Great ride Geek. My wife will be down on Friday and we'd love to see you and the missus. Love the pictures.
Milestones
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BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
Finally! July 14, 2010, continued.
Why I Ride.
The Going To The Sun Road, in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Sooze had been wanting to see the sights on this road for a long, long time.
She was not disappointed, and neither was I.
Just before we headed out onto the road, we got to chit-chatting with a couple of fellas on 'Wings. They said that they had just ridden it from west-to-east, and once you get through the construction on the east side, it's a good ride.
We wound up starting behind a couple of guys, one on an older 'Wing and the other on what looked to be an older standard of some sort. All I know is they were going ssslllooowww.... As in no faster than about 10 under the limit. Now, I'm no hot-shoe by any means, but come on, now! This part of the road was no more challenging than your average parking lot!
Rather than getting impatient and pissed off, I did my bestest to just sit back, relax, and drink in the scenery. There was plenty of scenery to drink in, THAT'S for sure!
Glug-glug-glug...
Oh, yeah...
Pokey fellers were still there.
I love this stuff!
You can see the road winding along ahead of us, and NO guard rail to speak of. NOT a good time to have a brain fart.
Me likey the mountains and stuff.
The rocks behind me here were across 2 lanes of road, and a decent amount of turn-off-area.
Peace out.
Why I Ride.
The Going To The Sun Road, in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Sooze had been wanting to see the sights on this road for a long, long time.
She was not disappointed, and neither was I.
Just before we headed out onto the road, we got to chit-chatting with a couple of fellas on 'Wings. They said that they had just ridden it from west-to-east, and once you get through the construction on the east side, it's a good ride.
We wound up starting behind a couple of guys, one on an older 'Wing and the other on what looked to be an older standard of some sort. All I know is they were going ssslllooowww.... As in no faster than about 10 under the limit. Now, I'm no hot-shoe by any means, but come on, now! This part of the road was no more challenging than your average parking lot!
Rather than getting impatient and pissed off, I did my bestest to just sit back, relax, and drink in the scenery. There was plenty of scenery to drink in, THAT'S for sure!
Glug-glug-glug...
Oh, yeah...
Pokey fellers were still there.
I love this stuff!
You can see the road winding along ahead of us, and NO guard rail to speak of. NOT a good time to have a brain fart.
Me likey the mountains and stuff.
The rocks behind me here were across 2 lanes of road, and a decent amount of turn-off-area.
Peace out.
BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
The turn-off where we had, uh, turned-off, was pretty big, with the water and mountains in the background. We both just started geeking out, since we're geeks and all, taking pictures.
You should be getting the idea of the size of this turn-off. It was pretty good sized, and empty when we got there. As I was getting my camera ready, some 24-carat tool came up and parked right next to the bike. WTF?!? Really?? Luckily, the cage tools moved off after a few seconds of scary, bikergeeky-glare. THAT'LL show 'em.
Here you can see the road winding off the way we came.
Us. The Geeks. Doing our 'thang.
Kinda makes a big bike look small.
Note Sooze in the background – there was a pretty nice little 'mountain breeze' going through. Or, in Ohio, we call that wind.
Continuing our ride, without Frick and Frack puttsing along in front of us, we had a nice time just making our own pace.
Since there aren't any Glacier National Park-type of areas close to home, it's easy for me to forget how many people like to visit these types of areas.
A little ways up the road was a reminder. Seemed like everyone, their mother, uncle, aunt, kuzzin, and ever other damn person was stopping here. Dunno why. I'm old now. My memory ain't what it used to be.
Did I mention that they scenery here could get ya drunk? Oh, yeah....
I love this – the pine trees, the mountain in the background, the snow on the mountain... In July...
You should be getting the idea of the size of this turn-off. It was pretty good sized, and empty when we got there. As I was getting my camera ready, some 24-carat tool came up and parked right next to the bike. WTF?!? Really?? Luckily, the cage tools moved off after a few seconds of scary, bikergeeky-glare. THAT'LL show 'em.
