Day 6, Lead SD  (Total miles logged 3,256)

Wednesday was a special day in my 2024 journey. I spent Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning catching up with special friends, Cathy and Mike Campbell and Cathy’s mom, Ruby Nell Kitterman. 

We had a wonderful visit over homemade dinner and breakfast and chatted into the evening.

I am obvious in highly favored with the Campbell’s, as Mike moved his truck out of the garage for me to park my motorcycle. He also took time this morning to clean the bug splatters and road grime from it this morning before I left.

Riding the flat plains of Colorado and Wyoming I didn’t have to worry about riding in any cold temperatures this morning. It was also nice the states removed all the trees and mountains so I could see for miles, and miles and miles. For the record, if you took away the Rocky Mountains and Continental Divide, Colorado and Wyoming would be as flat as western Kansas.

The wheat harvest is still underway in Colorado and Wyoming as I encountered a few harvester crews repositioning equipment north along Highway 85. Fortunately, no major delays getting around them, as traffic was relatively light.

As if by cue, the clouds gathered and temperatures cooled as I came into the Black Hills region and progressed toward my hotel destination in the city of Lead, SD. The ride into the Black Hills area was further enhanced as I rode along a crystal clear mountain stream, complete with beautiful wild flowers, and small waterfalls.

At my hotel, I have an added bonus of indoor parking so, should it rain during the nights, the shine on my motorcycle Mike worked hard to produce this morning will be preserved. 

I did ride through Sturgis Main Street as they were preparing for the official start of the rally this Friday.  I even collected my mandatory rally pin and patch, so I’m all set for souvenirs.

Tomorrow I will be riding local routes will include Custer State Park, Iron Mountain Highway and possibly Needles Highway. Getting here before the rally means the roads will not be too crowded.

Mileage through day 6 is 3,256