simplybrad

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Taking the long way to Idea2009 in Toronto - looking forward to learning alot and connecting with new people and reconecting with people from last year.

I know have a mobile garage/track van for track days. Looking forward to spending some more days on the track.

Yep. 4000 miles in a week. That new tire I put before the trip, let's just say it will need replacing on a couple months. I love, or I should say my bike loves Michelen Pilot Powers, but they do not last. Hot pavement, loaded bike and gale-force sidewinds across most of South Dakota and Iowa take their toll.

I went through Sturgis as the craziness was descending upon the area. Hundreds of bikers and trailer queens on their way. Manufacturers ringing all their goodies for this annual party.

The trip was fantastic, tiring but chocked-full of memories. Thanks Dad.

More trip photos are here>

Stopped for a rest between Quake Lake and Hepgen Lake on the way to West Yellowstone.

On the top of the world and in the clouds going over Beartooth Pass at 10,979 ft. (workmates, that's about 10,300 feet higher than our offices. lol).

More trip photos are here>

More Yellostone Photos from previous trips>

In Glacier N.P. on the "Going to the Sun" highway. Spectacular.

After Glacier we headed through FLathead Lake area and over to Missoula.

More photos are here>

We headed over towards Butte and caught the Highway 1 loop through Anaconda and then went up the eastern side to Kalispell. Spending the night in Kalispell and fortunately, avoiding a drenching that went on all night.

More photos are here>

Yep. I leave Chicago at 8:00 AM on Saturday and arrive in Billings Sunday morning. 20:40 later. Can you say "Iron Butt "?

This picture does not begin to capture the magnificant night sky. If you notice, my GPS says I was stopped for 2 hours and 53 minutes of my ride. I had to stop outside of Boyes Montana at about 2:30 in the morning and grab a couple hours of sleep. I came across a pull off and utilized one of the picnic tables to sleep on. My leather jacket made a nice pad to sleep on and my Roadcrafter suit made a nice "tent" to sleep in.

Off the bike finally.

More photos are here>

Press Release: For Immediate Release
Date: 7/11/07
Subject: Wednesday is Ride To Work Day
Email Forwards: Send to all media, all riders, all motorcycle/scooter dealers, etc.
Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day is this Wednesday

Motorcycle and scooter riders' 16th annual commuting day is Wednesday, July 18th. Participation in the yearly demonstration is estimated to triple the number of riders on the road. Motorcycle and scooter groups and organizations actively encourage riders to commute by cycle on this day. On Ride to Work Day, motorcycle and scooter commuters seek improved employer recognition and support for this form of transportation and increased public and government awareness of the positive value of riding.

Adding more motorcycles and scooters to everyone's daily commute makes urban parking easier and traffic flow better, according to Ride to Work, a non-profit advocacy organization. Studies have also shown that across the same distances, motorcyclists reach their destinations faster than those using automobiles. Many motorcycles and scooters also consume less resources per mile than automobiles. "Riding to work on this day is fun and shows the positive value of motorcycling. For many people, riding is a socially responsible form of mobility that saves energy, helps the environment and provides a broad range of other public benefits," stated Andy Goldfine, this year's event organizer.

Ride to Work Day, a 501 c4 nonprofit organization, can be reached at:
POB 1072, Proctor, Minnesota, 55810 USA
http://www.ridetowork.org
218 722 9806

A lifelong friend of mine, Scott Rock, sent me this photo a few days ago. He was looking at the Beartooth Harley website and this was in one of the photo sections. They look good. I don't recall that I have ever seen my Dad with a full beard before.

> Beartooth Harley <

The right-side rotor has been deteriorating for some time now so I thought it was a good time to replace it.

I went to the dealer and they wanted $430.00 each for factory rotors. I won't go into detail on what I thought of that. It reminded me why I didn't use factory replacements before. These rotors have been on for about 12,000 miles and for wear, they are still good with plenty of use left. However, the right-side rotor was beginning to worry me the last couple of months.