Here you can see the road winding off the way we came.
Us. The Geeks. Doing our 'thang.
Kinda makes a big bike look small.
Note Sooze in the background – there was a pretty nice little 'mountain breeze' going through. Or, in Ohio, we call that wind.
Continuing our ride, without Frick and Frack puttsing along in front of us, we had a nice time just making our own pace.
Since there aren't any Glacier National Park-type of areas close to home, it's easy for me to forget how many people like to visit these types of areas.
A little ways up the road was a reminder. Seemed like everyone, their mother, uncle, aunt, kuzzin, and ever other damn person was stopping here. Dunno why. I'm old now. My memory ain't what it used to be.
Did I mention that they scenery here could get ya drunk? Oh, yeah....
I love this – the pine trees, the mountain in the background, the snow on the mountain... In July...
BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
One very cool feature of the Going To The Sun Road – there be waterfalls right along the road! Small ones, thankfully, but they're there nonetheless. And, actually, when you're kinda warm, riding by on a motorcycle, a little of the spray feels kinda good.
There's just all kinds of sweet stuff to see out here.
See what I mean?
Now, yes, you CAN traverse this road in a car, or a pick-M-up, or a <gasp – shudder – the HORROR!> RV, but the best thing about riding a motorcycle, Why I Ride, is because you're out IN the element, not sitting in the AC, listening to your favorite ABBA 8-track (come on – I know you're out there – fess up, slackers!). Going through this kind of scenery IS Why I Ride. There's just nothing like it.
I mean, come ON, now – if you're stuck in a cage, you just don't have a grip on the scenery. You just can't get shots like this, while moving, while in a cage. This is a sweet picture, but you had to see it real-time, as the clouds roiled around the summit up there, then swept back, right-to-left, along the peak. Why I Ride.
There's just all kinds of sweet stuff to see out here.
See what I mean?
Now, yes, you CAN traverse this road in a car, or a pick-M-up, or a <gasp – shudder – the HORROR!> RV, but the best thing about riding a motorcycle, Why I Ride, is because you're out IN the element, not sitting in the AC, listening to your favorite ABBA 8-track (come on – I know you're out there – fess up, slackers!). Going through this kind of scenery IS Why I Ride. There's just nothing like it.
I mean, come ON, now – if you're stuck in a cage, you just don't have a grip on the scenery. You just can't get shots like this, while moving, while in a cage. This is a sweet picture, but you had to see it real-time, as the clouds roiled around the summit up there, then swept back, right-to-left, along the peak. Why I Ride.
BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
At first, I was ready to stop the bike, get off and jimmy-kick this guy for advertising that he thinks I'm slow. At least say it to my face!
Oh, no, wait... Remember the chat we'd had with the fellers on their 'Wings before we started out? Yeah – the 'C' word: Construction. Note the condition of the road in the picture above – dirt / gravel. Yippee. My favorite on a fully-loaded touring bike 2-up. Good times. Good times, indeed. Luckily we'd ridden a crap load of dirt on the FJR a few weeks previous whilst up in Quebec. So I felt prepared.
I guess there are worse places to be stuck in construction.
The stop-sign-holder-upper had a comrade who came down and told us the wait would be about 10 minutes. I guess she needs a new battery in her watch or a good, old-fashioned sun dial or something. It was a helluva lot longer wait than 10 minutes.
Did I mention that there are worse places to be stuck in construction?? The conditions at the summit of this mountain changed minute-by-minute. It was really cool to just sit and watch.
Bike shut off and parked while waiting '10' minutes, I decided to hop off and take a look over the edge. Thankfully I didn't fall off. Purty sure that woulda hurt.
Another peak with the clouds boiling around the summit, where the visible conditions were constantly in flux.
The valley below.
Changing conditions up there.
SOMEone, in their (in)finite wisdom, thought it'd be a great idea to send a water truck along this portion of gravel & dirt to wet it to keep the dust down. What that left us with is a kinda slimy, wet-dirt-and-gravel road.
