The weather has been pretty nice recently but I’ve been busy with school assignments and other stuff that keeps interfering with my desire to get out and log some miles on the bike before winter sets in. I cleared by schedule and after finishing up some research in art history I got geared up and did a 90-mile ride.
It had rained in the morning and the air temperature was about 60 degrees so I got out my Sedici jacket and pants and inserted their insulated liners. I pulled on a sweatshirt over my long sleeved t-shirts and figured I’d be warm enough. I got out my cold-weather, insulated and water proof gloves and I was ready. I check the air pressure in the tires, added a little, fired up the engine and was happy to see I had 3/4-tank of gas. I headed out.
I wanted to do about 90-miles, about all I’d have time for before it started getting dark, and I wanted to check out an old bridge next to Pompey’s Pillar. I rode out through Billings Heights and took Highway 312 northeast. I was 10 miles into the ride when I figured out that the cold weather gloves and the sweatshirt were overkill and I’d need to switch them out when I got to my turnaround point.
There was very little traffic on the highway and I cruised just below the speed limit, enjoying the ride and reflecting back on all the miles I rode last August.
I went past Pompey’s and noticed a few cars parked at the entry gate. The place is closed for the season but they still allow pedestrian access to the Pillar should one want to do the walk in. I turned around and went back a bit to Bundy Road and followed that to the Bundy Bridge. The original bridge is a steel and riveted affair with several concrete footings set in the Yellowstone River. At some point, a new bridge was constructed which has all the character of every other Department of Transportation bridge in this state. At least the original bridge is still standing alongside the new one.
The scenery is great with high rimrocks bordering the river on its north bank.
And from here, I get a view of the west side of Pompey’s Pillar.
Of course, motorcycle pictures must be included.
I checked out the adjacent fishing access site and took that opportunity to shed the sweatshirt and got my mesh gloves out.
I headed across the interstate and took Fly Creek Road because it is curvy for a few miles. I rode that until the pavement ended and turned around.
The ride back to Billings was via East I Road past Ballantine and then onto 312 in Worden, following that back to Billings the way I had come. The sun broke through the clouds and was a bit of a nuisance, creating a bit of glare on my visor but I arrived home safely.
91 miles.
