22 Jun 2010 RW

Today started off leaving Spearfish SD and took a ride to Devils Tower WY and ended up in Bozeman MT. Total miles on the bike today were 485. We took mostly paved back roads today which afforded us great views of the landscape. Besides beautiful scenery, there was a variety of wildlife. It varied from a baby skunk skittering across the road in front of us to large mule deer which also skitter across the road in front of us. All in all, it was a beautiful ride with cool weather while we dodged almost all of the rain showers.

A Rider's Perspective on June 22nd

Today's ride can be described as creating a common sense of relaxation in individual demeanor as well as in riding style. Rusty's lead today had a calming effect on 'yours truly' and on the group at large. Previous discontinuity in terms of pace and riding expectations were replace by a steady and smooth pace where every rider performed as more of a unit. Although the unit thing isn't necessarily the intent for this ride, it is as if we collectively exhaled today, shedding much of our unwanted energy. We all have different riding styles and expectations and yet there is much to be gained from slowing the cadence and performing with relative unity. Perhaps the person who is in the calmest mood (of the day) should lead the ride for that day. Judgment over emotion. Weather conditions, road conditions, and probability of meeting livestock will drive our daily riding mood as well.

June 22 - gw

Temps: 60 - 80 degrees. Mostly sunny in the a.m. turning to afternoon thunderstorms mid afternoon. Blind luck again in that we did not have to ride in the rain save a few sprinkles.

Just a quick note about yesterday's ride - Janet, we ate at Peggy's Place again in Keystone. For all others, if ever in Keystone (Black Hills area), you need to have lunch at this very nice local eating establishment.

Well, Rusty led the ride today. I find that he rides very fast when he is leading. He tried to marry up with a couple deers this morning but then got that out of his system for an uneventful ride the rest of the day. The scenery in Montana was just out of this world. It is no wonder they call it "Big Sky" country. Awsome scenery.

We left Spearfish this a.m. , then rode to Devils Tower (pics posted) and from there rode about 200 miles on two lane roads before coming onto I 90 and riding another couple hundred miles into Bozeman, Montana where we are spending the night. Excellent weather for the day; not too hot, note too cold, just right.

Jun3 19, 20, 21

June 19 -

Temps - 70 - 90 degrees, skies clear.

The four of us departed Plymouth, MI at 6 a.m. heading for Muskegon. We took the 10:15 a.m. ferry to Milwaukee with hopes of making La Crosse, WI that evening. Given we were so full of energy, we decided to make it to Albert Lea, MN only to find there were no rooms available to due (get this) a softball tournament and road construction workers. We then had to push on to Jackson, MN. This put us at 600 miles on the first day! - plus the 2.5 hour ferry ride!

June 20

Temps 70 - 90 degrees, raining early, turning into hot and muggy conditions; tornado warnings late that evening when we were in the motel.

On Father's Day we were met with rain as we left the motel but soon ran out of the rain. This day was totally uneventful as we rode for miles and miles and miles and miles across Minnesota and South Dakota. We arrived in Spearfish, riding about 510 miles. Michael had to have Culvers custard so we walked across the lot ready pay up the big bucks for a late evening treat... but instead we received free sundae's for being fathers! This was a great end to the day.

June 21

Temps: 53 - 88 degrees, sunny and clear all day other than late afternoon thunder showers, though we were lucky and skirted the rain only through dumb luck.

Monday was an excellent day riding the Black Hills including Needles Highway and Iron Mtn Highways. What a gorgeous place to ride. It is no wonder the Indians call this Holy ground.

Total miles today, 150.

June 16 Update

All have been completing bike prep work including electronics and especially packing to make sure we all have correct clothing, tools, spare parts, etc for the trip. Final oil changes and final drive lubrications completed earlier this week.

Enjoyed a group dinner last evening. Departure set for 6 a.m. Saturday, June 19. Weels must be rolling NLT than 6 in order to make the ferry across Lake Michigan late morning in Muskegon. Weather currently looks like rain Sat morning!

April Update

Pearse now has reservations made for himself in Fairbanks and Talkeetna since he is no longer going into Anchorage for a few days. Mods for the bikes are being made. Gary is about finished. Mike still needs to add 2 way communications to his GS. Pearse just finished brake bleeding, etc on his "S" model and Rusty... well Rusty just retired a week or so ago and he is beginning to get this radio, gps, 2 way communications etc added to his GSA. I can't hurry the old guy too much since he is retired and all.

We are now arranging for service in Fairbanks and determining tires choices so they are waiting for us when we arrive. We all will need new tires for the trip from Fairbanks up to Prudhoe Bay - most likely full knobbies give the road conditions from Fairbanks North.

Janet, Leah and Pam have agreed on thier plans from Fairbanks South. Janet and Pam will shop while we travel to Vancouver. Leah will ride with Mike on his GS. Starting in Vancouver we will all be riding to the BMOA Rally in Bend, OR.

P.S. I retired on Feb 1, so I am like Rusty so I can't give him too hard of a time!