Happy Mid-January!! We are continuing to focus on getting new routes ready for next spring. This week we want to talk about one of our South Dakota routes in the Black Hills: The Keystone Custer Loop!
The Keystone Custer loop is an amazing ride that includes 3 of the Must-Ride roads in the Black Hills; The Needles Highway, The Custer Wildlife Loop, and the Iron Horse Highway.
Starting in Keystone, South Dakota it is just a short ride to Mount Rushmore. Continuing on past Mt. Rushmore is a neat opportunity for a profile view of George Washington. Up next are the switchbacks that take you to the scenic Needles Highway with its crazy rock spires.
After finishing the Needles Highway, you have the option to take a gravel road to the top of Mt. Coolidge for an amazing view of the Black Hills (Note: the road to Mt. Coolidge is not part of the GPS route, but we have identified the entrance if you want to add on this side trip).
Just past the road to Mt. Coolidge is the entrance to Custer National Park Wildlife Loop. If you are lucky you will get to see plenty of Bison and other wild animals. Be aware that if animals are present, there will be a lot of cars stopped for viewing.
When you finish the Wildlife Loop, this route follows the Iron Horse Highway back to Keystone. The Iron Horse has many amazing features including switchbacks, pigtails, and tunnels. When you are riding through the tunnels, look for the views of Mount Rushmore. Be sure to stop at the Norbeck Overlook to stretch your legs and get more great views of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.
Black Hills Routes:
We are busy working on more routes in the Black Hills for next spring. We already have 4 additional routes completed (pending test rides) and have plans for several more. We want to include as many great roads as possible between the Badlands and Devil's Tower. Our plan is to have these done and ready for riding in the spring so when you are planning your August trip to Sturgis we will have a bunch of rides ready for you!
Ride Safe!!
Dale and Renee