On our third day , we met up with Rally for Rangers . It was a night to remember that included amazing food , a meet-and-greet with the Oglala Sioux rangers , and ideal camping conditions in Custer State Park .

THE MISSION OF RALLY for Rangers is “ to protect the world ’ s special places by empowering rangers around the world with new motorcycles and equipment .” It has provided more than 160 motorcycles and equipment for rangers in parks in distant places like Mongolia , Argentina , Nepal , Bhutan , Peru , and Namibia .

The first Rally for Rangers USA event took place last September in South Dakota ’ s Black Hills National Forest and Pine Ridge Reservation . Fifteen adventure riders raised nearly $ 40,000 before convening in Custer State Park for a weekend of camping , riding , visiting tribal park rangers , and donating equipment and funds to protect parks and forests .

Traditional Rally for Rangers events are two- week international journeys , but the USA rallies are held over a long weekend . The Black Hills event donated night vision optics for tribal rangers of the Oglala Sioux Parks to conduct nighttime antipoaching patrols . A donation was also made to the Forest Service motorized trails program to support motorcycle- only trails in the Black Hills National Forest .

Riders in this inaugural event hailed from all over the U . S ., with some trailering their bikes and others renting from Rogue Moto or using demo bikes provided by CFMOTO . The weekend included off- road training by Heavy Enduro as well as on- and off- road riding on Needles Highway , portions of the Black Hills BDR- X , and otherwise inaccessible trails on the Pine Ridge Reservation hosted by the Oglala Sioux rangers .

The Black Hills Rally for Rangers event takes place again in September 2024 to support Oglala Sioux and Northern Cheyenne tribal rangers . For more information ,

visit RallyForRangers . org . Listen to our podcast interview with Rally for Rangers co- founder Tom Medema at Rider Magazine . com / insider . – BG

Hills BDR- X is fantastic . It ’ s 355 miles of adventure motorcycling bliss . In terms of difficulty , I ’ d rate it 4 or 5 on a scale of 1- 10 . ( I ’ ve also ridden the Mid Atlantic BDR , which I ’ d rate an easy 2 or 3 .) Every day of the BDR- X was filled with moments of euphoria , which crystallized into memories that we ’ ll share around the campfire for years to come .

During one part of the ride , the sun overhead was radiant , casting a warm , autumn glow . The steady , gentle crunch of gravel under my tires never got old , nor did the scenery . Towering cliffs with rough textures contrasted with the vivid foliage below . The curves and bends unfurled before me , each one as breathtaking as the last . It was a sensory feast , as if Mother Nature took out her paintbrush , mixed up an impossibly diverse palette of rich colors , and painted a masterpiece . At higher elevations , the hills were ablaze in scarlet , amber , and gold , while it was a verdant wonderland down below . I was tempted to ride faster , but I slowed down , smelled the pines , and savored the experience .

Top left : Brad ’ s Kawasaki KLX after the BDR-X . Top right : Get the best zip ties money can buy ; you ’ ll be glad you spent the extra quarter . Above : Campfire quote of the night : “ Motorcycles are like beer . The best one is the one in your hand .”

RIDERMAGAZINE . COM / FEBRUARY 2024 / 25