urn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed2017-12-30 12:39:09Forgotten Roads MXMN-7 & MN-272017-12-30 12:39:09oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:MN-7 & MN-27<p>This is our first post in the category of <i>Forgotten Road</i> . Today's road weaves along two lakes that form part of the border between South Dakota and Minnesota: MN-7 starting in Ortonville and MN-27 ending in Wheaton.</p><p><div class="panel panel-default route-summary"> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Day Summary</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><form class="form-horizontal"> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Start:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ortonville,_Minnesota'>Ortonville, MN</a></p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">End:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheaton,_Minnesota'>Wheaton, MN</a></p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Distance:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>58 mi (94 km)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Qualities:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>Some nice curves just after Ortonville</p><p>Good views over the lakes</p><p>Great burgers at <a href='https://goo.gl/pZECGS'>Headwaters Grill & Bar</a> in Ortonville</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Ecoregions:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>Level III: Northern Glaciated Plains & Lake Agassiz Plain</p><p>Level IV: Tewaukon/Big Stone Stagnation Moraine & Glacial Lake Agassiz Basin</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Photo Album:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157662110839767/'>Forgotten Road: MN-7 & MN-27</a> (Flickr)</p></div></div> </form></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Route Map</h3></div><div class="panel-body" style="padding:0; margin: 0"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4646/39392904811_f075f3a7b8_o.png"></div></div></p><h2>The First Forgotten Road</h2><p>Even though this is the first post, it's actually the second forgotten road we identified. The first forgotten road – and the one that helped form the seed of Forgotten Roads MX – is truly forgotten. It lies somewhere in the middle of this map, south-west of Sioux Falls, SD:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38515045015/in/album-72157662110839767"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4680/38515045015_4ac258eb18_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>It was the most unassuming road you ever saw: very straight, just enough rise and fall that you can't see more than a mile ahead, shoulders unmown, grass-filled cracks in the roads, not a car or house to be seen for miles: just the thunder of the motorcycle, the wind blowing across the prairie, and the sun making everything shine with life.</p><h2>About the Ecoregions</h2><p>In the post we did for the <a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/16-192353/beartooth-run-2017.html'>last day of the Beartooth Pass trip</a>, we included views of the ecoregions we went through. Since then, we've become obsessed with land data and considering it as part of every ride :-)</p><p>As part of that, we've discovered a new tool: the ArcGIS web viewer. This platform provides a view of <a href='https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=a550ce1ee2614125b35e522d7ab69770'>US Level III and IV Ecoregions</a> with zoomable, customizable maps. Part of this includes letting you add your own layers ... needless to say, we've started adding our planned motorcycle routes and Spotwalla GIS data to their maps :-)</p><p>Here's a shot of the US Level III and Level IV ecoregions in their map viewer:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24527842327/in/album-72157662110839767"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4590/24527842327_fdd6ccd394_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38685328924/in/album-72157662110839767"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4691/38685328924_3eb8dd16f2_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The ArcGIS map also has 12 different base maps you can choose from, which is nice:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24527800657/in/album-72157662110839767"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4590/24527800657_8e6037812b_b.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>After uploading the forgotten road route, it was time to play!</p><p>The base maps that let us see the roads most easily were "Terrain with Labels", "USGS Nation Map", and "National Geographic". Respectively:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24527801607/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4690/24527801607_0db6f35f32_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38515425225/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4679/38515425225_f2fdb1cbe7_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/39363212162/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4598/39363212162_fe6d120790_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Their "Open Streetmap" base map layer was also great for this ... but it was bumped from the top three by the good-looking "National Geographic".</p><p>Next, we selected just the Level III and then just the Level IV ecoregion layers to see what riders go through:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38515424295/in/album-72157662110839767"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4639/38515424295_70d936694a_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24527800697/in/album-72157662110839767"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4738/24527800697_73a1a5271f_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>That may look a little monotonous, but since the views open up through the trees fairly often, you can see off into the distance into the west, across the lakes. So in addition to the regions listed in the panel above, you also get to see Minnesota River Prairie, Prairie Coteau Escarpment, Prairie Coteau, and maybe even a bit of Big Sioux Basin.</p><h2>Final Thoughts</h2><p>Our rides there were pre-GoPro purchase, so there's no photos to share, but we did go through Ortonville once during the 2016 harvest on the day they were having their corn festival – that was quite a blast! Well worth the pause in riding for a taste of local colour.</p><p>In 2017, a buddy from the Sioux Falls H.O.G. chapter and I did this ride as part of the <a href='/blog/archives/2017-06/15-223122/dam-ride-2017.html'>Dam Ride</a> on our way to Fargo, ND.</p><p>Both times it was an enjoyable segment of the journey – a highlight in each case. No big thrills, just a pleasant ride in beautiful countryside with some water views and nice roads. 🛣</p>Winter Dreams2017-12-26 16:41:49oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Winter Dreams<p>We're in the middle of a cold-snap right now, with day-time temps hovering around -4 ℉ (-20 ℃). There's snow on the ground and on the roads, so not the best riding weather ;-) With temperatures this cold, it's a time to gather 'round the fireplace, snuggle under blankets, and dream of next year's summer roads.</p><p>As such, it's as good a time as any to kick off our long-anticipated content category: the "Forgotten Road" segment we've been talking about since June (and earlier, too, I think).</p><p>As we travel, we find roads of a particular quality that strike right to the heart of why we ride ... they have very little traffic (as in no cars for miles and miles), little traveled to the point where the cracks in the pavement are green with growth, often don't have the shoulders mowed (we especially like that!), spectacular or exemplar views of the particular region, and sometimes even pretty good curves.</p><p>In fact, these roads were one of the inspirations for the whole Forgotten Roads project :-) Who'd have guessed?</p><p>Throughout last year's trips we built up a backlog of these, and we're going to start sharing them (as we're snuggled in the blankets, watching the snow fall).</p><p>Stay tuned!</p>Autumn Colours2017-11-19 16:27:28oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Autumn Colours<p>Winter is rapidly approaching, and having had three light snows already, is arguably here. We find it a lovely season: days to spend on indoor projects, movie-watching, and snuggling under warm blankets. That being said, the special time between harvest and when the last bit of colour is falling from the trees has got to be my favourite time of year – not only the beauty in nature's sights and smells, but also in the fantastic riding weather :-)</p><p>Autumn this year was particularly poignant for us, since we were leaving the Western frontier and moving closer to the Mississippi (though still to its West!). We had really come to love Sioux Falls much more than we'd ever expected, and as a special gift, we got to witness the best Fall colours we've seen in many years. In fact, I couldn't choose which image from the set to use as the cover photo for this blog post ... so five different ones got combined!</p><p>We've uploaded the best ones of the season to <a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157688134044624/with/37763599451/'>this Flickr album</a>, but will highlight some of more special ones below, since they really do bear repeating. All of the pictures in the album were taken near the neighborhood where we spent our two years in Sioux Falls: from the Johnson's yard next door, to Terrace Park; from the Japanese Garden down the street to the stunning Veterans' Park across the lake.</p><p>Thank you, Sioux Falls!</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37754537546/in/album-72157688134044624"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4447/37754537546_f854ea54cd_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37802746141/in/album-72157688134044624"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4467/37802746141_190d2ba9a8_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37132389803/in/album-72157688134044624"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4468/37132389803_365c6f3ee3_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37093356613/in/album-72157688134044624"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4463/37093356613_a57cb4a30a_h.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37731572452/in/album-72157688134044624"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4502/37731572452_7c037f47a7_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37763599451/in/album-72157688134044624"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4468/37763599451_dda2e5396e_h.