The
Sturgis Rally Ride by the Cliffs
On
this Sturgis Rally Enlightenment Ride you can glimpse
the famous Nemo Cliffs that go along Box Elder Creek.
Most of the cliffs are to the south, and we'll be
going north from here.
A Sturgis Rally highlight - bald Eagles hang
out there sometimes. You can also wet a line here
in the stream. Box Elder is fairly good trout water.
There are some brown trout, and quite a few brook
trout. Most of the fish are wild, rather than stocked.
So, they tend to be quite colorful.
Sturgis
Rally at the Black Hills Parkway
Going
north along Nemo road you'll eventually come to Hwy.
385. This is a main scenic route through the Hills.
It basically goes from near the northern edge of the
Black Hills, down the middle, and out the southern
end.
Take a left and head south. Hwy 385 is also known
as the Black Hills Parkway. It's all part of the continual
Black Hills tourism spiel you'll hear while visiting.
But still, it's a fine ride on 385.
Surrounded
by Sturgis Rally Bikers
You'll
be heading into the heart of the Black Hills. At the
Sturgis Rally you'll be surrounded by other bikers
much of the time. Of course, that's part of the fun
of it.
After awhile, Roubaix Lake will be on the right. It's
less than a mile up a gravel road. Though it's on
Black Hills National Forest, there is still the unfortunate
problem of an entrance fee there. You used to be able
to use your national forest free, until Ronald Reagan.
It seems a little ridiculous when you consider how
little is left after paying the hired hands and the
corporate profits of the big out-of-state corporation
running the concession.
Still, the small beach at Roubaix Lake is a good place
for a dip. In early morning, you'll be the only one
taking a dip.
Sturgis
Rally Ride across Pactola
Further
south you'll go over Pactola Dam. This is the biggest
lake in the Black Hills. There is trout fishing. Across
the lake is another "pay" beach. The water
is cold.
Sheridan
Lake Beach at the Sturgis Rally
Keep
riding south on 385. You'll come to Sheridan Lake.
If you take the side road towards the marina you'll
come on the biggest beach in the Black Hills, except
for the really nice ones on Angostura Reservoir on
the south edge of the mountains.
Lots of locals go to the Sheridan Beach on weekends.
The water is relatively warm, meaning you can stand
to be in it. But this is after-all, still a mountain
lake that is cold enough to support a trout population.
Sturgis
Rally Ride past Black Elk Wilderness - Sturgis Rally
|
