Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a userid and password?

You must be a current member of the Black Hills Chapter to be able to login to the website. Once you are a member, you will receive a welcome email with a link that will let you set your own username and password for the website. The email may go to your junk email folder, so be sure and look for it there. If you cannot find the email, or if it's been deleted, please contact either the chapter secretary or the webmaster so the email can be resent. If you have any issues with setting up your account on the website, please contact the webmaster for additional help.

How do I change my password?

• Login to your account
• Click the 'My account' link in the navigation bar
• Click the 'Edit' tab in the page that opens
• Scroll down and enter the new password in the 'Password' and 'Confirm password' fields
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the 'Save' button

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

• Select/click 'Login' from the navbar
• On the page that opens, click the 'Request new password' tab
• Enter your account's username, or the account's email address, then click the 'E-mail new password' button
• An email will be sent with instructions to reset your password
• Click the one-time link provided in the email
• This will take you back to the website. Click on 'Log in'
• Enter your new password
• Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the 'Save' button

If my membership expires, can I still login to the Black Hills Chapter website?

No. A common reason for not being able to login to the Black Hills Chapter website is that either your National HOG or Black Hills Chapter membership has expired. You must keep both memberships current in order to access the members only areas of the Black Hills Chapter website. Please note that you must maintain your national membership in order to be a member of the local chapter. From page 4 of the HOG Chapter Handbook, "An expired National membership automatically terminates local chapter membership and any associated memberships." If you believe you are current but are unable to login, please contact your local chapter secretary to help resolve the issue.

What is the HogScan smartphone application?

It is an application that was created as a way for Road Captains to quickly and easily check members into events. Its main purpose is twofold; less paperwork and to verify member's status as current.  It's also a great way to see what rides we have coming up next week and next month.

Can anyone use the HogScan smartphone application?

Yes, but know that the smartphone app is not a scaled-down version of the website. It only shows our event calendar and only three months of the event calendar. There are some members that use it as a way to RSVP to events rather than logging into the website to RSVP. You must first activate your account on the website in order to use the smartphone application. To download and install the app to your smartphone, Android users go to the Play Store, iPhone users go to the App Store (search for 'hogscan'). There is a one-time fee of $0.99 for the app. Once installed, you must first scroll down and select BLACK HILLS CHAPTER from the list of chapters so that you'll be able to login. Your login credentials are the same as those on the website.

How do I RSVP to events and activities?

There are two easy ways for you to RSVP...choose one or the other:

• Login to the website with your username and password
• Click "Calendar" in the navbar to navigate to the calendar (the calendar for the current month will open)
• Click on the event/activity you want to RSVP to
• When the page opens click on the "RSVP to this event" button. Button wording will change to "unRSVP to this event" indicating success.

• Login to the app using the same credentials (username & password) that you use to login to the website
• Tap the CALENDAR icon along the bottom row to open the calendar
• Tap the event/activity you want to RSVP to
• Tap the 'thumbs up' icon in the upper right to RSVP (the background of the icon will go from white to orange indicating success)

What is RSVP and why do we have it?

RSVP (répondez s'il vous plaît) is a fancy French way of saying 'Please respond'. We use it on our calendar as a way for members to say they will be attending an event (meeting, ride, or activity). When you RSVP to an event you help the coordinator(s) of that event with planning. For instance:

• A ride may need to be broken up into two groups for the safety of everyone.
• A destination restaurant may need an accurate headcount to be able to set up and accommodate the group.
• A catered party may need an accurate headcount to ensure there is enough food for the group.
• When you RSVP to events it speeds up the check-in process.

How do I get the chapter calendar on my iPhone / Android smartphone?

There are step-by-step instructions for syncing your smartphone in the Blog on this website. The instructions for iPhone and Android are different, so be sure to use the one specific to your device. Some people download and use the Google calendar on their iPhone rather than the default calendar. In this case, you will need to follow the instructions in the Android section to sync the calendars.  The HOGSCAN App, although not a typical calendar view is a daily listing of rides or events that are coming up.

What is a breakfast/lunch ride?