Greaaat. Dandy. And, when the fooker went by, he sprayed US, too. Bastage. Hope he gets a lump of coal from the Easter Bunny.
In the Park, they offer guided tours in these cool-looking old cars. Keep an eye out on channels like the Travel Channel – I think we've seen features talking about them. Or look it up on the neenernet – I don't remember any details off the top of my head and I'm too lazy to go look it up myself. Hell – why should I? I saw the damn things. And notice the wet gravel-dirt road condition.
The worst thing about this construction, other than the road conditions, was the MORON a couple of vehicles in front of us. This IDIOT repeatedly came to a COMPLETE stop in the construction zone (when we were actually moving) so he could take a stupid picture with his DSLR. And this was NOT a motorcycle-friendly place to stop – off-camber mid-turn, wet dirt / loose gravel....
GAAAHHHHH!! STUPID people from Pennsylvania driving minivan CORKSUCKERS!!!
It takes a lot to get me really pissed. I was truly ready to jimmy-kick that TWIT.
But, despite the Pride Of Pennsylvania, we made it through safe and sound without a scratch.
That guy is still a twit Olympian, though.
Anyway. I digress.
SNOW! IN JULY!!
Oh, no, wait... Remember the chat we'd had with the fellers on their 'Wings before we started out? Yeah – the 'C' word: Construction. Note the condition of the road in the picture above – dirt / gravel. Yippee. My favorite on a fully-loaded touring bike 2-up. Good times. Good times, indeed. Luckily we'd ridden a crap load of dirt on the FJR a few weeks previous whilst up in Quebec. So I felt prepared.
I guess there are worse places to be stuck in construction.
The stop-sign-holder-upper had a comrade who came down and told us the wait would be about 10 minutes. I guess she needs a new battery in her watch or a good, old-fashioned sun dial or something. It was a helluva lot longer wait than 10 minutes.
Did I mention that there are worse places to be stuck in construction?? The conditions at the summit of this mountain changed minute-by-minute. It was really cool to just sit and watch.
Bike shut off and parked while waiting '10' minutes, I decided to hop off and take a look over the edge. Thankfully I didn't fall off. Purty sure that woulda hurt.
Another peak with the clouds boiling around the summit, where the visible conditions were constantly in flux.
The valley below.
Changing conditions up there.
SOMEone, in their (in)finite wisdom, thought it'd be a great idea to send a water truck along this portion of gravel & dirt to wet it to keep the dust down. What that left us with is a kinda slimy, wet-dirt-and-gravel road.
Greaaat. Dandy. And, when the fooker went by, he sprayed US, too. Bastage. Hope he gets a lump of coal from the Easter Bunny.
In the Park, they offer guided tours in these cool-looking old cars. Keep an eye out on channels like the Travel Channel – I think we've seen features talking about them. Or look it up on the neenernet – I don't remember any details off the top of my head and I'm too lazy to go look it up myself. Hell – why should I? I saw the damn things. And notice the wet gravel-dirt road condition.
The worst thing about this construction, other than the road conditions, was the MORON a couple of vehicles in front of us. This IDIOT repeatedly came to a COMPLETE stop in the construction zone (when we were actually moving) so he could take a stupid picture with his DSLR. And this was NOT a motorcycle-friendly place to stop – off-camber mid-turn, wet dirt / loose gravel....
GAAAHHHHH!! STUPID people from Pennsylvania driving minivan CORKSUCKERS!!!
It takes a lot to get me really pissed. I was truly ready to jimmy-kick that TWIT.
But, despite the Pride Of Pennsylvania, we made it through safe and sound without a scratch.
That guy is still a twit Olympian, though.
Anyway. I digress.
SNOW! IN JULY!!
BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
'Nother waterfall along the road.
<a-la Spicoli> Duuude, I rode THROUGH a mountain, mahn!!!</a-la Spicoli>
As we continued, our altitude climbed, the temperature dropped, and the snow got closer to eye-level. On other mountains. Notice in the center of this shot – that's a waterfall / water run-off going down from the snow. Pretty cool...
