I had been planning on playing in the Buick Golf Scramble in Sidney, MT for a few weeks. The weather began to shape up so I thought I would give my golf clubs to my teammates and make the trip an adventure. I decided to ride the R.
After checking out the map, I decided to take the 2-laners all the way...this made the journey 320 miles one-way
Plus the journey was in unchartered territory for me...the only thing I knew about it was that I would be passing through Jordan, MT (Yes, the home of the Freemen). I talked to multiple people and they warned me that I had better watch out for rascals around those parts other than Freeman--the dreaded 4-leggers------------deer and antelope!!! 
Well, I knew I had quite journey ahead of me so I decided to pack up and leave Billings at 4pm on Friday, June 3rd. But first a quick stop at AAA for a state map...they don't last long using the Marsee Rocket 11-liter tank bag---right denverchuck???? A fresh one was desperately needed!
The weather was cooperating for me heading North out of Billings on US87 to Roundup, MT. I arrived unscathed without an ounce of rain--the sky was scattered with multiple white, grey, and black clouds. I was hoping to dodge the black clouds on this trip (or any trip for that matter).
I had only travelled 45 miles to Roundup and I needed to add the Gerbing heated jacket--an awesome purchase and a must have in my book! The weather had taken a noticeable dip in temperature. Well, I passed the first couple gas stops and finally decided to pull in! And this is what made my trip! I see a few other cycle riders gas'n up and I glance over to see what Brand of Steed these warriors were on? I see a silver beak with its nose sticking out past the pump! Could it be?? Yep, it is nemt1150r--Good ol' Russ from Frazer, MT. Russ was supposed to be our riding partner to Torrey this year but the snow wiped that dream away for him...he lives quite a bit North of Billings and could not make it down.
Well Russ was heading down to Billings to take the ERC. No communication whatsoever between us and we had never met in person...just PM'd each other a few times prior to Torrey. I have to say that Russ has many the miles on his 04 Silver Beak (31,000) and he said the course was great fun! The instructors blamed him for hot doggin' it through the exercises! Show off!!!
Here is Russ (Left) and Dave (Right) at the Gas Stop:
So we B.S.'d about 30 minutes (we didn't want to get busted by local law enforcment for parking illegally
) and Russ informed me that they had ridden through quite the storm on the way down...his poncho is in his hand.So I ventured off on my own dreading the chance of colliding with a few dark clouds and keeping a sharp eye peeled for any 4-legged enemies! I continued on US87 and took the 244 shortcut Northwest through Winnett, MT up to 200 and East on over to Jordan, MT.
Here is a shot of the long road ahead and what I had to look forward to:
The funny thing is...I stopped to take the picture, but didn't bother to put my rain gear on!!! Doh! Actually, I got wet for maybe 5 minutes or so and it felt pretty good--nice and cool! The FirstGear Kilimanjaro did its job well!
I stopped again later after 100 more miles or so and I felt so lonely! Was I the last one on the planet???
OOPS---SMUGMUG WOULDN'T ROTATE THE PHOTOS IN A TIMELY MANNER! TURN HEAD TO LEFT!!!!
Well, the weather cleared up and Mother Nature gets the award this year! It hasn't been this GREEN for at least a decade!
And last but not least...a sunset for that warm and fuzzy feeling!
What a great ride it was...
Dave
- where's the pics of the drink cart gals???
- fair warning to those shopping. 
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