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The Great Yellowstone Raid - 2015

Al Olme · 2014-08-28T21:50:19Z

Since we're going to be so close to Yellowstone for the Monumental Rally in June, 2015, it seems a shame not to push our trip a little and see a bit of Yellowstone. Some of the best rallies I've attended were the Butterfly rallies put on by Tom Hansen in New Mexico. These were multi-day events where a group of sidecarists traveled together on tour. I want to do that again but that old stick in the mud, Hansen won't keep putting them on. Sooo..... TLMaryann and I will be staying in Gardiner, MT at the Yellowstone River Motel [hereinafter the YRM] www.yellowstonerivermotel.com on Sunday evening, June 21, 2015. The YRM is a Mom and Pop place with a new and an old [sorry, they say “vintage”] wing. Cheap clean rooms according to all reports, with air conditioning, free WiFi and close to lots of places to eat. I picked this place because they were nice on the phone, recommended by other motels in the area and the only place with anything approaching reasonable rates. STAYING IN OR NEAR YELLOWSTONE IS EXPENSIVE! Would you believe that the Super 8 was $160 a night? The Travel Lodge started at $545 a night, for a Travel Lodge! Anyway, The YRM has reasonable rates for the area [$96 - $129] and they offer an AARP discount, so figure about 10% less. We'll stay there for two nights departing on the morning of the 23rd. The motel is less than a mile from the North Entrance Road to the park. For Monday and Tuesday we'll explore Yellowstone. Plan on about 4 or 5 hours a day in the saddle with lots of time to stop and enjoy the scenery and all the natural wonders that our nation's first national park has to offer. On Monday, its 56 miles from our motel to Old Faithful but folks say it will take about 2 hours. There are wonders to see along the way either outbound or on the return. We'll be on Hwy 89 for most of the day. It will be a full day. Of course if you don't want to ride with the group that's fine, just tell us that you're striking out on your own and when to call the park rangers if you don't show up back at the motel. On Tuesday, we'll branch off Hwy 89 to go on the east side of the park via Hwy 20 and then in the afternoon we'll head out of the park via the Grand Loop Road and Hwy 212 over Beartooth Pass to Red Lodge for the night. Not sure about Wednesday, some advice says we should go back into the park to pick up Dead Indian Pass and Summit. It appears to be one of those special places where you just HAVE TO visit at least once. After that we'll probably push on to Sheridan, WY to spend the night. I'm thinking about the Mill InnIt's a converted flour mill with reasonable prices and a lot of historic appeal. I'll get some more info and decide soon. From Sheridan it's just 223 boring miles back to the Elkview Campground to join up with the rally. We can do a little exploring in the morning and roll into Sturgis on Thursday afternoon. The fine print… 1. This IS NOT a USCA rally. It’s just a few folks who are going on a ride together. 2. I’m not “in charge” I just did the leg work. 3. You are all on your own to make reservations in the places that we’re staying or where ever you’d like. I chose plain cheap places that looked clean and had air conditioning. You can go upscale or you can camp if you want. Be very careful about other places you may choose. I looked at one really nice lodge only to find out that it lacked indoor toilets. Also, NONE of the actual Yellowstone properties run by the National Park Service have air conditioning. 4. We’re going into a national park and that's not free. Most of us are seniors and if you are 62+ you can get a lifetime pass for just $10. You can probably get one ahead of time in your own home town. Google, THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS SENIOR PASS. For the younger set, a seven day pass is $20 for a motorcycle. I don’t know what they think we are, what with the extra wheel and all. 5. If you don’t like where we’re going, when we leave or the route we’re taking, do your own thing. Please let us know so we don’t have to go looking for you or suffer the guilt of not looking for you. 6. You don’t register for this ride but it would be very nice if you told us you are coming. 7. If you think that you have a few months to think this over, you’re wrong. If you plan to make this ride you need to start making reservations. The accommodations, especially the ones normal folks can afford, fill up months in advance. It IS NOT TOO EARLY. 8. Got a question or better, a suggestion? Call me at 612-759-4666 or Al@AlOlme.com works too. 9. No, I will not be dressing up as a cowboy.

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AceinSav

(@aceinsav)

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Now that sounds like a great plan to me

Posted : June 4, 2015 4:54 am

Oldtimer

(@Oldtimer)

Posts: 49

Trusted Member

Yep, works for me too.

Posted : June 4, 2015 4:59 pm

Fortune

(@Fortune)

Posts: 32

Trusted Member

Hi Everybody.
I'll be leaving Helena, MT Tuesday morning at 5AM and will try and be in Gardiner by the time you are all set to leave for the Bear Tooth ride.
Should be great fun.
I had a chance to show off my sidecar rig and my new USCA Tee Shirt on local TV last night.
Check out the happy new reporter getting his first ride in a sidecar.
We talked about Alzheimer's and Long Distance riding.
See it here: http://www.ktvh.com/news/headlines/Life-After-Alzheimers--308307701.html
See you Tuesday in Gardiner and Thursday at the rally.
Be Fantastic
Del Lonnquist #8504

Posted : June 19, 2015 4:43 am

CCjon

(@jan-2)

Posts: 1132

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If you are still planning on spending Tuesday night at the Mill Inn in Sheriden, I'll meet up with you there Tuesday night. Then ride with your group on to Sturgis Wednesday.

Posted : June 20, 2015 6:40 pm

dholaday

(@dholaday2)

Posts: 115

Estimable Member

A big Thank You to Al Olme for putting together The Great Yellowstone Raid. He did a great job selecting motorcycle-friendly motels, beginning and ending points for each days ride, and interesting routes to get from point to point.

He's also pretty good at herding cats

Well done, Al, and many thanks

Duncan

Posted : June 27, 2015 1:57 pm

AceinSav

(@aceinsav)

Posts: 809

Moderator

I would also like to thank Al for putting together a nice ride

I would also like to thank EVERYONE that helped us get off the road and to our next stop when my alternator failed while riding across Bear Tooth Pass

Posted : July 1, 2015 8:12 am

Doug Hasert

(@Doug-Hasert)

Posts: 103

Estimable Member

We were in West Yellowstone KOA on Monday 22 to Thursday 25. Did not have my sidecar but met our son from Bloomington MN. We now are AZ residents. Toured the park for 2 days but missed seeing any sidecars. I still run my sidecar daily but my wife won't take long trips in it for health reasons. Sorry we missed you Al, maybe next year . Doug Hasert

Posted : July 11, 2015 8:05 pm

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