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37715216696/in/album-72157688134044624"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4512/37715216696_fa8cafef65_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37715227456/in/album-72157688134044624"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4452/37715227456_a73540cc04_h.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>🛣</p>Garage Makeover2017-11-19 12:47:06oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Garage Makeover<p>Since the <a href='/blog/archives/2017-10/20-191120/preparing-for-the-frmx-move.html'>last post about the FRMX move</a>, we've been pretty busy with the relocation and settling-in process, with barely any time to write an update. With the riding reason over, and most of the unpacking done, that's slowly starting to change. Now that I've started tackling the old garage in the alley, I've definitely got something to write about – this will definitely keep me busy until the 2018 riding reason starts up!</p><p>The last day of riding for me was the day we closed on the house in Minnesota: it was a bitterly cold, very windy, three-hour ride from Sioux Falls to just outside New Ulm; I'm just glad we had the walk-through before going to closing – gave me a chance to learn how to talk and walk again!</p><p>The bike had a few more happy minutes in the sun, and then was rolled into the main garage, where it's been ever since:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38467531886/in/album-72157690774614536"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4523/38467531886_d69aaac910_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>A few days later, the movers showed up and the boxes just started piling up around the old warhorse. The most action its seen since then was when I moved it back a foot so I could stock the beer fridge in the garage :-)</p><h2>Initial Cleanup</h2><p>The future home for the bikes is not here, though, but at the other end of the lot in the alley garage. It's a bit of a mess and needs work before the bikes get moved in. The biggest problem is that there were feral cats living in it before we bought the place, and they used two different corners for dedicated cat latrines. It's going to take a lot of commercial-grade enzyme cleaner and Killz to get rid of the smell ... however shoveling out the old cat shit was a good first step :-/</p><p>It was also unbelievably dusty in there, so the next steps were organizing was had been moved into the garage, and then giving it a good spring-cleaning-in-late-autumn.</p><p>The garage is just over 100 years old, and I really wish I'd remembered to take a picture of the attic before my enthusiasm had chucked 99% of its contents to the floor (half of which rolled out the door!) ... I did get one or two shots of part of the resulting mess, though:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37808145374/in/album-72157690774587506"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4545/37808145374_9c5582f4cf.jpg" style="width:470px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37636673835/in/album-72157690774587506"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4516/37636673835_05dc4e0d5d_n.jpg" style="width:264px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>I didn't trust my weight to the old boards that form the attic floor, so I did my best to pull what seemed to be about 80-70 years worth of accumulated dirt and dust toward me and down the opening (which subsequently formed a dark grey dust cloud over the neighborhood).</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37808144834/in/album-72157690774587506"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4519/37808144834_1ccf4a7d7b_q.jpg" style="width:180px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/26748032099/in/album-72157690774587506"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4519/26748032099_18e39f054c_q.jpg" style="width:180px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38492020052/in/album-72157690774587506"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4526/38492020052_2dd7463f9e_q.jpg" style="width:180px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24651636708/in/album-72157690774587506"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/24651636708_a49fc38dab_q.jpg" style="width:180px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>About two hours before those picture were taken, you couldn't see any of the opposite walls from that position. Would love to do a super-thorough cleaning up there ... and then have some fun making that a workable space, but that's a job for much later down the road.</p><h2>Organization and Tool-Prep</h2><p>Most of what was thrown to the floor ended up in the local landfill yesterday, but there were some nifty bits of junk and old parts that I wanted to hang on to (I'll probably hang it from the walls at some point). I think I found what used to be part of a set of wood-working vises as well as a tractor axle and associated gears:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38491774222/in/album-72157690774614536"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4537/38491774222_f44aafbfb3_n.jpg" style="width:370px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38523918731/in/album-72157690774614536"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4572/38523918731_ea3b43e363_n.jpg" style="width:370px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>My favourite is the tractor axle; pretty sure I'm going to turn that into a coat tree for next to the door :-)</p><p>After clearing room for the saw horses and then making a run to Menard's for pegboard and hooks, it was time to start getting the first of several tool-hanging areas setup:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38467531826/in/album-72157690774614536"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4531/38467531826_d8ff3d64be_n.jpg" style="width:264px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38523919321/in/album-72157690774614536"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4521/38523919321_cda4dd8014.jpg" style="width:470px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>There's an old 60s-era desk that came with the place that will be a stand-in until I can make the 2x4 laminate workbenches I'll need:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/26751333759/in/album-72157690774614536"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4554/26751333759_5b02fd4057_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The cupboards will be useful ... but a bit low for my 6'3" height, so I'll probably re-hang those. The floor's in rough shape, too; that'll need to be addressed:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38471047496/in/album-72157690774614536"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4573/38471047496_ed9b79bea5.jpg" style="width:470px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38471045616/in/album-72157690774614536"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4565/38471045616_18bd31723f_n.jpg" style="width:264px;height:auto;"></a></p><h2>Future Tasks</h2><p>Before I roll the bikes in there, there's a lot more work to do:</p><ul><li>Install a new 2-hp screw drive garage door opener (I want to keep the classic solid wood garage door – but it's heavy!)</li><li>Install a new exterior steel door with dead bolt</li><li>Smooth out the floor as much as possible (grind up-lifts? patch cracks?)</li><li>Remove the rest of the cat spray/urine smell</li><li>Killz the floor</li></ul><p>Then it will be ready for bikes. After that comes the tasks to get it ready for bench work:</p><ul><li>Re-hang cupboards</li><li>Finish putting up pegboard</li><li>Build workbench frames and laminate tops</li><li>Run a new 120v circuit out from the house for tools</li><li>Run a new 240v circuit from house</li><li>Add more lights and outlets (there's one light for the whole space right now)</li><li>Folding attic stairs/ladder (using the make-shift 1x2 ladder that's screwed into the wall is the wrong kind of adventure for me)</li></ul><p>Once the welding gets into gear, I'll need to add some ventilation, so that's on the list. At that point, though, it may be time to build an extension for the garage to accommodate a steel welding bench, tanks, etc. 🛣</p>Preparing for the FRMX Move2017-10-20 19:11:20oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Preparing for the FRMX Move<p>A few weeks ago, we posted an update on Twitter showing <a href='https://twitter.com/ForgottenRdsMX/status/916738281890607105'>Garage Obi-wan getting us ready to move</a>. Since then, a lot has happened, but most importantly: we're nearly packed and ready to start the move next week.</p><p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FMRX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FMRX</a> preparing to pack & move to new location; Obi-wan Kenobi directing, pointing the way, leading the charge <a href="https://t.co/MaG4xsVWvA">pic.twitter.com/MaG4xsVWvA</a></p>— Forgotten Roads MX (@ForgottenRdsMX) <a href="https://twitter.com/ForgottenRdsMX/status/916738281890607105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p><p>While we do know he's from a galaxy far, far away and and a time long ago, we don't <i>really</i> know how old Obi-wan is. Probably 10s of 1000s of years old. So it's impressive that he could help out with the packing at all. Even more, that he continues to do so:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37788179682/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4509/37788179682_cd43defb51_n.jpg" style="width:370px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37561807920/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4495/37561807920_c941345527_n.jpg" style="width:370px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37771464236/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4512/37771464236_3459280a0a_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Though, truth be told, he's falling a bit behind. Rory's got him beat pretty hard (she's done 99% of the packing). No house shots, but here's one of our Pick-Up Points for the movers :-)</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37151389703/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4472/37151389703_dc0664e1c4_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>🛣</p>Hand-crafted Leather Forkboots2017-09-09 21:49:13oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Hand-crafted Leather Forkboots<p>One of the things about the bike that's bothered me slightly has been the tin fork kit that sits behind the headlamp. One of the best looks the front of a motorcycle can have is the exposed springs of the classic forks of the same name. Part of the reason for this is the clean, open lines. The tin box you get with stock Softail Slims is essentially the aesthetic opposite:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36892598711/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4400/36892598711_87c5a949c5_b.jpg" style="width:623px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The solution to this problem is clear.