OK....a different kind of ride offer. The main areas we'll be riding through is Lolo Pass, Beartooth Pass, Chief Joseph Pass, Yellow Stone National Park and Craters of the Moon. Total miles as currently mapped is 2130 from my front door. The ride is late June.

Its a "saddle bag tour". We won't be in the same location two days in a row. You are free to join in at any leg, ride as much or as little of the loop as you want. If you join up later in the loop, there is a great route from Boise to the start of Lolo Pass road so you can easily continue as a loop ride. Ride your own pace too as we can meet up each evening. Got2Byellow and I will be riding a "touring pace" on our BMW GS's and taking lots of pics, especially Beartooth and Yellowstone. Those days have low mileage scheduled to allow for taking in the sights. Again, you can add mileage or ride on ahead at "race pace" if you wish.

In regards to lodging, feel free to check out options in each town, as I did not always book the lowest cost option.

Here is an overview of the ride (you can click on the picture which will take you to my photo site where you can download a full size pic:





June 19, 2010 Saturday - Day 1
From Battle Ground, WA to Orifino, ID
Est mileage= 375 Est time: 7h 31m
Lodging: Helgeson Hotel Suites





June 20, 2010 Sunday - Day 2
From Orifino, ID to Helena, MT
Est Mileage= 307 Est time: 6h 35m
Lodging: Holiday Inn
Notes: Lolo Pass in the morning. Brewpub near motel in Helena.





June 21, 2010 Monday - Day 3
From Helena, MT to Red Lodge, MT
Est mileage= 281 Est time 6h 22m
Lodging: Chateau Rouge
Notes: Chateau Rouge is condo rentals, but one of the better prices in Red Lodge. There is a cool historic hotel in the center of town, but its almost double the money....





June 22, 2010 Tuesday - Day 4
From Redlodge MT to Cooke City, MT
Est Mileage= 189 Est time 3h 31m
Lodging: Elkhorn Lodge
Notes: Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Pass, lunch in Cody, WY. There looks to be a stretch of 120 miles with no fuel or services.





June 23, 2010 Wednesday - Day 5
From Cooke City to Island Park, ID
Est mileage= 153 Est time 2h 55m (will be much longer time inside YNP)
Lodging: Sawtelle Mountain Resort
Notes: Yellowstone National Park. My loop doesn't take in Old Faithfull as we've already seen it. If you haven't, modify your plans for the day to be the "Grand Loop".





June 24, 2010 Thursday - Day 6
From Island Park, ID to Mountain Home, ID
Est mileage= 290 Est time 5h 29m
Lodging: Hampton Inn
Notes: Craters of the Moon in southern Idaho. There is a Sleep Inn that is a few bucks cheaper.





June 25, 2010 Friday - Day 7
From Mountian Home, ID to Pendleton, OR **** or see loop option.
Est mileage= 296 Est time 5h 0m
Lodging: Rugged Country Lodge
Notes: See Loop Option for those riding from the east.





June 25, 2010 Saturday - Day 8
From Pendleton, OR to Battle Ground, WA
Est mileage= 230 Est time 4h 16m





Loop Option:
From Mountain Home, ID to Kamiah, ID
Est Mileage= 325 Est time 6h 39m
Lodging: Clearwater 12 Motel

As usual, the Pacific North West team presents a high quality rally opportunity!!

Very nice, XPLORZ & Got2BYellow!!

This is now a sticky!!

Wish I could tag along....

Looking forward to the pics.

Motorcycle Rentals near Portland Airport

Fly-n-ride

thx fer the sticky G0!

We may be starters for this.

We will be stateside in June/July.

too bad no one is swinging to to Nevada....through Vegas!!

I'd like to be meeting up somewhere in the Yellowstone area if the planets align.

I got a lot of planets to align but I'd say all in all it's doable. :-)

If'n you wanted to take in some of the Canadian Rockies also, there is a place in Calgary that has a Ducati Multistrata for rent. Another place has a Honda ST1300.

From Calgary, it is a one day ride (658 klicks) shortest route to meet up in Helena, Mt, or take a much more scenic two day ride through Glacier National Park.

Then be sure to ride from Calgary through Banff and the Ice Fields Parkway to Jasper, (a days ride) grab a motel, and back the next day to Calgary. I'd bet E2E could come up with more ideas than that for up there.

Denver to Cooke City or Red Lodge just a shade over 600 miles.

Thanks for the links, The Duck is $245/day.

Looks like we have some planning to do. The dates fit in nicely with the rally anyhow, thats a good start.

Hmmm... I'll have to give this some thought.

Ummm... Yes you should! You could 'Wing it.

OK, so far its:

Kiwi
Jazz
Got2Byellow
xplorz

Any more takers?

10,947 feet elevation over Beartooth Pass.

Wow....why is it some weeks just go by way to fast? :)

As Xplorz is running Kiwi & Jazz to the airport I have a few minutes to extend thanks before I start chores :) .....

I'm sure Xplorz will post up some pics (that is kinda a given, eh?) - but I just want to say a big THANKS ... Xplorz you did a great job at organizing a great vacation for us & it was a blast (as usual).

And Kiwi & Jazz - we are so blessed to of had you with us. It was an honor meeting & spending vacation ("holiday") with you 2. Strange how one can meet people via an internet connection and when you get together it is like you've known these friends for a very long time. You 2 are great & are always welcome at our place! Be safe on your trip/adventure towards home. And Jazz....slow down the talking so the locals can understand you, "huh?" :) :)

Thanks again to all 3 of you for making another vacation a time to remember forever!

Thanks for the kind words and the great hospitality you two.

It was a great ride and the highlight for me was Beartooth pass..... just awesome.

Never thought a 650 Vstrom would go that good. Thanks again, a ride to remember.