Iron Mountain Road and the Shrine of Democracy...

Seems that it has been a while - it is a perfect day to be out on the scoots.  (Note: LOTS of scooter photos in this post.)

When we are at Hart Ranch, one of my favorite nearby motorcycle roads is Neck Yoke Road... lots of twists and turns, up and down hills.  They started road construction on it yesterday - if I were the paranoid type, I would say the construction crews from San Juan Island are following me, taking care to mess up all the roads I like to ride.  But, I'm not paranoid, and there are plenty of great roads in the Black Hills.

Before heading out for a ride, little Izzy put on her sweet face to ask for some leash time...

I can't resist that little face.  We went for a walk, then she watched while I got the scoots out.

Gearing up...

Leaving Hart Ranch, heading for Highway 79...

A short jaunt on Hwy 79, south to Hermosa, then a right turn onto Hwy 40.  Nice to go from 4-lane to 2-lane, and we know the enjoyable riding ahead...

There was a couple on a Harley that came up behind us.  On the curves, we pulled ahead, on the straights, they caught up.  Then, a first: at about 4,000' elevation and a steep uphill... we both ran out of ummmph.  The Harley passed us on that steep uphill stretch.

If the road construction hadn't messed up Neck Yoke Road, we would have come out here...

Heading into Keystone, the touristy town closest to Mt. Rushmore...

I was surprised that Keystone wasn't busier: it is a beautiful day, and the local news is reporting "this is a good time for a drive through the Hills to check out the fall colors."  If you want t-shirts, Black Hills Gold jewelry, taffy, or any other kind of tourist stuff, Keystone is the place.  The Chainsaw Artist has increased the size of his work since we were here last...

Who doesn't want a bigger-than-life-size wooden chopper??  On to Mt. Rushmore.  There is a little game we have played since we first came to this area back in the 70s: who sees Mt. Rushmore first!  If you are watching the road closely coming out of Keystone, you will miss the first view of Mt. Rushmore - I won!  (We also play this game while on I-90 between Sundance and Morecroft, Wyoming, with the top of Devil's Tower.) 

A stop at the Mt. Rushmore sign...

There are several other good stops along this road where you can see the faces...

Joan likes selfies.

We didn't stop this time at the Memorial.  Today, it is about the riding.  Well, we did stop to get photos...

After getting those photos, we turned around, heading back towards Iron Mountain Road...

Iron Mountain Road was designed by Peter Norbeck - it spans the area between the Mt. Rushmore Memorial and Custer State Park.  Some specs...

• 17 MILES
• 314 CURVES
• 14 SWITCHBACKS
• 3 PIGTAILS
• 3 TUNNELS
• 4 PRESIDENTS
• 2 SPLITS

It has been called: the most captivating and unusual road in America.  It is an historical work of art, designed to make you slow down to enjoy the experience.

I call it: South Dakota's answer to The Tail of the Dragon (North Carolina/Tennessee border, with 318 curves in 11 miles).  A lot of motorcyclists experience this road during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally... when the traffic is insanely heavy... WAY more fun to do this in the shoulder season.  This and Spearfish Canyon are my absolute favorite rides in the Black Hills.

On with the ride...

There are two places on this road where the lanes split (see above) - no concerns with on-coming traffic.

Going the other direction through this tunnel, Mt. Rushmore is your view.  We are coming back, so watch for it...

Mt. Rushmore is at the horizon, looking down "the lane" where the trees have been trimmed...

Another tunnel, down the road...

And, another split...

There's Mt. Rushmore...

This road is even better than I remember!  Riding around one of the "pigtail bridges"...

Yeah, more than a 360º rotation through those bridges!  This is a great ride!

Heading back into Keystone for a late lunch...

We got an outdoor table to watch the comings and goings on the road through Keystone...

Leaving Keystone, to Highway 16 - the road that connects Rapid City with Mt. Rushmore.  This road is 4 lane, and another fine motorcycle road.  Plenty of touristy places along Hwy 16: Reptile Gardens, Bear Country USA, Old McDonald's (petting) Farm, The Cosmos.  The Black Hills are a vacation destination area.  Some folks drive through, stop at Mt. Rushmore, and think they have "seen/done" the Black Hills (approximately 110 miles long, 70 miles wide).  It is a beautiful area.

Back to the ride: leaving Keystone...

Spring Creek Road, taking us back to Hart Ranch...

The colors are starting to turn.  Over the next week or so, we'll be checking out more of the Black Hills... Deadwood... Spearfish... and up into the Hills themselves.