Sturgis: The Ultimate American Road Trip

2012
28th July - 17th August 2012

2013
27th July - 16th August 2013                                      

STOP PRESS! ONLY ONE ROOM PLACE REMAINING FOR 2012 – BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!!!

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The ultimate 21 day tour to the world famous Sturgis Bike Rally, and much, much more besides! Starting in Las Vegas and including Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and the iconic Route 66.

Day 1. Arrive in Las Vegas, & settle in to our themed hotel, right on the city’s famous Strip. This evening, we’ll all get together in the Harley-Davidson Café for a welcome meal, & celebrate the start of the adventure! Afterwards, take in the fantastic sights of Las Vegas – from the beautiful dancing waters of the Bellagio, to the calm canals complete with singing Gondoliers at the Venetian. Check it all out, maybe have a little flutter, lose your jetlag & acclimatise to the heat.

Day 2. This morning, you’re free to do as you please until we meet up later to collect our trusty mounts, which we’ll be riding across deserts, through canyons, & over mountains in the coming days. But first, you have another evening to enjoy the hustle & bustle of Las Vegas, & prepare for an early start in the morning.

 

 

Day 3 – 189 miles.   Saddle up & move ‘em out for an early ride along The Strip as we leave the city (& the traffic) behind, & head through the Valley of Fire State Park, for our first taste of the dramatic scenery that will become a hallmark of this tour. We’ll stop for brunch in a one-horse town, then onward, following the winding course of the Virgin River to our overnight at Zion Canyon. Stable your steel mount for the evening, & take the free shuttle bus to explore the canyon, or maybe enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool, against the dramatic backdrop of majestic mountain peaks.

Day 4 - 323 miles                                                                                                                                  Zion is one of the west’s most stunning National Parks, & the ride through it is one of our absolute favourites. Experience the dramatic scenery, closeness to nature, & wonderful colours of the rocky canyon as we climb the winding switchbacks to the cool green plateau above. Heading northwards on scenic highways, we’ll ride through Circleville, where Butch Cassidy spent much of his childhood. We lunch at the Big Rock Candy Mountain, & spend tonight in the Olympic ski resort of Park City.

 

Day 5 – 273 miles  This morning we’ll join the freeway for a while, then on to Bear Lake, for lunch. We’ll cross briefly into Idaho, before entering Wyoming & on to our two-night stay in the cowboy town of Jackson Hole, in the foothills of the Grand Teton Mountains. There’s so much to do here; have a ride on horseback, a trip out on a chuck-wagon for supper, or just ride and enjoy the incredible scenery.

 

Day 6 – 166 miles  The scenery in Yellowstone is stunning, & a visit to Old Faithful, to see the most famous geyser in the world erupt is an absolute must! You are welcome to join us if you wish, or stay & soak up the western atmosphere in Jackson.

Day 7 – 176 miles Today we’ll ride through Yellowstone for the last time. After lunch at Buffalo Bill’s former hunting lodge, we head east through the Sleeping Giant Mountains on our way to Cody for our overnight stay. You have the option of watching a cowboy shootout on Main Street, or a not-to-be-missed visit to the Rodeo to see the real cowboys doing their stuff!

Day 8 – 184 miles  Leaving Cody, we’ll be riding the sweeping roads & switchbacks of the Bighorn Mountains, & with the summit at almost 9500ft., look out for snow! After descending to Bear Lodge Resort for a delicious lunch, it’s back on the bikes for even more breathtaking scenery & brilliant riding roads. Tonight you get the chance to dine in the same restaurant used by Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid! Call in at the adjoining Occidental Hotel, for a taste of western life at the turn of the last century. We’re right in Indian country now, so it may be prudent to form the bikes into a circle & post a watch at nights!

Days 9-12 - 199 miles  We’re heading for Sturgis today, & crossing the state line into South Dakota. We’ll be in the beautiful Black Hills Region for the next 4 days, giving us plenty of time to soak up the crazy atmosphere of the worlds biggest motorcycle rally. Indulge in a beer at One Eyed Jack’s or the Broken Spoke Saloon, & watch the bikes parade up & down Main Street. We stay in the lively old gold rush town of Deadwood, around 15 miles from Sturgis. Rich in pioneer history, Deadwood hosts the cemetery where Calamity Jane lies beside her friend Wild Bill Hickock, who was famously shot here in 1876. Over the next few days you’re going to see more Harleys than you’ve ever seen before, but if you feel you’ve overdosed on steel & chrome, you can always head out to the peaceful tranquillity of Badlands National Park, picturesque Spearfish Canyon, or maybe visit Devil’s Tower for a ‘Close Encounter.’