</p><h2>Removal</h2><p>So, the smart way to do this would have been to look in the service manual. Had I done this, I would have read how when you take apart the lamp assembly, you can access and remove the rubber boot where the wires come in, and then detach the wires.</p><p>Instead, it seems the year and a half of having to look at the tin box took it's toll, and out came the bolt cutters and large needle-nose pliers. Witness the carnage:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36858698622/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4382/36858698622_3939051345_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>I was instantly delighted with the results, too:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36858698672/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4398/36858698672_a6420f69dd_k.jpg" style="width:1536px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Who knows why they choose to cover that up. Perhaps protection from the elements? Maybe the hydraulics need more of that than the springs of old?</p><p>Anyway, I loved the cleaner look. However, the exposed bolts weren't looking so great, and I was a little concerned about the grime collecting more thickly on the exposed hydraulics (when I took the box off, they badly needed cleaning) ...</p><p>What do to? Well, given the forkbag above the lamp, the handle grips, and the ECM cover I made, this was a no-brainer.</p><h2>Preparation</h2><p>After some pondering and lots of staring at the forks and headlamp, I did I quick sketch of what had come to mind:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36992455021/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4405/36992455021_2f4178dedf_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>This seemed like a pretty trivial project, and for the most part, it was. A few cuts, and a visit to the local <a href='https://goo.gl/4zWxms'>Tandy leather store</a> for some brass buckles, and I was off and running:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37124926835/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4390/37124926835_a29dbb6413_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37124926695/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4375/37124926695_6796933498_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>There are just four straps picture above, but each side would need a total of five:</p><ul><li>three for the actual straps, and</li><li>two more to be cut in half to make the attachments for the brass buckles.</li></ul><p>While this was a pretty simple project, it still didn't got quite as planned. The first cut I made for the right boot ended up being too small: through the leather did wrap all the way around the forks, it didn't leave enough of an overlap to fully protect from the weather. Vertically there wasn't enough leather to make a secure attachment (using the hex screws that held old cover in place): I was going to need to fold over the edge and rivet that down to provide enough material strength to support the stretching and the screws. So I went back to the cutting board.</p><p>Then when I went to cut the left fork boot, I didn't think it through: I needed the mirror image of the cut for the right boot, but instead I just copied it. So that was another one I had to redo.</p><h2>Assembly</h2><p>With the first boot properly resized, it was time to start hammering and snipping the brass rivets. Since I wasn't sure how the leather would wrap, I held off on the last few and fit it to the forks before proceeding:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36845247396/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/36845247396_ed184ed07e_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>I also realised I was going to need some leather re-enforcing for the middle buckle, as the oilskin cowhide was too thin for that. Fortunately, I had some thicker buffalo hide scraps from another project I'm working on:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37127650485/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4387/37127650485_4a03a56f0a_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Here's how I decided to do the buckle attachments:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36292717354/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4391/36292717354_377d7c10cf_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>And here are some shots of the completed right forkboot, outside and inside:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37112801485/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4418/37112801485_9129c4361b_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36924360856/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4348/36924360856_d118a180e6_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>There were two difficulties I encountered during assembly:</p><ul><li>The grommets I used to house the screws (and protect the leather with a wider whole: more distributed/less-cutting when stressed) were a hair too small for the screws; this required drilling through the centre of the grommet to shave off just enough to get the screw through. As this was a little trickier than it sounds, workbench acrobatics ensued.</li><li>The oilskin leather is slippery, but that hadn't been an issue for me in the past, because I only ever did two layers at a time for any given rivet. For the forkboots, however, I needed to go through three layers, some of that being two layers of buffalo hide. I had several bent and slipped rivets until I found a solution that worked: hammer on the steel anvil and do so with care, ensuring that each strike was consistent with the previous one. Getting the riveter positioned around the tight spaces of the buckles made this even more difficult.</li></ul><h2>Attachment</h2><p>With the boots completed, it was time to start attaching them:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36300217113/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4416/36300217113_2f494f139d_n.jpg" style="width:370px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37112800975/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4397/37112800975_91f49cd5e6_z.jpg" style="width:370px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>All together now:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37129345985/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/37129345985_b388918fee_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36940300106/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4332/36940300106_e51d5298a1_k.jpg" style="width:1536px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The complete set of pictures for this project are available in an album here, on Flickr:</p><ul><li><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/sets/72157685870306370/'>Hand-crafted Leather Fork Boots</a> (32 photos)</li></ul><h2>Test Drive</h2><p>It was necessary, of course, to then take the bike out for a ride. Preferably some nice dirt roads with lots of expansive views of open farmland and prairie.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36987591081/in/album-72157685870306370"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4423/36987591081_fec49f44a2_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>So that's what we did :-) 🛣</p>FRMX Background Images2017-08-21 21:26:54dechenurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:FRMX Background Images<p>In working with oubiwann on the <a href='/blog/archives/2017-08/17-202020/avon-tyres-safety-mileage-mkii.html'>Avon Safety Mileage</a> post, we used some some tools that come with my image editor of choice (<a href='https://www.gimp.org/'>GIMP</a>) to bring out details that were hidden in the shadows. This was due to the HDR (high dynamic range) of the iPhone not really doing that great of a job when he took the pictures.</p><p>One of the tools caused some coloration change with the lessening of the image contrast, and while this was unexpected, the results were quite appealing! You can see this in the last image of that post:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36638282735/in/album-72157687669968956"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/36638282735_9b288d60ec_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The discoloration is similar in some ways to what you see in old photos from the 1970s. There's actually a hint of Technicolor in there, too (mostly due to the high saturation of some of the values).</p><p>This piqued my interest and and I proceed to play for a couple of days (on and off) with various images, layers, color balances, effects, etc. After oubiwann suggested I try some fonts out in one of the corners, the path was clear: these were going to become the first background images for Forgotten Roads :-)</p><p>(Well, to be honest, the second ones: after the last post from the <a href='/blog/archives/2017-06/17-212757/dam-ride-2017.html'>Dam Ride</a> series, a bunch of us started using various permutations of painting with the motorcycle and the train ... But the background images below are the first <em>Forgotten Roads</em>-specific ones!). The type faces I used are the same ones selected for the new company magnetic door signs. The blog title has also been recently updated to use this style as well. There's a future post or two about those, so watch this space if your interested in that stuff.</p><p>Without further ado, I present the background images – one a modification of what you saw above, and the other a "dream-mode" rendering of the image (the same effect we use for most of our blog header images).