2024 "Festar Rides Again" or "2024 Flat White Tour"

[Pterodactyl]

How is the F700GS at keeping up with your big BMW?

He is good up till about 80-85 mph then it is panting.
I have to watch my acceleration or I really can get ahead in traffic.
Picking passing places takes a different frame of reference, it takes Brian a lot longer to "Get By".

It performs much better in the hands of a highly skilled professional........ or, so I am told.

[SkooterG]

But you missed BigDs bbq in Doniphan and 160 that gets you there from 19.

Well, there's always next time!

No, there isn't.

After reading your prose above about Big D's in Doniphan I planned on hitting it on my way home from Wheaton..... Glad I googled it. It's permanently closed.

[wheatonFJR]

But you missed BigDs bbq in Doniphan and 160 that gets you there from 19.

Well, there's always next time!

No, there isn't.

After reading your prose above about Big D's in Doniphan I planned on hitting it on my way home from Wheaton..... Glad I googled it. It's permanently closed.

Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

[0face]

But you missed BigDs bbq in Doniphan and 160 that gets you there from 19.

Well, there's always next time!

No, there isn't.

After reading your prose above about Big D's in Doniphan I planned on hitting it on my way home from Wheaton..... Glad I googled it. It's permanently closed.

Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

Frank's Hickory House down south of Clinton in Choctaw, AR didn't make it either.

[bigjohnsd]

We are at Pterodactyl & Annie's tonight. We is Festar, Scott Henley and I. Elk Burgers were great!

Festar F700GS maintenance complete, oil & filter, new rear tire, new chain. Test ride tomorrow.



More photos of a beautiful day tomorrow camera acting up, won't download photos tonight, battery issues.

[bigjohnsd]

Monday pix and a bit more explanation.

We left Spearfish a bit before 0800. A windy trip across US 212, a short stint on I-90To Billings MT and lunch at the Tippy Cow Cafe. The BBLT and Onion rings were once again outstanding, we then rode up to Lavina and took US 12 to Helena.



Lots of snow still on the mountains across Montana





We crossed the Missouri River again at the Canyon Ferry dam



We arrived at "The Outpost" just in time for cocktail hour which melded into maintenance on Brian's bike.











Fine Australian Fashion


Even a new chain.

Elk Burgers for supper were so good no photos were taken.

[bigjohnsd]

Tuesday May 28, 2024 - a little 283 mile local ride followed by an oil change on the Gray Ghost II

We left the Outpost about 0830 bound for Lincoln MT via Fleshner Pass, fueled in Lincoln and then rode 200 to 141 to 271 to Drummond. Coffee in Drummond followed by a down MT-1 to Anaconda and back to Drummond then back to 141 and on to Avon MT for Pie. We then rode 12 back to Helena.
Oil change on the Gray Ghost II before a great rib supper.











Drummond - "Used Cow Lot"

And Coffee








We raced a Thunder Storm back to the barn only getting a few sprinkles.


Maintenance complete


Annie and Kevin preparing the feast

Scott observing/supervising?

The BBQ crew hard at work





Short day to friends at First Benton MT tomorrow.

[raYzerman]

All I know is the Outpost is one hell of a great place with great people.

[Hppants]

Nice shot with the bird - what kind was it?

[bigjohnsd]

Nice shot with the bird - what kind was it?

A lucky one, given my track record with birds flying up next to the road. Some kind of hawk, that looked real big for a few seconds. Tank Bag camera for the win!
Grab and shoot!

[bigjohnsd]

Wednesday 29 May - Helena to Fort Benton MT - ~ 300 miles



Thursday 30 May - Fort Benton MT to Eureka MT ~ 300 miles



We left Helena headed to Fort Benton under threatening skies. There were severe thunder storms in the area.





As we headed north on US 89 after coffee in White Sulphur Springs MT skies were gray and the temperature dropped alk the way up the pass.



But after clearing the pass and heading toward Belt MT the weather improved.



After fueling in Belt we set out across the wheat fields of MT



Everywhere you look in MT there is a mountain range!



Our friends Kami, and TJ, took us to a beautiful view site overlooking FT Benton that happened to serve alcohol.



The "Panoramic View" was special -




Lots of water flowing down the Missouri River!

Kami playing Lewis & Clark, or Sacagawea!



While TJ cooked Festar, Kami and I enjoyed some fruit-of-the-vine








Thursday May 30th - Fort Benton to Eureka MT

It was a cold windy morning as we saddled up to ride across "The Highline" to Eureka. The wind was blowing hard out of the WNW a steady 25 mph with gusts to 40 and temperatures in the low 50's.



