My trip started out in disaster.
First, the bike I had purchased to be restored in time for Sturgis wasn’t finished in time. But my mechanic loaned me his Honda Shadow so I could make my trip with the group. We loaded the bike up on my cat walk on the back of my Freightliner. Then I made it to Mankato, MN.
Second, I unloaded the bike and then took my Freightliner over to the dealer to be serviced while I was on vacation. I then came back to the yard to load the bike up to get ready to head down to Buzzard’s house in Saint Edward, NE. But before I could load the bike up with my gear it needed a bath really bad, so I gave it a quick one.
Third, once it was clean I got her all loaded up and was ready to leave and went to start her up but she wouldn’t start. I thought she was out of gas so I bummed a ride to the gas station from one of our drivers and went back to yard. After putting the gas in the tank I tried to start her again and again with the same result no go. So there I stood scratching my head, now brain storming I thought maybe I blew a fuse. So again I made a trip to the gas station to buy fuses and back at the yard tried to get her to go. Still no luck. Now it’s too late to go or even call anyone to help. So I camped out in our driver lounge at the yard on the couch.
Fourth, in the morning I called Mankato Honda where they came out and picked up the bike and hauled her to the dealership and after 2 days I found out it was the CDI box. After 3 days of not much sleep I was, finally on my way to Buzzard’s. I was doing great till I got about 10 miles east of Freemont, NE that’s when I discovered that bringing rain gear is only helpful as long as you have it easily accessible when needed not buried in the bottom of your gear bag. A lesson well learned! I proceeded to get soaked to the bone in the dark trying to dig out my rain gear! Not to mention the riding boots I purchased said “water proof” , I’m sure they mean walking through water not having water run down your pant leg into your boots. Another lesson learned!
I made it to the Sapp Bro’s truck stop where I completely unloaded the bike! Everything was soaked, including me, so I made use of their laundromat to dry all my gear while trying to wait out the thunder storm that had rolled in.
After several hours doing laundry and waiting for the storm to let up I was finally able to load the bike back up to continue on to Buzzard’s. I arrived at Buzzard’s around 04:30 and finally was able to rest for about 2 hours before being woke up and being told we were getting ready to go. Well, let’s just say it didn’t go necessarily like that, it was more like let’s all get up and drink more coffee and wait around for more people to show up, then the photo shoot with Rouge, the photo journalist from easy rider. Then just about mid day we were finally on the road to Sturgis. Please don’t get me wrong I had a blast!!! Usually if someone says it’s time to go, I am ready to go in less than an hour, With my job I have to be. I was so happy to have made it here to be with my friends!
We made it Sturgis around midnight, setting up camp in the dark is an adventure all in its own! Buzzard was the only one who refused to stumble around like an idiot in the dark to set up his tent. While the rest of us wandered around and stumbled, Buzzard just said “this area is my camp, please don’t step on me. I’m going to bed”. I was surprised in the morning, that camp looked half way decent given that here we have a bunch of truck drivers trying to set up tents in the dark. But, we all worked together to help one another set up and carry gear.
My adopted big sister Melissa (aka: Lady bug) was such a big inspiration and help to me!!! We had a blast hanging out together and helping Buzzard cook at camp as well as terrorizing and teasing the other members of the group all in fun of course. I almost didn’t go this year. But she talked me into going. I would be completely lost without her! We made new friends as well as strengthened the ones we already had.
I went on a couple rides with some of the members in our group. We went to Deadwood, Crazy Horse, and through Custer Park as well as to Mt. Rushmore. We’re all like a big family we all have our ups and downs and it’s nice to be with those who understand, mostly because we all go through the same issues and troubles. We’re all away from our families longer than we really want to be due to our profession. It’s nice to just let all the worries of life go away for a week and relax and be yourself and hang out with people who have much of the same interests as yourself.
I am a new rider as I just took my motorcycle safety class in May, so there were a lot of things only experience can teach you. This was my first real long ride by myself, I had only done about 100 miles and always had someone with me on a ride. I put 1,805 miles on the bike this trip in total. I am proud of this accomplishment, not bad for a girl. Even though the trip started out really rocky I am so glad I didn’t give up!
I still keep in contact with much of the group, whether it is on my space or face book or the cell phone. I will always have these memories to treasure as well as these lasting friendships I’ve made through the group!
