my left hardbag as a cooler. Made chili dogs on a hot rock. The night was cold.
Slept in 3 layers and a sleeping bag.
Day 4 Tuesday
Had half a bag of ice left in the a.m.
Hard bags worked great, even with a 20 mile ride, on the exhaust side.
Made hot chocolate coffee and eased into the day.
Put my sleeping bag in the sun to dry for a few hours while packing up camp.
Neither peak had a decent spot to hike from, so I decided to setup camp at a spot I saw on the way up Sheep Mountain. Found FSR31 and really enjoyed it. No traffic, few large rocks in the dirt, and able to just ride. Got a good feeling for the left side and able to kick the rear tire out some. Went into Buffalo to get a frozen pizza. Went back up Sheep Mountain trying to catch the sunset. I was early, but did cross paths with a moose and played hide and seek trying to get a photo of him. I lucked out and got him on the way down.
Fiddled with my tablet mount, and noticed it was broken in half. Looked over the rest of the bike and found a broken rt lower fairing mount. Was really bummed about not having navigation for the next day. Started a fire, heated up a rock slab, and cooked my pizza 1/4 at a time. Really cold again that night. Slept in rain gear again.
Day 5 Wednesday
Woke up, made coffee and started to rebuild the fire pit, while I figured out a plan for the day. Roads south were too far to risk them being garbage. Same with highway 14, lots of backroads and 250 mile round trip gamble. Got to looking at the map and saw the black hills. DUH. Packed up my home, shoved a gatorade bottle in my fairing to hold it in place, and headed to Buffalo. Went to McDonalds to use wifi, and call KOA to extend my Friday night stay, into Thursday night as well. Got in town about 7pm. Setup camp, and made noodles. Started to look at the navigation issue, and found a solution. A little bit of rope. I've got parts of an adjustable windshield bracket installed, and it was perfect for trying some rope thru.
It really made the next days ride, ideal. Lots of roads and routed overlapping. Warmer camp also.
Day 6 Thursday
Black Hills
Rode all day. Made it through Custer, the Needles Highway, Pigtails road, Rushmore, Crazy horse. Awesome roads and scenery. Didn't figure out hot to remove my tablet from its case to snag pictures, but oh well. Got in the pool, and hot tub back at camp. Had a hot shower.
Made hot apples in apple cider, cinnamon, and sugar. The only place I stayed 2 nights in a row.
Day 7 Friday
Packed up early, and had the last day on my Badlands pass to get in.
Took the loop road again. Knocked out a few hundred miles to get to my final stop before home. Had a lemonade and razzberry slurpee. Setup camp at Oacama. Ate a small brick of cheese and granny smith apple.
Day 8 Saturday
Got up early, packed up everything and was on the road at 5am.
The sun was hiding behind clouds for the trip back, which was great.
Did 400 miles and got home around noon.
No issues the entire trip. Amazing weather.
2500 miles in all.
Never used my air mattress.
Merino wool socks are the bees knees. I wore 1 pair for 8 days and they never turned crusty or stank.
Sugar free monster is amazing.
I need to bring some better music with next time.
Day 1 Saturday
Left the house at 5am.
Wore snowboard gear to keep warm. Hit a little rain in the first few hours but all good.
Shot for 400 miles min, 500 ideal, 600 for a killer day.
Made it 500 to the Badlands, and took the loop road.
Really dig cruise control. I was going to remove it, but it really helped knock out miles.
Kept going till Spearfish, SD and setup camp at 720 miles.
Found a campsite with a Mexican joint next door and chowed on some enchiladas.
Day 2 Sunday
Left KOA around 9am and back onto i90 for a few hours.
Super excited to see the mountains in the distance.
Had reservations at Sitting Bull for nights 2, 3, 4, and 5 to avoid moving every night.
Figured the area was all new, so 3 full days in the same spot would be ok.
Got close and started seeing signs for FSR (forest service roads.)
Before leaving I had made routes on Osmand, but couldn't tell what to expect for terrain.
The first trail was hard packed dirt with rocks, which was great for battle wing tires.
The canyon was really impressive, one side paved (US16)----->
and the other dirt (FSR18), both with switchbacks.
Saw a sign the said, camping limit 14 days and had to ask someone.
Turns out in National Parks, you can just camp in designated areas.
Found a dirt road (FSR18) and setup camp.
