July 21 - Idaho Falls to Jackson

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Another very hot day for the final day of travel back to Jackson. We agreed to a direct route to Jackson after reviewing an alternate route back through Yellowstone that was over 230 miles. Dan and Paula decided to be hardcore and get their money's worth - and they headed on the long route. The rest of us set out on Route 26 towards the Teton Pass. About 2/3 of the way through my forgetfulness struck again. At a stop for a drink at a health food store I went looking for my ibuprofin for a backache. I found the Ibuprofin, but realized the rest of my medicine was not there. I could not do without it, so I bid everyone goodbye and headed 65 miles back to Idaho Falls. As I was doubly forgetful, I had my room key still in my pocket, and I went into my previous night's room at 11:55 AM - the maids had not been there yet. The bag o' medicine was right there on the table in plain view. I took it, went downstairs and checked out and then headed to the Idaho Falls mall to cool off and get a CD. I found the mall and relaxedly used the facilities at Barnes and Noble, got a CD and got a 10 minute Oriental Accupressure massage. Very nice. I then went back out into the near 100 degree, worst heat yet and sat in traffic for 15 minutes before getting to a China Buffet for lunch. The restaurant was so-so, but it was cool, and for that I was grateful.

Getting out of Idaho Falls took a while. The traffic is bad at midday, and the lights seem timed so that you stop at each one. At the last drive thru leaving town I stopped at the Burger King for a jumbo Diet Coke. It was very difficult balancing the bike, paying the cashier, taking my soda and driving off. I dumped the soda on my lap and nearly dumped the bike trying the leave the drive thru with one hand. Thankfully the lid held, and only a few drops spilled on me and the bike. Once underway I set the cruise control and enjoyed my drink.

The rest of the crew (except for Dan and Paula) stopped at Teton Village and took a gondola ride to the summit. They saw paragliders all around.













When I finally pulled into town and got settled, John and Jim McCann saw my back pain discomfort and went to work. Jim is a chiroprator back in Springfield, MA and John is a message/energy healing therapist (click here for his website). Jim had me lay on my back, assessed the alignment of my feet to each other and then did a series of cracks on my neck and back. John then had me do some streches (ouch - I am so tight!) and did some cranio-sacral and energy work on me. Jim said I would probably feel worse that night but better the next day - he was right!

That night Steve and Dennis turned in their bikes as they were headed out early in the AM. John asked if I wanted to try his Electra-Glide and we switched bikes for a ride up the Teton Pass. Both bikes were nearly empty. The Harley felt suprisingly nimble and peppy compared to the BMW. I passed a truck going up the pass and learned the negative side of its low-end peppiness. For passing it had much less pull than the BMW, despite it's feel. About 1/2 way up the pass the low fuel light came on. 2 minutes later, 3/4 of the way up - the bike konked out - kaput. I managed to swing it around on momentum. I told John I was going to coast back down the pass to save gas and fire it up again at the bottom. I was having fun coasting until 2 slow trucks appeared in front of us. Were it not for them my momentum would have allowed me to coast most of the way back to Jackson! As it was the bike fired up again just fine on the flat roads and made it back to Jackson. I was intrigued by my short ride on the Electra Glide and would like a longer trial in the future. I can see why people like the 'feel' as the response at "cruising" speeds is very gratifying. Just don't try 100 MPH uphill through sweeping mountain corners (unless you're John McCann).


Final note: Sturday was the day almost everybody left Jackson. Jim G. and Cindy headed off for the Wisconsin Dells and then home on their motorcycle, Dennis and Colleen Ryder, Jim, John and Steve McCann for home via the airport.

The rest of Saturday July 22nd I mostly hung around town trying to 1.) Find an air conditioned place with 2:) A wireless connection and 3:) a power outlet. I was only partially successful, spending until 4 PM at the hippy bakery with the 'Swamp Cooler' providing a little heat relief and the hotel across the street graciously allowing me to borrow a connection to the internet for updating this blog.

I am looking forward to next year's ride. Perhaps next time rates will be favorable for shipping our own bikes, rather than spending $1K to rent for a week (ouch!). Rates and times will have to be vary favorable for me, as I just found out I will be a daddy for the second time!

July 20 - Dillon to Idaho Falls via a dirt road and the Longest, Hottest, Staightest Road Imaginable

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Waking up and getting going in Dillon was tough for me this morning. I just knew my foggy state of mind was going to cause me to forget something. After stopping at our first scenic vista, I realized what it was - my camera. I resolved to call the hotel and restaurant that we ate breakfast at when we stopped in Idaho Falls *(I did so several times - they claim they have not found it). The pictures included here are due to the kindness of Jim McCann, Colleen Ryder and Steve McCann who allowed me to copy theirs for this blog.

