'datree Amigo's; justa Strut'n down the ROCKIES!

[Top_Speed1]

I'll try to keep this organized as much as possible w dates n places etc. I have over 1K pics between my camera and cell, we'll reduce that down a bit to tell my Summer of '15 adventure and story. Hope you likey

FRIDAY = Pre-Kickoff party! (yeah, I always seem to extend the party). PLUS!, this was Debbie's nite as I wouldn't be seeing her for another 16 days. So in her words "I owe her". hehe. My buddy Rick (coming from Vermont) was to stop at my store for a lunch stop, I told him I'd buy him a killer burger, one that we could use for measurement stick during the trip. He pulled in right at noon. Debbie who now works for me as a counter clerk (for the summer anyways, she's a school teacher normally) was excited and started yelling "he's here!" ...when she looked out and saw a M/C pulling in.... I immediately came out to greet Mr. Rick

So every trip I try to do some food porn "beat the plate" kind of ordeal. Some of you may remember my last summer's adventure down South was a 'Ribs' beat the plate ordeal. I think it makes for just another cool story-line, but maybe that's just my weird ass too!

So my treat, my place. I knew Rick was a burger fan. I've been to the like's of Gordon Ramsey's Gourmet Burger etc., all with excellent Burgs, each in there own way... but I knew Rick was a BIG eater, so I chose Parkers Grill on Seneca St in downtown Geneva (my hometown).

Hubba hubba chubba! w/ two 1/2 saucers in the pile, applewood bacon and steak fries, oh and a whole pickle to boot!

I chose the street-side dinning. Gorgeous day, why not?

FRIDAY NITE: I took Deb to a lakeside dinning place called "Ports Cafe", just south of Geneva on Rte 14. Everything is fresh, made from scratch. Kinda pricey, but... Debbie's worth it!

You always get the specials when going there, there are many of them, so the waitress will leave you her cheat sheet if you request... cuz you just freeze your brain once you here the selections, yummy and yikes!

So after the bottle of wine comes, happy-happy...

I tell her that I will be missing these moments w her for the next 2.5 weeks. and, I got this....

Okay, that means I'm good to go!

Yahooie!


For you Food-Pornies, I had the Bourbon Glazed Sirloin Med Rare, garlic smashed w fresh mixed veggies.

Deb had the Fresh Tuna Med Rare w veggie's (she opted out on potatoes as usual)

We then drove by car and had a lakeside band and drinks over on Canandaigua Lake... (we have lakes everywhere you look here!)

[FRIDAY PRE KICK-OFF COMPLETE]

----

SATURDAY

Overall 8K trip, this segment will be the first day (dark green), and, the most boring... so we'll touch and breeze on this just a bit.

DAY 1 Sat 7/18 Geneva NY to Elyria OH >map: https://mapq.st/1Dl5f2w to meet New Jersey Bob, and then go on to Joliette IL: >map: https://mapq.st/14CEZCr

Our entire Pre-planned trip was pretty much followed to a T!, Everyday! So Sat AM I was on the road at 5am Sat. to meet Rick from Vermont (who stayed overnite in Buffalo for a visit with his daughter) after his lunch stop w me and Deb; Friday afternoon..

I previewed the radar at my house at 4:25am, and, I knew around Rochester there would be some very bad weather. Dang, what a way to start out! But, when you see the red and orange on the radar, it's not just a sprinkle... but hey, I was hoping!. So, It was still pure dark, approached the Canandaigua exit 44 (which is still about 10mi from Rochester) the lightening bolts started etching down. It was kinda scary, intensified by the pitch blackness that was still in play, I knew I had to keep pushing through it however!. The very few vehicles that were on the T-Way with me?, had now slowed to a 30-35mph pace, hydroplaning would be an understatement with all the water that was coming down, and, building up on the road. So, unfortunately I had to lower the cruise down to what felt like was a creep (40ish). Batavia exit (25mi) it finally cleared, back up to the 75-80mips. I was a few minutes late meeting Rick at Exit 55. I think he kinda knew what I went through.