</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36659469545/in/album-72157687669968956"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4368/36659469545_7060ea6507_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36521088011/in/album-72157687669968956"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4414/36521088011_c2931234a7_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>In both cases, the images are linked to Flickr where you can download hi-resolution versions of the background images (where it's easier to play "Where's Waldo" with the buffalo in the image).</p><p>One last tidbit: I really enjoyed creating the 40s-style South Dakota license plate for the bike. I feel that's the finishing touch that really takes the imagery into true background image territory ;-) 🛣</p>Avon Tyres: Safety Mileage MKII2017-08-17 20:20:20oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Avon Tyres: Safety Mileage MKII<p>The very first ride I took on the Softail Slim S, I ended up on a dirt road. Completely unintentional, I turned onto what I thought was tarmac and found that with the traffic behind me and the gravel nuzzling up to my rims, the compulsion to continue on was overwhelming. I was a new rider and had zero experience on dirt roads. I was certain the ride would end shortly with me in the ditch and a new 700+ lb bike on top of me. For many months, even after day-long rides, that 30 minutes felt like the longest ride I'd done.</p><p>At one point, after I'd made a turn onto yet another dirt road (in the maze I'd gotten myself into), I crested a hill and there before me, right against a high fence line just feet from the road was a herd of buffalo! I didn't dare take my eyes of the road for more than a second, but in that moment the terror subsided and I knew it was all going to be okay: I was riding with the buffalo.</p><p>As it turned out, the choice in road was an omen. From that day onward, half the times I'd go out for a ride, my curiosity would send me down a country road, and then a turn onto a less traveled road, and so on, until inevitably, I would be on dirt or gravel. Again. I guess, despite the terror, a part of me just really likes riding the bumpy dirt roads, the unpredictable gravel, and the desert sands.</p><p>Heavy bikes aren't the best in gravel, but heavy bikes with street tyres are a nightmare. Finally, after going off-road on a Navajo Reservation riding through thick, viscous (and beautifully red) sand, I got the message: this is a pattern that isn't going away, and I'm going to have to do something about what I'm riding on.</p><h2>The Search</h2><p>When I returned to Sioux Falls after that trip, I started doing research into hooligan racer tyres, nobbies, and clones of the classic Firestone. After a hard 8,000 miles, I'd worn my back tyre down to a smooth baldness and was ready to make the jump. My first choice had been hooligan racer tyres, but I couldn't find any that fit the Slim, so I finally settled on what seemed to be a well-liked second choice: the <a href='http://www.avonmoto.com/products/classic/safety-mileage-mkii'>Avon Safety Mileage MKII</a>:</p><p><img src="/blog/img/avon-mkii-rear-5.jpg"></p><p>That's the widest one, the 5"; the narrow sizes have different treads. When I picked the bike up from <a href='http://www.jl-harley.com/'>J & L Harley</a>, the service guys and I just stood there staring at the back of the bike ... it was mesmerizing, like it had come right out of the 30s or 40s. Why hadn't I done this sooner?</p><p>I was ready to hit the dirt roads and see how the rear Avon handled. First, though, I had to re-learn how to ride the bike – the difference was HUGE. I couldn't body-steer or turn in the ways I had been doing, the balance was different, the sound had changed. It felt like a different bike. Within a week, though, I barely noticed it. Now I can't even remember what it had been like on the street tyres.</p><p>After getting acclimated, I was up to my old tricks: dirt roads galore. And, man – what a difference with the Avon on the rear! It really opened up the possibilities for where I could go, what I could explore.</p><h2>Front and Rear</h2><p>As I <a href='https://twitter.com/oubiwann/status/893342143728816128'>recently tweeted</a>, after an additional 6,000 miles or so of even harder miles, both front and rear tyres were ready for replacement. I went with the Avon's again, using their rear MkII on the front as well.</p><p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh, but first: new tyres! (taking it back to the 30s w/Avon Firestone clones)<br><br>Now I'm ready for another 15,000 miles of gravel and dirt :-> <a href="https://t.co/BnTYb1mM6V">pic.twitter.com/BnTYb1mM6V</a></p>— Duncan McGreggor (@oubiwann) <a href="https://twitter.com/oubiwann/status/893342143728816128">August 4, 2017</a></blockquote></p><h2>The Return of the Buffalo</h2><p>I had intended to immediately go for a ride on the same dirt roads I did during my first ride (and try to find the buffalo again). Work got in the way, though, and it wasn't until today that I got a chance to test out to Avon MkIIs on the dirt:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35826789673/in/album-72157685188479714"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4385/35826789673_4a94602de9_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Here's a shot of the front tread:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36497888961/in/album-72157685188479714"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4335/36497888961_3c94d0188b_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>(A funny bit of luck: today they were grading two of the dirt roads I was riding on ... pretty much the best unpaved riding you could ever hope for, outside of salt flats. However, some bits were extremely soft as the grader had merely scraped over some of the larger potholes, filling them with soft soil. That added a little spice to the ride.)</p><p>Same tyre on the rear, but the look is quite different:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36239323060/in/album-72157685188479714"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4402/36239323060_1dcc1dc86a_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The high-contrast light makes it tough to see the tread in that shot. Even harder to see are buffalo in this picture :-) I was quite chuffed to see them out there, though I missed them at first since they were so far away (it was expecting too much to be so lucky as to have them at the fence this time, too). If you click the image, you can get a larger view where you see them off to the right, near the horizon.</p><p>Here's the same picture again, with the shadow contrast reduced so you can see the tread:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36638282735/in/album-72157687669968956"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/36638282735_9b288d60ec_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><h2>Five Stars</h2><p>My experience revisiting the labyrinthine roads of dirt and gravel that protect the buffalo was completely different this time around. Certainly I have a lot more experience as a rider, but the handling of the Avons on the unpaved surface it just amazing. I didn't dare hope it would be this good. They've helped me get to where I guess I was headed all along: I've turned some strange corner and now actually seek out unpaved roads, treating the Slim more and more like its spiritual predecessor, the <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_WLA'>WLA</a>.</p><p>You can buy the tyres both an <a href='http://www.jpcycles.com/product/210-020'>J & P Cycles</a> (I've written a short review for them there) and <a href='https://www.revzilla.com/product/avon-safety-mileage-mkii-tires'>RevZilla</a>. It goes without saying you can get them on Amazon, too (see the banner link below).</p><p>If you get these for your bike, let me know how you like them! 🛣</p><h2>The Avon on Amazon</h2>It's a Saddle, Not a Couch2017-08-13 19:36:59oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:It's a Saddle, Not a Couch<p>The question I get asked more than any other about my bike doesn't have to do with the paint job, the 110 cu (1800+ cc) motor, or the Firestone clone tyres (Avon's). Instead, the most common point of interest relates to the seat in some way, anything from "is that comfortable?" or "how do you do that?" to "fuuuuuck, no ..."</p><h2>The Ride</h2><p>Despite what one might imagine simply by looking at it, it's very comfortable: I ride with it regularly on bad roads, over potholes, gravel washboards, and dirt. I sometimes catch air (usually one wheel at a time – once I got both – and this invariably leads my butt leaving the seat by a few inches). In all cases, the cushion provided by the springs has made for a soft landing and a generally good riding experience.</p><p>Now, without question, after riding a couple hundred miles, my butt and thighs really need a break. I'll take 20-30 minutes when I gas up to stretch out. Sometimes, on a bad ride (no scenery change, drowsiness, general low-energy) it takes me a few moments to throw a leg over and get out of the saddle.</p><h2>The Saddle</h2><p>Here's the thing, though – as the title of this post says: this is not actually a "seat" in the standard, stock Harley-Davidson sense of the word (certainly not from the perspective of touring riders). This is a saddle in the full-on cowboy, rough-rider sense of the word. In fact, <a href='https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/bobber-solo-saddle'>the product page</a> uses that word explicitly. I've you've ever ridden a horse all day, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. If you loved that, you'll love this seat ... even when it hurts :-)</p><p>More thoughts below, but here are more pics:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/34916417473/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4215/34916417473_0be96d8682_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35338978380/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4053/35338978380_323fc80d9f_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35686161756/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4008/35686161756_760f5ef822_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><h2>A Philosophy of Experience</h2><p>Admittedly, I do have a slightly non-standard riding aesthetic: I like it gritty and real. I want to feel the roads, with all their imperfections. I want to smell not only the ponderosa pines and open prairie in bloom, but also the horse and cow manure of passing farms. One isn't good, nor is the other bad – they're just all part of the ride, part of the experience. I'm riding because I love it, because in the modern world it's tough to find authentic, unfiltered, untamed experiences. The bobber saddle definitely provides an untamed, unfiltered experience of the road, in all its glory and imperfections.