3rd Nat'l NT Rally-Jul 10-13, 2013 - Spearfish, SD

Re: Nat'l Rally III - Picture Thread

Just thought I would post some of my pictures of my ride at 3rd Nat'l NT Rally / NATSTOC. Most people ride the beautiful curvy ,twisty ,paved roads that crisscross the Black Hills. Some Riders will visit the local attractions , or maybe even sample the delicious eateries in the area. And some, a few, will visit the local pubs/bars. I chose to ride the roads less traveled. No Winnebago’s blocking my view, no pissed off ,road rage cage drivers. No buffalo to dodge with my bike. No Harleys to slow me up. Not even runners on Spearfish Canyon to keep from running over. And best of all no LEOs around to tell me how fast I can't go.
Where did my Wee and I go? Went and got Dirty. Thinking about bringing my DR650 dual sport next year. Then I can really go get dirty. Here are my some of my pictures
 
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I left Custer State Park yesterday afternoon after riding the Needles with Wendell, Rich and William. Wendell, Rich and I had packed up in the morning then headed south to do some additional checking out of the roads in and around Custer State Park. We had a long lunch in Hill City and then road the Needles Highway. William went on to ride the Iron Mountain Road and back to Spearfish, Wendell, Rich and I headed south on 385 and 71. At highway 20 in Nebraska Wendell headed east to start his return to Florida while Rich (Windsong) and I turned west. After a brief stop at Fort Robinson, now a Nebraska state park for a quick look and some iced tea we headed over and down Nebraska 29 on our way to Torrington, WY. Here we had dinner at the best restaurant in town (Deacons) and decided we would see if we could get to the Denver area. This would put me home and put Rich at an easy days ride to his in New Mexico. On the way to Cheyenne it started to sprinkle, and to get dark. Not bad, but then it turned into a real rain at night. Well, I can deal with riding in rain, and riding at night, but I hate riding in the rain at night! I just cannot see well enough, especially when oncoming cars headlights are shining into my rain splattered helmet visor. So we got a motel room in Cheyenne and were glad - very glad - to get it and get off the road. The alarm went off at 5:00am Sunday morning and we loaded up and headed to Dennys for breakfast, then on south on I25. I got home a bit after 8 am, and Rich really turned the throttle on, trying to beat the rain. It was heading south as well. With the help of a 30mph tail wind for most of the way he got to Albuquerque around 4:30pm. For the most part he stayed ahead of the rain but did hit a half hours worth or so. We had a great time at Spearfish with both NT and ST owners.
I'll put my few photos up on the picture thread, but not tonight.
 
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Jim Rau (Jungle Jim) and I are in Lovell, WY, at the Horseshoe Motel. The owner just washed and folded our clothes. We had a good meal, with a strange, strange man who accosted us in the parking lot after we came out of the motel office. He's heading for Alaska on a Suzuki TU-250. He talked non-stop for an hour and a half before we finally just walked away. Jim said that there's no way to explain what it was like being with this guy. I was talking to Joanne and telling her about him and when I said that he talked non-stop, she said (as I knew she would), REALLY??? But Jim will testify that this guy is way worse than I ever thought about being.

BTW, I was talking to Joanne on Jim's cell phone because I lost mine somewhere last night. I'd hoped it might be in the stuff I packed in the tent this morning, but no joy.

Joe, I'd vote for keeping the NTs and the STs together if the ST owners don't mind. We mingled better this year and I enjoyed getting to know some of them.
 
Phil Tarman said:
Joe, I'd vote for keeping the NTs and the STs together if the ST owners don't mind. We mingled better this year and I enjoyed getting to know some of them.
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Okay, I'll do that as long as others agree... I just want to make sure it's okay and works with everyone, I know they don't mind at all.

I remember seeing the bottle of fuel when George was making breakfast with it - denatured alcohol - and thought to myself if he'd ever mistaken it for water, yeow... glad you didn't end up drinking all night long.
 
Re: Nat'l Rally III - Picture Thread

banjoboy said:
Joe thanks for the slideshow. This area is much prettier than I would have thought. I was guessing that it was totally flat and the roads totally straight. I was wrong. How many of us showed up for the final count?

Terry
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Terry, it's prime riding landscape, tons of twisties and Custer state park is amazing. I came from TX through OK, KS, NE which was a long flat ride.. LOL... actually, the cornfields of NE and KS are a little rolling and still better than a day at work.
 
Re: Nat'l Rally III - Picture Thread

"" said:
THAT's what I'm talkin' about, Chuck. Did you identify those roads before your visit, or did you employ the "Serendipity" planning method??
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"Serendipity" planning method. Look there is a dirt road, I wonder where it goes. Lets follow it. Or "this line is mighty squigglly on the map, lets follow it.
 
ah... did Phil actually ride past the ND sign? If no, well :rofl1:

Rick, sometimes ya just gotta ride and relax and the documentation of it can simply be your own memories. I'm there often myself.
 