A steady lean into the wind was required.



We stopped for coffee and a warm up in Shelby MT
The coffee was excellent but the cinnamon roll left a lot to be desired.





You just can't capture the majesty of the mountains with a camera!









Crossing the Continental Divide



The temperature got down as low as 40f and there was snow in the air but none on the road. We stopped for Coffee in White fish before continuing on to Eureka and another home stay with great friends.

Tomorrow we continue West to Lake Chelan WA

[bigjohnsd]

31 May 2024 - Eureka MT to Lake Chelan WA - 419 miles



We left Eureka at about 0830 after waiting for the temperature to rise above 40f.

The first 70 miles of our ride was down MT - 37 along the East shore of Lake Kookanusa.



The first 40 miles was a bit cool but traffic free and we quite enjoyed ourselves. The next 30 miles was through an extensive repaving project with a pilot car and a 35 mph speed limit.

We fueled at Libby and set out to the West on US-2.

Our next stop was in Troy MT for sustenance, A Flat White and a breakfast quesadilla. Both were outstanding!

Once again the mountains were everywhere, this time not covered with clouds.







Idaho has Mountains too -



As does Washington



We stopped in Tonasket WA for gas and to finally shed our electric jackets which have been running full time since we left Spearfish. The run from WA-20 South to Lake Chelan on US 97 in mid-70's temperatures was delightful!



We are once again staying with good friends. Tomorrow will be a day off the bikes but rather in a boat, cruising 40 miles up the lake for a history lesson and lunch. Stay tuned.

The Gray Ghost turned over 51,000 miles today, all since January 16, 2022.

[bigjohnsd]

1 June - about 60 miles in a boat on Lake Chelan.

We left our friends, Fred and Lyndle, at about 0900, launched their 24 foot boat and headed towards the other end of the lake for lunch and a bit of exploring.








Fred's club receding in view




Many nice homes adjacent to the lake.






Spectacular views and scenery










Our destination


Ancient, and, not so ancient petroglyphs




We bicycled a few miles to lunch at the bakery and then on to Rainbow Falls.







My inspiration for the uphill trip was



Different points of view heading down lake





Brian spotted this large and healthy looking Black bear along the shore



We are now reliving the adventure on the deck

[Abercrombie FJR]

Man I wish I was fully retired and able to join in with John and Fester on his visit.

[Intech]

Beautiful!

[Hppants]

What an amazing trip, my friends.

[LKLD]

I’m sure y’all are having a blast on this trip/adventure, but could Brian smile for some of the photos, you know, to show what a good time he’s having?

Or…is he subscribing to the Redfish Stoneface Method of having his photo taken?

[Festus]

I’m sure y’all are having a blast on this trip/adventure, but could Brian smile for some of the photos, you know, to show what a good time he’s having?

Or…is he subscribing to the Redfish Stoneface Method of having his photo taken?

I think that's from spending 3 weeks with BigJohn

[fontanaman]

I am patiently wait for the next installment. I am thinking the intrepid traveller's got a bit damp.

[bigjohnsd]

Sunday - June 2, 2024 - Rainy Day at Lake Chelan. We slept in late, enjoyed a nice breakfast, hit a local winery, toured town by car, sat on the covered deck and drank whiskey while listening to the rain on the tin roof.

Monday - June 3, 2024 - 540 miles 11 hours
Up early, KSU at 0730 headed to Fred's in Wenatchee so he could pack a bag and join us for a few days of adventure. Left Wenatchee about 0900 headed for John Day OR via back roads. No interstates were ridden on this adventure!
The rain had cleared by the time we left Lake Chelan and the wind was blowing a steady gale. We fought strong winds all day long. Temps never got above 65f and were often in the low 50's at altitude.

Our route for the day


It was nice leaving Wenatchee,


Apple trees don't look like trees anymore, they are more like big apple vines!




Beautiful weax but windy


Coffee and a snack at Richland WA


Trying to pair a third Cardo - can you hear me now?
Sometimes it is easy, this time it was hard!


The wind blowing up the Snake River was fierce - 4-5 ft waves/swells


The flags were all at attention!




The ride down US 395 to John Day was sublime, little traffic and only two gendarmes, both of whom were detected by our superior technology well in advance thus avoiding financial peril.

Tomorrow we, Brian, Fred, and I, will go back and forth over the Cascades several times likely ending up in Medford OR for the evening. Stay tuned