</p><p>This approach has born up well in the last 15,000 miles or so – across all types of land and in all sorts of weather (including light snowfall). The worst dirt roads I've ridden in any vehicle, I've tackled on the bobber seat, not only with no regrets, but with lots of good times and a few good stories :-)</p><h2>Customizing the Seat</h2><p>Well, there's not much more to it than leather, steel, and springs. Which means we can tweak two out of three. Meatloaf always said that wasn't bad.</p><p>If you're familiar with the H-D saddle, you'll remember it's black ... and the one pictured above looks a little different. I've applied countless layers of two different kinds of leather conditioner and brown heavy-duty dye. I've used brown leather on the rest of the bike and have dyed my chaps and jacket to match those, so it was a natural next step for the seat. I've known guys who chose to reupholster their saddles to get the color of brown they wanted, but the dying route has given me just what I was looking for and at a fraction of the cost (although there was increased initial maintenance and care required).</p><p>Incidentally, I never had any dye come off on my pants, even in extreme weather conditions. I think this is largely due to the quality of the dye and leather protection, but also to the manner of application:</p><ul><li>Before dying sessions, I would thoroughly clean the seat.</li><li>Let the dye completely dry for several hours in a 90+F garage,</li><li>Do several rounds of leather protection:<ul><li>Bickmore conditioner first (it's much wetter)</li><li>Let it soak in</li><li>Give it a good rub</li><li>Let it dry a bit</li><li>Apply a generous amount of the Red Wing conditioner (thick layer coating the entire surface)</li><li>Let the leather absorb it</li><li>Rub it in for 10 to 15 minutes with an old rag).</li></ul></li></ul><p>After a long ride, I'll use some saddle soap to clean it up a bit. It hasn't needed any more dye this year, and I've only conditioned it once (right before the riding season started). I have had to re-dye my chaps and jacket, though that's expected, since they bear the brunt of the action (no windshield).</p><p>The other thing I did to customise the saddle was simply give the springs a coat metallic aged bronze spray paint: can't get more budget than that. Surprisingly, after 4000 miles of riding with that coat, there's only a few dings in the paint, and I only noticed that this week after doing a very close inspection. 🛣</p><h2>Preferred Leather Products</h2>Online Mapping Tools for Your Ride2017-07-29 12:59:10bobbermacurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Online Mapping Tools for Your Ride<p>Previous posts have touched on some of the map- and route-related tooling and services available for free online, that can help map out your ride. We'll mention them again here, but also – and more importantly – introduce you to to a free service we haven't covered yet, one that we now depend upon heavily for recording our tracks across the country.</p><h3>OpenStreetMap</h3><p>From the site's <a href='https://www.openstreetmap.org/about'>About</a> page:</p><p><blockquote> OpenStreetMap is built by a community of mappers that contribute and maintain data about roads, trails, cafes, railway stations, and much more, all over the world. </blockquote></p><p>OpenStreetMap allows you to upload limited forms of <code>.kml</code> files; depending upon your needs, it could be all you're looking for.</p><h3>OpenSourceService</h3><p><a href='https://www.openrouteservice.org'>OpenRouteService</a> utilizes the data from OpenStreetMap to help users define and generate multi-destination map routes taking into consideration numerous modes of transportation. It also provides for a greater number of road types your route should ignore (e.g., unpaved, fords, tracks).</p><p>Like OpenStreetMap, OpenRouteService lets you upload files. It is not as strict in how it parses <code>.kml</code> as OpenStreetMap but we have found issues (bugs) in rendering routes that cause a displayed map to not always match the exact data in the uploaded file. This was a show-stopper for us, but maybe not for others.</p><p>Depending upon what you wish to accomplish, you also may need to convert your track or trip files from one format to another. We've run into a few minor rough edges there, but serious.</p><h3>SpotWalla</h3><p>Spotwalla is our golden child at FRMX: we use an iOS app called <a href='http://rvtechtools.com/swconnect.html'>SWConnect</a> that was originally designed for use with RVs. The Android app for SpotWalla is called <a href='http://bubblergps.com/'>Bubbler GPS</a> and seems quite nice (putting the iOS app to shame, some say). We first found out about SpotWalla when oubiwann met 2ringbike in a Fargo campground as 2ringbike was preparing to set out on his lower-48 ride.</p><p>While the SpotWalla service was nice and usable, we almost gave up when we couldn't get SWConnect to make any more frequent updates than every 5 minutes. However, after some digging online we found instructions from the author of SWConnect. His recommendation was to use overlays.</p><p>To do this, you set up a trip as usual on the SpotWalla site (for a certain day or range of days). These will be the updates that are, by default, will be sent every 5 minutes. Then, when you're ready to start your trip, open up SWConnect on the iPhone:</p><ul><li>Touch "Application Setup"<ul><li>Log in to SpotWalla</li><li>Select the device</li><li><strong>Enable track overlay</strong></li><li>Optionally, enable auto track mode</li></ul></li><li>Touch "Return to Main Screen"</li><li>Touch "Enable Tracking"</li></ul><p>That should do it.</p><p>What this does is:</p><ol><li>Start sending the large "spot" messages to SpotWalls, every 5 minutesassociated with whatever <strong>trip</strong> you created for the current date and time(range),</li><li>Creates a new <strong>track</strong> for the current date/time</li><li>Batches GPS lat/long data in small messages to SpotWalla</li></ol><p>Both can later be downloaded as <code>.kml</code> files and viewed together in as two layers in a single map for any mapping software or service that supports this (many do).</p><h3>Google "My Maps"</h3><p>The Google "My Maps" <a href='https://www.google.com/maps/about/mymaps/'>about page</a> doesn't really say much about the product, but basically it allows you to create and share customized maps. Really, the only driver for Forgotten Roads was "can we completely stylize these maps?". The answer was "yes", so we used it.</p><p>The additional benefits really make our lives easy, though:</p><ul><li>Quickly upload SpotWalla <code>.kml</code> files, and thus</li><li>Assemble multiple trips and tracks into a single map</li><li>Easily customize the colors of tracks</li></ul><p>We've got a whole slew of blog posts in the pipeline that make extensive use of SpotWalla data and "My Maps" to provide trip maps detailing our routes. We couldn't be writing about what we do and how we do it as effectively without these two tools.</p><h3>Online Topographic Maps</h3><p>Some of us at FRMX are land-nav nuts, and there's no substitute for a good topo map. In 2009 USGS started a new project to generate topographical maps from 100% digital sources. In all honesty, these don't even compare to the originals (well, the ones published by USGS from 1947 through 1992).</p><p>After downloading a whole slew of the new ones in <code>.pdf</code> format and experiencing acute disappointment, we were on the hunt for good online topo maps. The search didn't take long, though: we quickly found (and then even more quickly fell in love with) <a href='https://mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4-free-online-topo-maps.html'>gmap4</a> (see the <a href='https://mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php'>fullscreen version</a>). There's so much to say about this tool, and too little room (this post is already getting a bit long). This is a <strong>phenomenal</strong> project, and we all hope people continue to donate to it, so that it can continue to survive.</p><p>Here's a screenshot of gmap4 that captures the highest peak in the Black Hills as well as some of the best riding in the region:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36237577866/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4310/36237577866_2f699d72be_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><h3>Summary</h3><p>This should give you everything you need to get started creating your own ride maps, complete with the GPS info that your device is recording along the way. If we could only pick one, though, it'd have to be SpotWalla.</p><p>Have a great adventure! 🛣</p>Styling Your Own Google Map2017-07-28 13:12:26bobbermacurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Styling Your Own Google Map<h3>Map Themes</h3><p>As <a href='blog/authors/#oubiwann'>oubiwann</a> has <a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/21-193252/frmx-google-maps-custom-theme.html'>recently posted</a>, Forgotten Roads has a new Google Maps theme. But why would we do something like that? Well, it's not unlike the need to create a website with a unique look that distinguishes you from everyone else. For most people, this won't be necessary (or even of interest!), but for those who create unique content that revolves around map data, specific locations, or routes between points on a map, having a way to display this that is uniquely "you" is a great way to present a unified experience of your data.</p><h4>Google Maps Defaults</h4><p>Okay, but doesn't Google have defaults that are good enough? Sure, Google Maps provides several map views:</p><ul><li>Street Map view (this is what most of us probably use)</li><li>Satellite view (really nice for sanity checks on locations, etc.)</li><li>Terrain view (shaded views of land features, etc.)</li></ul><p>While each of those is very useful in different ways, they don't really let us look at map data differently than what Google has decided for us. But hey, it's probably meets the needs of the vast majority.</p><h4>Google "My Maps"</h4><p>For those that aren't satisfied with these, you can actually do something more while still using Google's suite of tools. To see an example of this, do the following:</p><ol><li>Go to <a href='http://maps.google.com'>http://maps.google.com/</a>.</li><li>Log in with Google credentials (upper right).</li><li>Then click the "hamburger" menu in the upper left (the icon of three horizontal lines).