The Little Loop

June 28, 2021

Having ridding this route for a 3rd time, I'm naming it The Little Loop. There will be a larger loop and, perhaps, one larger one than that, but, for now, this is The Little Loop.

It starts at home in Billings and travels southwest to Laurel, and picks up Hyw 212 to Rockvale.  From there it goes south on Hwy 310 to Fromberg and Bridger before getting on Hwy 72 to Belfry.  In that little town it heads west for 15 miles on Hwy 308.  I pulled over for a couple photos.

I continued along that road as it got curvy and climbed some hills.  I stopped at a vista point for some photos.

When I arrived in Red Lodge a few miles later, I could have headed back but decided that I'd go out on Hwy 212 to the official start of the Beartooth Scenic Byway.

It was getting late in the day and since this is so handy to get, I figured I'd go ahead and head home for the day.

It was a nice 150 outing.  It was warm out but I stayed pretty cool with my mesh jacket and the saturated cooling vest I worn under it.

Quick ride to Harlowton

June 25, 2021

We had some great weather so after a morning run, yard work, etc. it was time to get out on the 2-lanes roads for some fun.  The plan was to ride to Harlowton from Billings, along the Mussellshell River, and then head south and find the town of Melville for no other reason than I'd not been there before.

I headed out and it was perfect.  Beautiful skies, hardly anyone else on the road, and no wind.  I did a quick stop in Lavina to put my ear plus in before heading west on Highway 12.

When I got to Ryegate I had to stop for a photo because one of my good running buddies is from there and I wanted to text her the picture (when I was back to where there was cell service.)

As I got closer to Harlowton I saw dark clouds building up ahead.  I stopped at the rest area and after using the facilities I check my weather app and it said rain was starting in 3 minutes.  

I was trying to decided whether to chance it and continue on but as I was donning my gear 3 minutes later the raindrops started and the wind picked up.  I figured that Melville was a ride for another day, saddled up, and headed back east the way I had come.  

Since the temperature had dropped at the rest area, I had pulled on a long-sleeve shirt which quickly became too warm so I stopped in a picturesque pull out to take it off and grab a few photos.

I really like this section of Highway 12 with the rimrocks on one side and the Mussellshell river on the other.  I had to stop for a few more pictures.

When I got to Lavina I took a little break and parked in front of the old bank.

The rest of the ride was fine.  As the day went along I noticed lots more RVs going past in the other direct.  It's Friday getaway time so that shouldn't be a surprise.

New gear checkout ride

June 23, 2021

I got some new gear this week so I had to take a ride to test it out.  What I got was:

- Tourmaster Draft 4 mesh jacket

- Coleman tank bag

- Rok Straps

- Sedici cooling vest

The jack is Hi-Viz yellow and came with a removable waterproof liner.  The fit is great.  

The tank bag was inexpensive, about $33, so compared to others, which run from $100-200, it's a good deal.  It's small but has magnetic attachment, a rain hood, a bunch of pockets inside, a carrying handle, and a clear plastic top which is removable by undoing snaps and velcro.  I wasn't sure I wanted a tank bag but when I heard about this one I thought the price was too good to pass up and decided give a try.  I like it.  I can keep my small water bottle, a hat, and other items I want easy access to without having to get into the saddle bags.

The Rock straps seem like the way to go rather than bungee cords but I haven't figured out the right way to attach them yet.  For now I am using one as a tether for the tank bag.

The cooling vest was another impulse buy.  I read lots of good reviews and they sound like a simple solution to riding in the summer heat.  The vest is placed in cool water for a minute of two and then it's worn under the mesh jacket.  It retains lots of the water and stays cool by evaporation.  On today's ride it worked just fine.  I really gave it a soak and by the time I got back my shirt and pants were wet.  I think I'll wring it out a bit next time.

The ride was out to the Chief Joseph memorial, and then down to Laurel, through town, and back east on River/Theil Road.  I had it all to myself.  When I got to Duck Creek Road, I turned right and went down a quarter mile to Fritz and drove up to the top for some photos.  I ran that hill yesterday morning.  Lots easier on the bike.

Lavina and by Roundup followed by some farkling

June 21, 2021

After an out-of-state trip by air and automobile, it was time to get back on the bike.  I decided to do a short day trip to Lavina, about 45 miles north, and then take Highway 12 to 87 near Roundup.  I'd never been on that section of road so it would be something new.

It was perfect riding weather, not too hot, and there was no wind.  The ride to Lavina was quick and uneventful and I spent some time riding up and down the streets.  It's a small place and it didn't take long before I found their church and a shady spot to park.  I got out my stool and my sketchbook and took a break.

