Best Of Montana 2018
A Tribute Ride to Ron Haraseth--the creator of this great ride.
RIP Ron
Ron did so much for all of us------made huge sacrifices laying out a great offroad camping ride.
Before last years ride he said it would be his last---he had done enough and it was time
for him to ride on his own.
Little did he know it indeed was his last as he died of a massive stroke over the winter before
the 2018 ride in which a friend of his Tim Bowman put it together one more time.

Ron Haraseth

After visiting Ron's house we rode off for our first days ride from Stevensville, Montana to Whitehouse Campground.

On my way to this ride I stopped for breakfast in Wisdom, Montana and there were a lot of Bicyclists
riding the Trans America Trail------no, not the one we ride. It's a pavement ride all the way across the U.S.
And this fellow was pulling his large dog in a trailer. He was amazing and had a harness hooked to his bike
so the dog could pull them up steep hills------never heard of this..........the dog loved it.

Tim gave us a little talk before we actually started the ride---something about this
not being a race or something like that !!
Tim always says he rides super slow----and he does.
I don't know how he always ends up at the campsite before me ????

The ride went by Skalkaho Falls on our way West.

Lunch---Rob in the picture

The scenery up here is absolutely breathtaking---and the wide open spaces.
It's what offroading in Colorado (and other states) used to be like---before the influx of so many people and the bumper to bumper
traffic of side by side vehicles and rental jeeps.

Whitehouse Campground---a few miles West of Boulder Montana on a dirt road.
I was riding my 2016 KTM 350EXCF on this ride. It's usually my "BAJA" bike.
Only my lack of riding skills can keep me from riding most anywhere on this bike with ease.

Day 2
We headed further West

This is Rod. Me and him hooked up together and avoided riding in a large group.
This always happens on rides like this. Spread out---don't eat dust and enjoy the ride.
Rod was riding his brand new Honda CL250 Rally--and he let me ride it a bit.

Same exact setup I use for BAJA. The saddle bags are Mosko Moto "Reckless 40"

These 2 were a hoot. They went everywhere we went pretty much.
That was the most well be-haved dog I've ever been around. The driver not so much !!!!! (I'm kidding)

Rod was following me all day---at a turn I waited for him and he gave me the thumbs up---the
signal for me to go on and all is OK. I took off and he immediately fell over and couldn't pick up his bike.
And injured himself trying to do it by himself----another rider came along and he caught back up to me here.
This was right before the nites camp.

Me and Bobzilla had a sammich.

Spring Creek Camground Just a mile South of Big Timber, Montana
This is a super nice place to camp----and a river runs thru it.
They ought to make a movie---"The River Runs Thru It"

Day 3
We ride South most all of the day from our campsite.

The bridge was out on our planned route------but I knew of this bridge and had marked it
with my gps 2 years ago when I rode thru here.

"Hey Fred"
"What ????"
"What you bet that KTM blows up"
"Yep----------never make it"

"But the Honda will make it"

Now that's a Montana Mailbox

We end up at a campground in Cody, Wyoming-----------yes Wyoming.
The Tee Pee was a bit dusty and I set up my tent next to Bobzilla--"real name Bob"

Day 4

Me and rod broke camp in the dark-------in fact way before dark. The route was going right thru Yellowstone National Park.
We rode thru before anybody got out of bed and for that early start we just about froze.
Especially Rod who didn' have heated grips.

So hardly any pictures today and we ended up in Big Springs Camground.
The spring here is just awesome.
Check out last years ride to see all those pictures.
My good buddy Mark (hailipdog on AdvRider---wearing blue shirt in picture) showed up on his Yamaha Tenere.
We had planned all along to do a big bike ride after this ride.
He was one of Ron's best friends and re-sides in the same town Ron lived in.
The girl in the picture (Steph) rode double with her husband Eric.
They were so much fun and soldiered thru stuff that I was incapable of doing.

So who's this "Bobzilla" guy.
He's on the right.
One of the most interesting guys I've ever met.
Been full timing in an RV for years.

A Short Video of the ride so far

Day 5

We would end up at Elkhorn Hot Springs tonight.

You can see Eric and Steph in the background on their KTM 1290.
Update: Rod on the Honda 250 Rally let me ride it on this ride---and a few months later my KTM690 blew up
and I bought a 2018 250 Rally for myself-----thanks Rod !!!!

I think this is on the CDR route.
Red Rock Road ???
It went like this for a good 40 miles and made a sharp right turn that was easy to blow by.

Yeh------it was right here I made the turn.
My riding buddy ROD I guess got tired of eating dust or following me and rode on ahead.

North towards the Gravelly Range.
The holy grail of Adventure riding roads.

Marks a better rider than me as he had no problem in keeping up with me on my little bike.

