No unwelcome call or knock at the door this morning thankfully! The morning routine was just that, up at 1030, leisurely packing job. I have refined my load in the week on the road. I was overlooking the space inside my shoes! They now hold my mouse, 2 pairs of socks and 2 pairs of gaunchies. Doesn't sound like much of a difference but when limited to 30 litres per side, every little bit helps! I had a healthy breakfast of watermelon and yogurt and drank 2 litre...

After my big ride the day before I was going to sleep in that morning. I usually arise about 0800 and then work on this blog until about 1030, casually load The Rocket and then depart by 1100. This particular morning I was victim of a disturbing trend where the maids knock on the door early in the morning, in this case 0815 to inquire if I am staying another night. This despite the Do Not Disturb sign. I find this particularly rude as the check out time is 1100....

Last night I met a couple from Hinton northbound on a Harley. We chatted casually as we waited in line to check in at the Mo'tel. They spoke glowingly of Hwy 550 and since I was on Hwy 50 already and it was going in the right direction I decided to take it. 550 cuts through the rugged San Juan mountains in eastern Colorado between Montrose and Durango, about 100 miles. This is maybe the toughest 100 miles I have ever ridden. It was incredibly twisty with a top p...

The day started, briefly, at the real crack of dawn, with Bill's departure. I got up, briefly, just to film the occasion, then went back to bed. Sorry for the 'morning voice', I think I may have been down a few IQ points as well. With a short good-bye Bill left for his home in BC, I left for bed. Rising again around 0900 I found it to be ******* rain, not heavy but persistent. US NOAA Doppler radar for the continent showed a large system moving from SE to N...

The exemplary behaviour the night before meant uninterrupted sleep and a timely awakening. Bill was already up, packed and somehow had found breakfast, although, notably, not for me unlike my WSO in Nova Scotia who always made sure I had a breaky sammich! (Thankx BuBu!). Our mo'tel was literally 1 mile from the gate to Yellowstone Park so we were in the queue in a few minutes. The cost was $25 to exit the west park gate by Old Faithful, or $40 to exit the south ...