1400 Miles later - EVERYBODY should ride Iron Mountain Highway in South Dakota

Hey all,

Returned yesterday from a 1400 mile trip out to South Dakota and back. My Spyder ST was a rockstar, solid and amazing even with the 100+ degree weather. Ride partner is a die-hard 2-wheel guy but even he was a bit jealous of the third wheel on our return trip, which was brutal - 80mph speed limits across the plains of South Dakota with temps between 100 and 104 and a 40mph gusting crosswind. Three-wheels was definitely a benefit.. I got pushed around a bit but at least I didn't have to ride 400 miles partially leaned into the wind while negotiating every other vehicle on the road and how it might change the wind sheer.

If you're every in the mood for an amazing road though - right next to Mount Rushmore is Iron Mountain Highway. It's a fantastic winding, moderately technical road that isn't as heavily traveled as Needles Highway (which is also quite good). Despite the weather and the wind and all of that we very nearly went back to do Iron Mountain a second and third time and would have if we didn't need to start heading back home. I set up a dual-camera system on the Spyder and will have a video of Iron Mountain soon.. point to point it was about a 30 minute ride up and down Iron Mountain including these cool pigtail bridges.

Great trip all in all! Definitely keeping Iron Mountain on my "when in the area" list for the next time I pass through South Dakota.






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hbX1b-iTUw

Next time you’ll have to try Vanocker and Spearfish Canyons, Nemo rd, Hwy 85 from Cheyenne Crossing to Newcastle…..

I agree with Iron Mountain Road as a must ride while in the Black Hills.

Yes. A fantastic ride. Iron Mountain Rd. is a must do.

Outstanding!!! How far is that highway from Deadwood? I'm headed to Deadwood in mid-July (after the 3-wheel rally...darn). Thanks for the pix...look forward to the video! Greg

I have done all of those several times, but Iron Mountain Road is my favorite. A nice leisurely ride through some beautiful country. Will be the in 3 weeks to so do it all again. Staying in Keystone as a base. Tentative plans are to do Yellowstone (again) on the way home.

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Originally Posted by RapidSpyder

Next time you’ll have to try Vanocker and Spearfish Canyons, Nemo rd, Hwy 85 from Cheyenne Crossing to Newcastle…..

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Originally Posted by RapidSpyder

Next time you’ll have to try Vanocker and Spearfish Canyons, Nemo rd, Hwy 85 from Cheyenne Crossing to Newcastle…..

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We did Spearfish Canyon as well, and Needles Highway. Adding the others to my list for next time

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Originally Posted by Flspyderpilot

Outstanding!!! How far is that highway from Deadwood? I'm headed to Deadwood in mid-July (after the 3-wheel rally...darn). Thanks for the pix...look forward to the video! Greg

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Not far.. the North End is pretty much right at the East entrance to Mount Rushmore. We went from South to North and then continued up into Rapid City for the night.

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Originally Posted by Flspyderpilot

Outstanding!!! How far is that highway from Deadwood? I'm headed to Deadwood in mid-July (after the 3-wheel rally...darn). Thanks for the pix...look forward to the video! Greg

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About an hr depending on traffic. A straight shot down 385 from Deadwood, then a left at three forks on Hwy 16 to the Keystone Wye, or go right into Hill City then come in on Old Hill City rd or Hwy 244. The turn off for Iron Mt. rd is just outside Keystone before you get to Mt. Rushmore.

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Originally Posted by RapidSpyder

About an hr depending on traffic.

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I'm a little jealous of your ability to just go hit those roads whenever you feel like it. Your local Can Am dealership in Rapid City was pretty sweet also and helped me out by breaking the welds on the screws holding the silencers in my Akrapovic muffler so I could remove them (which drastically changed that exhaust system for the better)

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Originally Posted by Flspyderpilot

Outstanding!!! How far is that highway from Deadwood? I'm headed to Deadwood in mid-July (after the 3-wheel rally...darn). Thanks for the pix...look forward to the video! Greg

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Video added to the main post :D

Come to the Deadwood 3 Wheeler Rally and ride all of them and more. I love riding these roads as well as the prairie to the north and west and the little towns and out to Devil's Tower, the Bad Lands to the east,Pompeii's Pillar and so much more.

Next year.. I hope to make it out to the 3-wheel rally. Conflicts this year

The first part of this video has Iron Mt. rd from a little different perspective. https://youtu.be/dySi7tWslkA

Here is a great video, on the areas tunnels. Bruce https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dySi7tWslkA