Rovin' 'Rauder Reporter's Sturgis Report 8/12/99

The Continuing Adventures of Bessy and Lucky Bastard

When we last left Bessy and Lucky Bastard, who rides her, they were waiting out a tornado warning. The campground (Lone Star Campground) is located at the base of Bear Butte. This is a significant religious site to the native American Indians all over the western USA.

It blew pretty good last night, and the Sheriff called the campground with a hail and tornado warning. The Lone Star folks responded by driving all over camp and inviting all bikers to park their babies under the band/eating building. I counted 53 bikes under roof when the ran out of space. Good decision, but we got only a little mist. Other campgrounds got serious rain and even hail. One dude too a shot on the head from a baseball sized hail stone. He lived, but the word is he had a hell of a lump. Once again Lucky Bastard justifies his name. Leonard Skinner Band was playing at the Buffalo Chip campground. $28.00. Bessy and I went to the entrance, but the skys were threatening, so I left. Other folks who went said they left after 3 songs due to the wind, they assumed the concert wouldn’t last much longer. (Lucky again)

This morning I decided to ride Bessy to Spearfish Canyon. On the way, I saw a “Speedy Lube” with a temporary sign up “We change motorcycle oil”. I’d seen little trailer setups advertising the same thing, but I said what the heck, I’d try Speedy Lube. I pull in and ask the dude how much. I said “I’m sure you won’t have a filter, how much for just an oil change?” He points and says “That’s the owners bike” I look over and there is a 99 Marauder! The first one I’ve seen since I’ve been here, outside of the Suzuki Booth. Well, you should expect new members soon, Dave and Tiffany Smith. If in Sturgis, you can count on them for an oil change and filter. Speedylube1@webtv.net. I truly am a Lucky Bastard! Or maybe it’s Bessy.

So we take off and ride out to Spearfish Canyon. We dodge the rain, but it is overcast. We enter the canyon, and it is great. Very few bikers, due to the weather. It is a pretty darn good ride. Then I see a good spot to take a picture and the sun comes out! I’m not making this up. I pull over, take the shot, and get back on Bessy. The sky closes up again within 5 minutes. Must be all the positive karma from 700 MIGs. Bessy and I appreciate it! But soon it starts to drizzle. (No one is THAT lucky.)

We decide to take a dirt road, which is just damp enough not to be dusty, and take a 14 mile trip up into the mountains. Takes 40 minutes, but no gravel is flung up to hurt Bessy. Nice misty ride. We find Iron Creek Lake, and it is spectacular. Small, but well off the beaten path. A burger and a coffee later and we start back. The rain holds off to a drizzle until we rejoin the main road (14A) and head for Spearfish. More spectacular views in the canyon, but soon the sky opens up and the rain falls with real purpose. Heavy duty rain. We make it back to Sturgis and it lets up. I head back to Speedy Lube and take Dave up on his earlier offer to allow me to use his bucket and soap to give Bessy a good washing. She looks great again! I’m dry except my boots. Lucky, but stupid, I didn’t bring extra shoes.

Bessy and Lucky Bastard, AKA JimG

Tommorrow I head for Rapid City to see if anyone shows up for the MIG ride at 11/12 am at Rice Honda/Suzuki. Maybe we’ll do Needle’s Highway, the only ride we’ve missed. I hope it’s warmer!