Our 1st gasser, Rick scopes out his new "mini" bike. I guess this guy needed a pack of smokes as he parks right up to the front door!

We had no rain after picking up Rick, then onto Elyria OH to pickup Bob with his LT (who treked there from NJ the day before). But after meeting Bob, we would meet the rain again (cough-cough), and, I kept the camera pretty much under cover.

Lunch stop around South Bend IN. Yep, rain....

Made it to our 1st motel stop with heavy downpours and flashfloods at one of the toll booths, I think we saw about 10in of water rushing by our boots during the stop. Yep, boots passed the waterproof test just fine.

Just SW of Chicago in Joliette IL, time for showers and a walking distance pub somewhere?

We found a pretty nice Sports Bar down a few blocks. They had cold beer, pretty much our first request.

I talked with the band crew, reminded me of my old days.

I went with a Mexican dish, it was edible and better than I thought.

Upon walking back to our motel, we hit a DQ for some Ice-Cream, cuz... well, it mixes so well with beer!. Then, up in one of the tree's; some lil birdies were laughing their beak's off and dumped a nice load on me. Yummy, berry flavored!

[sAT 7/18 END]

TBC and, I'm glad to get this boring stuff outta the way before the Funtains (Mountains)

 

[El Toro Joe]

Bring it on...

 

[Top_Speed1]

DAY 2) Sun 7/19 Joliet IL to Sioux Falls SD: https://mapq.st/1x3FBII (revised w Starved Rock SP, less slab) Red on map

Gassing up just prior to going over the Illinois River in the town of Seneca. Time to officially meet my traveling amigo's, both sport'n the Klime gear... someday when I get rich I will be there with them boyz.

Bob from Jersey on his luxury (I think '07?) LT

Rick from Vermont on his '13 K1600GT

Crossing the Illinois River (Rte 170), on our way to Starved Rock State Park (route insert compliments of Josh/Cav47, as his neck of da woods fav roads). Morning has broken.

Entering into the Starved Rock State Park, I didn't get in any actions shots of the kewl little twisty road thru there, I came very close to hitting a deer (5ft) upon entrance. That kept the camera tucked away, but it was a nice little twisty stretch. Thanks again to Cav47 (Josh) for that little tip.

This is a back-shot, so yes, I'm in the oncoming lane, but there's no traffic.... I hope!

We then crossed up 6 to 30, no traffic in sight, sweet time and no deer! Crossing the Mississippi at Clinton IA. We hooked a right after this bridge and rode up the Mississippi on Route 67

IA67 had some nice waterside views

A True Value hardware store... have to include it!

And, I always keep an eye on my posse

I guess in Iowa, they don't have to block off roads until you are right there! (no alternative roads close by eitha!)

A ride back to Bellvue was in order, good thing the iPad was there as my paper map. Made the detour quite easy, but we had time for a pee break and some bitching about the lack of road closure signage. Several others after us were doing the same thing. Nice DOT detour Iowa!

Now pointing due west on IA20, making some really good time, but, my mates are pointing at their stomach's. Waterloo IA is close enough, so I swing into the Hwy 63 Diner (Intersects 20 in Waterloo). I cheated and saw their billboard a few miles back, and it looked good on paper ....anyways.

.......

And it was Delish!!! A waiting line to get in usually means it's a sure thing. And it was. I had the grilled Chix salad w a bowl of Mac n 3-Cheese ...it was killer!

Rick then came up to give me thumbs up on the meal. Hey, it helps to get lucky sometimes

I've got some pics of Iowa, but they all look generally the same.

Yep, flat and boring... unless you like corn and soybean fields!

Pretty much zero traffic!

Made it a day-dream "turn on the tunes" type of roads. Tunes seem to make these miles pass so much faster. This trip required a lot of Cruise Control, at least for the 1st 2 days out and back.

