Needles Highway...

 

Joan made us a picnic lunch and off we went on the bikes.  "Did you shoot a bunch of video, Jim?"  Yes, and thanks for asking.  I understand a quick perusal of this blog isn't conducive to a 10 minute video that only other riders will appreciate.

So, here's a photo essay (made from snapshots of the video) of the day.

We took the good curvy roads to get to Custer State Park...

 Once on Needles Highway, we pulled off for our picnic lunch...

We kept an eye on the traffic going by - it was less than we expected, so we were hoping for a good ride from this Hole In The Wall area to Needles Eye Tunnel.  And for the most part, it was.  The occasional slow driver in front of us used the pullouts to let traffic get around (sometimes with a reminder of a flashing of the lights from the bike behind them).

It really is a beautiful drive/ride...

The closer you get to the Needles Eye Tunnel, the more majestic the scenery...

Notice the general lack of traffic.

And then, we got behind a bus.  When I see a bus on this narrow winding road, with an even narrower tunnel, I have to think: "This driver must be really good," or "This driver has no idea what he's getting into."  Probably the latter, as he was having difficulty getting around the really tight hairpin curve towards the top.  We eventually had to pass to keep from getting trapped behind him...

No, he is not parked in that photo above - that is how little room is left in the other lane.  No, I don't know if he eventually made it - we were past the tunnel long before he was within a mile of it.  Making our way...

And then to the Needles Eye Tunnel...

There were two pickups coming the other way - moving very slowly.  Really, if you stay to the middle, it should be no issue with a pickup.  Then, we got our turn...

There is always a crowd on the other side of the tunnel, with people climbing on the rocks or just milling around watching the panic on peoples' faces as the see the narrow tunnel.  Today was a bit different: our first time seeing a Star Wars Storm Trooper on a motorcycle...

I kinda expect stuff like that during the Rally, but that is 3 weeks away.  I'm guessing all that plastic was hot in the sunshine.  Then, leaving the Needles Eye area behind us...

Highway 89 south of there is another great road that takes you back to 16A, the main highway that goes through Custer State Park.  No photos there, as we were behind a pickup most of the way.  A left turn on Highway 16A and back into Custer State Park.  We didn't do the Wildlife loop, but we did see this group of mountain goats along the side of the road...

Out the east entrance of the park, riding on Highway 36 - another nice road with plenty of sweeping curves.  We took turns taking the lead...

We stopped at the intersection of Hwy 36 and Hwy 79...

We made a quick stop for gas (I got 72 mpg, Joan got exactly 100 mpg), then Highway 79 north to our turn onto Spring Creek Road and back to Hart Ranch.  A nice day's ride.

I may to some video editing of this ride.  At some point.  But, not this evening.  ;-)