MT. RUSHMORE & DEVILS TOWER CHALLENGE TOUR
- 7 days, 6 nights - Saturday through Friday
- July 18 - 24
- Challenging Plus
- On Road
- Bike Rentals Available
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MT. RUSHMORE & DEVILS TOWER CHALLENGE TOUR SUMMARY
This challenging tour essentially loops Rapid City-South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore, (central Black Hills) and Devils Tower-Wyoming, covering 385 miles of spectacular scenery and altitude gain and loss of over 15,000 feet. Not exactly ride the Rockies, but close to it. The route is designed with a feature that guests appreciate with lodging 2 nights in a row in two different scenic places to cut down the packing up every day. We continue our tradition of staying in unique accommodations with two B&B's, a scenic canyon lodge and chalet with a view of Harney Peak, the tallest mountain east of the Rockies. We will tour the "Classics" of the Black Hills, South Dakota such as Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Spearfish Canyon, and Devils Tower National Monument.
After staying at Palmer Gulch for two nights, we ride our bikes to the remote limestone country of the western Black Hills and stop in the historic mining town of Rochford for beverages at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon and on to Spearfish. We will travel to Devils Tower National Monument and will stay 2 nights complete the tour Thursday night at the scenic Spearfish Canyon Lodge followed by a ride up Vanocker Canyon and finishing with a descent into Nemo and Rapid City on Friday.
Sunday Arrival and Short Rider - Guests will convene at 11:00 a.m. in Rapid City at Dakota Bike Tours for loading luggage, lunch and an overview of the week's tour.
- Following lunch, we will depart on our bikes for a 29 mile ride to Palmer Gulch Resort to get acclimatized and introduced to the Black Hills in a relaxed way prior to Monday's "triple pass" ride.
- The first 17 miles departs Rapid City on Sheridan Lake Road with quick entry into Black Hills National Forest with open meadows, meandering trout stream, ridges and peaks, with some calling the scenery hills while others call them mountains.
- At Sheridan Lake, we will turn south for 4 miles and stop at the award winning Prairie Berry Winery for snacks and optional wine tasting.
- We will continue into Hill City for 4 miles where art galleries and fine boutique stores abound.
- We will take a short-cut to Palmer Gulch Resort to end our 29 mile ride where we will stay at Palmer Lodge.
Monday, Mt. Rushmore & Triple Pass Loop - Route is 75 miles & 3 major climbs
- Following coffee and fruit or muffin, you will depart for an early morning 6 mile bike ride to Mt. Rushmore where breakfast will be served while gazing at the faces of the four presidents.
- After visiting Mt. Rushmore, the tour continues downhill before turning onto the Iron Mountain Road to ascend 800 feet in 3 miles to Norbeck Outlook, our first major pass.
- We will then descend 1500 feet on the backside of the famous route and have lunch at the historic Game Lodge in Custer State Park.
- The Wildlife Loop follows lunch with probable viewing of Buffalo, Antelope, Big Horn Sheep, and Burros while beginning a 1700 foot climb to Mt. Coolidge Overlook, our second major pass of the day.
- Then we descend 600 feet before starting the last 1500 foot, 9 mile climb to the Needles Eye of the spectacular Needles Highway.
- The homestretch of this amazing day will go by Sylvan Lake, down a switch back road, and over a cut-across to Palmer Gulch Resort.
Tuesday, Deerfield Lake and Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway - Route is 58 miles.
- Following a pancake breakfast, we will ride our bikes to Deerfield Lake, a remote western part of the hills on the edge of the limestone country and a 1400 foot gain from Hill City in 13 miles.
- Past Deerfield Lake, we will encounter 10 miles of gravel where those who wish will bypass with a van shuttle. Not perfect, but the remoteness and beauty of this area is well worth the inconvenience.
- Once over the gravel, we will return to pavement and arrive shortly in Rochford, a historical mining town, for lunch and possible suds at the legendary Moonshine Gulch Saloon.
- After lunch, we will continue with some elevation gain for the next 18 miles until we are above Cheyenne Crossing, which sets the stage for a 9 mile descent of 1000 feet into Spearfish Canyon to the hamlet of Savory.