TBC

 

[El Toro Joe]

keep it coming...

 

[Top_Speed1]

Just for you Joe

Day 3) Mon 7/20 Sioux Falls SD to Sturgis SD: https://mapq.st/gONMOR Green on the map

Scenery is starting to get more interesting. Slow but sure.

Once we crossed the Lake Francis Case-Mo River, things started to look a bit more "West", but just so slightly (so far).

We started seeing a lot of Black Angus' roaming free. I think they call it "free-range cattle ranching".

Crossing the quiet plains on I90 in S.Dakota, I make sure my buds are not snoozing, plus it gives me something to do

I put the "Badlands" into our route for that day. That was to be about the most excitement this day would have, besides riding into Sturgis for our bed-down for the nite. Outside Badlands prior to entry....

This place is AMAZZZZZING! I'm so glad I put this in the route (I was waffling). Wow wow wow, kewl stuff and such a great 50mi ride through what was like being on another planet.

I'll take you through the entrance, and about 1/4 of the way in, for a stop and play session.... enjoy the ride (flip the pages real quick, it will appear as a movie

Coming East to West, we are about 1/4 of the way in, just touching on some really cool sand-stone natural creations. You have to stop and smell da flowers....

And a 3 shot zoomer, and I know... it's just me! but hey, it's vacation and you need some outer-selfies

The feller's got their chance to play on the sandstone as well....

I was just a big kid in a new sand box. I don't think I stopped smiling the whole time!

Okay, enough already. Let's roll down the road a little further. As the signs pointed out... watch out for Rattlesnakes. And I did trust me...back on the road....

TBC (next stop within the Badlands).............

 

[LKLD]

Looks like a moonscape! I'm digging those blue skies too!

 

[Top_Speed1]

There is about 10 of these pull off's with walkways throughout the park. We hit about 4 of them, here's another stop and smell the sandstone....

A real Rick selfie... and don't mess with him, his arms are bigger than your wife's thigh's

Bob is quiet, I think he was speechless b/c he never knew anything like this was here on this planet.

Back down the road a little further, we have some road repair/construction. So, I take pics anyways!

Yeah, ride this along with taking pics and trying to keep steady. Yup, I must be sober@!

And, are my mates still with me?

Fun ride through here!

Nutter stop....

It was too hot by now to do any more climbing, but some kids were still at it...

Our trip to Mars was wrapping up. I wanted to see what the he** this "Wall Drug" place was. You only see about 2K billboards, kinda like "South of the Border" when going down I95 to Florida. Jiminy, this place had me going!.... But, we must exit the park before we take in lunch in Wall SD.

So we roll into Wall SD (which is just on the west end of the Badlands, maybe 10 miles max). The boyz want lunch, so I saw the million billboards for the Wall Drug and food was featured in a lot of them....

Just as I thought... TOURIST TRAP! I guiess if you had little kids, okay. But not for us fellers. Plus a look into their cafeteria was just that... trays going down a line getting food, NO Thank you!

So we go a few blocks away to....

Lunch was Okay, I had the Sald'a Jimmy Buffet. Nothing worthy of pics.

So next up (same day, that afternoon and evening is Sturgis!) ...a week and a half prior to the big Rally, so we are going to whoop up the town with very little crowds!

TBC

 

[stevec677]

Awesome!!!!! Great pictures. You have a real talent for taking pictures while riding.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Liking this T_S1...standing by for the next installment!

--G

 

[Mihalis fjr]

 

[beemerdons]

Awesome!!!!! Great pictures. You have a real talent for taking pictures while riding.

+1, Gunny; Fantastic Ride Report and Outstanding photographs KJ, I'm highly anticipating the bikini pics of Miss Debbie but assume they'll come later! JSNS!

 

[Top_Speed1]

CON'T...Late afternoon evening of...

