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It’s that time of the year again. Grills are sizzling, nights are warm, and cold ones are on tap. That means the 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is just around the corner, calling riders from all four corners of the country to the small South Dakota outpost on August 4 to 13.
With hundreds of thousands of riders regularly attending the annual event, the 83rd Sturgis Rally is sure to be the place to be. If you’re avoiding the big crowd or looking for a unique experience, instead, you can still get your kicks on the dirt trails of the Black Hills. Hundreds of miles make up the sprawling OHV (off-highway vehicle) system, but only select routes accommodate the capabilities of cruisers and grand-tourers.
Luckily, our resident V-Twin specialist, Patrick Garvin, gives viewers a local’s guide to the best-hidden gems the region has to offer in this video.
If you’ve already stood, in awe, at the base of Mount Rushmore, visiting Friendship Tower — a monument built for Teddy Roosevelt — is a suitably presidential substitute this time around. Steering clear of the tourers parading down Needles Highway? Then the gravel tracks of Galena are calling. Want a watering hole without all the booze? There’s no better place to cool off than Hippy Hole. Even locals-approved burger stops, the Sugar Shack and Moonshine Gulch, make the list.
When most riders envision a dirt trail, cruisers are the last bikes that come to mind. Limited suspension travel, scant ground clearance, and hefty curb weights have much to do with that. They might not be the optimal tool, but cruisers can still get the job done, terrain permitting. Whether you’re shambling around Deadwood on a clapped-out chopper or gliding down Main Street on a full dresser, an off-road adventure is just around the bend.
Experiencing Sturgis is a bucket-list item for many. Experiencing it off the beaten path can be just as rewarding. You just have to know where to look.
