THUG AND STREETS MOST EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, PART 2

By: Streets

With Thug and his friend, Alan Pope as my guides, I just completed my "Virgin Voyage" to the Sturgis Bike Rally. Most of you readers have made multiple trips to Sturgis and the surrounding territories, so many of my observations will seem obvious to you. But hey, I'm doing my best. Again, there were way too many activities to include here, so I'm only going include a few highlights in this post.

Here we go.....

Sunday -- Devil's Tower was OK, but where was the mother ship from Close Encounters of the Third Kind? I was a little disappointed.

Monday -- Mt Rushmore in the rain. I've seen many of Mother Nature's works, but Mt Rushmore is by far the most impressive natural rock formation I've ever seen. Even more impressive was the incredible amount of money the Hamsters raised for Children's Care Hospital at their annual dinner that night.

Tuesday -- Custer State Park and Needles Highway. Who in their right mind called Needles a highway?? I was peg-scraping all afternoon! Left, right, up, down, hairpin turn after hairpin turn. Over bridges, under tunnels. It was alI could do to keep the bike on the pavement and gawk at the scenery at the same time. At the end of the run I was completely exhausted. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Heading back to Spearfish on I-90 we got caught out in the open by the worst rainstorm I'd ever been in. Soaked to the skin, goggles fogged, rain pounding on my head, riding at 35 MPH one-handed (with the other shielding my eyes),on the shoulder. Whew! Was I was ever glad to see exit 14! (P.S., After that experience, I'm convinced that Perewitz bikes can operate under water) We went to bed early that night.

Wednesday -- Downtown Sturgis. We took the day off from hard riding and just strolled the streets. Lotsa very interesting bikes, and interesting people. Question....How many tee shirt vendors can one rally support?

Thursday -- Hamster Run, Spearfish to Sturgis. Hundreds of yellow shirted bikers led by a police escort. You've just gotta see it to appreciate it. 'Nuff said.

Friday -- The Badlands. A long ride, but I'm very glad I went. The pictures I took will never adequately capture the beauty of the landscape. And I got to gas up in Scenic, South Dakota. Population - 12 Another

Thug and Streets Most Excellent Adventure has come to an end all too soon. Who knows when and where the next one will occur. But I can't wait to see what happens. See you down the road! Streets