We took a route out of Dillon that Colleen recommended in order to avoid the Interstate 15 South ride that was on the pre-planned itinerary. We all agreed that it looked fine, although my computer map did not at first diplay a connection between two roads that she was suggesting. I was able to zoom close in and see that there was indeed a connection and we went for it.

The road at first was scenic and wonderful, passing by a reservoir over the dam spillway. As we rode by the dam I smelled some bad chemical odor and wondered what it was. It became apparent moments later when a reservoir employee on an ATV turned into a parking lot on the side of the road. His ATV contained a large plastic spray cannister. I imagine he was spraying the weeds on the side of the road or something. I don't understand why you would do that so near a reservoir that I presume is for drinking/irrigation and/or recreation.

The road climbed up past some farms and along a riverbank until finally - it ended, sort of. It turned into a dirt/gravel road through cattle ranches for the last 10-15 miles. It was slow going through the herds of cattle and over very dusty gravel.






When we arrived at the Bannock Pass sign we stopped and discussed the going so far. The opinions of riding on the dirt/gravel were mixed among our group. A passing truck told us that there were 8 + miles left of this type of riding. We got on with it and soon made it to Rt. 28 South. The road started as a nice valley ride through semi-wooded low mountain ranges.



After 30 miles it turned into a ride through desert scrubland through a nuclear test area on a road that seemed to strech on forever. On a very hot day where you could see mirages on the horizon and nothing else when you looked 20 miles down the road. No cars and very few animals. One interesting sight was two horses standing "ass to nose" with each other and using their tales to swat the flies from each other's faces. Nothing beats teamwork!

After the hottest riding yet we reached our hotel in Idaho Falls. Most of us went swimming soon after check-in. We went to supper at a restaurant across the street where Colleen and Dennis Ryder celebrated their 27th (I hope I remembered that number correctly!) wedding anniversary. They were given a huge slice of ice cream cake on the house.

July 19 - Bozeman to Dillon via the Old West town of Virginia City

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In order to prevent getting lost on today's trip we agreed to the following rules:

1. We would discuss the next stop and agree to wait for everyone at unmistakeable road junctions.

2. A rider is responsible for keeping track of the rider behind him.

3. Maps with the day's route - fully discussed - will be held by each rider.

Following these rules, I printed out maps with the day's route outlined on them. The manager at the Best Western was nice enough to print enough copies for me to pass one out to each rider. We agreed to not try to bunch together too closely on the first 8 mile leg due to crazy traffic in Bozeman itself. I had witnessed three accidents in a short trip the day before on Bozeman's streets, and I wanted everyone to look out for themselves rather than try to stay with the group. It worked well and we met up at the 1st road junction outside of town.

The next agreed upon stop was Ennis Lake. Unfortunately John was doing his yoga and in a deep meditative state as he rode by the turn-off for the lake while he was leading, and no amount of horn-honking and arm waving could disturb his inner peace. So we rode on past.

At the next scenic vista turn off we took a photo and pee break. We were surprised to note that this area a few miles outside of Virginia City was a burial spot for a woman. Her marker was right there 30 feet or so from the parking lot! Be careful where you pee there!





As we prepared to leave, two gals from South Carolina pulled up to take pictures with us. One was missing her Harley as they were driving cross country together and wanted to chat with some bikers. Before you know it Jim G. had suggested that since they were also going to Virginia City that she should ride on the back of Steve's bike to get there. In no time flat she was up for it and away we went.

We arrived in Virginia City 15 minutes later and parked for an afternoon of eating, shopping and sightseeing.

Colleen and I decided on a name for the South Carolina gals while we were taking the open-air bus tour of the sites in town - "Thelma and Loise." There was an uncanny resemblance with age, dress and personalities.

After leaving the historic old mining town and ex-capital of the Montana Territory, we rode on to Dillon. With straight roads and no traffic, I became posessed when I heard Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell" on the Sirius radio. I took the BMW up to a new personal record for me, and probably for that bike. Somewhere between an indicated 132 and 133 MPH. At that speed the wind on the outside of my bare legs was burning more than the engine heat from the inside of my legs. Must've been friction on my leg hairs or something. I then pulled into the Best Western and waited for the crew.

That night we ate together at a steakhouse downtown. After dinner we explored a historic railyard and boardwalk before heading back for shut-eye.