</li><li>In the menu that appears, click "Your Places" then "Maps" – if you'vecreated any maps, they'll be here: go ahead and click on one. If you don't have any, you can click "Create Map" at the bottom.</li><li>In the new window / tab that opens up, you'll see "layers" section to theright – click the arrow next to "Base map".</li></ol><p>At that point, you'll see the following:</p><p><img src="/blog/img/google-base-map-popup.jpg"></p><p>And these, dear rider, are the map themes that Google has provided to its "My Maps" users. The first three are the ones we're familiar with, listed above. The remaining six, however, may be quite new to you.</p><p>For the small percentage of the Google Maps using population who aren't satisfied with the defaults, this will likely satisfy. But then there's the tiny remainder like us that, well, need something more. Or less, as the case may be.</p><h4>OpenRouteService</h4><p>Before exploring our final solution, it's worth mentioning one of the earliest alternative we explored – not Google at all. We've used <a href='https://www.openstreetmap.org'>OpenStreetMap</a> before, and unlike Google Maps, it's run by a volunteer effort and has a permissive open license (something that a lot of people care about). They've got a really nice theme that's easy on the eyes:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36104290042/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4311/36104290042_dfeecf8de5_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>What we <em>didn't</em> know about, however, was <a href='https://www.openrouteservice.org/'>OpenRouteService</a> which makes use of OpenStreetMap but offers a new set of themes to choose from when creating a new route.</p><p>We had originally settled on this approach instead of putting time into styling our own maps, but sadly, we found a bug in its routing algorithm when we uploaded our own <code>.kml</code> files. Given that our riding routes are the core of this whole effort, we had to bail.</p><p>For those who don't need perfect duplication of routes from <code>.kml</code> files, we highly recommend this service. It's not as fast as Google, but you are offered the ability to create a greater number of way points than with Google Maps (something which has bothered us in Google Maps for a long time). Furthermore, their map themes are beautiful. Here's four of them looking at the Rapid City metro area:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35438453884/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4314/35438453884_3d4df49e51_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>That hardly does them justice, though – you should visit their site.</p><p>Here are the two we like best for looking at streets:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35438451804/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4302/35438451804_9c485a927c_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36229769776/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4312/36229769776_10e7011092_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><h3>Styling Tools for Google Maps</h3><p>So, given that all of our attempts to <em>not</em> do this ourselves failed, we fell back on a path of more work and greater time investment: creating a custom style for Google Maps. This required the following:</p><ol><li>Creating the style and saving the style JSON data</li><li>Uploading the JSON data to a data repository</li><li>Integrating the style with plain Google Maps (<a href='https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/tutorial'>getting started</a>)</li><li>Integrating the style with track/trip data in Google Maps (<a href='https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/kml'>tutorial</a>, <a href='https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/kmllayer'>guide</a>)</li><li>Uploading track/trip data to a data repository</li><li>Creating new pages that reference that data and pull in the Google Maps JavaScript APIs</li></ol><p>But! We're not going to cover all that here – other places do that quite well. I just want to mention the tools for creating your own styles. <a href='/blog/authors/#oubiwann'>oubiwann</a> mentioned them in his recent post about the FRMX styles:</p><ul><li><a href='https://snazzymaps.com/'>SnazzyMaps</a></li><li><a href='http://www.mapstylr.com/'>MapStylr</a></li></ul><p>Both of these sites let you create either new styles from scratch or a style based on another one in their archives. We found a style we really liked <a href='https://snazzymaps.com/style/79825/retro-eco'>here</a>, and then began modifying it. We used both SnazzyMaps and MapStylr – their user interface tools a quite good for this, but couldn't find ways in which one definitely our-performed the other ... so we'll likely continue to use them both.</p><p>One thing to keep in mind as you play with both style editors: it's going to be very confusing at first, and you'll find yourself editing different parts of the highly nested data wondering what really controls what. It's not you. The data is complex and anti-intuitive. Just keep plugging away at it. 🛣</p>FRMX Google Maps Custom Theme2017-07-21 19:32:52oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:FRMX Google Maps Custom Theme<p>This is a quick blog post to share two new Google Maps themes we produced here at Forgotten Roads, in the event that our readers might want to use these as well. They've got a "retro" feel to them, designed to be extremely simple (for easy viewing in blog posts) and pleasing to the eye. These two map styles have been published in two locations (on the <a href='https://snazzymaps.com/explore?text=oubiwann&sort=&tag=&color='>Snazzy Maps</a> & <a href='http://www.mapstylr.com/author/oubiwann/'>MapStylr</a> sites), and are of two types:</p><ul><li>Retro Muted (<a href='https://snazzymaps.com/style/110996/retro-muted'>Snazzy Maps</a> | <a href='http://www.mapstylr.com/style/retro-muted/'>MapStylr</a>)</li><li>Simple Retro Muted with Terrain (<a href='https://snazzymaps.com/style/111010/simple-retro-muted-with-terrain'>Snazzy Maps</a> | <a href='http://www.mapstylr.com/style/simple-retro-muted-with-terrain/'>MapStylr</a>)</li></ul><p>The second one is even more pared down than the first and is what we've settled on for displaying ride data in our blog posts. Below I've included some example views of the style at different zoom levels.</p><h3>State Level Zoom</h3><p>Here's a view of the lower half of South Dakota:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35436334184/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4294/35436334184_a5f000756c_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>In both this view and the next you can see how we've diminished the visibility of US interstates to a mere hint, really focusing instead on the state routes – one of the most important sources of good riding!</p><h3>Metro Area Level Zoom</h3><p>This shows the Rapid City metro area, outlying ranch land, and some of the Black Hills:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36135619041/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4299/36135619041_5a2de443dc_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><h3>City Level Zoom</h3><p>The next two show city views and two different zoom levels, emphasizing the labeling simplicity:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36102331332/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4330/36102331332_d388af0e8f_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36268951045/in/album-72157687317819061"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4306/36268951045_cb15081896_b.jpg" style="width:1024px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>🛣</p>Beartooth Run, 20172017-07-16 19:23:53oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Beartooth Run, 2017<p>The Final leg of this Summer's journey! We made it home today after seeing more of South Dakota's stunning scenic beauty: a bit more of the Badlands, SD 47 (one of my favourite "forgotten roads"), crossing the Missouri, and the James River valley.</p><p><div class="panel panel-default route-summary"> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Day Summary</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><form class="form-horizontal"> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Start:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interior,_South_Dakota'>Interior, SD</a> 6:11 am CDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">End:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sioux_Falls,_South_Dakota'>Sioux Falls, SD</a> 1:26 pm CDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Distance:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>393 mi (632 km)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Food:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>Breakfast (freeze-dried camp food) @ the Pilot gas station parking lot in <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murdo,_South_Dakota'>Murdo, SD</a></p><p>Lunch (snacks and coffee) @ the BP gas station parking lot in <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker,_South_Dakota'>Parker, SD</a></p><p>Dinner @ home in Sioux Falls, SD</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Slept:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>Home, Sioux Falls, SD</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Photo Album:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157684648319533/'>Beartooth Run 2017 - Day 6</a> (Flickr)</p></div></div> </form></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Route Map</h3></div><div class="panel-body" style="padding:0; margin: 0"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4347/35557598124_7b1d1d2e35_k_d.jpg"></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Beartooth Run, 2017 Series Links</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><ul><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-06/29-115623/beartooth-run-fargo-h-o-g-.html'>Prologue</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/06-193659/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 1</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/07-212540/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 2</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/08-220414/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 3</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/13-154024/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Red