The next stretch of road, Highway 12, which runs east and west across the entire state, to Highway 87 was about 25 miles long and nearly unoccupied.  It went past farms and ranches and while it did seem to be laid out on a section line, it had a few hills and changes of direction as it followed the Mussellshell River.  Quite a nice drive.  

Highway 87 took my south, back to Billings, and the traffic was light and the wind was nonexistent.  When I arrived in Billings Heights I went to Lake Elmo State Park and took a break.  It was beautiful out with a good breeze.  I felt like I should get home and come back with my sailboat but that will have to be another day.

A while after I got home the mail arrived and some motorcycle stuff with it.  I ordered a tank bag that I saw recommended on the forums.  I'd looked at some and the prices were $100-200 and this one, by Coleman was $33.  How good can it be for that?  It's great.  It's magnetic, has lots of pockets and the like and a rainproof cover.  Also in today's shipment were some Rok Straps and Grip Puppies.  I saw both recommended and decided to give them a try,  I think the Grip Puppies will made a big difference since my hands prefer a larger diameter grip.  With a little soapy water and compressed air they went on with no problem.

To Fishtail, Nye, and Woodbine

June 9, 2021

Since I had to cut my last ride to this area short due to the time of day, I headed out to do it again and go farther today.  I left Billings, heading west on Interstate-90, and rode to Columbus.  While the two lane roads I took the last time are preferable I still feel that interstate riding requires a skill set and practice so I do take them sometimes.

Somewhere just before Columbus I got one of those reminders as to why wearing a face shield is desirable as a big bug met its end in the middle of mine creating a splat that was difficult to see around.  Luckily I was able to stop on Main Street and get it cleaned off.

Once rolling again it was a quick drive to Absarokee, about 15 miles, 65 MPH on an excellent two-lane with sweeping curves past farms and ranches.  I passed through that little town and continued south until I turned right onto Highway 419.  

I had been down this road quite a few times in the past but I am guessing that it had been 20-years so it was new to me and certainly the first time I’d done it on two wheels.  Let’s just say that it’s fantastic!  Hills and curves all the way as you get deeper into the mountains.

I passed through Fishtail which has a 90-degree turn as you enter the 2-block long village noted for the Cowboy Bar and and the Fishtail General Store and then more riding before that last town, Nye.  Not much is there but a great photo opportunity.

The next section of the ride dives deeper into the mountains as it follows the Stillwater River.  The scenery just gets better and better.

Up ahead is the Stillwater Mine, a massive industrial complex where palladium and platinum are dug from the earth and processed.  While the mine is underground, the processing is not and there is quite a bit of heavy truck crossings.

Once past that the road enters the national forest and becomes narrower with no lane striping but lined with pine trees on each side.  At one point I was up on the foot pegs as I negotiated a minefield of chuckholes in the road, a few of which were unavoidable.  Not far after that the road splits with the branch of the left going across a bridge to the Woodbine Campground and the one on the right going to the Sioux Charley Lake trailhead.  I went to the right and rode the loop around the parking area.  There were about a dozen cars there and some people enjoying what looked like post-hike picnics.  I haven’t done that hike myself but it is on my bucket list.

I went back up the road and toured through the campground.  I’ve camped there in the past with the family but that was long ago.  The highlight is the trail from there to Woodbine Falls, a waterfall that was visible from the road on the way in.  Most of the occupied campsites were taken my RVs of all types.  I saw no one tenting there.

I stopped on the bridge on the way out for a photo.

The ride back was just as pleasant as the ride in.  When I got back to Hwy 78, just south of Absarokee, I turned right and headed to Red Lodge.  The two-lane ride is very hilly and has lots of curves BUT the wind picked up making the leans in the curves somewhat disconcerting.  Add to that, there really isn’t anywhere to pull over so there are no photos and I couldn’t encourage the truck that insisted on tailgating me to pass.  Thinking back I should have just slowed down to a stop and made him do it.  

When I got to Red Lodge I needed a break and pulling in to Sam’s Tap Room for an IPA.  It was their New England Style.  It was OK.

The ride back to home was uneventful and I was glad it was a weekday since there was so little traffic, not that traffic is ever an issue in this part of Montana.

212 miles and arrived home safely.  A good day.

Quick ride to Absarokee

June 6, 2021

I was going to leave in the mid- to late-morning to get some miles in but was reminded that we had some out-of-state friends stopping by for a visit and a planning meeting for our fall racing event so I didn't head out until after 3pm.  That wasn't a problem since I was only going out along the Stillwater River to explore the roads and was flexible about when and where and for how long.

