Roaming the Black Hills: A Ride to Remember

Celebrated metal artist and TV personality Rae Ripple reconnected with the road during the Roaming the Black Hills H.O.G. Touring Rally.

Words by Rae Ripple Photos by Josh Kurpius

When I first heard about Roaming the Black Hills H.O.G.^® Touring Rally, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Having faced an incredibly tough year, motorcycles had taken a back seat in my life. But this rally, which took me from Cody, Wyoming to Deadwood, South Dakota, rekindled something deep inside me and reminded me why I fell in love with riding in the first place.

My Three Favorite Experiences from the Rally
First, I rode a Heritage Classic for the first time, and wow, it’s hands-down the most underrated motorcycle out there. It handled like a dream; smooth and confident around every corner, and it took me places I’d never seen before.

Second, Mount Rushmore. It had been on my bucket list forever. As a sculptor, I’m fascinated by how that monumental piece was carved out of solid rock. Standing there, I felt connected not just to the art but also to the legacy and the land itself.

And finally, the people. Meeting Ray and his crew from the Northwest Florida Chapter was something special. We became fast family. And let me tell you, they don’t just ride, they ride. Their skill and passion were contagious and made every mile feel like a shared adventure.

How This Rally Changed My Relationship with Riding and the Community
This past year was the hardest of my life, but being out on the road again, feeling the cold bite at my skin, outrunning bad weather, watching the landscape rush past, reminded me what riding really means to me. You can’t hide when you’re on a bike. It’s just you and the road, and nothing else matters. The miles add up, but doing it alongside real people, sharing laughs, stories, and that sense of belonging—well, that’s pure magic.

A Rough Road Diary of the Rally
Day one: Rode from Billings, Montana, to Cody, where the rally began. The maps got us lost, which was honestly freeing. We ended up on a beautiful dirt road, riding next to rivers, and spotting all kinds of wildlife.

Day two: Rode to Gillette. Traveled through the Badlands and climbed up to 9,000 feet in the mountains. I was freezing! At one point, a bird flew right into my helmet. We landed at the Harley-Davidson dealership, met everyone, had dinner, and planned the next day’s ride with Ray and his crew.

Day three: Rode with the H.O.G. boys. I barely looked at maps and just followed their lead. We visited Devils Tower, cruised through the Black Hills, ending the day in Lead.

Day four: Hit the Needles, twisted curves, Mount Rushmore, and more Black Hills. I met some fellow Texas H.O.G. members and ended the day with dinner at the Harley-Davidson dealership.

Day five: Spent nine hours battling brutal wind on the ride back to Billings. But the Montana valleys, the sun breaking through clouds, painting the landscape like puzzle pieces, the endless stretches of flowers and hills unlike anything I’ve ever seen made every tough mile worth it. I arrived late at the hotel, returned the bike the next morning, and felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

The Roaming the Black Hills H.O.G. Rally was more than a ride. It was a journey back to myself—a reconnection with the road and the incredible community that comes with it. I’m grateful for every mile, every new friend, and every moment that reminded me why I ride.