Spud
Well-known member
The bike was washed up and ready for some winter maintenance, but we got a favorable forecast for the weekend and I had a free day, so off to Yellowstone I went. It was November 2nd. Nov 3rd is the last day the roads are open, and it was forecast to snow that day.
This day ride would involve long undies, heated jacket liner, heated grips on high all day, neck gaiter, disposable heated footsoles, and crossed fingers that I could get through.
The day before (Nov 1st) the road was closed due to snow at Craig Pass. I figured I'd see if I could complete the loop with a day for them to plow and sand.
Leaving Idaho Falls in the a.m., I had a steady reading of about 36 degrees. I did get down as low as 28 going through Swan Valley. It was 62 in Idaho Falls when I rolled in late in the afternoon. 340 miles and some pretty extreme riding weather.
Swan Valley, South Fork of the Snake :
Heading up into the high country...
The top of Teton Pass: highest elevation on the ride--I thought I'd have good roads after getting over this on mostly bare pavement....I was wrong... Skiers/Boarders already up there carving esses into the mountains.
My trusty FJR was the ONLY bike I saw on the road all day, and I'm certain I was the last bike to go through Yellowstone / Teton this year. At the entrance the girl told me she hadn't seen a bike for at least a week, which makes sense because it had been snowing in the days before I left...
The Teton Range:
Then the fun really started. Heading up into Teton N.P. the roads become "less than ideal". It was a good day to scrape a peg....and then some
I decided to keep going, because.....well I though I'd probably fall on my ass if I tried to turn around and that point! I made it up over Craig's pass, which was closed the day before from snow.
It was not fun. I was doing 25mph or so for quite a few miles, and ended up with 2 pickups behind me. I couldn't really pull over or speed up, so they just got to watch the show from behind. The snow/slush lasted for probably 45 minutes of riding, and I managed to keep it shiny side up. Dropping down into Old Faithful I knew I was home-free, as the elevation dropped and the temps came up into the high 30's. The road thankfully cleared up.
The Inn at Old Faithful--closed for the season. The park was pretty much a ghost-town.
Some geysers on the way to Madison Junction.
The roads were all mine! Who says you can't go fast in the park--you just have to wait until everyone's gone!
This guy has life figured out. Hook up with all the hotties, have your fun, then hit the road and let them worry about all the kids for the rest of the year!
That was, definitely, THE LAST ride for 2013. It's been a great season!
This day ride would involve long undies, heated jacket liner, heated grips on high all day, neck gaiter, disposable heated footsoles, and crossed fingers that I could get through.
The day before (Nov 1st) the road was closed due to snow at Craig Pass. I figured I'd see if I could complete the loop with a day for them to plow and sand.
Leaving Idaho Falls in the a.m., I had a steady reading of about 36 degrees. I did get down as low as 28 going through Swan Valley. It was 62 in Idaho Falls when I rolled in late in the afternoon. 340 miles and some pretty extreme riding weather.
Swan Valley, South Fork of the Snake :
Heading up into the high country...
The top of Teton Pass: highest elevation on the ride--I thought I'd have good roads after getting over this on mostly bare pavement....I was wrong... Skiers/Boarders already up there carving esses into the mountains.
My trusty FJR was the ONLY bike I saw on the road all day, and I'm certain I was the last bike to go through Yellowstone / Teton this year. At the entrance the girl told me she hadn't seen a bike for at least a week, which makes sense because it had been snowing in the days before I left...
The Teton Range:
Then the fun really started. Heading up into Teton N.P. the roads become "less than ideal". It was a good day to scrape a peg....and then some
I decided to keep going, because.....well I though I'd probably fall on my ass if I tried to turn around and that point! I made it up over Craig's pass, which was closed the day before from snow.
It was not fun. I was doing 25mph or so for quite a few miles, and ended up with 2 pickups behind me. I couldn't really pull over or speed up, so they just got to watch the show from behind. The snow/slush lasted for probably 45 minutes of riding, and I managed to keep it shiny side up. Dropping down into Old Faithful I knew I was home-free, as the elevation dropped and the temps came up into the high 30's. The road thankfully cleared up.
The Inn at Old Faithful--closed for the season. The park was pretty much a ghost-town.
Some geysers on the way to Madison Junction.
The roads were all mine! Who says you can't go fast in the park--you just have to wait until everyone's gone!
This guy has life figured out. Hook up with all the hotties, have your fun, then hit the road and let them worry about all the kids for the rest of the year!
That was, definitely, THE LAST ride for 2013. It's been a great season!
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