- We will spend the night in Spearfish Canyon Lodge, the heart of Savoy where Little Spearfish Canyon forms a large intersection of towering limestone bluffs. With lots of beauty and history, this area is where the winter scene of Dances With Wolves was filmed.
- Dinner will be served at the Latchstring Inn, a short walk from the lodge with a great view of the canyon walls.
Wednesday, Onto Devils Tower - This day is 75 miles, but should not be as challenging as Monday, unless there are strong winds out of the west.
- Depart from Spearfish Canyon Lodge and descend 1200 feet in 13 miles to the town of Spearfish, then ride 12 miles on a back country road through rolling valleys to a great rest stop in the Hamlet of Beulah, Wyoming.
- Continue to Sundance for 18 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain where the lunch stop will be. Sundance is in a beautiful bowl surrounded by Warren Peak to the north and Sundance Mountain to the south.
- Following lunch includes a 30 mile section of this adventurous day and some of the most pleasant bicycle touring in the Black Hills including first views of the Devils Tower from 10 miles away. (Remember the movie, "Close Encounters of the Third Kinds"?)
- Arrive at the entrance of Devils Tower National Monument and go directly to the Devils Tower Lodge and B&B just outside the Monument's west boundary in the old superintendent's home. Relax with a beverage on the house while viewing Devils Tower from the hot tub. Eat a delicious dinner provided by Frank Sanders and listen to his stories of climbing the tower for 365 days in a row to raise money for a charitable organization.
Thursday, Playtime - This is the easiest day of the tour with an open itinerary. But here are some options.
- Following a leisurely breakfast, ride your bike 1 mile to the base of Devils Tower itself to the visitor center and then take a 2 mile easy walk around the tower on a paved path.
- Ride your bike 13 miles to the small town of Hulett to visit a museum and have lunch. Return to the B&B or ride bikes to Devils Tower Junction for additional mileage.
Friday, Bear Lodge Mountains - We will depart from one of the most memorable B&B stays you will ever have and take a 63 mile northern route through the Bear Lodge Mountains, Belle Fourche and to Spearfish where we will spend the night at another great B&B.
- Following a leisurely breakfast, ride your bike 13 miles to Hulett.
- Ride an additional 10 miles to Alva for brief rest stops.
- Continue to Aladdin by crossing the friendly terrain of the Bear Lodge Mountains along side creeks and tall pines that give this route a four thumbs up by cyclists. We will have a picnic lunch in a small shady picnic area across from Aladdin's general store.
- Complete a 26 mile ride to Spearfish after passing through the town of Belle Fourche.
- We will spend the night at the Secret Garden B&B, built by the Randolph Hearst Family in 1896. Beverly and her standard poodle, Mr. Wilson, will be our delightful hosts.
Saturday, Homeward Bound via Vanocker Canyon - Route is 58 miles with one more classic climb, one that gives the locals bragging rights.
- We will take rolling back roads for 18 miles to the city of Sturgis, famous for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. No, the motor cycles won't be there for another two weeks.
- In two miles, begin the 1700 foot (net gain) roller coaster ascent into Vanocker Canyon for 12 miles. Stop in Nemo, a mining town turned to rustic resort, for lunch.
- Continue for 20 miles with a net 1700 foot descent into Rapid City and return to where the cars are parked in Dakota Bike Tours International Headquarters.
- If guest wish to fly home Saturday night, we can deliver you to the airport by 4 p.m.
MT. RUSHMORE & DEVILS TOWER CHALLENGE TOUR LEVEL - Challenging Plus
For more information, contact Dakota Bike Tours today!
NOTE: NOTE: Fee includes pick-up at RC Airport or Rapid City Motel, return to Rapid City Motel or RC Airport, Double Occupancy Accommodations, 6 dinners, 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, lodging, van support, 2 guides, and park entrance fees. Fees do not include admission fees to attractions, single supplement, bike rentals, alcoholic beverage at meals, guide gratuities and additional request for transportation. See Services for details.
