Long Ways Home |
|
HomeRoutesJournals |
AUGUST 6 IAN
All of the Odyssey info has been moved here. With nothing else to do today thought I would take a little ride down into Hell’s Canyon – turned out to be one of the most intense (in the best sense of the word), riding days I have ever had. Literally 100 miles of 30MPH hairpin corners, with stunning views, a plethora of geography and geology, and best of all - no traffic. And after running out of gas in the middle of desert Murray just arrived so I guess we can get going to Sturgis. SPUR
Left Vancouver at 8:30. After a short delay at the border and a short stop at Skagit Powersports I was on my way. First adventure was the exit I wanted to take to I 90 was closed. Made my way into Renton and hooked up with 7 other lost bikers from BC. Made it back to I 90 and had lunch with my new friends in Ellensburg. Left on my own as they were headed in another direction and began playing a game my friend Mitz plays called “how far can I go with the gas I have”. The answer is 320 k and not a foot farther. Just short of the gas station a mile over the hill. As I walked up the hill hauling my luggage in 100 degree plus weather I sang a favourite “America” song of mine, “I’ve been through the desert on a bike with no gas …” An hour later, with the help of 2 more new friends, I was on my way again. Rolled into Clarkston at 7:30. Had a few cold ones and some appys on a bar deck on the river …… All was good! SPUR
A great day of riding through Idaho, beside a river most of the way. Similar to the Hope Princeton but everything seems a bit bigger down here. Over 100 degrees again today. A small detour due to part of a mountain being on fire. I believe Montana is called “The Forest Fire State”’ Great weather right up until the last half hour of the day headed into Dillon, Montana where we have stopped for the night. It’s 8:30 and I think the entire town has gone to bed!
IAN
So we managed to find ourselves in the middle of nowhere again. There sure is a lot of nothing out here even if you aren’t looking for it. Though he tried really really hard, Spur managed not to run out of gas today. As for the other bunch (Bob and Larry), well even with a ½ day head start they are now ½ day behind – go figure. AUGUST 8 SPUR Started the day with: Good news – I only paid $20 for my rain gear. Bad news – It only held up to 70 mph. At 71 mph I felt I was being peeled like a banana. Didn’t have enough electrical tape to repair that one. Ian is still laughing. Up and over the Big Horn Mountains was the highlight of the day. Getting blasted with rain 3 times and construction delays was the low light. 15 hours after leaving Dillon, Montana, a Rum and Coke… All is well. IAN
Murray, Brian – it doesn’t seem to matter whom it is, they just are here for my entertainment. Yup, getting to the summit (9200 ft elevation) of the Big Horn Mountains at sunset was spectacular – coming down the other side (3000 ft elevation) in the dark was not. AUGUST 9 SPUR
Started out with a trip into Sundance. My Movie hero of all time. Then up to Devils Tower and it’s bike’s galore now! After lunch it was into Sturgis. No words can describe. A great afternoon and home for a little of the Gillette nightlife. In a word ….. none. AUGUST 10 SPUR
A late start due to room problems and BMW trouble shooting but headed south after lunch. Good start but poured on us as we road into Mount Rushmore. Cool none the less. North into Deadwood. Bikes everywhere! Dinner and a beer there then an easy cruise back to Gillette. NOT. Road through a major Thunder Storm. Thanks to the guy in the van who let us sit it out for 15 minutes till the hard stuff stopped. I’ve never seen so much lightning in my life. Brutal 40 minute ride in the rain. Whaaa. S IAN
Another day, another morning in the parking lot with little pieces of BMW scattered all around – think I now know what owning a Harley must be like. Pretty sure the nagging electrical issue has now been resolved and Spur will no longer have to push me out of gas stations – much to the entertainment of all those watching. Sturgis is quite the experience and if your definition of “fun” is waiting in long lines for everything with big hairy half naked bikers and their husbands, and driving forever across nothing for not much at all – then I have had enough Sturgis “fun”… for this year. And now I get to finish off my Long Way Home starting tomorrow. SPUR Afternoon trip to Sturgis. Highlights – Demo ride on a new Royal Star ( 1400cc V4 ) and a couple of ice cold Coronas at the Broken Spoke. And no rain! IAN
A 1, and a 2, and a 3… Raindrops are falling on my head and just like the guy who's feet are too big for his bed, nothing seems to fit those, raindrops are falling on my head,they keep falling so I just did me some talking to the sun, and I said I didn't like the way he got things done, sleeping on the job those, raindrops are falling on my head they keep falling SPUR Interstates = boring. Toss in Cold all day, Rain all day, and a 90 mph cross wind at some points = freakin brutal. Pulled into Bozeman at 6pm and couldn’t go any farther because of snow on the pass ….. like we wanted to. IAN Last day tomorrow, and as it always should be lunch in Winthrop, over the North Cascades, up the Chuckanut, and then Home. We might even meet up finally with Bob and Larry. All I can think about is where am I going next – once I get this damn bike fixed!
SPUR Cold start to the day ( 46 degrees ) but then alas, sun, lunch at a nice little pub on the river in Alberton, more sun, coffee in Couer d’Alene ( very nice place, big parks, big beach etc. ) and then sun all the way to Colville! Tomorrow we head west on 20. We will be following a route I took 10 years ago on my Maxim X. And of course Winthrop for lunch. We are supposed to meet Bob and Larry finally. Ya right. All and all a good trip. I learned some things about a big trip like this, mainly to due with proper footwear, proper second helmet, and getting gas on time. In closing I will say thanks Ian for the chance to due the Journal entries and that my new favourite highway sign is “No Services” IAN Wouldn’t you know it, 100 miles from home and while rolling the bike off its center stand I drop it. No damage, a few scratches to the paint - the Black Bike just has a little more character now. Got a thank my two asynchronous ridding pals Brain and Murray (in asynchronous order), for coming along for the ride and putting up with my stinky pants. Already making plans for swing down the West Coast next spring, and for a trek across the US South to Jonesborough TN (and the Blue Ridge Parkway) for Fall 2007. Get a bike and come along. |