Day 3) Mon 7/20 Sioux Falls SD to Sturgis SD: https://mapq.st/gONMOR Green on the map

Rolling into and thru Rapid City, you start to feel "the Rally" with many of billboards vying for the pirate dolla-bills. Between the Buffalo Chip and Full Throttle, holy mega bands and who would you chose!? Crazy mad big name headliners at each, then there are the next sized venues trying to get the pirates till.

Sturgis is actually a pretty little town. Of course I hear they flush the streets down by fire-trucks during the Rally at 6am etc etc; to help keep it clean, we would see nothing of that kinda stuff, nor did we want to. Here's the infamous Sturgis sign (look real close) with a little perspective of those surroundings.

Well me and my bunch are about the furthest thing away from Harley riders, but we do appreciate a lot of things they likey, one combination is hot women bar-tenders and booze! So where do you find this very desirable combination? Yep, at the....

Most of you would normally stay far away from here. Not me, well at least when the Rally is not on. I'm attracted to places like this. When in WV, we did the Hillbilly Hotdog run, man, what a great place with kewl **** everywhere!... SAME GOES HERE!, but even on a more grand scale!.

These lots will be chuck full in another week...

I got row-1, seat-1 parking, and, who said you had to have a Harley? ....the new PR2's are look'n good!

I've watched (DVR'd) all the "Full Throttle" episodes (on TruTV) thru the years. It's like I know the characters pretty much like my actual friends. Here's some pics of things that have been in glimpse's and fade-in's/out's of many episodes.

This is "Fajita Mike". He slabs the name as just "Fajita" on the show, mainly because he says the other Mike is the big boss (Michael Ballard). He propositioned me to a tequila tip off.... I gracefully declined. He also went on to tell the story about his ankle being all messed-up, but he said he couldn't remember much of that shi*, other than when he woke up, he was hungover and couldn't walk on it. hmmmm, I think this is just a normal nite for Fajita,

This was so cool for me (kid in a candy store!), seeing this crap on TV for years, and then, finally getting to pounce on this turf. Amazing (at least for me@!)... I think both Bob and Rick were quite amused and amazed as well. I also heard them saying (upon walking out) that this FTS show will now be on their watch list.

Many of times has this been on with small lightweight bikes whipping around, but, when are they going to put an FJR or K16 in there? Yeah baby!

Everything was wide-open, but from words of the staff "They are just getting in gear". The TV show also backs this up, with the very first episode of the year always showing a frantic rush and pace to "rig" the show. One might think that starting more than a week prior would be wise?

The "Courtyard"

And around the not-so pretty?... back side

Burn-out pit, filmed in/on about every show...

There's 2 sets of these on each side-stage. They look much better on the show, and, at night all lit up. But, just another cool idea Ballard came up with

On site camping? Scratch that... "cabin *******!"

They setup their big outdoor concerts in this field, looks pretty quiet at this moment

So much to take in here, even the taps for the draft beer are unique (many of these around the main bar). I would call most everything in (and outside) this place as "unique". I think that's what attracts me!

After a few rounds of "milking" the 16oz brews (we were on 2 wheels after-all) the sun was starting to get tired, I'm happy as a bird to have finally toasted a beer here at the FTS! (on my Bike-it-list) . But!... we still had downtown to take-in, along with dinner there as well.

So off to the downtown we shall go!....

After cruising the downtown streets (non ATGATT) admittedly, felt weird but boy how that "6" (aka: lycoming turbine jet engine) sounds without a lid on! We settle on the Knucklehead....

Getting to my favorite time of the day!... well, at least when you have this kind of stellar weather!

Bar was very kewl looking, but after the FTS? well, let's just say it's on a different level.

Okay for you foodies... I had the Sirloin burger w a Jack Daniels BBQ, topped with crunchy onions. It was delish! But, did not trump the hometown Burger during the kick-off (in 1st post).

And this was about as unhealthy as I saw Bob eat all trip...

