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BMWRTGIRL, BoxerGrrlie, and BradfordBenn on the way to the Rally 2004

Day 1 Home to BoxerGrrlieÔÇÖs Abode

A pretty uneventful day and ride. Pretty much the big excitement was having to purchase a new pair of rain gloves. I swear the dogs ate the other one. I spent an hour looking for the right glove, I have the left glove. So it was a run to South Bend BMW to pickup a new set of gloves. Then it was off to Milwaukee. So before I left home, I called INDOT to figure out which was the best way to get to Milwaukee. They said to take I-90, as I-80 was under construction. Then again I-90 was under construction. So it took me one hour to go 15 miles.

Then it was a quick run to HooliganÔÇÖs for dinner and then off to Thoroughbred Cycles to pick up BoxerGrrlieÔÇÖs Scoot. Then a quick planning session, the original plan was to go to Moose Jaw, but after we looked at the map, we decided to change plans a little. Instead it would be off to Bismarck North Dakota the next morning at butt crack of dawn.
 
Day 2 BoxerGrrlieÔÇÖs Abode to Days Inn, Bismarck, North Dakota

So butt crack of dawn came way too early. After a quick check of tire pressures, we decided to make a stop to get more air. Well that seems simple enough, but it did not quite go like that, it took four stops to find a working air compressor. Then we were off to Cracker Barrel for breakfast in Wisconsin Dells. Yup, that is BoxerGrrlieÔÇÖs weakness, Cracker Barrel breakfasts. So after breakfast it was on the road again. Headed toward Bismarck. It would seem like a straight forward short ride of 800 miles, but it ended up taking most of the day.

The first stop was about thirty miles down the road when I decided that I should check the load, as I had a whole lot of stuff strapped to the bike and it seemed to be shifting. So the three of us worked on the pile of stuff. Yup, two women and one man, the man brings the most stuff. Such is life, I already know what I will not bring next time experience will help me pare it down.

We stopped at about 4PM CDT for dinner and gas. That took a little more time than we expected but it was good to get off the bikes for a while. We then had the debate of rain gear or no rain gear. I did not put on the formal rain gear, but instead went with the water resistance. We all agreed it looked like it would be intermittent but nope it was solid. So when we stopped for gas, I put on the rain gear. Guess what, it stopped raining.

So once we arrived at the hotel, it was pretty uneventful. Some housekeeping chores before a quick sauna and then the hot tub. I have figured out how the women are able to pack less then me

They clean stuff every night
 
Day 3 Bismarck, North Dakota to Shelby, Montana

BoxerGrrlie decided that we should be on the road by 8AM and well it did not work quite right. Another tire check, and time to add air. So across to gas up and get air. This gas station was perhaps the best air compressor I have seen in a while. First it was free, second it was really effective. I accidentally filled a tired to 60PSI in ten seconds. Then as I was about ready to mount up, I realized that I had forgotten to connect the wires for the AutoCom, so then it was unload and quickly fish the wires out. Yup, breaking stereotypes, the guy was the slowpoke. Then we were off.

We took Interstate 94 for a while and the gas stations started to get few and far between. Not so good as BoxerGrrlieÔÇÖs scoot is only good for 200 miles tops. So we took a turn off for ÔÇ£GasÔÇØ and well it let to nowhere, turned around and back onto the Interstate. Right before the next exit, reserve kicked in and luckily there was a gas station in site. At that stop we decided that we wanted to get off the interstate and hit some back roads. As much as we like the speed limit being 75MPH, seeing stuff other than the interstate would be nice So it was off the interstate on onto Route 200 to Route 13 to Route 2.

Seemed like a good plan, and it was fun. The posted speed limit was 70, so it was just as fun, but now there were some turns and better scenery. Then came the first interesting moment of the trip. We were riding in proper stagger formation, BoxerGrrlie, myself, and then BMWRTGIRL when all of the sudden BoxerGrrlie slams on her brakes and puts on her turn signal. It happened so quick that I was right up on her as she was trying to get over. Nothing bad happened, but it was an interesting moment. Apparently nature was calling, and well call waiting was not going to work. This spot was the best spot she had seen for a while. So As BMWRTGIRL and I turn around and head back up, we figure out what is going on. Just goes to prove once again, stereotypes are made to be broken.