More waterfalls.
I don't think we could have asked for better weather. From what we have heard / seen / read / made up on our own, the conditions can change quickly.
We had plenty of this crap at home last winter.
Glug-glug-glug...
Oh, wow...
Finally, we made it to Logan Pass.
<a-la Spicoli> Duuude, I rode THROUGH a mountain, mahn!!!</a-la Spicoli>
As we continued, our altitude climbed, the temperature dropped, and the snow got closer to eye-level. On other mountains. Notice in the center of this shot – that's a waterfall / water run-off going down from the snow. Pretty cool...
More waterfalls.
I don't think we could have asked for better weather. From what we have heard / seen / read / made up on our own, the conditions can change quickly.
We had plenty of this crap at home last winter.
Glug-glug-glug...
Oh, wow...
Finally, we made it to Logan Pass.
So.
How you likin' this trip out west, Geek?
Where are you now?
How you likin' this trip out west, Geek?
Where are you now?
BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
I had a pondering moment thinking about that earlier.So.How you likin' this trip out west, Geek?
Being on the road this long, and not being used to being on the road this long, it gets to be a grind.
But this is a Dream Ride, and I will look back at every moment and cherish all these memories.
Sitting down, facing forward.
:crazy:
We're in Fairfield, CA, a bit east of Napa. We've gotta come back - Sooze wants to visit the Jelly Belly factory. We'll be heading for Eureka in the morning.
BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
Of course, when we pulled off into the Logan Pass Tourist Trap Area, my buddy, by pal, the Pride Of Pennsylvania, stopped RIGHT in the middle of the damn entrance. Wow. Really??! It truly takes effort to be that incredibly stupid. Serious effort! And that dumbass has put in the time.
Moronic twit.
But, despite the Pride Of Pennsylvania, we made it to Logan Pass. The mountain breeze was swift and brisk, the crowds were krazzy, and we were parked away from it all. BTW – if you ride there, there IS motorcycle-specific parking at the ends of the cage rows, in between the don't-run-something-over cement thingies.
We had some views.
Moi, taking what I'm sure is a terrific picture of my big toe.
While we were at this new, higher altitude.
The building in the center is the Welcome Center or whatever. This place was dang busy I just couldn't bring myself to go there. People Overload happens easily for me, and this place was just nuts. Cars coming and going, clueless drivers (including the Pride Of Pennsylvania – who slowly oozed by as I was taking off my helmet, bitching to Sooze about him, and as he sauntered by, I hollered about “That clueless dumbass of a TOOL from PENNSYLVANIA <and he looked at me right then, so I said, “Yes, YOU, DUMBASS!!”> and, with that, the Pride Of Pennsylvania moved, never to be seen again. Yet. Heaven help that moronic dumbass of a clueless twit if I meet him again on the road.
Serenity now....
Serenity now...
I'm done with him.
A few more from Logan Pass.
Note the brown box-looking thing at a weird angle? That's a bear / wildlife proof or resistant garbage can. There's a lever you have to hook your fingers under to open it and mean 'ol Mr. Gravity pulls it closed.
If you've never been, and / or are not familiar with this place, put it on Your List Of Stuff To See And Do.
Traffic backed up, heading the way we just came. Glad we're outta that.
The bike, the parking lot, the welcome center, and the background.
I don't think we were too far away from the tree line.
The Geeks, with some snow in July behind us, and a big hunk 'O rock. This is Why I Ride.
Moronic twit.
But, despite the Pride Of Pennsylvania, we made it to Logan Pass. The mountain breeze was swift and brisk, the crowds were krazzy, and we were parked away from it all. BTW – if you ride there, there IS motorcycle-specific parking at the ends of the cage rows, in between the don't-run-something-over cement thingies.
We had some views.
Moi, taking what I'm sure is a terrific picture of my big toe.
While we were at this new, higher altitude.
