"I appreciate the way you made me feel so welcome and really appreciate that you let me use your bike that one day. Randy added some great local color. Van support was exceptional. Always seemed to be handy when I needed it. One thing you might try is to add a unique sound when the van is passing to help the riders identify it."
"Highlight of the meals was the meal prepared by Glenna (co-owner of DBT) and crew. Wonderful food, better because it was homemade and served family style. Much extra effort, but warmly appreciated."
"Organization and Pride of Entrepreneurial spirit sets Dakota Bike tours a big cut above most companies and I thought Joe and I had traveled with the very best (Backroads and Butterfield & Robinson), but they have nothing on you. I can tell you spent a great deal of time thinking through the route."
"I am already talking your company up with my riding friends. Your Tour was an excellent value for the price, well organized, beautiful scenery, and I could go on! You will see me again for your Bad Devil Tour."
"I think the tour guides were awesome! The tour route and scenery were the most beautiful I have ever seen in my life. I am still talking about how much I enjoyed this trip!"
"Jim and Glenna, Thanks for a great week. We will try to get back for the Badlands tour. We were so impressed with beauty of South Dakota. I think the greatest thing for me was the fact that time was not an issue. I hardly looked at my watch."
"The guides were great....very informative about the history and geography of the various towns and monuments. The meals were really good…. especially the salmon and buffalo. This tour was a wonderful way to see Western South Dakota and meet some really fun people who enjoy biking."
"The ride from Sylvan Lake, Needles Hwy. to Custer State Park was one of the most scenic and outstanding bike rides in North America. I will recommend this tour to my friends because it is a very scenic tour and a great way to see all the monuments. Also, my friends would like the climbing and the spectacular down hills."
"Amazing!!! I had never been to the Black Hills, and I am so so impressed. I loved every bit of it. Each day seemed so different, and even more beautiful than the day before. I would love for my kids to see the area! Excellent job in keeping each day such a different and amazing experience."
"The routes were all fantastic. I enjoyed each for different reasons and felt they did a great job in showcasing the very diverse landscape of the Balck Hills."
"The Black Hills Classic Tour was Fantastic. Wonderful mix and evolution through the week. My husband was blown away by the Black Hills beauty and it brought back lots of very fond childhood memories for me."
"Tour was great. Riding was awesome. Some of the climbing and descents rivaled our European riding. The mix of riding was great--on the Mickelson Trail and on the roads. Some climbing/descents were sharp and others were gradual. Great to have the option for additional miles."
"Your guides treated us very well. They were very informative about history of the land and residents. They were very willing to help with bikes if needed. We had a wide variety of riders and they took care of all. They were very good discussing the directions for the day and asking if everyone understood."
This tour has been modified for 2010 in two ways and is slightly more difficult than before. One, we now ride up Spearfish Canyon (instead of down) to capture the beauty of the canyon and to have a more intimate lunch setting & continuous route. We also spend two nights at Sylvan Lake Lodge to capture the serenity of Custer State Park and take advantage of hiking in the park. This tour still explores all the "Classics" of the Black Hill of South Dakota as before including Spearfish Canyon, the Mickelson Trail, Mt. Rushmore, Needles Highway, Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial as well as historical mining towns such as Deadwood, Rochford, Hill City, Keystone and Custer. With its rich history, beauty, and friendly accommodations, this tour has it all.
Sunday, Arrival - We will pick people up at the Rapid City Airport at 1:30 p.m. and meet those with cars at Palmer Gulch Resort near Hill City at 3:00 p.m. Cars will remain at Palmer Gulch Resort for the duration of the tour. We will shuttle every one (50 minute drive) to the Black Hills Hideaway Bed and Breakfast (7 miles south of the historic town of Deadwood) nestled on 67 wooded acres of peace and solitude surrounded by Black Hills National Forest. We will fit people with their bikes and those who wish to take a short ride can do so. You will be served a tasty dinner by our hosts, Cathy and Ned Bode.
Monday, Spearfish Canyon Tour - Standard route is 32 miles and easily lengthened by 10 miles.
Tuesday, Tour Mickelson Trail - Standard route is 32 miles on this world class rails to trail corridor through the northern to central Black Hills (Tires 32c or larger recommended)
Wednesday, Mt. Rushmore Loop and Iron Mountain Loop - Standard route is 38 miles or easily shorten by 5-11 miles
Thursday, Crazy Horse Memorial Loop - Standard route is 24 miles plus a choice of easy to moderate hikes. We have modified this day because of numerous suggestions from our guests to allow time for hiking around beautiful Sylvan Lake.
Friday, Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop Tour - The full route is 42 miles which all riders will cover in its entirety by bike or by riding in the van several times (for about 10 miles) to avoid several challenging hills and ridge climbs. We designed the route this way because the Wildlife Loop is a must do to see buffalo and other wildlife regardless if one is on a bike or is in the van. It is typically a finale to the tour.
BLACK HILLS CLASSIC TOUR LEVEL - Moderate Plus to Challenging
For more information, contact Dakota Bike Tours today!
NOTE: Fee includes pick-up at RC Airport or Palmer Gulch Resort, return to Palmer Gulch Resort or Rapid City Motel, 5 dinners, 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, lodging, van support, 2 guides, park entrance fees and Mickelson Trail Pass. Fees do not include admission fees to attractions, single supplement, bike rentals, alcoholic beverages at meals, guide gratuities and additional request for transportation pickup or delivery in addition to our scheduled service. See Services for details.
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