In Search of Scenic Venues
Today is a day of exploring our little corner of Montana. We are seeking scenic views to plop our bikes in front of for the requisite bike-scenery porn shots. If we have to ride a few curvy roads, well it's a sacrifice we're willing to make.
The route, more or less, is highways 93 and 37 then a pleasant ride along a small forest service road back to highway 2.
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| Ron, Dom and Bob along a scenic road in Montana |
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| Roadside loveliness... |
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| ... and general bike porn. |
Along the way Dom spies a lake and we wander off the highway in search of scenic shorelines. We don't find more than a brief glimpse of the lake, but we discover a fun dirt road full of mud puddles to dodge or bounce through...take your choice. This might be old hat for the guys, but I find it extremely fun and can't keep a smile off my face. I hear Dom's voice over the chatterbox speaking those ever-so well known words...eyes up, look ahead. Hmmm, where have I heard that before?
Secretly I'm thinking am I that obviously fixated on the dirt in front of my front tire? Yeah prolly.
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| Glorious mud! |
I had the pleasure of following Dom and watching his technique for riding a bike with sidecar. It's amazing to watch. I hadn't given any thought to how someone handles a side car rig, but it's obvious you don't just hop on and ride like a regular bike. Right hand corners often had Dom off the side of the seat to maneuver Vikki around the curve. Awesome skills! I attempted some photos on the fly, but of course none turned out.
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| Bob and Ron at another nice roadside scenic stop. |
Lake Koocanusa (say it three times fast!)
Highway 37 follows the shoreline of Lake Koocanusa. We spy a long, tall, and rather lonely looking bridge spanning the lake. This looks like a good opportunity for some shooting. We find the bridge easily enough, and there is virtually no traffic. Out come the cameras.
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| Dom and Vikki |
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| Sam and the Princess |
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| Bobskoot |
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| Kari and Ron. (Photograph courtesy of Bob Leong) |
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| Another view from above |
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| More scenery, sans bikes, from the bridge... |
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| ...and from the roadway above the lake. |
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| Libby Dam - photo by Ron |
We come to Libby Dam at the base of Lake Koocanusa. A good place to take a quick break, and work out a nice back road route to return us to highway 2. Not too many stops after this for photos, but still lots of nice scenery and a peaceful ride along a little stream. One final image from the day:
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| Evening in Abbot Valley |
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A fantastic day of riding and photography.
The light in the last shot really adds a lot of warmth to the photo. There are a lot more people in your trip photos than in the other posts. You'd think that the bikes travel around on their own.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I like the new header.
Very, very nice.
ReplyDeleteI was interested in your comments about Dom riding his rig. There is a lot of effort in riding a sidecar . . . and skill. Definitely not a jump on it and go.
More, please.
Kari:
ReplyDeleteI smile as I relive that day. Good memories of a good time with good friends. I should have taken photos of that muddy road with all the puddles but I was concentrating more on not dumping the bike. I like your new header too
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Hi Richard,
ReplyDeleteThe evenings were really beautiful there. I loved the light. I hadn't really thought about having more people. It's funny, if I was less timid, I think street photography/people would be what I'd like to shoot best. I dunno, I guess for me it's about the bikes and the scenery, but even more so it's about the people involved. Don't know if that makes sense or not. :)
Hi Keith,
ReplyDeleteI really found it fascinating and fun to watch Dom ride. Maybe it's my lack of motorcycling history, but I like seeing other people's riding technique, and a side car set up is very unique.
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI agree - Good memories with good friends. Being that I'm writing this after the fact, it's enjoyable to go over it all again (hoping I remember things correctly!)
I wish I'd taken pictures of the muddy road as well. Thought about it afterwords, but you're right, there's no way I could have snapped photos on that part of the ride.
Drool worthy photos! Great looking area and looks like absolutely perfect riding roads. Hmm...I have yet to have your enthusiasm for the dirt roads. Some maybe, but not many that I have encountered. . Love the new header photo too.
ReplyDelete-Lori
Kari, such nice commentary re my riding....all due to training and lots of practice, no innate talent on my part; just don't want that sidecar flying up on those right turns! : )
ReplyDeletedom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Lol, Thanks Lori.
ReplyDeleteI really only like 'easy' dirt roads. Nothing technical.
Hi Dom
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you kept the sidecar in it's place. I think I would have freaked out if it came up off the ground! It really was fun to watch you ride.
I'm with Richard M, we actually discussed this at the BMW MOA event last week during lunch. I like pictures of scenery with bikes in it but I also enjoy seeing the faces that ride the bikes. I always take pictures with me in it or my friends. It's great to see all you guys. Beautiful pictures and scenery. I'm enjoying this trip.
ReplyDeleteHi George,
ReplyDeleteI agree. I've followed blogs/journals for bicycling and motorcycling for a few years now, and I like having a face to go with the dialog. It's more personable that way.