The Big Ride – How do you spell WOW! (Lusk, Wy and Blackhills, South Dakota) – St Julien Performance Group

As I was leaving Colorado I felt somewhat melancholy after the awesome motorcycle riding I had experienced while visiting there. My ride to South Dakota took me through a small part of Wyoming with an overnight stop in Lusk, which at first glace looked like a one horse town. As it turned out, it was a cute horse.

I caught the cowboy...got the boot...and now I've got the horse! — I caught the cowboy…I bought the boots…and now I’ve got the horse!

I stayed at the Best Western in Lusk, Wyoming which had a very interesting western theme in their outdoor entertainment area. Building on this theme, the hotel offered its guests a “chuck wagon” breakfast served by staff members dressed in western attire. Not only was it a fun way to start the day, the omelette made to order was very tasty!

Fresh made to order omelettes being whipped up by the hotel staff at the Best Western in Lusk, Wyoming

“Sit loosely in the saddle of life” – wise words indeed

When I made my way to South Dakota I was “wowed” by what I found. The Black Hills offered some of the best motorcycling roads that I’ve come across and the roads through the parks, such as Custer State Park were out of this world! One of the roads in particular, Needles Eye, was engineered using “pigtail” turns. When you see a sign like this you know you’re in for some mean twists!

Here is video of my experience while riding the Needles Eye

In addition to some great riding, a visit to Mount Rushmore was equally as wowing in a different way! What an incredible undertaking it must have been to carve such a masterpiece out of the face of the mountain.

Bonnie and the boys - George, Teddy, Tommy and Ab — Bonnie and the Boys – George, Tommy, Teddy and Abe

The routes in South Dakota included a number of single lane bridges carved out of the mountainside

The rock formations on the Needles Eye route were spectacular - unlike anything I've seen before — The rock formations on the Needles Eye route were spectacular – unlike anything I’ve seen before

The number of hairpin corners were so numerous I lost count after the first 20 or 30 minutes of riding!

Just one of the many incredible scenes along the way

Part of the herd of buffalo I came across just outside of Custer”s Park

I came across a herd of buffalo as well - This is mom with her young one — This is mom with her young one

While riding outside of Rapid City, I had the good fortune of meeting up with a couple of riders, Robbie and Al who were from the area. While chatting, they mentioned that they were heading off to ride the “Canyon”. You know that peaked my interest so on the way out, I added the Spearfish Canyon into my route. Robbie, thank you for putting me on to this amazing route. Wow, what a great way to start the day!

Here are a few photos from the ride….video to follow.