Day Three – Hot Springs SD to Ranchester WY - Miles: 311
We had been through the Black Hills as recently as 2021 on our way back from Oregon and California, but it is never a dull trip. The roads and opportunities for stopping are plentiful. In fact in 2021 we had run through Hot Springs and thought it could be a good spot for an overnight at some point. We had also considered staying in Sheridan for this night but since we had stayed in Ranchester previously for about a week when we did some dual-sport riding we thought why not do it again especially since they had a new brewery. We started the day early as we walked next door to the little stand-alone shop selling breakfast. It was very economical but sadly it wasn't very good. I think they used the powdered or artificial eggs like the Hampton use. The people working couldn't have been any nicer. We rode a big loop through the park but not passing by Mt. Rushmore. We rode the needles highway which we had skipped in 2021 stopping at several spots to take pictures. The road and scenery is really good throughout the SD portion and as we passed into eastern WY the scenery gets a little desolate but still good for us. We rode on US16 until we connected to I-90 and then another 24 miles to Gillette. There was a new brewery in Gillette we wanted to hit so we stopped for a quick pint. The Big Lost Meadery had a really nice IPA that hit the spot. Unfortunately they didn't have any food but we still had some snacks that we ate with our pints. After Gillette we headed north and west on US14. This is not a very scenic road but the wide open space keeps you entertained. We stopped in Sheridan at Black Tooth Brewing and afterwards decided to wash the dirt off the bikes. Since there was plenty of day left we decided to have one more before heading to Ranchester and we did that at Smith Alley Brewing Company. The temperature had reached triple digits so the ride was certainly a hot one. When we pulled into the motel in Ranchester it was 104F. We had planned to ride up to the Little Big Horn National Battlefield or the Yellowtail Dam but it was so dang hot we decided just to cool off and we walked to the Tongue River Brewing Co. There we had some pizza and relaxed in the coolness of the brewery. We walked back and decided to sit out in front of our room. There we started a conversation with two other riders who had arrived while we were at the brewery. We shared stories and had a nice time. The Western Motel had changed ownership since we last stayed there in 2008 and the 16 years that passed showed. It wasn't terrible but it was well worn.
