Black Hills Classic Tour

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6 days, 5 nights - Sunday through Friday

  Black Hills Tour Summary

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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.
  • Following breakfast and a shuttle to Spearfish Canyon, you will ride up (2-3% grade) Spearfish Canyon for a 19 mile spectacular ride through giant canyon walls and meandering Spearfish Creek. (In 13 miles, will stop for a short nature hike at the Latchstring Inn including a delightful waterfall.)
  • Ride to Cheyenne Crossing for lunch and the best carrot cake on the planet.
  • Following lunch, get a taste of one of the tour's most challenging hills, a 3 mile 5-7% unrelenting climb.
  • Finish the standard route at Dumont, a trailhead for the Mickelson Trail.
  • Those desiring 10 additional miles, will continue on this beautiful back country road to the historic mining town of Rochford, where they will meet those riding in the van to have some beverages a the Moonshine Gulch Saloon.
  • After returning to the Black Hill Hideaway, Dinner will be at the Deadwood Social Club above the famous Saloon #10, with relaxed atmosphere and excellent food.
  
  
  
• 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)
  • Depart from Dumont trailhead on the Mickelson Trail for a gentle 32 mile bike ride (4/5 downhill) along a world class rails to trails bike path to Hill City. (Van support is available to avoid the 6 mile uphill section if desired).
  • Stop in Rochford at the "Small of America" for a great rest stop while marveling at the history of this well known mining town. 
  • On to Hill City where art galleries and fine boutique stores abound as well as great lunch spots such as the Alpine Inn and Bumping Buffalo Saloon.
  • Push on for last 7 miles.
  • You will be staying in Palmer Lodge for one night.
  
  
  
• Wednesday, Mt. Rushmore Loop and Iron Mountain Loop - Standard route is 38 miles or easily shorten by 5-11 miles
  • 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 staying at Mt. Rushmore as long as you like, the tour continues downhill before turning onto the Iron Mountain Road to ascend an elevation gain of 700 feet in 3 miles. Those who wish to avoid this uphill climb will jump in the van and travel to the top to descend a 5 mile thriller on the backside of this famous route. Eight miles further takes the rider to Legion Lake for lunch.
  • Following lunch, the tour travels west toward Custer and then north on Route 89 for a series of climbs to Sylvan Lake Resort and Lodge, an elevation gain of over 1000 ft and 13 miles from Legion Lake.
  • Dinner will be held on the patio deck of Sylvan Lake Lodge.

  
  

• 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.
  • Following breakfast, we loop back on route 89 to Custer dropping 800 ft to gain access to the Mickelson Trail for a 6 mile uphill ride of 500 ft to Crazy Horse Memorial.
  • In addition to lunch, most people will wish to spend a considerable amount of time viewing and learning about the largest active mountain carving in the world involving a rich Native American history.
  • The route continues north on the Mickelson rail for 6 miles downhill, turning southeast on Route 87 for a six mile cimb on a scenic road with switchbacks to Sylvan Lake Lodge
  • Those who wish to avoid this 800 ft climb will happily get in the van to save energy for hiking. However, if you desire to continue experiencing sections similar to the Tour de France, ride this entire stretch. 
  • Approximately 2 o'clock, guests will have the opportunity to do hikes on Harney Peak, Little Devils Tower, Sunny Gulch or around Sylvan Lake.
  • Dinner will be held in the lodge's grand dining room at 7:00 p.m.

 

• 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.
  • Following a superb breakfast buffet, the route follows the classic Needles Highway (mostly downhill) with many stops along the way.
  • You will continue through the heart of Custer State Park with Legion Lake as a choice rest stop. 
  • We will continue up and over Collidge Lookout to Blue Belle Picnic area for a fine picnic lunch.
  • Following lunch remains a 22 mile spectacular ride via the Wildlife Loop to the Visitor Center just west of the Game Lodge where the tour ends.  Again, the support van is available to help avoid 3 ridge climbs and shorten the bike ride to everyone's comfort level.
  • We will shuttle everyone back to their cars at Palmer Gulch Resort or to their motels in Rapid City.  Showers can be made available at Palmer Gulch Resort.  Do not schedule a flight to depart Rapid City on Friday evening, experience has shown there is not enough time to make it without undue stress.