I think the Sun settles a lot slower out here, it took a long time to say goodbye (def not complaining!). We are now finally leaving and it's still not surrendering!... Rick scoping KJ's dual intensity LED's

After Rick and myself got to compare front and rear exposure, his is still all stock, with no Amber turn-signal -> to DRL's mod (yet). He's now sold after we did these comparison's. I must admit, the stock K16 visibility sucks! (yep, I admit something on the K16 sucks! lol) But, hopefully when Rick comes up to the Finger Lakes Rally this Labor Day Wknd, he will be updated with the DRL chip (it's 3rd grader plug and play Rick!)... I will gladly help however!

We were bedding down at the Super-8, just down a few blocks from this strip. Couldn't of been any easier of a ride back there. B/C I tell it like it is, we did ride in town without gear. I had very mixed feelings on this. It felt weird but good at the same time. I know all the dealio, and having skin graphs etc. will feel really good as well. I think that's where all the mixed feelings came into play. I'm certainly not proud of it, but I can say it's done and over with... yep, outta my system and I have no other Pirate fantasies!

[MONDAY 7/23 END]

Next up... Black Hills, an entire day ride!

TBC

 

[rushes]

Helluva report.

You're putting a lot of work into this...

 

[Iris]

Nice Ride Report! Great photos!

 

[Top_Speed1]

Day 4) Tues 7/21 Sturgis SD to Gillette WY: https://mapq.st/1AEWVGp [346.5mi, 7hr-52min seat time] Yellow on map

Coming out of Sturgis, we took the Nemo Rd. South to 44 over to 385 and then the City Hill Rd. which twists and winds it's way over to Rushmore (great tip from my buddy TominCA!)

One of the very few 'straight stretches' on the City Hill Rd., so a good time for a PB (pee break)

Being early in the AM (about 7ish at this moment) we saw little to NONE for traffic, well, except we did intercept some 4 legged free range critters...

No incidents or collisions! (yet!?.... stay tuned!)

Merging back on 16A from the ever so fun City Hill Rd., it gets a bit more commercial, you can start to tell Rushmore is nearing...

Still purrdeee!

We now start to get some Sun breaking through the near fog. Early riding is the best, as long as the fog is lifted, and it was...

City Hill flushed to 16A which is just a few miles away from Rushmore (the town) which is just a few miles from the famous figures. It's sweet and quick.

The mandatory pre-stop photo op...

The approach (from the parking lot)

Rick (L) has been here once before, myself and Bob ® were newbies.

The common touristy pics...

Hmmmm, I wonder if KJ will be next up?.... yeah right!

They actually have concrete bleachers for the stare-down...

It was nice (enough) out but being a little cooler, but certainly not the "stellar" days that we had prior. It was time to move on, the Needles Hwy was next up!

New-smooth pavement is always nice and having some scenery mixed in... even bhetta! A look back at my guys, and, it will now be an all new experience now for Rick, as he's also going to be a newbie to the Needle!

The infamous roundabout section, where you loop under and over (if coming E to W anyways). I had top pics but they were blurry

Fast approaching those funny looking natural creations...

On our 1st PB on the Needles Hwy, we meet some talkative fellers... (heck, everyone wants to talk to you and find out where you're from, where you're going etc...)

Bob's LT being the "land barge" of our group, did relatively Okay keeping up with us. I did notice a few times his headlight was out of rear-view and let off a bit so he could catch up. He was by no means a group anchor however! His mega years of experience I think helped offset this minor handicap.

What a Ride it was!

We had minimal traffic, I'd hate to see this road later in the day however. Only b/c it's gotta be on everyone's map!

And these rock-shapes sure do remind me of something?... but, I just can't put my hand on it!

The views between the formations are not chopped liver either...

So, when you get up to the tunnel prior to the Eye, you have to align yourself to see if it is a "go". Really kewl place! BUT!... these guys were backing up!.....

