Left Friday 1pmish. Home Sunday nite 9pmish.
Regina-Medicine Hat-Little Bighorn Battlefield-Regina.
Tired. Going to sleep.
Pics and report to follow.

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17 Honda Africa Twin DCT
14 Honda CRF250L (305 big bore)
08 V Strom 650
Former: 82 Honda XL500R, 80 KZ750LTD, 01 XT225, 80 XS650, 07 Vulcan 900, 08 Vulcan 500, 03 Vulcan 500, 83 KZ440LTD

_________________
Chris

2017 Versys X
1991 Suzuki TS200R

Okay, here we go. Not really a DS ride, but enough gravel to make it semi-legit. Long miles, high speeds, rain, beer, guns and carnage (well, from 138 years ago), and of course - a near jail experience....

Mid-last week wife and girl decided to go away for weekend, plus boy right age to sneak girls in and/or have a party with parents away = road trip on bike! Started talking with brother in Med Hat about where, as Regina was to be wet all weekend. Being history nerds, on both our bucket lists was Little Bighorn Battlefield in South East Montana. GAME ON!

I had Friday-Sunday off, he had Saturday-Monday. Rough plan was me ride to the Hat Friday and next morning ride interesting back roads to somewhere near the battlefield. Sunday tour the site, then ride up to Regina. Monday he’d head home to the Hat. Early on during the rough planning, SDSC member (and Shorty’s spouse) SkRider tried to make rough plans to meet us down there. It didn’t work out though, as he was hungover all weekend after attending Rider game Friday nite.
...more to come...

_________________
17 Honda Africa Twin DCT
14 Honda CRF250L (305 big bore)
08 V Strom 650
Former: 82 Honda XL500R, 80 KZ750LTD, 01 XT225, 80 XS650, 07 Vulcan 900, 08 Vulcan 500, 03 Vulcan 500, 83 KZ440LTD

Friday it was pissin rain in Regina. I spent the morning packing gear and doing errands, trying to wait out the rain. No luck. Approx 1 pm, rain gear on, gas up Norman (my trusty 2008 V Strom 650) and “head west, young man”. Before leaving Queen City, it became very obvious that my Frogg Togg jacket, Nelson Rigg booties, goretex glove (with built in squeegee) and Nelson Rigg soft luggage rain covers were going to get a workout. No pics in the rain, cuz I was pissed off. Intel told me that rain should be clear West of Moose Jaw. Not so. I continued on #1 at a leisurely 128kmh for another ¾ hr past Moose Jaw before I noticed I wasn’t squeegeeing my visor anymore. Decided to wait another half hour to Swift Current where I needed gas before gear down the rain gear.
Back on the road, tunes on my ear buds blaring, haul ass to Hat. Looking forward to meeting brother at his favourite post work pub for a cold one. Arrive Whiskey Creek Pub 6:30 with a namesake beverage waiting for me inside. Head out 10 min ride to brother’s acreage. Visit, look at maps, set alarm.

_________________
17 Honda Africa Twin DCT
14 Honda CRF250L (305 big bore)
08 V Strom 650
Former: 82 Honda XL500R, 80 KZ750LTD, 01 XT225, 80 XS650, 07 Vulcan 900, 08 Vulcan 500, 03 Vulcan 500, 83 KZ440LTD

Saturday morning final check of bikes, and packing. Norman’s oil, chain and tires are good. Brother’s 2 year old NC700X is shiny and new. First overnite road trip with it. Test of his new windshield and SWMotech saddlebags. We climb on and he gives one last sad farewell to the comfy saddle of his 2012 Harley Ultra Classic in the Quonset, and we head South after gassing up. We guessed that despite my tank being a third larger, he’d use only 2/3 the fuel, so we’d probably be fuel stop compatible.\
Rough plan – Red Rock coulee, a weird collection of 1000s of martian rocks a few miles south. Secondary highways past one-horse-town Manyberries and then South and East on gravel Red Coat trail and then Buffalo Trail South to border crossing into Montana. Whatever looks interesting, winkle our way to the Border. I was rather impressed that his NC700X was no problem on the rough/loose gravel. No better, no worse than Norman. Beautiful morning, fast ride, no vehicles anywhere. Simple, friendly 2 minute border crossing and a quick smoke break and “mark territory” stop on other side. On to Havre for a luxury meal at McDonalds. Being only 200lbs, I was by far the skinniest person in there. From Havre, we head SSW to Fort Benton. Beautiful road. Nice views of the Missouri River. Fort Benton a cool town. Many bikes everywhere (Harleys). We coast in on fumes and I put $20 premium exactly in to fill my 22litre tank. Gas station attendant remarks thats the most he’s ever seen anyone put in a gas tank. I suggested that riding a Harley from your double-wide to the local bar in Fort Benton (they don’t have a Tim Hortons to pose in front of) probably doesn’t require 5 gallons of gas.
From Fort Benton, we plan to take a couple tertiary highways (80 and 81) towards Lewistown. Leaving town, I wish I’d have got a video of all the Harley riders rubber necking to stare at us as they head south to Great Falls and we head East-South-East on 80, flipping the bird at a sign saying “rough road under construction, motorcycles consider alternate route”. Road was awesome, twisty, climby, downhilly and eventually yes, lots of construction gravel. Including some pilot vehicle sections. No problems. Norman laughs at your attempts to foil him. At one point, we pulled over for a smoke/water/pic and to rest my square butt and shonkin sag (see the pic). Carry on beautiful scenery and perfect secondary highway until Roundup and South on Hwy 87 to our motel in Billings. We chose the Rodeway Inn because the view across the parking lot was of the Rock Creek pub, which served delicious beer and cold frothy food. Much better view than the “Rimview Inn” down the street, and I didn’t want to picture the view from there. Earlier, my ear buds had blown a speaker – not sure if it was Joe Walsh or Motley Crue’s fault, so we found a drugstore that sold offsale and earbuds and settled in at Rock Creek for food and beer. I cannot believe how much my brother can eat and drink. When not on the bike, he was consuming coffee, water, beer, and gas station burritos (once he ate 4!). When not consuming, he was urinating or snoring. But, I’ve known him all my life, so no surprise.

