The Dakotas are a great place to ride if you like wide-open spaces and a variety of terrain. Many bikers take a cursory tour of South Dakota when they attend the annual Sturgis rally every year, but we wonder how many people venture into North Dakota. If you've not been there, it's well worth a visit. And for our money, the 68-mile ride between Stanley and Williston is a great one.
Before we get to the route itself, we should warn you that there are no gas stations or service areas anywhere on this route. Make sure your bike is gassed up and in good condition before you leave Stanley. Breaking down somewhere in between could leave you stranded for a few hours while you wait for a tow.
Driving the Route
The route is fairly simple, covering only three roads. You'll start on Rte. 2 heading west out of Stanley. Although this is a major thoroughfare for this area, you will not be on it for long. About 8 miles out of town you will turn left on 90th Ave. NW. After about 7 miles, the road becomes 50 5th St. NW. You'll proceed another 2 miles before turning right on Rte. 1804, heading west. This road will take you right into Williston.
The first two legs of your journey will be fairly straight and flat. However, once you get onto Rte. 1804, things start to get exciting. There are plenty of twists and turns with hills of various sizes. You'll also reach a point where you are fairly close to the Missouri River, a great place to stop and take pictures. Our best advice is that you slow down and take your time. There should be very little traffic pushing from behind.
Scenery and Road Conditions
What most bikers love about this ride are the hills of North Dakota. Just like South Dakota, they seemed to come out of nowhere. You'll be cruising down the road while approaching a turn, only to get through that turn and see another hill pop up on the horizon. It can be a bit overwhelming if you've never experienced the Dakotas before.
As for the road conditions, the state keeps them in very good condition. Route 1804 certainly isn't a well-maintained superhighway, but it's also not a dirt road in the country you'll have trouble navigating. You will enjoy a smooth ride as long as the weather cooperates.
We should point out that the road becomes more challenging the closer you get to Williston. This is a ride that definitely shouldn't be tried by novices unless accompanied by more experienced riders. Also keep in mind that some of the turns can be deceiving. You may want to approach at full speed, but remember that throwing caution to the wind could result in cold reality hitting you in the face.
The North Dakota weather dictates this ride is best taken between late June and early September. The dead of summer is probably your best bet if you want to avoid the possibility of tornadoes and other spring storms.
