When it seemed every other person with a motorcycle was on their way to the big rally in Sturgis, North Dakota, I thought it would be funny to go on a motorcycle trip to the small town of Sturgis, Michigan. What started out as a joke turned into a great adventure!
Off to Sturgis
I’m a new motorcycle rider – I only learned to ride (with no previous experience) earlier in the summer. Sturgis, South Dakota is a bit far for a motorcycle ride for me – plus I really don’t like crowds. So instead I went to the small town of Sturgis, Michigan for site seeing and motorcycle camping. Oh, and no crowds!
My motorcycle trip to Sturgis: A three hour tour
Moto camping was the reason I wanted to learn to get a motorcycle, so I booked a campsite in Sturgis and drove the three hours or so on my bike. I got caught in my first heavy rainstorm which fortunately didn’t last long.
I set up camp and woke up to a forecast of thunderstorms, keeping me in my tent for a while. When the rain cleared and the sun came out, I rode my motorcycle to the longest remaining covered bridge in Michigan – Langley Covered Bridge. There are only three covered bridges in Michigan you can drive over, and it was amazing to get to ride my motorcycle over it!
Dam!
I went to see the Sturgis dam – the first municipal power plant built in Michigan. The plant opened in 1911 and is still in operation today. Cool, right? Unfortunately, Google maps gave me some questionable directions and I ended up on a two track road with deep holes and puddles. It was a bit beyond my skill level at this point, but would be fun if was a more competent, skilled rider (still working on it!)
Motorcycle Camping
I stayed at Cade Lake County Park & Campground in Sturgis for a little motocamping. I loved it! It was a bit of trek from the tent sites to the facilities, but it was fine. The campground was pretty quiet, and there’s a small lake on site. They let you use their kayaks for free if you’re camping, so I had nice time out on the water, too.
A motorcycle first for me: Crossing state lines
Sturgis, Michigan is close to the Indiana border so while I was there, I crossed over (for food, because that’s just what you do). It was my first time (and hopefully not the last) to cross a state line on a motorcycle. I had some great food and my first non-alcoholic beer – which I liked. I did have to ride back, after all!
Riding around Sturgis
Sturgis, Michigan is a great small town. I stopped for a photo op at the local Harley dealership where the sign said “The Other Sturgis”.
There are lots of Amish in the area, and I got accustomed to passing the buggies. When my husband saw the footage, he said “That’s probably the first people you’ve ever passed, isn’t it,?” He thought he was funny – but I’m pretty sure it was true!
Reflections on my motorcycle trip to Sturgis
This is my kind of Sturgis motorcycle trip – camping, no crowds, fun things to see and do. I think motorcycle trips to Sturgis, MI should be a thing. Of course then it would be crowded and noisy and I wouldn’t like it as much!