Today is day 14 of my 5000+ mile, 17 day motorcycle ride… Larry T., Larry A. and myself have been riding together for 13 days seeing some of the most scenic parts of the western US. We met up in Canyon, Texas, then rode US-60 to Payton, Arizona. On day 5 we turned onto US-89 just north of Prescott, AZ and followed it all the way to Great Falls, Montana, visiting the Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Salt Lake City, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. From Great Falls we back tracked a bit to Yellowstone National Park before heading east via US-212 thru Beartooth Pass and on to Billings, MT.
Riding down I-90/US-212 from Billings , Montana
It was nice being back to Billings. Two years ago we were here on our “National Park Motorcycle Ride”. We stayed at the same motel, kicked back and caught our breath from our long day’s ride the previous day
Riding US-212 near Little Bighorn Battlefield
This morning is another beautiful riding day with the temperature in the low 60’s. The sky was clear with a few thin high clouds. This is a bit warm for June, but not bad… It did get pretty warm (unseasonably warm) as the day progressed, but that has been the norm for this ride.
Cattle on US-212 East of Little Bighorn
Riding US-212 west of Broadus, MT
Today we are continuing riding down US-212. US-212 follows I-90 for 59 miles where it then heads eastward. The scenery has been rolling, grass-covered hills with herds of cattle seen from time to time. Some of the hills were more rugged and sparsely wooded. Beautiful farm and ranch land with views of good water and windmills. Things are few and far-between out this way and the temperature is climbing. We stopped for gas, rest and to re-hydrate in Broadus, Montana. We were ready for a break from the heat. It looks to be another hot day. From Broadus we continued east on US-212 to Hwy 112 and headed on to Devils Tower National Monument. As we climbed a bit in elevation it did cool just a bit. Once on Hwy 112 the GPS was getting confused and tried routing us down several dirt roads or none-existent roads. That was annoying and confusing. Hwy 112 was a nice road with long sweeping curves, gentle grass-covered hills, grazing herds of cattle and piney woods in the distance. The Devils Tower came into view miles away and got larger and larger until we were there…
Taking a break in the shade in Broadus, MT
Rolling down Hwy 112 heading to Devils Tower Nation Monument
Entrance to Devils Tower National Monument
Hot day at Devils Tower
We finally made it to the Devils Tower. We were here two years ago and it is nice to be back. We were ready to get off the bikes and stretch our legs a bit so we walked the parameter of the tower. We were here a couple of years ago and walked the parameter counter-clockwise. This year we walked it clockwise. For some reason it seemed as though we were walking up hill most of the way. Maybe it was just the heat today that made it seem harder walking… or maybe we are just getting old… Naw, it had to be the heat…
Devils Tower National Monument
Leaving Devils Tower we headed 63 miles down US-24/Hwy-14 to I-90 to Spearfish, South Dakota, our home away from home for tonight.
Tomorrow we ride through Spearfish Canyon on our way to Mount Rushmore, ride Needles and Iron Mountain highways before visiting Crazy Horse Memorial. Come follow along and enjoy the ride. I hope we see you down the road somewhere. Ride safe…
If you liked this ride post, you may checkout the other post from this ride below…
- Introduction to our Motorcycle Ride (5000+ Miles In 17 Days)
- Day 1 of 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Georgetown, TX to Canyon, TX 458 Miles)
- Day 2 of 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Canyon, TX to Ft. Sumner, NM 173 Miles)
- Day 3 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Ft. Sumner to Eagar, NM 343 Miles)
- Day 4 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Eagar to Payson 231 Miles)
- Day 5 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Payson to Cameron 222 Miles)
- Day 6 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Cameron to Grand Canyon to Cameron 130 Miles)
- Day 7 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Cameron to Panguitch 287 Miles)
- Day 8 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Panguitch to Ogden 287 Miles)
- Day 9 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Ogden to Jackson 235 Miles)
- Day 10 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Jackson to Gardiner 203 Miles)
- Day 11 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Gardiner to Great Falls 226 Miles)
- Day 12 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride
- Day 13 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Great Falls to Billings 402 miles)
- Day 15 of My 5000+ Mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Spearfish to Alliance)
- Days 16 & 17 of My 5000+ mile, 17 Day Motorcycle Ride (Alliance to Home)
Hera are other rides you may like too…
- National Park Motorcycle Ride – 5542 Miles in 16 Days 2013
- Blue Ridge Parkway Motorcycle Ride June 2014
- Big Bend & Carlsbad Caverns National Parks Motorcycle Trip September 09
- Our First Big Bend Motorcycle Ride
- Big Bend National Park Motorcycle Ride April 2007
I hope we see you down the road somewhere… Ride safe…
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