Tim Bowman-----the guy that made this ride happen.
That is "Black Butte" in the background. A favorite viewpoint of both me and him.
So I took a picture of Tim and told him to make it his "Desktop"

Hell---------might as well get one of me too !!!
I've been up here about 4 times I think----the first with Dr. Rock and Francine and many other riders.
There is always more snow than this------and the last time I was up here it hailed on me so hard it hurt my knuckles.
I was laughing in my helmet--------------"Is that all you got" I shouted !!!!!!

One guy got some drone footage up here------hopefully I'll get it posted on here.

The riding before getting on top up here and crossing this cattle guard was extremely tough-----was for me anyway.

My buddy Mark had no problem getting up here on the Tenere--------but he didn't get much farther than this and fell
going down a very steep hill with deep ruts and hurt his leg------was our big bike ride
going to take place after this ride was over ????

Something was stinkin' up the whole mountain top and it wasn't me.

Somebody brought donuts and Timmer handed them out------we all deserved a break.
Tim is older than me and thought this would be his last offroad ride and thought maybe he better quit this foolishness.
After getting up here I think he changed his mind........"Yeh------I can still do this"

It was down that hill Mark fell over on the Tenere.

Bobzilla
Elkhorn Hot Springs

Me Tim and Rob got a "Room"
Had a 2 place pooper across the road and everything.

Day 6

Me and Bobzilla decided we'd ride together today.
Or was it------------I invited myself to ride with him?? Yeh.......that was it.
We had been around each other a lot over the years and I think we both enjoyed each others company and bullshit.
I noticed he was always riding alone and thought he'd like some company----why was he riding alone???
Cause nobody can keep up with him--------that's why!!!!
We beat it to Wisdom for breakfast before the crowd got there. Wisdom----population 42.

When we turned North just passed the Big Hole National Battlefield the riding is spectacular for 60 miles.
We never saw anybody-------this is as good as it gets and as Ron said "it equals the LoLo Mortorway and nobody is out here.
When Bob would stop for whatever reason I'd catch him----pass him, and ride like the wind to stay out in front of him.
We had a blast.
Let the video do the talking-----better than pictures.

So the Montana 1000 ride for 2018 is over.

I turned into a car wash so my nasty bike didn't have dirt falling off of it for the ride in my van back home.
Me and Bobzilla said our goodbye's and I told Bob exactly what I've been telling a lot of people for years
when we say goodby.
"You never know if you'll ever see each other again"
I always get this funny look-------but you never know.
I didn't know I'd never see Ron again.

More Video

So now---me and Mark were suppose to do a big bike ride for a few days.
But he had hurt his leg and said he just couldn't do it.
So what do I do ???? Go Home???? I don't think so.

I conjured up some places to see and do stuff on the way home.
But for now-----I camped in Indian Trees campground a few miles south of Darby, Idaho in my van.
It is nice out and I go walking until it is dark outside.

The next day I drive South and get a super nice campsite in Salmon Idaho right on the Salmon river.
It's early and I have time to take a soak.
And can't pass up a soak in Sharkey Hot Springs------just a 4 mile drive down an
unpaved road on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
I stay here for hours---getting in and out of the water.
Some people come and go-----but I stay for hours.
I luv it here.

You pass by this memorial on the way in and out.

I've got the coolest campsite back in Salmon and take a walk to town and wander into a rafting outfitters place.
Next thing I know I'm booked for a rafting trip the next day.
Never done that and was a bit scared I must admit--how scary was this going to be ????

So here we go -----------too late to back out now.

Another group getting ready

Meet Avery our guide.
He's 19 and a college student and a super nice guy.
When I was 19 I could have been his twin brother-------!!!!!!
My wife says---"you use to be good looking too dear"

I had no idea we would float by the old Shoup store.
Bought gas there many times from the old gravity pumps.
Thru the years the store has had hard times---and it was closed down this year.

Well so far it's easy-------it's nice and warm out with no clouds.
Getting wet won't be a problem

We cruise by the old stamp mill.

5 were on board------it will hold 6 but one person didn't show up.

We pulled ashore here and looked at an old gold mine up on the road.

OK---------you've got my attention !!!

I think this guy was probably doing a little fishing.

And here is where the boat seemed to become airborne and the gal in front of me ended up in my lap.

I was getting hungry and knew they had brought us lunch but had no idea of how it was going to be served.

Avery sets up a table right in the water and makes us sandwiches with chips and fruit on a stick.

We were picked up down stream after hours of floating and a van took us back.
And we drive right by the Shoup store.
The last known gas station to serve gas out of the old gravity feed pumps.
I actually have filled my motocycle up here several times over the years.
All closed now.

Rafting Video

Before going floating I had talked to Mark on the phone to see how he was doing.
To my surprise he said he felt liked doing our big bike ride and came to my campsite and spent
the night in the back of my van.
Look how cool this campsite is---right on the Salmon river with a wood deck.
He helped me unload my Africa Twin out of my van and we prepared to go riding in the morning.
The campground owner let me leave my van at his campground----in an out of the way place.

We rode back South passed the hot springs and then went East on Lewis and Clarks trail and over Lemhi Pass.

