Frequently Asked Questions

• Registration fee is $210/week or $55/day. After April 15th, registration fees are $260/week and $60/day
• Non-rider fee (age 18 or over) is $50 for the week. This includes Personal SAG, RV drivers, support personnel in a private vehicle.
• The number of riders will be limited.

All persons traveling with RASDak (riders and non-riders) must be registered and sign a release. For minors, a parent or legal guardian must sign the release. Releases for minors will be available at check-in.

All non-riders age 18 and older must register at a cost of $50, and sign a release. This fee allows us to cover the costs incurred for every individual at each overnight location.

Some RASDak riders use personal vehicles for personal SAG. Due to safety concerns for all riders on the road RASDak asks the following from the personal SAG vehicle personnel:

• Register all personal SAG vehicles with the ride-staff. 
• Adhere to personal SAG vehicle policies (provided at check-in).
• Put a sign on the driver side dashboard that indicates they are a personal SAG vehicle (sign provided by RASDak).
• Do not follow behind the bike riders you are the SAG for!
• NO PERSONAL SAG VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED AT THE DESIGNATED RASDAK REST STOPS. 

For the safety of bicyclists, personal SAG vehicles traveling with RASDAK are strongly encouraged to travel an alternate route. The fewer the personal vehicles on the roads, the safer the conditions are for cyclists. Statistics show that vehicles cause more accidents on bicycle tours than bicyclists themselves.

Suggested options to ship your bike are Bike Flights or shipBikes. Bike shipping information will be available closer to the start date.

The ride is currently limited to 300 full-week riders. There are additional openings for those who wish to ride fewer days.

Law enforcement agencies do not close the roads to vehicles. RASDak does contact law enforcement agencies so that they are aware of when RASDak will be passing through, and which overnight towns we are staying at.

RASDak works to ensure long term parking available every year. These details will be emailed out to registered riders.

You are limited to 2 bags. Each bag cannot weigh more than 40 lbs.

Nothing may be attached to the outside of the bag.  You will be required to load your own luggage on the luggage truck by 7:30 am.  The unloading of the luggage truck will be done by the riders that arrive first at the overnight location.

Each host community will have both indoor and outdoor camping options.

Motel or RV reservations must be made by the individual. RASDak does not provide a list of or endorse any motels or RV parks.  It is your responsibility to get to and from your motel.

One option is to bring a small backpack and carry what you need for an overnight stay and bike to your motel.  We close the luggage truck at night and you are welcome to leave your big luggage bag on the truck at night but let the luggage volunteer know so your bag doesn’t get buried in the morning.

Where possible internet access will be provided at the indoor overnight locations, but it cannot be guaranteed.

Accommodations are provided in the high schools or parks where we stay. Riders and volunteers are responsible for bringing all of their own personal toiletries, towels, etc.

Rest stops are shown on our maps, and are typically 15-20 miles apart. All rest stops have bathrooms or porta-potties, and many will offer shade. These stops are often put on by 4-H or school groups raising money for camps, trips, etc.

Yes. We have roving SAGs, and a bike shop vehicle that follows the riders on tour. Riders should know how to fix a flat tire, and carry the necessary tools, pump, and spare tubes to fix a flat. 

Spoke-n-Sport is on the ride to assist with mechanical needs. You are encouraged to check everything on your bike daily, keeping your bike and chain clean, and to carry extra tubes and tools throughout the tour. We strongly encourage everyone to get your bicycle inspected and serviced by a reputable bike shop BEFORE the ride.

To prevent most flats make sure tires are properly inflated and free of thorns, etc. Consider carrying your bike over grassy areas. Remember, in the case of sagging riders, we are not a taxi service. There are limits to how many times a rider can expect to be picked up before they are asked to leave the tour. Please train and be ready to ride the complete tour.

Please start no earlier than 6:00 am.  The luggage truck leaves at 7:30 am.

The official end time is 4:00 pm. No SAG services will be available outside of those times. Sweep times for each rest stop will be made known on the Daily Route Information. If you are not to the rest stop by the designated sweep time you will be directed to get into a SAG vehicle. This is for your own safety and out of respect for the volunteer SAG people’s time.

RASDak will text alerts for critical weather and route information, to mobile numbers that we have on record. If your mobile number has changed since you registered, text RASDak to 605-269-0943 to get signed up.

If there is heavy rain or thunderstorms, temporary shelter should be sought in towns or farms along the route. We do not recommend riding in heavy rain or thunderstorms. Official SAG vehicles will be available on the route for extreme conditions.

In the Host Communities, riders set up their camp, shower, and enjoy what the community has to offer for food and entertainment. The afternoons and evenings are a great time for socializing with other riders and locals.

Yes, jerseys may be purchased during the registration process.

Click here for cycling regulations in our state. Also, be aware that South Dakota is one of five states that still use the contributory negligence rule. If you are injured in an accident, you may not collect damages if your negligence was more than slight, in comparison with the negligence of the defendant. 

Yes, these numbers will be provided at check-in.

There are laundromats in some of the towns we stay in, but not all.

Several bike medics carry small basic emergency packs on their bicycles should on-the-road assistance be needed. Also, all official SAG vehicles will have first aid kits. If it is an emergency, please dial 911.

Participants may cancel their registration through April 15 and receive a full refund of their ride registration and bus registration less processing fees. After April 15, and at tour director discretion, a $75 fee will be charged for canceling a ride registration, with an additional $50 fee for canceling the bus transportation. After May 21 NO REFUNDS will be given. RASDak registrations are non-transferable and credits are not offered. Optional trip cancellation insurance is available for purchase during the registration.

Merchandise purchased will be refunded if canceled before April 1, otherwise merchandise will be mailed to participants after completion of the ride.

Yes, but SAG support will not be provided if your battery is depleted.