2023 Wanderer Ride – Day Four

Today certainly didn’t go as expected. I woke early, around 5:30 which is far too early, at least for today. It’s a cold, wet morning. Temps are in the upper forties and the wind is blowing. The rain has moved on but it’s still wet out. I lay back down and rest until 7:30, it’s now time to start getting ready for what will be an adventurous day, with next to zero miles ridden.

I grab a quick shower and put on the same clothes I just took off, all of my fresh clothing is still with Libby, four miles away. At 8:30 I order a Lyft (recommended over Uber here) and await it’s arrival. William is my driver and we share a brief conversation as it’s only a ten minute drive to the dealership. Driving for Lyft is his full time occupation, he used to work construction but back issues have pushed him out of the job. He now ferries people across town as a full time job. We get’s me to the dealership right at opening.

Libby is thankfully still there and still standing upright, a sigh of relief escapes me. Deep down I knew she would be fine, but I was uneasy most of the night. It’s almost like being away from your child. It sounds silly, but Libby and Bertha are a huge part of my life. A lot of it has to do with the fact that these were Dad’s bikes. There’s a part of him in the rumble of their engines and now a part of me too. I’ve grown attached to every bike I’ve ever owned, each has been my “baby”. It’s difficult to describe, but there is a definite connection between man and machine, at least for me, with Libby and Bertha it’s just greater.

The dealership opens a 9:00 and as I approach Libby I meet a couple of lady bikers. They’ve also run into some misfortune out in Wyoming. They’d run into some nasty weather. They had pulled over to the side of the road but the wind was strong enough to knock both of their rides over. One was okay but the other had all of her gauges frozen up, bike wouldn’t even start. The service tech helps her first as I chat up the other. They’re out of Texas as well, one from the Dallas area and one from Austin.

Once the service tech is done with her he turns his attention to me. I point out Libby’s issue and he looks her over. A quick check of the front tire shows that we’re getting two new tires today, my expensive morning has just gotten even more expensive and I’ve only been here ten minutes.

The Black Hills Dealership is huge. It’s got to be one of the largest in the country, it has and elevator! The elevator is probably the biggest highlight to me. It goes from the service department to the showroom floor but it’s not the normal square box, it’s deeper than it is wide. My immediate thought is that it’s able to lift motorcycles as well. A small oil stain in the center of the lift confirms it.

I get up to the showroom floor and begin looking at the bikes. There’s several pulled out outside and a ton on the showroom floor. Most are used but there’s a good selection of new rides. Eventually I am approached by one of the many salesmen. I of course let him know I’m just killing time but we talk for a moment. I’m curious as to how much business they get during the Sturgis rally week, 549 trade-ins in about a week and a half. I’m surprised and not surprised at the same time.

I make my way through the showroom and eventually over to the merchandise, there’s a ton of it too. I end up grabbing a couple of pins for my vest, nothing too expensive as I’ve got a hefty tab coming soon.

I make my way over to the parts area and as I’m looking at the various part covers and upgrades I overhear a couple of guys behind me. One is looking at a new seat, the other a staff member. There’s a bike parked here, not sure why, but this customer has the same color bike and wants to see this custom seat set against the color. It’s an all black seat, the stitching is all Harley orange. I think it looks great and chime in with my opinion. My input seems to help his decision. As I continue to browse and kill time I notice this guy is picking out more and more stuff, turn signals, pegs and more. I begin to chat him up, I’ve nothing better to do. He’s from North Dakota and rode down with family for the weekend. The weather yesterday sidelined him so he stopped in for some upgrades.

We continue our chat off and on. He’s an oil worker, two weeks on and one off. I share my story, tell him of my adventures, of Dad and our mission. I tell him of how my self therapy has evolved to an actual blog and gain a new follower, he’s into it for sure.

We part ways for the moment and I notice the ladies I met earlier are sitting close by. I approach and spend the next couple of hours conversing with them. Our discussion is mostly about our adventures and our current situations. They are absolutely lovely women.

Eventually the service tech makes his way to me for an update. Libby’s brake pads are worn to the limit, both front and back. It’s not something I want to hear but what do I do? Stopping is pretty important and I’ve got too many miles to go just to get home. My more expensive day just got even more expensive.

