KRATZMC

Weds May 26th, 2010 Billings, Montana to Banff, Alberta, Canada 603 miles

When I arrived in Billings last night, I found that the Best Western was located in the heart of downtown. I had an uneasy feeling with all of the indigents wandering around the streets. Typical of what I have found in established Mid-west cities that are railway centers. They seem to be awash with the unemployed, down and out and drug users. Tulsa, Oklahoma was another “Turd Hole” where you can easily find yourself in the wrong part of town.

Leaving Billings, Montana on Hwy 3

I got a later start than I wanted, hitting the road at 0930 hrs. Merritt had gotten his GS repaired and per my advice, secured another spare alternator belt. That makes three belts he’s been through which should make his BMW qualify for the “Lemon Law”. I did my usual, skipped breakfast opting to find something along my route and down the road from my start point. When I packed up and left, I noticed nothing amiss. I rode to Lavina, Montana, where I topped my tank and grabbed some food. When I came out of the little Outpost, I noticed that the rear license plate to mu Uni-go was missing.

Small outpost and fuel in Laving, where I discovered my license plate missing

Sometime between midnight and this morning, someone had removed the left mounting bolt and screw. I guess the “loc tite” on the right hand mounting screw thwarted them and they ripped the plate off, leaving a small remnant.

Whats left of my Texas Trailer Plate

I immediately called Billings Police Department and filed a report so the plate could be entered into SVS (Stolen Vehicle System). That why if a LEO runs the plate it will show to whom it actually belongs to. My main concern though was whether I would be denied entry into Canada at the border. Although the truth is always best, I was running through several stories I could possibly tell the Canadian Customs Officer as to why I had no trailer plate. My best one was that Texas doesn’t consider anything with less than two wheels and under 300 lbs as a trailer. That aside, I tried to enjoy the ride.

Winds had picked up over night and the wind was coming from the east(right) this time as I worked north. It was a steady 20 mph with gusts to 25 - 30 mph. Maybe I could wear the right side of my tire out this time to even out the wear from my ride on day 5. I was obviously in a high wind area anyway, evident by the large wind turbines dotting the landscape.

Hwy 3 Montana, more plains but with high elevation features in the distance.

On my way to Great Falls, I ran into another rider who was on a Harley at a rest stop. He was a new rider and recent retiree who had settle in Great Falls to be near his daughter. He didn’t seemed to be too thrilled about living in Great Falls and was riding some of the local roads to fight the boredom. After a pleasant conversation and answering questions about my ride, I headed into Great Falls. This would be the last larger town I would pass before entering Canada.

What you will see when you arrive into Great Falls, Montana on Hwy 87.

I hit typical lunch time traffic in this remote town after a 200 mile ride from Billings. After putting up with a few stop lights, I was soon out on the highway working north. The only plus about going through town was the break from the crosswinds. Here I picked up I-15 which would take me to the border. As I motored down the road, I started thing about food and where I would stop next. I started looking for likely spots as I encountered the tiny towns that lay along my route. As I approached Dutton, Montana, I passed a bicyclist and we exchanged waives. It was hard enough fighting the winds on a motorized bicycle but to pedal in the high winds seemed insane and he garnered my respect. As I reach Dutton, I saw the only possible venue for a meal, a tiny Cafe.

The only eatery in Dutton, Montana on I-15.

I ordered the Egg Salad sandwich $3.95 and fries $1.25. The Best Egg Salad sandwich in Norther Montana.

While eating, the bicyclist came in. I asked about his ride. Glenn introduced himself and his cause. Glenn had left Miami, Fl on his bicycle on a ride for the fight against Epilepsy in Children. He was wearing a tee shirt for his cause, “Destiny Maker”. Glenn was headed to Seward, Alaska and this was his fifth trip. We took photos of each other and I told him he had earned my respect and that I would put his link on my site. He offered to mention my site on his. As I paid my bill and I took care of his. I bid Glenn farewell and told him his lunch was taken care of. Some old lady in the diner smiled at me and wished me a safe journey.

Glenn Fenster with Destiny Maker.org

Back on the road, I decided to get my last U.S. fuel for a while in Shelby, Montana. As I topped of my fuel tank, a volunteer from the Montana Bureau of Travel was doing a survey. I told the nice lady her state sucked and to add another crime victim to their stats. Actually I did her survey and entered myself into a free drawing for a Montana Vacation. I said fine, as long as it wasn’t back to Billings! In the lot, I two guys with Harley’s loading up beer into their enclosed motorcycle trailer. Harley Davidson long distance riders I assumed. They had Alberta Canada license plates and I assumed they were smuggling U.S. beer into Canada. They would end up at the Border Crossing directly in front of me and were flagged over to be searched.

How Harley Davidson’s go on Long Distance Rides

As I reached the Border, I greeted the Customs Officer. I gave him my passport and answered the standard questions. He asked me what my motorcycle plate was and flagged me through, so my trailer plate worries were moot.

The Border Crossing on I-15 in Sweet Grass, Montana, USA

At the border, I got a AT&T message on the phone that reminded me my Unlimited International Roaming plan did not cover Data. I would be charged $15.28 per megabyte or data transfer. No more FB or text on the Iphone!

I continued on a stopped at the Canadian Welcome Center for a bladder break. The speed limit was 110 kph about 70 mph. 80 kph is 50 mph, so 40 kph is 25 kph. I got it. Conscious to respect the local laws as the visitor by maintaining the speed limit, I would soon find myself the slow mover when I reached Calgary. The traffic in Calgary was no different, I hit the late afternoon commute and it took me an hour to get through Calgary.

I had been receiving text messages from Bob Hole, who was already checked in at the Best Western in Banff. I didn’t expect to link up with Bob until Thursday in Prince George B.C.. Bob assured me we would have a leisurely 400 mile ride together to Prince George, where we would end up with a great steak dinner and Bombay Sapphire Martinis.

I was getting hungry again and on Highway 2, I saw a Canadian chain fast food place called “Tim Horton’s”. I was to find out it is the Canadian equivalent of Starbucks but the coffee was better!

Tim Hortons. Served on a metal platter, real porcelain cups and bowls.

Prices are in Canadian dollars. Great sandwich too!

The remainder of my ride was marred with constant rain for the last 200 miles. As it darkened, the temperature dropped to 46 degrees. To top it off, the chin latch lever on my Scorpion flip up helmet broke, so now I had a full time full faced helmet. By the time I reached Banff, I was struck by the scenic landscape. Too dark to photographs and too rainy, I will try to capture the full beauty tomorrow. By the time I arrived at the Best Western, it was 2240 hrs. I was tired, cold and weary and glad to get off of the motorcycle for once.

I touched bases with Bob and we agreed to head out at 0900 hrs. I am hoping Merritt is doing okay and that he doesn’t push his limits.

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