I headed out from the Billings West End and took Neibauer Road to it's end at 80th Street West.  It's a nice two-lane ride through farm land.  I took a quick break at that intersection to grab this photo:

I zig-zagged my way on these roads until I turned west East Main Street which took me right into the town of Laurel.  There is one traffic light in the center of the old downtown and after getting through that it was non-stop to Park City on Old US 10.  From there it parallels I-90 for quite a ways before it gets into hills and curves just before arriving in the town of Columbus.  The town is a bit smaller than Laurel and it's old main street only has businesses on one side of the street with a nice green belt park across from them and the railroad tracks between that and the Yellowstone River.

I turned left and proceeded on to Highway 78, across the river, and then south on this two-lane highway with some long straightaways punctuated with the occasional sweeping curves.  On the right is one farm/ranch after another, spaced out along the Stillwater River.  The traffic was light and the weather was gorgeous.

When I arrived in the small town of Absarokee I turned right in the center of town onto Highway 420.  Years ago I remember driving this when it was gravel for many miles but I thought I remembered that it had been paved.  Sure it enough it was and continued past more farmland with the Beartooth Mountains as a backdrop.  To my surprise a "Pavement End" sign popped up and I was presented with a gravel highway.  Not wanting to negotiate that for an untold number of miles I practiced my U-turn skill (poorly) and headed back to Absarokee.  My sort of plan was to go out to Fishtail, Nye, and then passed the Stillwater mine to the Woodbine Campground and the Sioux Charley Lake trailhead but, as it was getting late, I settled for snapping a photo in downtown Absarokee and headed back.

I stopped for gas in Columbus and then decided to get on I-90 for the ride back to Billings.  By the time I got up to speed I could see it was going to be a tough ride.  The wind was coming in from just right of center and I was getting buffeted around quite a bit.  I made it to Park City and bailed, retracing my route back to Laurel on the two-lane country roads and then to home.

All in all a good ride.  I might be able to do it again this week but pass through Absarokee and turn on Nye Road, Highway 419, which I remember is all paved, to get me to the end of the road.  If I am early enough, the route back could be through Red Lodge.

The Goodbye ride to Broadus

June 2, 2021

My son Dan's visit to Billings was way too short but at least we got in a few rides together while he was here.  Today he heads out for Pittsburgh and I decided to ride out for a few hours with him.  After much discussion he elected to take Highway 212 from the Hardin, MT area to get himself to Rapid City instead of riding I-90.  Not only is that route shorter, it's not the Interstate.

We left about 10:30am.  He pulled over to the Department of Motor Vehicles to show me how to take the motorcycle performance test on their marked out lot, something I have to complete within the next year.  He is so adept at this I wonder how I will ever get this done.  My FJR is a giant when I get it on the course and the outside weaves look daunting.  A friend has offered me his '74 Honda 450 for the test and I think I might take him up on that.

We got on I-90 and rode that to the off ramp for Highway 212 which is also where the Bighorn Battlefield is.  Dan wanted to stop so we spent the next hour checking it out.  I've been here a few times and it's always worth a stop.  We walked up to Last Stand Hill where Custer met his end.  The soldiers found there are buried under the monument.  Custer's body were moved to West Point.

This is looking southwest from Last Stand Hill.

Adjacent to this is the memorial to the Native Americans who died here.  This is relatively new and installed after the whole memorial was renamed the Bighorn Battle field rather that how it had been named after Custer.

We spent some time in their museum before gearing up to get ready to hit the road again.

Highway 212 took us through the Crow and, eventually, the Northern Cheyanne reservations and the towns of Busby, Ashland, and, finally to Broadus.  It's a 2-lane road and has it's share of sweeping curves and great vistas.  It does have lots of semi-trucks and those who want to pass them so one has to be on top of things, especially when the passers are coming at you.  The weather was warm, clear, and with little wind.  Really good riding conditions.  

We stopped in Broadus and it was time to say our goodbyes.  We'd traveled 175 today and he still had a long way to go so it was a quick hug and off we went.  He traveled on to Chamberlain, SD for the night after a meal stop in Sturgis.  I headed back to Billings the way I had come.  I kept thinking I should stop for a photo somewhere and finally did when road construction stopped traffic for a while.

Note in the picture that I moved my seat pad to the rear seat.  I wanted to see if it really makes a difference over the stock seat and I can say that I'm not convinced that it does.  My butt gets sore either way.  I read about these custom seats people put on their bikes but I'd really like to sit on one before shelling out $500+.  It won't be anything I'll do right away since most require your stock seat so they can build the new seat over the original shell.  This sounds like a winter project for when the bike is off the road.  That or find a stock seat for sale and have the custom seat build over that.

When I pulled in to home my trip meter showed that I had done 350 miles, a person record distance for me on the FJR.

I got the bike on April 8, 2021 but really didn't start riding it until a week later when my helmet arrived.  That means that I've put 2,460 miles on it 7 weeks.  That's not too bad.  More miles to come.