The building in the center is the Welcome Center or whatever. This place was dang busy I just couldn't bring myself to go there. People Overload happens easily for me, and this place was just nuts. Cars coming and going, clueless drivers (including the Pride Of Pennsylvania – who slowly oozed by as I was taking off my helmet, bitching to Sooze about him, and as he sauntered by, I hollered about “That clueless dumbass of a TOOL from PENNSYLVANIA <and he looked at me right then, so I said, “Yes, YOU, DUMBASS!!”> and, with that, the Pride Of Pennsylvania moved, never to be seen again. Yet. Heaven help that moronic dumbass of a clueless twit if I meet him again on the road.
Serenity now....
Serenity now...
I'm done with him.
A few more from Logan Pass.
Note the brown box-looking thing at a weird angle? That's a bear / wildlife proof or resistant garbage can. There's a lever you have to hook your fingers under to open it and mean 'ol Mr. Gravity pulls it closed.
If you've never been, and / or are not familiar with this place, put it on Your List Of Stuff To See And Do.
Traffic backed up, heading the way we just came. Glad we're outta that.
The bike, the parking lot, the welcome center, and the background.
I don't think we were too far away from the tree line.
The Geeks, with some snow in July behind us, and a big hunk 'O rock. This is Why I Ride.
Bungie
FrostBack #2 - IBA # 44620
Okay, before I was just jealous. Now I'm f'n jealous.
huron52
Well-known member
The pictures are just a tease...... As Andy might say you just got to be there! (on a bike) I was close last year.... I will be going back to ride that road.
07fjrTom
Well-known member
Love the pics of the Going to the sun road! I was up there last week at the same time you were. Awesome, but COLD. You got some great shots that I didn't take the time to shoot. Thanks!
canucklehead-biker
Well-known member
One of the nice things about living out here... I managed to do the Going to the Sun 4 times last summer.... definitely an awesome ride!
Griff
rushes
Well-known member
Great stuff BG... :clapping:
Thanks!
Thanks!
FJRBandit
Well-known member
Loving it BG. I'm with Bungie, I was just jealous, but now ~~ it's becoming envy overload! :dribble:
Mrs. BG's finger has to be getting tired from clicking the camera. But tell her not to stop now, keep'em coming! :clapping:
Mrs. BG's finger has to be getting tired from clicking the camera. But tell her not to stop now, keep'em coming! :clapping:
FJRBandit
Well-known member
Loving it BG. I'm with Bungie, I was just jealous, but now ~~ it's becoming envy overload! :dribble:
Mrs. BG's finger has to be getting tired from clicking the camera. But tell her not to stop now, keep'em coming! :clapping:
Mrs. BG's finger has to be getting tired from clicking the camera. But tell her not to stop now, keep'em coming! :clapping:
BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
Thanks, guys. We've still got lots and lots more to come. Sooze has been taking around a hunnert pics a day, and we've still got Seattle, the Oregon coast, the Kali redwoods and more to come!
But for now, we're headed for Eureka to see what happens when a couple on a Harley drops in on a group of FJR owners... (Sounds like the beginning to a joke... I'll work on it and see if I can make something of it.)
But for now, we're headed for Eureka to see what happens when a couple on a Harley drops in on a group of FJR owners... (Sounds like the beginning to a joke... I'll work on it and see if I can make something of it.)
Niehart
Pie Smuggler
Great to meet ya last night even if you were running around with OM.
RaYzerman19
Go Wings!
I'll bet you are so thanking the guy that led you down that QC gravel road for the experience gained................ ya right!!
Glad you're enjoying this. I was there in '07 and they sometimes don't open that road or the Beartooth Pass until middle of June as it is blocked by snow and ice. When I was at the visitor center, I snapped a picture of a mountain goat just laying in the snow getting a suntan. I'd post it but Bust would get all horny........ Anyway, soak it up, it's awesome.
Bustanut joker
Well-known member
Way too cool you guys! I only wish one day to have the time to retrace your route..
An Ray? Goats don't do much fer me.. I'm sheepish remember?
:jester:
An Ray? Goats don't do much fer me.. I'm sheepish remember?
:jester:
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