South Dakota to Sturgis

We left Fort Collins and headed to Douglas, camping all the way and then onto South Dakota, the badlands and three nights in Custer which ended up being stunning for riding, far quieter than the Rocky mountains area and fantastic roads. The roads around Custer State park are amazing, the only complaint was that there are supposedly 1500 wild buffalo on the section they call the "wildlife loop" well they hid from us, all we saw were a handful of Donkeys!! A pit stop at the Elk Haven Cafe / shop and campsite was great, the owners were nice people and treated us to a free sandwich (an excellent sloppy joe which is like a giant mince sandwich)...thanks guys, much appreciated.
We shared the campsite at Custer for the three nights with loads of rabbits and Kim & Cathy from Texas, great to meet you guys!
A visit to 4 mile town was interesting, an old western town re created on the site of an old western town if that makes sense. Today a ride to Sturgis, 9 days camping in the heat was getting to me so we decided to stop in  a hotel here for the night to cool down, glad that we did, this town is of course famous for the annual Sturgis event which attracts 1/2 Million motorcyclists from all over the world. The museum was interesting, loads of old Indians and then we stopped at Gypsie vintage cycle which is the same shop that the founder of Sturgis used to own, the current owner Coe Meyer now runs it as a shop selling restored classic bikes and is carrying on the tradition of being part of the Sturgis scene, we got invited through the back room for some unexpected hospitality, a few guys and neighbour Shelly arrived and we had a great afternoon! Thanks guys. Now we are heading for the Norton meeting at Buffalo which starts on Monday, so plenty motorcycle content ahead!

Aye Mad right enough

The town of Lusk

Where this takes place, basically the story of a young guy who shot and Indian Squaw for no reason, the Indians then demanded the settlers to turn him over or they would all die, they turned him over and he was skinned alive, not sure I'd like to be the guy who has to go through that every year!!

So true.......

No I didn't go in!

Fi couldn't resist this though

My almost namesake Dino

The most excellent Elk Haven, well worth a stop if you are in the area

Mount Rushmore

And close up

Work in progress, the even bigger carving of Crazy horse just down the road. (He was one of the main players in the defeat of Custer at Custers last stand, later shot dead whilst under a white flag of truce hence a very big hero in Indian folklore) 

Our neighbours



Catching the last rays of sun!

Interesting concept?

The bar complete with bar girl

Not so long ago all people lived like this

Fi Back at school

Cool place

Bikes loaded again ready to roll

Sturgis Motorcycle museum

 I Want one....please!!

Especially for George Martin, get your A10 in this trim!!

 Hanging out with Coe (2nd Left) and the guys in his most excellent man cave!!