No buffer from the wind coming over the hill into the canyon, and had to put my sleeping bag over the tent to keep it together.
Day 3 Monday
Woke up, made coffee on my mason jar stove, and packed up camp.
Headed south on FSR18 ---->
, then north on FSR27 to Battle Park which has a trailhead to Darton Peak. Great 16 mile trail, with the only traffic being the occasional horse trailer.
Headed back south towards Ten Sleep where I had a bunch of trails mapped. Got onto Juniper road, and the trail was red clay. Decent at first, then turned to mush a few miles in.
Not sticky at all, just slick. Got to the bottom of a hill, and couldn't keep going forward. Turned the bike around and had to go back up that hill. Lots of gas got it there.
Happy to make it back out. Still wanted to find a spot to hike. Went to Pole Creek Road.
6 miles and 1000ft elevation gain, leading to the fire outlook at the peak of Sheep Mountain. Killer view
FSR430 was another connection to Bighorn peak. The road turned to large stones, and with no skid plate, I walked the bike backward, riding the clutch and brakes. Would only attempt it with knobbies and a skid-plate. Setup camp at that spot tho. Was only a mile from my reserved campsite, but I didn't want to hear cars and people in the morning, just quiet. Used my left hardbag as a cooler. Made chili dogs on a hot rock. The night was cold.
Slept in 3 layers and a sleeping bag.
Day 4 Tuesday
Had half a bag of ice left in the a.m.
Hard bags worked great, even with a 20 mile ride, on the exhaust side.
Made hot chocolate coffee and eased into the day.
Put my sleeping bag in the sun to dry for a few hours while packing up camp.
Neither peak had a decent spot to hike from, so I decided to setup camp at a spot I saw on the way up Sheep Mountain. Found FSR31 and really enjoyed it. No traffic, few large rocks in the dirt, and able to just ride. Got a good feeling for the left side and able to kick the rear tire out some. Went into Buffalo to get a frozen pizza. Went back up Sheep Mountain trying to catch the sunset. I was early, but did cross paths with a moose and played hide and seek trying to get a photo of him. I lucked out and got him on the way down.
Fiddled with my tablet mount, and noticed it was broken in half. Looked over the rest of the bike and found a broken rt lower fairing mount. Was really bummed about not having navigation for the next day. Started a fire, heated up a rock slab, and cooked my pizza 1/4 at a time. Really cold again that night. Slept in rain gear again.
Day 5 Wednesday
Woke up, made coffee and started to rebuild the fire pit, while I figured out a plan for the day. Roads south were too far to risk them being garbage. Same with highway 14, lots of backroads and 250 mile round trip gamble. Got to looking at the map and saw the black hills. DUH. Packed up my home, shoved a gatorade bottle in my fairing to hold it in place, and headed to Buffalo. Went to McDonalds to use wifi, and call KOA to extend my Friday night stay, into Thursday night as well. Got in town about 7pm. Setup camp, and made noodles. Started to look at the navigation issue, and found a solution. A little bit of rope. I've got parts of an adjustable windshield bracket installed, and it was perfect for trying some rope thru.
It really made the next days ride, ideal. Lots of roads and routed overlapping. Warmer camp also.
Day 6 Thursday
Black Hills
Rode all day. Made it through Custer, the Needles Highway, Pigtails road, Rushmore, Crazy horse. Awesome roads and scenery. Didn't figure out hot to remove my tablet from its case to snag pictures, but oh well. Got in the pool, and hot tub back at camp. Had a hot shower.
Made hot apples in apple cider, cinnamon, and sugar. The only place I stayed 2 nights in a row.
Day 7 Friday
Packed up early, and had the last day on my Badlands pass to get in.
Took the loop road again. Knocked out a few hundred miles to get to my final stop before home. Had a lemonade and razzberry slurpee. Setup camp at Oacama. Ate a small brick of cheese and granny smith apple.
Day 8 Saturday
Got up early, packed up everything and was on the road at 5am.
The sun was hiding behind clouds for the trip back, which was great.
Did 400 miles and got home around noon.
No issues the entire trip. Amazing weather.
2500 miles in all.
Never used my air mattress.
Merino wool socks are the bees knees. I wore 1 pair for 8 days and they never turned crusty or stank.
Sugar free monster is amazing.
I need to bring some better music with next time.
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