We continue on through various small towns, each taking the turns leading. Apparently the coffee at the hotel did not get everyone's brain started as it took two people to get the camera to function.

BoxerGrrlie then found the secret weapon to compensate for the wussy coffee in the morning

Then it is Havre, Montana for dinner. We found this nice little place called the Four BÔÇÖs which is a small chain, but did not have a chain feel. The people were all very friendly there. We were given a large booth so we could put all of our stuff down. It was also situated so that we could keep an eye on the bikes. Yup, it was a nice time as the staff took great care of us. Between splitting up the desert three ways to making sure that we had everything to just talking with us and being sociable. It is true, some times the best part of the ride is not the ride but the people.

We continued on westward on Route 2 to Shelby, Montana and the lovely Comfort Inn and Casino. Actually not a bad place and the beer in the bar is affordable. The best part though was that they had luggage carts so that we could actually get all of the gear in.

Unfortunately we had to leave the bikes in the parking lot.
 
Find a UPS store and ship all that extra crap home, Brad. You'll be glad you did.

See you later this week. We're leaving tomorrow. :wave
 
Day 4 - Sightseeing in Glacier National Park

The plan for the day was to simply take a nice relaxing ride through Glacier National Park and ride Going to the Sun Highway. So we headed out of Shelby after a nice breakfast at PattyÔÇÖs Place. In Browning, MT we hit the Indians Day Parade so we pulled into a gas station. Just as we were dismounting, two other BMW riders show up. Okay, that is no big surprise. But Bill and Rich, the riders, know BoxerGrrlie. What are the odds? Is BoxerGrrlie that famous or is the world that small?

So we waited out the parade and then joined Rich and Bill for their ride. Luckily Rich had a few tricks up his sleeve and took us to the West Entry to the park. This saved us lots of traffic and had some good rides on the way. Then it was a stop at the West Glacier Restaurant for some really good pie. After some gift shopping it was off for more riding.

We took the Going to the Sun Highway through the park and stopped a few times for pictures and just to enjoy the view. Traffic kept it from being a real fun ride. However that was not the biggest problem, BMWRTRider told us about halfway up to the peak that she did not like heights. The curb on the right hand side was non existent and the drop was pretty darn steep. She was a trooper and made it through the ride. The key was she simply looked at the yellow line and the back of RichÔÇÖs bike.

We stopped at LoganÔÇÖs Pass for a view and some pictures. Then we continued back down the highway. It was fairly uneventful the rest of the way.

Rich and Bill headed North at St. MaryÔÇÖs Entrance to the park and we headed back to Shelby. Our goal was to beat the rain back to the hotel. Then a gourmet dinner of Subway and Budweiser in the hotel.

Tomorrow we head off to the Great White North to meet some other Lunatics.
 
Awesome Scenery

:jawdrop
mountain.jpg
 
Great

pictures from the Gang of Three. You know Gale really would not have been happy riding out there with you because he likes to ride in the rain. Alot of rain. Just ask him.
 
I'm doing the Glacier route too, so the photo has me smiling! I can't wait to see it again! I'm glad you three are enjoying the trip, keep the rubber side down, and see you all at the rally.
 
Thanks for thinking of me guys. Sure wish I could be there. Sounds like a great trip, and I hope all goes well.

So what was with the clutch BG? Was it the pressure plate or throwout bearing? That was my thoughts at the time.

Ride safe and keep the pictures coming.
 
lorazepam said:
So what was with the clutch BG? Was it the pressure plate or throwout bearing? That was my thoughts at the time.

BG here.....on Brad's computer - I fried the plate, the throwout bearing and needed a total tranny rebuild. Let's just say that it was an expensive camping trip :( Thanks for asking l-pam.

On a happier note, the advice and route suggestions on this forum really helped in planning this trip out west. Thanks to everyone who posted on the Rally Forum.

boxergrrlie
1975 R90/6
 
Hey guys, looks like you are having a great time. Wish we could be there with you. The pictures are great. We will get with Gale soon so he won't have to be a one gang rider.:wave
 
Looks like you're having a great time!

See you at the end of the week :)

Ian
 
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