_________________
17 Honda Africa Twin DCT
14 Honda CRF250L (305 big bore)
08 V Strom 650
Former: 82 Honda XL500R, 80 KZ750LTD, 01 XT225, 80 XS650, 07 Vulcan 900, 08 Vulcan 500, 03 Vulcan 500, 83 KZ440LTD

<Oops, I shouldve mentioned Lewistown, MT earlier. It sure seemed like a nice town. We didn't tour much, but while riding through we noticed a ton of classic cars and bikes being driven/ridden all over. Car show on? Had to get a photo with the Town Pump (not what you think - picture/smoke/burrito break)>

I had mixed feelings as we rode through Billings looking for our motel. Potentially pretty city, valley walls and city nestled in the bottom of the hills/mountains? Seemed a bit industrial and rough though.

Long two days for me so far, thank God for my Airhawk cushion, AND my long sleeve SDSC shirt! Brother loves his little commuting Honda, but it ain't as comfy as Strommin Norman, nor his Ultra Classic obviously. Both bikes running perfectly. Weather great.
Day 2 complete.
More to come...

_________________
17 Honda Africa Twin DCT
14 Honda CRF250L (305 big bore)
08 V Strom 650
Former: 82 Honda XL500R, 80 KZ750LTD, 01 XT225, 80 XS650, 07 Vulcan 900, 08 Vulcan 500, 03 Vulcan 500, 83 KZ440LTD

Looks awesome. My Versys trip got cancelled this summer, and now I'm looking at weekend or long-weekend loops that I could do in September. That looks like a nice one.

_________________
Chris

2017 Versys X
1991 Suzuki TS200R

_________________
17 Honda Africa Twin DCT
14 Honda CRF250L (305 big bore)
08 V Strom 650
Former: 82 Honda XL500R, 80 KZ750LTD, 01 XT225, 80 XS650, 07 Vulcan 900, 08 Vulcan 500, 03 Vulcan 500, 83 KZ440LTD

Saturday Night full of burgers and beers across the parking lot in the Rock Creek pub. Decent food, beautiful night on the patio. Back to the room to look at maps and fall asleep. Game plan for Sunday: Shit/Shower/Shave coffee gas (and disgusting gas station breakfast burrito for him) and haul ass on approx one hour trip to Crow Agency and the Battlefield.
The ride was great. Scenic as hell, and fast. I can't believe I dont come home needing a chiropractor after rides like these. My head is on the swivel enjoying the different views than at home. Gorgeous country, and green as hell right now.
Go past a medium-sized town fairly near the Battlefield called Hardin I think. If someone wanted to do this trip, I suppose its an option for camping or maybe there's a super 8 or something. Crow Agency is not an option.
The Battlefield isn't a National Park, its a "National Monument" but is run by the National Park Service. Free entry if you have a seasonal National Park pass, which we didnt. So it was $5.00 - motorcycles same price as on foot or on bicycle! You'd never see that in Sask.
Anyhoo, I'll be honest. I didn't expect much out of the Battlefield and interpretive centre etc etc. I expected it to be about as thrilling as Batoche (which I think is interesting, but not great). Little Bighorn exceeded all of my expectations. I could have stayed there all day wandering around. It was awesome! The ridges, countryside, views were beautiful. The respect shown for the fallen soldiers and Indian warriors at the site was frankly, a relief. Yes, there's alot of focus on Custer and Sitting Bull, but truthfully, thats more for marketing. The Park Rangers were very knowledgeable and respectful, as were most all tourists (and as the day approached noon on Sunday, it became busier with Tilly Hats, Fanny Packs and lime green slacks). Lots of motorcyclists to visit with too. Best part, the battle actually took place over several miles of ridgeline and valley. There's walking paths all over, and an amazing (wish it wasn't 30mph limit) twisty narrow paved road along the top of the ridge from historical viewpoint to viewpoint. Most tourists don't take it, they stay at the visitors centre and the Last Stand. I admit that I was not ATGATT while riding the ridge. My bald head got a suntan for an hour. Eventually around noon, mindful of the time and 800ish kms to get home, we departed. It wasn't a dissatisfied check off the bucket list. It was in fact, moving. The markers in random places on ridge lines and in coulees for miles was sobering and thought provoking. Never thought it would be so. We both vowed to return.

Here's some pics. More report to follow.

_________________
17 Honda Africa Twin DCT
14 Honda CRF250L (305 big bore)
08 V Strom 650
Former: 82 Honda XL500R, 80 KZ750LTD, 01 XT225, 80 XS650, 07 Vulcan 900, 08 Vulcan 500, 03 Vulcan 500, 83 KZ440LTD

Awesome!!!

_________________
Chris

2017 Versys X
1991 Suzuki TS200R