Day 7,  Lead SD  (Total miles logged 3,483)

This morning, I headed south toward the Mt. Rushmore area. As anticipated, the volume of traffic was relatively light, which made for a great day of scenic riding with many twisting and winding roads.

Iron Mountain Highway never disappoints, with three pigtail-loop bridges, split-traffic lanes that wind up the mountain, and three carved tunnels that frame Mt. Rushmore. It’s a fantastic ride, that never gets old! 

The summit view was clear in all directions. What a view! I also got a great view of Crazy Horse monument.

Wildlife is abundant here. As I made my way into Custer State Park, I saw antelope and bison grazing the grassy meadows. I also saw several deer casually grazing a safe distance from the roadway. Apparently, my reputation for killing deer with my motorcycle has been widely spread within the deer community.

As I was making my way through the farthest end of the park, traffic suddenly came to a standstill as several jackasses decided to stop in the middle of the road, blocking traffic, to ask for donations. Yes, literally jackasses. There were several, wild donkeys trying to bum food as toll from drivers and riders.  I think I heard someone yell, "Get a job!" (smile)

Nearing the exit of the park meadows there was one last bison "traffic monitor" posed for pictures in his well-worn spot. He's pretty photogenic.

Riding the Needles highway I captured a sunbeam that seemed to pierce the eye of the needle rock at the summit of the roadway.

Speaking of the Needles Summit Tunnel, they have taken security to a new level with an Imperial Storm Trooper standing guard.

 

Overall, a fun day of twists and turns with a dash of sunburn. I stopped by Black Hills Harley Davidson to cool down as I admired the wares of many custom bike accessory vendors and treated myself to an $8 corndog and equally expensive fresh lemonade.

The day ended with a cumulative mileage of 3,483 miles.

Tomorrow my route will include Spearfish Canyon routes to the north of Sturgis and I will ride out to some of the smaller towns in the area.