Legends and Landscapes: Explore the Black Hills

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Overview: Yes, South Dakota is as stunning as they say! This “monumental” ride blends spectacular scenery, frontier history, and exhilarating cycling into an unforgettable roaming loop experience.  This tour will repeat the 2019 route and will be scouted.  

This challenging yet rewarding cycling journey takes you deep into a landscape filled with towering granite spires, rolling prairies, and abundant wildlife—including the iconic buffalo herds of Custer State Park.  Starting in Rapid City, this roaming tour makes a clockwise loop through the Black Hills of South Dakota and eastern Wyoming, visiting the towns of Hill City (SD), Custer (SD), Newcastle (WY), Sundance (WY), Hullet (WY), Spearfish (SD), Deadwood (SD) and back to Rapid City (SD).  

Along the way, you’ll explore several National Monuments and attractions, both on ride days and rest days, including Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, the Mickelson Trail, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Devil’s Tower. 

You’ll also have the rare opportunity to climb the highest peak east of the Rockies and west of the Pyrenees, making this a true high-altitude adventure!  Note that many ride days have elevation gain of 2,700’ - 4,300’.

Historic western towns like Deadwood, Custer, Sundance, Hill City, Spearfish, and Keystone bring the Wild West to life. Step into the past at Saloon #10, where Wild Bill Hickok met his infamous fate, or soak up local flavor at the quirky Moonshine Gulch and Mangy Moose saloons.

Experience the breathtaking beauty, rich history, and rugged adventure of the Black Hills.  Join us for an epic Wild West adventure on two wheels!

Health & Safety: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

Ride Rating - 3B: Many ride days have elevation gain of 2,700’ - 4,300’ (although some days are less), with nearly 30,000’ total gain during the tour. There are three days that exceed the 3B rating in elevation or distance.  (Ride Leader may be contacted to review the full itinerary prior to acceptance on the tour. Participants will be able to view the itinerary under Ride Leader Docs after being accepted on the tour.)  Participants should also be aware that there are a few short pitches with grades in excess of 8%; however, generally grades are 3-5%.  Roads are smooth with nice shoulders; however, this tour also traverses the Michelson Trail which is crushed gravel.  The tour starts in Rapid City at 3,200’ elevation, although many towns along the way are at nearly 5,500’ elevation.  The optional climb to the highest peak in South Dakota takes you to 6,200’ elevation. Bicycles with at least 28c tires are recommended due to the days you’ll ride the crushed gravel Mickelson Trail.  Tandems and ebikes are welcome.  Participants will need to bring their own bicycles set up to ride road and crushed gravel. The bicycle shops in Rapid Cities do not have appropriate rentals for this type of tour. 

Cue sheets, maps, GPS files: GPS files, maps, and cue sheets will be provided for each day, reflecting the same routes taken by this tour previously.

Weather: Temperature ranges:  Average lows are in the 50s and the average high is around 78 degrees.  Precipitation is between 2.5’’- 3.0” for the month of June depending on the location.

Lodging & Luggage: Lodging will vary depending on the location from small, modest motels to some very nice hotels.  Luggage is limited to two pieces.  The larger piece is limited to 35 pounds with total linear inches not exceeding 54.  One additional bag will be allowed that meets airline carry on size.

Logistics: The ride will start and end at The Rushmore Hotel Best Western in Rapid City, SD. The first meeting / happy hour will be at 5:00pm in the hotel bar area on June 13, 2026 followed by a group dinner. 

Airlines flying into Rapid City are American, Delta, United, and Allegiant.  The hotel has a shuttle to and from the airport for approximately $10. Vehicles may be left at the hotel parking lot at no extra cost.  Bike boxes may also be left at the hotel.

Food: Trip fees will cover the first and last night’s dinner, a pizza night in New Castle, packed lunches for all ride days where a there is no place to stop for food along the route, 14 breakfasts, and Happy Hour each day.

*Note:  Although the food and supplies for lunches and Happy Hours will be provided by the ride leader, all participants will be asked to assist with preparing the Happy Hours and lunch buffet areas, including laying out the supplies and cleanup. This will be done on a rotational basis in teams of four.

Cost & Administration: The estimated cost for this tour is $3,100 and does not include the BAC registration fee.  A deposit of $1,600 is due immediately once your tour attendance has been accepted. The second payment of $1,500 will be due January 31, 2026.

Cost includes fixings for sandwich lunches when lunch stop is not available, two dinners, one pizza night, 14 breakfasts, happy hours each day, 14 nights lodging, RWGPS routes in an Event (downloadable digital cue sheets), and luggage transfer by van.  Emergency support will be provided if necessary.

Costs include all gratuities for meals. Costs do not include entry into National Parks, other attractions or tips for housekeeping. 

Singles & Solos Policy: Singles are welcome! It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until January 31, 2026 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the $1,900 Solo Supplement and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. The solo supplement payment can be paid by Zelle or check.

To pay using Zelle: 

• In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org

• Initiate a payment

• In the Message block, enter the name of your ride.

If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org 

Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

Cancellation Policy: The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

Ride Participant Responsibility: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Insurance Statements: Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents. This coverage applies when touring inside the US, regardless of your nationality. It’s assumed that members’ personal insurance will cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, so these have not been included in the BAC policy. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible. You may want to consider personal coverage for emergency evacuation, as this is not included. The costs of treatment or quarantine for Covid and other unexpected illnesses are not covered. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.

Sign-Up: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. There is an $85.00 domestic ride fee. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.