Day 13 – 200 miles  Leaving Sturgis early we’ll ride through Keystone, & stop for a photo at Mt Rushmore, then on to visit the fascinating Crazy Horse Monument. Today we’re heading back into Wyoming & southbound through Custer State Park, where buffalo still roam, alongside bighorn sheep & cute little prairie dogs on the plains. Later we’ll ride along part of the notoriously dangerous old Deadwood-Cheyenne stagecoach route, where robberies, horse thefts & murders were commonplace in the late 19th century.

Day 14 – 260 miles  Continuing south into Colorado & towards Denver, we’ll be visiting the old Fort Laramie. No longer the old wooden frontier fort you may expect, but a fascinating living history museum. After a visit to Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson, we’ll spend tonight at Loveland, on the edge of the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park.

 

 

Day 15 – 227 miles  Riding west through the Rockies, we’ll be taking in all the fantastic forest & mountain scenery today, arguably the best of the whole tour. Wrap up warm, as it gets pretty cold at almost 12,000 feet. You can even park the bike & walk up to the snow line from here! Relax in the evening when we reach Glenwood Springs, by taking the waters in the natural spa, reputed to have health-giving properties.

 

 

Day 16 – 235 miles  Continuing south on scenic mountain roads studded with old silver mines, we continue through Colorado to Durango, passing through historic frontier & silver mining towns of yesteryear. We’ll be stopping for lunch at Silverton, a fascinating old town, with the most beautiful stagecoach in the street, not to mention the original old steam train still running every day.

Day 17- 164 miles  Today we will visit four states all at once, at “Four Corners,” where Colorado, Utah, Arizona & New Mexico meet. We continue south-west into Utah today, with time to marvel at the glorious sunset over Monument Valley. On arrival at our hotel this afternoon, make like the old cowboys with a refreshing swim in the San Juan River!

 

Day 18 - 185 miles     A morning visit to Monument Valley is not to be missed, to see the awe-inspiring formations of buttes & mesas, familiar through many films & TV adverts. We’ll cross into Arizona, & ride through the Painted Desert, for a traditional Navajo lunch. Then ride on to the Grand Canyon for our overnight stay, in plenty of time to watch the colourful sunset over the biggest hole in the ground you ever did see!

Day 19 - 245 miles  Today we join some of the most scenic parts of the iconic Route 66, through Seligman, Kingman & over the twisty Sitgreave’s Pass into the quaint old mining town of Oatman. We overnight at Laughlin, a gambling town on the banks of the Colorado River.

Day 20 – 162 miles  We’re calling back to Oatman for breakfast at the saloon before picking up Route 66 one last time. Crossing into Nevada over the spectacular Hoover Dam, we’re heading back to Las Vegas. Time to return our motorcycles, & later maybe join up for a fond farewell meal, & recap on the wonderful adventures we’ve enjoyed together in the last 3500 miles!

Day 21. Say goodbye to Las Vegas, we’re off to the airport & homeward bound.
Prices per Person                          2012                                          2013

1 bike 2 people, 1 room                   $5114            £3299                $5247                £3385

2 bikes, 2 people, 1 room               $6410            £4135                $6580             £4245

1 bike 1 person 1 room                   $9726            £6275               $ 9974            £6435

Trike supplement                           $2219               £1419

In the case of major Exchange Rate fluctuations, we reserve the right to alter prices and issue a currency surcharge/refund if necessary.

A deposit of £1000 per bike secures your place, balance due 12 weeks before departure.

Flights not included.

What’s Included: Harley-Davidson rental,  including sales & environmental taxes, & minimum insurance.  Also support vehicle, all hotels, Welcome Meal, some breakfasts, National Park Passes, tour guides.

Theft & Damage Waivers recommended, & are payable locally at either $18, $24 or $29 per day.
Bikes and Cars Available for this Tour

This itinerary may change slightly subject to availability & weather conditions. All mileages are approximate.

Please ensure you have read all Hadrian V-Twin Tours & Rentals Guided tour Terms and Conditions

To reserve a place or to make an enquiry about this tour please go to Contact Us

Click on the arrow below to view The Ultimate American Road Trip DVD