A couple of years ago, we were about to depart Minnesota for home in Kalifornia - by way of Rapid City so we could see Rushmore and a new route.
The night before we left I saw a blurb on the motel's TV about Sturgis and quickly rerouted us straight south to Oklahoma City.....there was no way I was gonna compete with 400,000 bikes for gas, food and lodging.
I always feel sorry for the unsuspecting people that try to come here during the rally. Right now, I opened my home up to a dear friend and her family from Newcastle, Wy. Her husband is critically ill and in the hospital here in Rapid City. Of course, there are no rooms at the motels available at any price. Campgrounds are also full. I’m happy to be able to do it. The rally is financially a real boon to the Hills, but it comes at a price.
We locals usually try to stock up on groceries before the bikers come, but because of the unexpected guests, I had to venture to Safeway for extras. I waited about 15 minutes to find an opening in the traffic before I could get onto Hwy. 16 and into town. I love the bikers (my husband and sons all have Harleys) but I’ll be glad when they are gone.
I was just in Spearfish
Rooms scarce
Oil boom though 70 miles away closest rig is sucking up rooms for 6 months at a time
Must be similar in Sturgis too