We swapped bike for quite a few miles.

Riding thru Grant, Bannack and Elkhorn we tried to find and old ghost town---but couldn't find it.
We then rode thru Wise River Montana and had lunch and headed South then West on and old road I had ridden on years ago.

We had been climbing for miles and finally went down these steep switchbacks to the road below.

What an awesome ride it was today.
We went by some old kilns from days gone by then rode straight East towards Glendale I think.

Mark took this picture I think------what a neat little house---------a yurt maybe ????

The town of Twin Bridges came into view and we set up camp.
The town park is open to free camping with a nice bathroom and shower.
It was made primarily for passing bicylists------but is open to anybody.

We set up our tents right on the river here-------but some sprinkler heads in the grass made us
re-think our campspot and we moved.

We walked into town for ice cream and in the morning went back to town for breakfast.
I luv this little town. On my way up in my van I camped here and left my little Honda generator out all nite
and nobody stole it----------what's that tell you ??

Video

Enjoy the scenery as we rode thru Virginia City, Ennis, Sterling, Bozeman, Wilsall, Mission, and Big Timber.

That is the Yellowstone River. We crossed it many times.

We were going to stay in Big Timber and did------but we had time to head south down route 298......a dead end
road to Natural Bridge

This was probably the neatest thing we saw or did on the whole trip.
We had to do a bit of hiking to get to it.

The Boulder river disappears down a hole right here.

And pops back out of the ground here.
This place is so cool.
Tim Bowman had told us about it and we knew we had to go.

We were told if there was a lot of rain water would go over the top and by-pass the hole.

In Big Timber my favorite motel with outside doors had just closed down.
There were no more motels in town with outside doors so we had to settle for this.
"Stamp out motels with inside doors"

We covered way over 400 miles this next day---from BigTimber to camp in Wind River canyon in Boysen state park.

We are now in Wyoming on highway 14 on a road that is just so much fun to ride.
It has a lot of 10% grades and sharp curves that trucks and long vehicle are warned to stay off of.

I'm just winging it now and have no idea where we'll end up-------this road just looked inviting.

Mark had never been to Thermopolis.
Home of the worlds largest mineral hot spring------enjoy the pictures.

We then head South on route 20 and pass thru 3 tunnels in Wind River Canyon---and there is a railroad tunnel beside the road.

Boysen state park-------a very nice place to camp right on the river.
I think Mark had packed a little wine---and we had a night cap or two.
For the only night on this trip I was able to leave the fly off my tent.
The stars,,,,,,,,,,the moon..............ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Where you want to go tomorrow ???
I don't know--where you want to go.
Got any more wine ????
Why yes I do.

We broke camp early and were treated to a train going thru the tunnel.

Video

Today would take us thru Shoshoni, Lander, Atlantic City, Big Sandy, Boulder, Daniel, Alpine Junction, Swan Valley,
around Idaho Falls (not thru--way too busy--I could smell the traffic)
into the little town of Dubois, Idaho

We loved this old one lane concrete road with nobody on it heading West thru Halfway.
It turned to dirt eventually. I reminded me of old sections of route 66.

We just couldn't stand it anymore and had to get off and be thankful for the day.
We were over joyed on this road and think about how lucky we were.

Later we rode along the Grays river for I bet 40 miles.

In Alpine we stopped at "Stinkers"

We almost got sucked into the traffic of Idaho Falls but I fooled them.
Found a nice county road and we ended up in Dubois, Idaho at this little place $50.
We tried another place they wanted $75 and I'm not sure our room would have had a door.
It was hot-----I asked about if they had AC and she thought for a moment.
Said she might be able to find one but we'd have to put it in ???????
Maybe I could find a fan ???
So we stayed here-------nice Mexican fellow owned it and it was good enough.

My bed was pretty broken down---but I slept good in it.

Alarm went off at 5AM sharp and we headed out of town for breakfast.

I took a sunrise shot over my shoulder of Mark following me-----lucky shot.

Arco, Idaho
Had the best breakfast here.
It's nice to put a few miles on in the morning then have breakfast.

Arco-----home of the first Nuclear reactor to supply electricity to a town---but only for one day.
Google it.

Awesome road----------but it led to Ketchum, Idaho.
Holy crap we couldn't get out of that town fast enough-------never saw so many people crammed together.

Rode thru Stanley and went North at Sunbeam to this old dredge.
Been by here a couple times. I told Mark I've been by here but riders seemed in a hurry and didn't want to stop
and look the thing over. So.................we did.
Just enjoy the pictures of it----and google it if you like.

Last Video

I guess I've run out of pictures !!!!
We made it back to Salmon that day and camped on the Salmon river for another nite.
I do believe we had another night cap or two.

Me and ole' hairlipdog have known each other for a few years---but never spent any time riding together.
We are both re-tired and are on the very same page it seemed---or at least that's the way I felt.
Thanks for the companionship Mark

And as always.
You never know when you say goodbye to someone if you will ever see them again.