The ride leader specifies whether a ride is for breakfast or lunch and the departure time. Lunch rides generally meet at noon at the restaurant is in Rapid City or we meet at a predetermined origin (ie. BHHD) leaving between 9:30 and 11 am to ride to the remote lunch location.   The breakfast rides generally leave before 10:00 am. The distance for breakfast and lunch rides ranges from a few miles to as much as 100 miles.

What is a dinner ride?

The dinner ride occurs on Tuesdays of each month from May through September. The ride usually leaves from the dealership at 6:00 pm. Details of the ride, including departure time, will be on the chapter Event Calendar. These rides are typically short in duration – usually less than an hour.

What happens after breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Our rides generally officially end when we reach our restaurant destination. Occasionally, some in the group will continue riding following the meal, but these rides are not official HOG rides and are not placed on the calendar.

What does T&T full mean?

Some rides on the calendar will include “T&T full.” It stands for tanks and tummy's full, meaning you should have a full tank of gas and should have eaten when you arrive at the dealership for the ride.

Will we stop for gas?

You should arrive at the dealership with a full tank of gas. The ride leader will plan the ride with the assumption that you have a full tank when we leave the dealership. The ride leader will generally schedule a rest/fuel stop for rides of 100 miles or more.

Are there stops along the way on these rides?

Stopping is at the discretion of the ride leader. You will find most ride leaders will stop hourly for a break at a gas station. However, that’s not a firm requirement.

Can I bring a friend on a breakfast, lunch, or dinner or destination ride?

Sure, but due to HOG (Harley Owners Group) guidelines, your friend will need to sign a waiver before the ride leaves the dealership.

Can I bring my kids on a breakfast, lunch, or dinner ride?

Yes, but again, non-members must sign a waiver unless they're meeting at the meal location. If the child is under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver for the child. In addition, children 12-17 will be required to sign their own waiver.

What’s with all this legal stuff?

Black Hills Chapter is bound to follow national HOG guidelines. The waivers we sign are mandated by national HOG for the protection of the Black Hills Chapter and the officers. The waivers only apply to persons who are not Black Hills Chapter members.

What is the Black Hills Chapter Controlled Substance policy?

It’s just a policy that makes sense. There is to be no alcohol or controlled substance allowed prior to, or en route to, our destination. Once the ride is declared officially over, you may drink if you wish. Of course, you should always drink responsibly, and remember you are not in a car. Motorcycles and alcohol are a very dangerous mix.

Can I lead a ride?

Absolutely! All you have to do is pick your favorite destination or restaurant and schedule the ride at one of the quarterly planning meetings. You should plan to pre-ride your route several days prior to the ride and make a reservation at the restaurant. You will learn a lot just by observing other ride leaders.  Our Road Captain is always looking for Riders that would like to lead a line or lead an actual activity or ride.  

How do I get to know people?

Just pick an event and show up. A breakfast, lunch, or dinner ride is a great opportunity to meet people. Ensure the ride leader knows this is your first event. Any number of people can show up for a ride, generally 10-30 people. Usually, we sit together as one big group so there is ample opportunity to meet fellow members.

I haven’t ridden with a group before, so what should I do?

Don’t let your lack of group riding experience keep you at home. Pick a regularly scheduled event like a breakfast, lunch, or dinner ride and go. Let the ride leader know that this is your first event and you are not sure what to do. The ride leaders and Road Captains are there to help. We recommend that new members ride near the front of the group. The pace is generally more even at the front of the group, and you are less likely to experience anxiety if the group becomes separated.

Well, I really haven’t ridden much at all so can I still ride with the group?

If you are a beginner, we suggest you team with one of our Road Captains or our Safety Officer to determine when and how to begin riding with the group. Our goal is to get you riding with the group as soon as you safely and comfortably are able.

What is a poker run?

A poker run is a motorcycle ride usually for a charity or fund raiser. It can be run a number of different ways, but the basics are the same. There are five stops and at each stop you draw from a standard deck of cards. Best hand wins. The first and last stops are often at the same location, while the other three will make up an interesting route for a motorcycle ride.

What is a Rally?

A rally is a planned gathering of motorcyclists for a weekend or a week at some pre-determined location. There are HOG rallies, state rallies, national rallies, and regional dealership associations’ rallies. These rallies are designed to allow you to ride with a group of friends to an interesting destination where you will often find good roads, good food