Lodge, MT</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/14-210408/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 4</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/15-221856/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 5</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/16-192353/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 6</a></li></ul></div></div></p><h2>Leaving the Badlands</h2><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35576200830/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4299/35576200830_204f9622c0_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Early morning in the Badlands is breath-taking. Riding next to and through the land formations with the low-light conditions but with simultaneous deep colors was really fantastic. We've driven through here a bunch, but never at dawn – and this was the first time on a motorcycle :-)</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/26854201239/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4521/26854201239_e6266e50a5_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37912756804/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4551/37912756804_de92a61b1f_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/26854205129/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4520/26854205129_084d140192_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37912759324/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4533/37912759324_dc307be5c3_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37912759934/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4540/37912759934_86b27de87e_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37912760444/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4524/37912760444_bac39fafc2_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37912761274/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4571/37912761274_601d6374f8_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37912760914/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4565/37912760914_91ae6996c5_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/26854198729/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4528/26854198729_1fceac6b2c_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The colors weren't really captured well by the GoPro in the shots above. There was much more contrast, darker shadows, and brilliant oranges, yellows, and reds. The pictures do give a sense of it, though :-)</p><p>Like highway 20 in Wyoming, after passing through the Badlands, I wanted to turn around and do it again ... and again! But home was calling, and this had been a long trip.</p><h2>South Dakota Ecoregions</h2><p>The next part of the journey was a bit boring; now that I'm home, I thought I'd look up what exactly I was riding through and write about that instead of just skipping over that part of the ride ;-)</p><p>There are severl levels at which the ecorgions of North America, and the US in particular, have been qualified: levels I, II, III, and IV. At level I, SD falls squarely in the "Great Plains" ecoregion. It gets more interesting, though, when you look at the finer gradations of ecoregion.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38055642135/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4531/38055642135_d544d4f921_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38940989291/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4519/38940989291_2f4dc860dd_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>At level II, South Dakota is split into "West-central Semi-arid Prairies" and "Temperate Prairies". At level III, it starts to get interesting. We rode through the following further sub-divided, level III ecoregions today:</p><ul><li>Northwestern Great Plains</li><li>Northwestern Glaciated Plains</li><li>Northern Glaciated Plains</li><li>Western Cornbelt Plains</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24077334157/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4585/24077334157_f31b9c82a6_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Level IV is too subdivided to describe easily, but this is really the level at which you can observe from the seat of a motorcycle. The route we took to get home intersected the following ecoregions, in order of traversal:</p><ul><li>43h - White River Badlands</li><li>43f - Subhumid Pierre Shale Plains</li><li>43c - River Breaks</li><li>43f - Subhumid Pierre Shale Plains</li><li>42g - Ponca Plains</li><li>42h - Southern River Breaks</li><li>42f - Southern Missouri Coteau Slope</li><li>42e - Southern Missouri Coteau</li><li>46n - James River Lowland</li><li>47a - Loess Prairies</li></ul><p>Wow. Looking at the maps and seeing which roads were good through this area was actually pretty interesting! I'm going to do more of that for next year's rides ...</p><h2>The Shale Plains</h2><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38574192336/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/38574192336_2fef34eb43_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757774618/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4525/24757774618_ae58f2bd86_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757776348/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4527/24757776348_3c21be1163_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Those are some shots of the "Subhumid Pierre Shale Plains", which we rode through after the Badlands. This was on SD 248 heading East, running along I-90.</p><p>Not many curves, though some nice rolling hills scattered here and there. I think there might have been a rodeo or livestock show somewhere in the area, as we passed several horse trailers with folks dressed up in their hats and boots, looking great!</p><p>We gassed up around 10:30am in Reliance, SD and then started heading South on SD 47.</p><h2>River Breaks & Ponca Plains</h2><p>I've both ridden and driven SD 47 several times, and it's one of my favourite roads in South Dakota. (Well, to be honest, it's the 32 miles of road on 47 between Reliance and just after Iona.)</p><p>This is a "forgotten road" that many folks don't know about. I chatted with a local farmer about it who loved it even more than I do, and was glad to share that with someone who appreciated it. Until today, I didn't stop to think about what made it so beautiful; doubtless it is due to the Missouri River's action on that land (and the source of the ecoregion name of "River Breaks").</p><p>In the panoramic shot below, you can see the Missouri snaking off to the right:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38944215701/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4572/38944215701_1f5bf2ae28_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>All the other land formations in the distance there are what makes the next 30 or so miles of this ride so great.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38630420251/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/38630420251_66127e6f4e_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37742378115/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4533/37742378115_a9e45020ee_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37742379115/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4551/37742379115_fc12bf5bcf_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38597743832/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4559/38597743832_45bbb0cfdd_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>After Iona, things flatten out a bit as you ride through another extension of the Shale Plains. Within a few miles, that gives way to the rolling hills and grasses of the Ponca Plans ecoregion, giving more beautiful views.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38597744432/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4520/38597744432_00e87bb008_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37742382155/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4524/37742382155_cd68c115af_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37742383025/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4533/37742383025_9cf0dd1f5e_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38597748332/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4525/38597748332_96eb5ab2a2_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><h2>Missouri River</h2><p>Before settling in to the final straight push into Sioux Falls, there were a few more curves – and thrills – in store ...</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757819818/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4516/24757819818_77aa9a7634_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757820968/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4554/24757820968_772fca7ee7_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Shortly after this next shot was taken, I was going into a curve a little too fast and an on-coming semi was heading up the hill a little too close to the yellow line (and <em>definitely</em> too fast!) It was touch and go for the passing and then a little while longer while I handled the rest of the curves leading to the river crossing ... and waited for my heart rate to return to normal.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757821868/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4565/24757821868_8da57acf3b_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757822918/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4518/24757822918_9a607565bb_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757824058/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4536/24757824058_6de09a525e_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757824928/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4555/24757824928_559fa3394a_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757826048/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4580/24757826048_865a331a52_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The was the point at which it really felt like we'd come home; but there was still another two hours or so to go ...</p><h2>Arriving Home</h2><p>Just after Platte, SD I came up behind a group of Harleys on their Sunday ride:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24080408047/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4684/24080408047_e6a5f90bea_o.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Rode with them for a while, but I didn't want to be up in their business, so I chilled a ways back from their sweep. They ended up taking a left to head North on one of the many forgotten roads out there that are so full of good country riding; we powered onwards, towards home.