Oh' "The tunnel of love"... (well, not really, but it is really tight!). So we have a couple of riders waiting?. I'm kinda wondering wtf is going on? And then out comes the baby, yep, the tunnel of love "squeezes" out a baby!.

I gotta admit, if you're going to wait for something, that was certainly some pretty darn good entertainment! Once our group was through, we are now at the "Eye" of the Needle. Here's the backside of the Tunnel of Love....

And the actual "Needle's Eye"

Below the Eye... there was a lot working here in this spot, I had to breakup some images...

Driving down the Eye, there's still many of these formations that are reminding me of sumtin?

I took a lot of pics under motion, but, we did stop to smell the rocks as well hey, ya have to, especailly when you factor-in that you may never make it back here again! (I sure hope to however!)

Coming up... (same day) off to the Crazy Horse Memorial and then up through Spearfish Canyon to the Devils Tower.

TBC

 

[Wine Guy]

Incredible RR as always KJ!

 

[Top_Speed1]

The Crazy Horse is about 5mi down Rte16, once done with the 385 Needles Hwy. So pretty much a given when you route down 16.

I was not all that impressed. Sorry to any C-H lovers out there. It's been non-finished for many, many of years. Rick said there is a neat story line to follow, and, that you had to watch the 30min movie inside the tourist-trap like building. We said "No Thank You", well after hearing of Rick's preview (from his 10 year ago trip there). I guess if we didn't have as much on our plate?

After the somewhat disappointing Crazy Horse, a lunch stop was in order. Custer (the town) was handy, cool lil town, we all had some hand tossed personal pizza's. Pricey, not worthy of food porn pics however... well, maybe if they weren't $20 bucks for a stink'n 12" small!

We took 16 over to 85 (North) to go up into Spearfish (and the Canyon). Lot's of Indian turf everywhere you look...

We had some rain starting to come down... so camera away! :-( So spearfish canyon was wettt, we had the faucet turned down however in Speafish... and for a gas and snack break, I was looking for FJR's!?... well, Big John's (bigjohnsd) anyways!

The dark clouds and precipitation gave way once north of Spearfish. It was a fast and spirited ride across 34 (SD) and 24 (WY).

Approaching the Devil's Tower. Trust me, "In person" is the only way to take-in this natural beauty. (pics just do not do it justice!)...

Climbing the base by a very nice paved roadway, you get half the overall height knocked down, so it comes to vision much more clearly. Close Encounters you say?

Wrapping around the entrance road, it kinda shed's some new and different views of the Tower... (prob my only post-card shot as well!)

Exiting, we get some new light angles and scene's

It's now late afternoon. Pretty much on our exact schedule, so time to do some "fast laps" (aka spirited stuff) down 14 to Keyhole State Park. Radar Detector on full alert!

Taking pics at 100+ MPH is not only challenging, it's fun. Well, you take them while concentrating on many 'of things at once, including the Radar ;-)

Keyhole State Park (about 10 mi down that lake!). Rick is still pretty much behind me, well, almost anyways. Bob? Oh no Bob insight any-where's. Not even a flicker of a headlight.

We coast down, catch our breath and before hopping over to I90 for a slab-in to Gillette, we need to gather up our Jersey Boy (aka Bob).


6am to 7pm today (on the road, minus our sniffing of course). Our destination town and sign was a very welcoming site!.

I also knew I had even a bigger agenda on for us fellas tomorrow; with Yellowstone and some projected traffic within. What an end to an awesome day, but I gotta say, we sure were looking forward to a cold beer and this....

Up next, Yellowstone....
TBC

 

[BwanaDik]

Excellent report! Thanks!

I went thru Rushmore in my early '20's when it still looked like the scene in "North by Northwest". Too cool mid-century modern architecture. We were just there a couple of years ago, too much granite now.

 

[Tanker]

Fully subscribed KJ.

What a great report.... can't wait for the next installment!