I continue chatting up the ladies and notice a few others waiting around for service to be completed. Noon approaches and the wind is still blowing something fierce, but the roads have dried up. A wind advisory is effect until 3:00 and smoke from the Canadian wildfires is blanketing the area. I’m still hopeful to be able to get some riding in today.

One o’clock approaches. I’ve now been here for four hours so I head back down to the service department to get an update, Libby is out on a test ride. I begin chatting up a couple out of California. They’ve had some engine trouble and are close to getting their ride back. We spend several minutes sharing stories and talking about the biker life. Eventually the younger gentleman from before joins us. All of his upgrades are still being installed but we all enjoy good conversation. The Texas ladies are finally fixed up and back on the road, headed home.

Before long the service tech returns to me. As it turns out, the service guy that took Libby for a test ride noticed some abnormal activity in the front end. They checked the bearings and found they were in need of replacement. However, before my guy could bring the news to me and get my approval, they replaced them. Wheel bearings are cheap compared to what I’ve already had to get done, but there’s labor costs to add in. We come to a quick agreement, that he offers, I’ll pay for the bearings but they’ll cover the labor cost. My day has gone from expensive to more expensive to “Holy Shit! Stop already!”

I continue conversing with the California couple and Mr. North Dakota. We all watch as eventually all of our rides head out for test rides. Cali gets done first, and they’re headed back on their way. North Dakota is next, his upgrades are finally all done, his new seat looks great. Libby is close and on one last test ride.

I step outside and notice a truck and trailer unloading a trike, then a bike, then another bike. It’s looking like a motorcycle clown car so I have to go see more. That’s all there is, three bikes. They’re also from North Dakota and are just bringing their rides down for service. We have a very short conversation when I see Libby pull back onto the lot and into an empty spot. This is a good sign as she’s not being taken back inside.

I make my way back inside and meet with my tech. As discussed, I won’t be paying labor for wheel bearings and because of that whole situation he’s giving me a 10% discount on the tires and brake pads. I really feel like the guy is feeling bad for me but I’ll take whatever I can at this point, regardless of the reason.

Several hundred dollars later, Libby and I are reunited. It’s only been 24 hours but feels like it’s been forever. It’s 2:30 when I arrive back at my room and the wind is still kicking pretty strong. I consider riding into Sturgis to check out the museum and see the town while its dead but ultimately decide that the day is shot. I hang out in my room for awhile before heading of to get some food. I’ve now missed lunch the last two days, three really.

The front desk makes a few suggestions and Sickies Garages sounds like the best place. It’s mostly a burger joint but is just a couple of miles down the road. The exterior displays a few old engines and gas pumps and the inside has numerous automotive and motorcycle signs. Even a couple of motorized bicycles hanging from the ceiling. Awesome atmosphere. The menu is mostly burgers, but I’m feeling like a good burger right now. I opt for the Blown Tire burger, seems fitting.

The burger is nothing superb but isn’t terrible. BBQ sauce, an onion ring and pepper jack cheese. It’s good but the patty definitely isn’t fresh. I’m finished rather quickly, pay my tab and head out the door. On my way out I meet Buck and Becky, a couple out of the northeast. We spend a good twenty minutes chatting and I again get to share my story with them. They’re both really into this whole blog idea and Becky, being an English teacher, offers any help she can provide. I gladly share the website with her with the stipulation that I don’t believe it to be anywhere close to superb content.

We say our goodbyes and I head back to my room. It’s only a couple of miles but Libby feels great. It’s likely just because she’s got so many new parts but I feel it’s because I’ve missed her today. And again it feels silly to say but it’s a love and connection that I just can’t describe.

In the morning I will load Libby up and check out of this place, then head into Sturgis for a quick bit and then onto some other sights. I’ll finish the day in Lead, South Dakota which isn’t far from here but I should be able to get some good riding in. I’ll spend a couple of nights there and hopefully get some more good riding in the area. From there I think I’ll start back home. The events of the last couple of days has really put a damper on any wandering plans after this. Shit happens as they say.