Part 5, the finale, and probably the best overall riding of the trip. I will come back down here being so close to Canada. Bunkabikers all the way with lots of twist, turns, open road, views to Big Piney staying with Steve and Kara, to Rigby staying with Wyn and Kathy to Choteau staying with Bruce and Sara to Calgary. Ranging weather from 18C to 32C with threats of rain. Amazing parks and road. What a way to end the trip! Also see bottom of post for over all impressions of the USA and Mexico.
Day 32 (600 km) Big Piney. Took local advise from Wayne to cruise by the dam in Harvey Gap on my way North then stopped at the The Tank in Rangely for a guided tour with Elaine (Urie Trucking) and acapella using the amazing acoustics. Nice to meet Elaine and Britany when I came in to ask if I missed the town and gas station, lol. Randomness...Continued on through Utah and back to Wyoming to picturesque rocky desert and settled in at Steve and Kara's for a good meal and cuddle with a white skunk "Daisy". Lovely dog Bow too. Top hosts for sure!!
Harvey Gap C5R6T2V8 a wonderful little road to start the day. Hwy 13 to 64 C3R7T2V8 then to Rangely C3-5R5-7T2V8 sweeps. Hwy 40 Utah to Vernal C3R6T2/3V8. On to 191 up to turn to Flaming gorge C5R5-7T2V8 then down in to the gorge avoiding a loose driving truck and trailer and cruising past the dam C7R8T3V8. 191 up to state line Wyoming C5R6T2V9! More 191 to I-80 was incredible with distance valley views C5R6/7T2V8/9. I-80 to 372 C2R7T3V7 then to 189 catching some construction for 20 min stop C1-2R6/7T1-8V7. And finally last leg to Big Piney on hwy 189 C3R7T2V7.
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| Back to the open road |
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| wonderful |
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| Harvey gap |
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| remember I take photos at 100+ kph |
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| The pole climber |
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| Britney, Elaine, |
Inside "the Tank" singing along
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| What a side story! |
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| into Utah |
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| Hwy 40 |
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| Vernal |
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| Down to 85 Octane |
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| Taco Tuesday at La Cabana...2.5 out of 5...greasy |
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| Steinaker State Park |
Flaming Gorge
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| That's a big towing bill |
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| Wyoming State Line |
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| Made it to Big Piney |
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| Daisy |
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| Steve and Kara |
Day 33 (300 km) Rigby. Starting out in 18C but eventually getting up to temp at a mild 32C. Through Teton Forest for a lunch stop at Smokey River Roadhouse. A nice relaxing day getting in mid afternoon to stay in Wyn's spacious RV. He went over his involvement in Mountain Men and the 1800's guns he gets to play with when doing their re-enactments. Plus, enjoyed a birthday dinner with Kathy and Wyn at a incredible Mexicana restaurant Pachanga's that had scallop fajitas!!!
Hwy 191/189 Daniel to Teton Forest C6R6-8T2V8 nice valley ride. Hwy 24/89 Hoback to Alpine C6R6-8T2-4V8 then 261 to Swan Valley C6/7R7T2V8. Hwy 261 to Rigby/Idaho Falls C2-3R7T2-3V6-8.
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| Good morning |
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| so sweet of them |
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| Rock and Roll! |
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| In my office and here we go |
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| Bridger-Teton National Forest |
Ripping near Teton Forest
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| Elk warning |
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| Must get snowy here |
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| Definitely gets snowy |
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| Coming up to Alpine, WY |
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| State Line! |
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| Snake River |
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| Palisades Dam |
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| Snake River Roadhouse in Sun Valley |
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| Klim headquarters (motorbike gear) |
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| What an RV!!! |
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| Japanese bidet!!! |
Wyn going through the two different gun types in the 1800s. Flintlock and Percussion cap. Very interesting video. It's amazing anyone was able to actually shot anyone else in those days.
