From Hot Springs to Hell-Bent Horsepower: The Buffalo Chip Run
Route: Chico Hot Springs → Bozeman → Billings → Sturgis
Estimated Distance: ~430 miles
Objective: Reach the Buffalo Chip Campground before sundown and stake my claim.
Early Morning: Chico to Bozeman – One Last Deep Breath
Roll out before the steam from the springs finishes lifting. The goal isn’t to linger, the road is calling, and it’s saying hurry up. One last familiar stretch through Paradise Valley and back onto pavement that hums with a different kind of energy.
- Fuel & Food in Bozeman:
- Fill the tank.
- Fill the stomach.
- Grab coffee strong enough to match the mileage.
No museums today. No quiet walks or scenic detours. This morning is about preparing for a long sprint across well-worn ground. I am very familiar with this country, and have no illusions about beauty or sanctity of nature in Eastern Montana; It’s out there, I know as well as anyone. But it isn’t the time to seek it out.
Midday: I-90 Eastbound
This isn’t a part of the ride meant to be romantic and to wax poetic about the awe inspiring experiance. The land flattens, stretches, and dries out like parchment. I know these roads too well to pretend there’s mystery in them, but there’s power in familiarity. And speed.
Billings Stop:
- Stock up on supplies for ADV Fest
- Gas up again—this is the last real city for a while
- Quick chain check, maybe a rinse if the bugs are thick
This is a logistical stop. There’s no poetry in loading saddlebags with energy bars and wet wipes, but that’s part of the pilgrimage too. I’ll probably swing by the local REI, pick up what I’m sure I’ve forgotten, and see how the other half live. Mostly though, I need to force myself to plan in stops just to relax.
The Push to Sturgis
The last stretch from Billings to Sturgis is about timing and endurance. I’ll cross the state line briefly into Wyoming, mostly to check another state off the list, and finally into South Dakota. With the sun starting to slip behind me, I only hope I have enough energy left to find some joy from the journey.