Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Author Topic: Crossing Dakota  (Read 786 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Online R Doug

  • Contributor
  • Member
  • Location: Clemmons, NC
  • Posts: 4005
  • Rain is my first name.
  • Motorcycles: '13 R1200GS
Re: Crossing Dakota
« Reply #15 on: September 30, 2016, 12:22:06 PM »
Okay, so Garry's in for 2018?    ???

Little bike on trailer, not big bike. The gnarlier bits look a lot more fun on a thumper, but overall the movie made it look easy (big bike friendly) for 95% of the riding.

The TWVT is a piece of work and a lot closer to home if you want to get that GS really dirty (miles of bike swallowing mud holes, numerous deep water crossings, etc.).

Honestly, I would love to complete our Blackwater loop someday (on the GS). 

Mike is a great guy and would love to reconnect with him on a motorcycle ride.  And, I really fell in love with the Black Hills area on my most recent trip. 
Why sit and steer when you can lean and soar?

Online garry

  • Member
  • Location: Pittsburgh, PA
  • Posts: 596
  • Old and In The Way
    • MotoRoads
Re: Crossing Dakota
« Reply #16 on: September 30, 2016, 01:13:39 PM »
I did the BW400 a couple times last year, but starting at Coopers Rock and doing all the WV stuff to Canaan and back as a 200 mile day loop. I also did the Laurel Highlands bit down into WV several times as well as 200 mile day loops. All the bits are sorted out and been ridden multiple times. Still trying to add more dirt and less paved. Thinking about doing that stuff plus some of the TWVT next month with Chris. Maybe just a 3-day with a Spruce Knob / Laurel Fork loop in there.

BTW, Sand Spring road (from 857 up to the campground) is a nasty bit of real estate these days. Several miles of unrelenting ruts and rocks and you grind your way uphill. And the infamous Greenville-Sand Springs Rd (CR-2/3) is now private property / gated / posted out the wazoo at the campground end (Sand Springs Rd). The northern end of the road is open. Not sure where the posted bit starts (after bike swallowing mud holes?) but it's gated multiple times at the south end (campground).

So many good places to dual sport and so little vacation. That Black Hills ride does look worthy though. So does the Michigan dual sport stuff (lots of sand, ugh).
2015 KTM 1190 Adventure
2009 KTM 570 EXC

Online Black Hills

  • Member
  • Location: Rapid CIty, SD
  • Posts: 1938
  • Motorcycles: KTM 1190 Adventure R, KTM300xcw
Re: Crossing Dakota
« Reply #17 on: September 30, 2016, 01:26:30 PM »
I plan to do the entire thing next summer so can let you know how big bike friendly it is. As for smaller bikes there is a ton of stuff to ride in the hills from single track to gravel there are 4,000+ miles. 

Here is some single track action:
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/black-hills-september-23rd-25th-2016.1142018/page-9#post-30473252

I can keep you busy for several days on either a big bike or a small one. I have equal amounts of fun exploring on the 1190 and the 300 :)

Online R Doug

  • Contributor
  • Member
  • Location: Clemmons, NC
  • Posts: 4005
  • Rain is my first name.
  • Motorcycles: '13 R1200GS
Re: Crossing Dakota
« Reply #18 on: September 30, 2016, 01:53:30 PM »
Save for a WV/PA dual-sport trip, I would need to do a fly and ride.  The company I used to ship my bike this year does two Sturgis trips each year.  One is for bike week (no thanks) and the other is not (yes please). 

Why sit and steer when you can lean and soar?

Online Black Hills

  • Member
  • Location: Rapid CIty, SD
  • Posts: 1938
  • Motorcycles: KTM 1190 Adventure R, KTM300xcw
Re: Crossing Dakota
« Reply #19 on: September 30, 2016, 02:03:40 PM »
Actually Doug, the Rally is the perfect time to ride off road in the hills. Lodging is at a premium so it keeps all the off roaders away. Typical back road during the rally:
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


Online Black Hills

  • Member
  • Location: Rapid CIty, SD
  • Posts: 1938
  • Motorcycles: KTM 1190 Adventure R, KTM300xcw

Online smoker

  • Member
  • Location: SEPA
  • Posts: 268
Re: Crossing Dakota
« Reply #21 on: September 30, 2016, 02:21:35 PM »
We need to make this happen Doug.
Founding member, Keystone contingent, Flying Pig Association