Hello all..I made it back to Spokane Saturday evening. The weather on the return was outstanding both days. I hated to leave on Friday, but it was unavoidable.
A special shout out to Ken, Rich, and Wendel. Our day riding together was awesome. The road construction, lunch in Hill City, Rushmore, Iron mtn Road, and a decent dinner that night. Thanks for the day.
I enjoyed meeting everyone (Well, most of you anyway. LOL) Joe, Rick, Jim, Kevin, Jim R., Phil and the gentleman from OK City (Sorry I forgot your name. Call it CRS) you are all interesting fellows and I learned a great deal from all of you.
I enjoyed being with the ST guys and getting to know a few of them, so I say let's keep the rallies on the same weekend.
Like Rick...I only took maybe 10 pics and my Go Pro was not operable when I really needed it to be, but I will post what I have.
Thanks everyone.
Len
 
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I'm in Prince George, BC. On Saturday, I rode over the Bighorns, through Cody, up to Red lodge and took 28 to Columbus and stayed at one of the best Super 8s I've been to. I'd planned to ride Chief Joseph and the Beartooth, but the weather was bad up there, so I skirted to the east of the mountains. The road between Red Lodge and Columbus, Rt 28 is one of my favorites. It's flung over the terrain in a most entertaining manner and the lack of traffic allows a bit of sportiness. The Super 8 is one of my favorites, too. Clean, comfortable, with homemade cookies and they cater to motorcyclists with a wash area and cleaning supplies.

On Sunday, I rode up to Calgary, AB. Today, it was 51? when I headed out for Prince George. Because I had planned to go through Calgary, I'd followed the story of the floods and had seen pictures of the Trans Canada washed away. They've done a remarkable job of repairing it. If you didn't know the extent of the damage, you probably wouldn't even notice the repairs. It's apparent that there has been road work, but it doesn't look like anything more than routine maintenance. Helluva job.

It rained off and on from Calgary to Jasper. The temp dropped to 41? on the Icefields Parkway. I'd have been sorely disappointed if I hadn't previously travelled the road. Couldn't see much. It cleared up and was a nice ride from Jasper to PG. There's not much civilization between the two. If you don't make the only gas stop in McBride, ya might end up walking.
 
After stopping a few days to visit my elderly parents in KC, I arrived home today. I was glad to meet a few of you when I dropped by the campground on Wednesday for a short visit. There were also a few chance encounters with forum members along the way. One morning had breakfast with RedBird at the Perkins in Spearfish and then met RedNigel during the ride home across Nebraska. The heat in the Sandhills was brutal but had a pleasant ride across Missouri today on the final leg of the trip.
 
Re: Nat'l Rally III - Picture Thread

Here are a few of mine.
 

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Re: Nat'l Rally III - Picture Thread

banjoboy said:
How many of us showed up for the final count?
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ooops... we didn't take a group pic this year... last year it was so hot there were many at the campground later in the day but this year everyone was riding a lot. Completely forgot about a group photo op.My Bad...

There were at least 3-4 at hotels and 7+ at the campground but I didn't do any official counting... I don't usually worry about numbers too much, if anyone shows up besides me it's considered a success LOL
 
Chris and I made it back to Spokane for Supper last night (Mon). Sat we rode to Cody by way of the Bighorn Scenic Byway (14). Sunday morning to Yellowstone on Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (14). After a leisurely breakfast at Lake Yellowstone Hotel, we rode to and stopped in West Yellowstone for NFS campground information. We took 191 north to Red Cliff NFS Campground on the Gallatin River. Monday we followed 191 to 90 and back to Spokane.

A tip of the hat to Mellow. IMHO he again set the perfect non schedule. My vote is to keep the same format. I like the ST group and the interaction.

I had a great trip. Two National parks, a National Monument park, too many mountain ranges to list, airplane museum ... best of all ... familiar faces from last year and new familiar faces for next year. I will post pics on the picture thread. Thanks to all!
 

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Chris,

Tim (taldric) did a SS1000 from Seattle area to Spearfish last year. He can give good info. Coyote Chris and I ran into MANY long road construction projects even in Glacier. Even with 75 mph speed limits, the two lane roads are slower. I don't think a route thru a NP would work if you were trying to do a SS1000. Only saw one deer along 90 from West Yellowstone to Spokane, but Chris and I too stains on the highway to count.
Joe
 
Re: Nat'l Rally III - Picture Thread

I am really looking forward to going next year.
 
(still having internet problems)
Ditto to what Frosty says....if you want to do a SS1000, stick to Interstates...we have no idea if that was deer blood, people blood or both on the interstate....if you want to do a SS1000, that is your business....but we avoided animals and tire treads by being careful and driving alert....and not at night....that is very tough to do for 1,000 miles. We did 350-400 or so a day....that was enough for safety...Frosty is a good rider...I am a successful rider....but push your luck and the undertoad will get you.....just ask the safety expert for Rider magazine....oh wait...didn't a deer get him?
Sorry for the lecturing....I love my wife, I love life, and I enjoy touring....there is so much to live for and little to die for....
There are old pilots and bold pilots, but there are few old, bold pilots....
Frosty said:
Chris,

Tim (taldric) did a SS1000 from Seattle area to Spearfish last year. He can give good info. Coyote Chris and I ran into MANY long road construction projects even in Glacier. Even with 75 mph speed limits, the two lane roads are slower. I don't think a route thru a NP would work if you were trying to do a SS1000. Only saw one deer along 90 from West Yellowstone to Spokane, but Chris and I too stains on the highway to count.
Joe
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