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| Delicious! |
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| Kathy's bday at Pachanga's in Idaho Falls |
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| Living like a king! |
Day 34 (650 km) Choteau. My final stop before making it to Canada and a great one! Another awesome riding day skirting Yellowstone National Park, a huge rain storm and the 80 mph speed limit!! That's 130 km/hr! Stayed the night with sweet Sara and Bruce bunkabikers in their lovely little refurbished guesthouse. It was a big day, but absolutely amazing! Falls, wildlife, river valleys, mountain, superb roads, and wide open foothills looking West to Glacier National Park.
Hwy 20 to Ashton C2R7T2V6 then right turn side track on 47 to Lower Mesa Falls C7-3R6T2V7. Back to Hwy 20 to 191 C3R7T5V6 traffic. Hwy 191 all the way up to I-90 was fantastic C6/7R6/7T2V8. I-90 was a ripper hitting top speeds of the trip after first traversing on Hwy 85 which is dead straight for the 8 miles(C0R7T7V5), I-90 to Three Forks C2R6T3V6. Hwy 287 to Helena C2R7T2/3V7/8 as the clouds built, then I-15 through Wolf Creek C2-7R7T2V8. Finally on to Hwy 287 again all the way to Choteau C2-6R7T1V8.
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| Wyn, you're a legend amigo. |
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| Start with some construction |
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| I-20 |
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| Side tour to see Mesa Falls |
Excellent on hwy 47.
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| Lower Mesa Falls |
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| Traffic built up near Yellowstone |
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| Tourist town on the West side |
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| 70mph and 55mph night |
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| Then 65mph and 55mph night? |
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| Cute little bambi |
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| Goodbye Yellowstone |
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| US 191 running with the Gallatin River |
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| Just doing a casual 20km/hr over at 150km/hr! |
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| Missouri River |
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| This is looking a bit stormy approaching Helena |
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| But no, I managed to skirt it the whole way |
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| Incredible section of road near Wolf Creek |
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| This cloud was ...no words! |
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| Final leg on to Hwy 287 |
A little chat about the rain and where I am.
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| That storm still wants me |
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| Barren sweeping highway, great |
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| Choteau |
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| Long amazing day to a lovely finish |
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| Healthy feast |
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| That will do the trick |
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| View from their lookout |
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| Peaceful |
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| Quaint guesthouse |
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Lost a few pounds on the trip
about 10-12 lbs |
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| Thanks Bruce and Sara! |
Day 35 (450 km) The end of the road leads to home. A brisk morning dropping down to 13-15C, but a great final day passed Browning going through the Carway border which is beside Glacier National and Waterton Parks. Beautifully distracting. And then a straight shot to Calgary that for some reason had more to it this time after riding over 12,500 km over 35 days through Mexico and the US. Sore wrists and elbows but such an epic trip with so much on.
Hwy 89 to Browning C3/4R7T2V7/8 nearing the mountains. Continuing on to the border at Carway C3-7R7T2V8/9. Back in Canada Cardston to Fort Macleod C0R7T2V7. Then Hwy 2 all the way back C2R6T2/3V6/7.
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| Hwy 89 |
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| Native ceremonial ground |
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| Quick spot in Browning, people said Don't...ah |
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Hard to believe I went from
overheating 35 days before to
freezing my butt off |
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| Always a good sign for the road ahead! |
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| Hard to choose which photos to post! |
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| Chief Mountain |
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| Will they let me back in? |
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| It's been a while. |
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| Helping Americans convert |
Side story: Met a couple riding up from Vegas who had no idea the Canadian dollar was a different value than the US. "Wow, that's why the hotel was cheaper when I paid in USD".
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| Getting there |
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| The big city again |
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| Job done! |
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Brought these BBQ sauces
all the way from Texas! |
Tough Trip SummaryAn incredibly difficult trip due to heat, bike issues, age and lack of time YET it was an incredible trip with large thanks to my family and bunkabiker hosts.
I was happy to get out of Mexico due to extreme heat, expensive road tolls ($1/10km), rough roads, gas $1.80/litre and really no where good to stop. Well Tuxpan maybe.
The USA was great for cheap gas, friendly people, nice roads and route options. But a country of gluttony; owning 3 to 5 motorbikes, countless enormous people 350lbs to 600 lbs, chain restaurants everywhere which are more expensive than Canada! Also jacked trucks and more...America F Yeah!
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