Riding Season is Officially Underway

Yesterday was our first HOG group ride for the season. We met at the dealership at 10:00 which means that we have to leave at 9:00. It was a bit cool when we left, but we had plenty of layers on which helped. We thought we were going to be early, but there were several people already at the dealership when we arrived. The dealership is usually closed on Sunday's, but they did open up for us. They even had coffee and donuts for everybody. It was very nice. We had to renew our annual chapter dues so we got that done.

We left the dealership around 11:00 for the ride to Reedpoint. We took the back roads all the way. There were 35 bikes in all so we had to leave in two groups. This way we don't cause too much of a traffic jam. We also dealt with wind all the way. It wasn't too bad except some gusts would come along and knock us around.

We took the frontage road into Laurel, then into Park City. I've never been on that road. From Park City we took the old highway into Columbus, which we have been on before. We took the old highway all the way to Springdale before getting on the interstate into Reedpoint. Our meeting was at the Water Hole Bar, which we filled up. Not only was our group there, but another group had come through on a poker run. The bar people knew about our group coming, but not about the poker run. Had a very short meeting then we were free to go.

We went with three other couples for a ride up to Harlowton and back to Billings. We took the old highway into Big Timber, which I didn't know was there. Once we turned onto the highway from Big Timber to Harlowton the wind was horrible. It was a head wind all the way. We are guessing that it was about 40 mile an hour winds, I do know that it was bad enough that at times the wind would knock us around.

It is 44 miles from Big Timber to Harlowton and we were so glad to finally reach Harlowton. Gary was so tired from fighting the wind. The wind was so bad that it would get under my helmet and felt like my helmet would go flying off. My chin strap did get loose from all the wind that at one point I had to hang onto the strap to keep my head from getting knocked around. Gary couldn't believe it.

We ate lunch at the local casino in Harlowton and it was delicious. On our way from Harlowton to Ryegate we were told to count the woodpeckers. A guy in Ryegate makes these cute wooden woodpeckers and they put them on the trees along the highway. I counted up to 31 and I'm sure I missed a few (Once I figured out what they looked like). Some were hard to see as they blended in with the trees. On this stretch of the ride the wind was to our backs so that was nice. We turned at Lavina to make our way to Billings which is about 45 miles and again more wind, but at least it wasn't as strong.

The other couples live in Billings so they made their way home, we had another 50 miles to go. We stopped at a gas station to stretch our legs before going on home. We needed a short break. Fighting that wind takes a toll on you, especially Gary because he does all the driving. We called Jennifer to check in then made our way home. We didn't get home until 6:30. We put a total of 320 miles on the bike yesterday. That is the most we have put on in one day.

I guess you can say we are practicing up for the Iron Butt Ride someday. I did take some photos, but only when we were stopped. It was too hard to try to take any with all that wind.

Quite a few of the women have really slim cameras. They told me that those are real handy on the bike and they can take really good photos on them. Also the cameras fit nice in the coat pockets. I told Gary I wouldn't mind getting one and he just rolled his eyes.

He just doesn't understand the reasoning. Said I already have a camera. I do and I like it, but it is a bit difficult to get photos while on the back of the bike, I feel a compact one will be easier. I have time to shop around for one.