Rough Riders of the Cushman Club of America cross the Pertola Dam in the Black Hills (Photo: Ken Bingenheimer)
This was not a ride for the faint of heart. Or the weak of scoot.
The big event here in Day Three of the Cushman Club of America's 2010 annual rally was an all-day ride through the Black Hills. The route was up from Sturgis through Deadwood, Hill City, Keystone, and then through the pigtail bridges on the Iron Mountain Road, and back. Rain or shine the ride was on, and fortunately, the day broke with a clear sky and the sun put in its first appearance in several days.
Although Iron Mountain Road was a guaranteed challenge, climbing the long, steep Strawberry Hill out of Deadwood was as big a challenge as any, and two scoots quickly found themselves in need of rescue by the support trucks bringing up the rear.
Altogether, 140 scooters started out on the ride, with motorcycle-riding police officers playing shepherd to the flock, riding ahead to control intersections so the Cushmans could stay together.
At the mandatory safety meeting the day before, rally organizer Jeff Bertheld spelled out the rules and requirements for the ride. Number one was that the scoot must be able to cruise at 40 miles per hour at minimum. That left out many of the rally-goers right there, though they knew who they were and never had any dreams of making this ride.
The group was to stay together at all times and there would be no passing, except when absolutely necessary because of a scoot up ahead that was headed for the sag wagon. Helmets for everyone, no open-toed shoes. Dress warmly because it's going to start out cold. Starting out at 6 a.m., as the ride did, this was a pretty convincing argument.
Additionally, start off with a full tank of gas, check and recheck your brakes, and carry small bills for the gas station.
While on the ride, said Jeff, "Don't be ashamed to use low gear. Low gear will save your life because you're not going to tear up your brakes. If you break down we're gonna load you up."
Stopping for breakfast in Hill City, one of the scooterists remarked, with some amazement, "I'm surprised these things are doing as well as they are. They really don't like hills."
They would be facing a lot more hills before the day was through.
Related articles:
Cushmans come to play where the big boys play: Sturgis
Old coots on scoots fill Sturgis Main Street
Comments
This looks like a hoot! Thanks for covering this for us.
Old coots on scoots is a hoot! (Couldn't help myself.)
I tried to imagine the Cushmans on some of those roads in the Black Hills. It would be a challenge for most I'm sure.
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