</p><p>As we got closer and closer to Sioux Falls, I started recognizing the corn fields; this was very relaxing, so I had to really pony up on the concentration and awareness. Sometime between the familiar fields and entering the city limits, I started hearing an old Eagles tune play in my head and it was like the singing of angles; our own private parade ;-) Then we were in our neighborhood ...</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757830838/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4562/24757830838_e82fb4faa6_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757831978/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4552/24757831978_652548073e_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35203363183/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4303/35203363183_b4a5044065_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>And shortly after that, we pulled into the driveway – ready to let the bike cool off in the lazy shade of the garage:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35174439104/in/album-72157684648319533"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4313/35174439104_b5c8ef1f96_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Unpacking could wait for after a shower, some food, and a lot of rest!</p><p>🛣</p>Beartooth Run, 20172017-07-15 22:18:56oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Beartooth Run, 2017<p>It was amazing sleeping in a bed last night after more than a week in tents and hammocks – the steaks and ales weren't too shabby either :-) However, this morning we did get off to a slow start due to failed checks when prep'ing for the day's ride: headlamp and one of the rear tail lights were out. It was time to unroll the tools and see what was up.</p><p><div class="panel panel-default route-summary"> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Day Summary</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><form class="form-horizontal"> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Start:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casper,_Wyoming'>Casper, WY</a> 6:34 am MDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">End:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interior,_South_Dakota'>Interior, SD</a> 5:54 pm CDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Distance:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>393 mi (632 km)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Food:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>Breakfast @ McDonald's in Douglas, WY</p><p>Lunch @ <a href='https://goo.gl/Ad1KUh'>Everest Cuisine Restaurant</a> in Rapid City, SD</p><p>Dinner @ <a href='https://goo.gl/trBGAZ'>Cedar Pass Lodge</a> in Interior, SD</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Slept:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://goo.gl/MTF4uN'>Badlands Inn</a> Interior, SD</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Photo Album:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157684801580600/'>Beartooth Run 2017 - Day 5</a> (Flickr)</p></div></div> </form></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Route Map</h3></div><div class="panel-body" style="padding:0; margin: 0"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4352/35585096853_5304f9bcb7_k.jpg"></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Beartooth Run, 2017 Series Links</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><ul><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-06/29-115623/beartooth-run-fargo-h-o-g-.html'>Prologue</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/06-193659/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 1</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/07-212540/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 2</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/08-220414/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 3</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/13-154024/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Red Lodge, MT</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/14-210408/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 4</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/15-221856/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 5</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/16-192353/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 6</a></li></ul></div></div></p><h2>Morning in Casper</h2><p>My first thought was there was a blown fuse, but after taking off the leather cover under the seat (I ditched the thick plastic ECM cover ages ago) and examining the fuses, everything looked okay. Exposed wires seemed good too – nothing ripped, exposed, or broken. Jiggling the bulb in the tail light got that one working, but the headlamp seemed like it might be burned out.</p><p>I'd done everyting I could, so it was time to get on the road:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24799072838/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4532/24799072838_1e34c74abc_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38574069436/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4524/38574069436_2e7e209c25_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38671651091/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4541/38671651091_88366bf837_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><h2>Thunder Basin</h2><p>After leaving Casper, we headed East and then North in Douglas (where I grabbed a quick breakfast sandwich). Highway 59 was pretty desolate, but still quite beautiful. We were smack in the middle of coal country (I think I saw a strip mine or two), and this coal train – on the left – was one of three that we saw in this part of the state:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24799075128/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4548/24799075128_7a99c86936_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>By the time we'd left 59 and were headed East again, we were deep in <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Basin_National_Grassland'>Thunder Basin National Grassland</a>. Continuing on Highway 16 we saw what had to be some of the best views of the Basin. The photos don't come close to capturing the empty beauty, but here they are anyway:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38671656251/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4540/38671656251_ba14b85021_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38671664301/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4556/38671664301_f0125284e9_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38639425242/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4560/38639425242_505e2d0808_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38639428622/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4557/38639428622_3aabbec549_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24799091468/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4578/24799091468_bf568591f6_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24757633188/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4532/24757633188_3fdeb10d3e_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>After coming out of Thunder Basin, we gassed up in New Castle, WY and were then on our way again, eager to get to the Black Hills.</p><h2>Black Hills</h2><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/24799094478/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4585/24799094478_c4c35d7274_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>After about two days of flat, it was pretty exciting seeing the hills come into view – especially knowing some of the roads we'd be riding through :-)</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37742167695/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4553/37742167695_bda4ee51d2_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37742169455/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4556/37742169455_3c18b0f6cd_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37742169885/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4571/37742169885_4e9f2ea62b_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>I really don't know what to say about this part of the ride. Perhaps simply leaving it at this: there's a reason that thousands of riders come here every year to cruise the curves and take in the amazing scenery.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37742170465/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4584/37742170465_4c8bd3e0e5_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Not as stunning as Beartooth Pass, for sure – but the quality of feeling the curves (as opposed to wrangling hairpin turns) is incomparable. Definitely some of the best riding I've ever done.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38597604632/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4554/38597604632_bf2d795418_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38630281551/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4519/38630281551_1b6b9a3c0a_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Somewhere after Custer, SD I had decided to find the <a href='http://www.blackhillshd.com/'>Black Hills Harley Davidson</a> dealership so I could have the headlamp looked at.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35585379750/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4326/35585379750_1f4d7505d7_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/26854054649/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4563/26854054649_24500a7e54_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Got to meet the owner, picked up some t-shirts, then we headed out in search of food. We eventually found ourselves at <a href='https://goo.gl/Ad1KUh'>Everest Cuisine Restaurant</a> where we had a small feast of some of my favourite Nepali dishes. What a treat!</p><p>An hour later, we were back at the dealership with a new headlamp ... and ready to roll. In an attempt to avoid highways and not sit in parking lots reading maps, we ended up taking some turns that lead us in the wrong direction. As such, leaving the Rapid City area took much longer than expected, and on a very convoluted route.</p><h2>Badlands</h2><p>This was another area I'd been wanting to ride in; every time I'd visited in a car, all I could think of was how much fun it would be on the motorcycle. The riding can't compare to what's in the Black Hills, but the feeling is just as good. The barren, ragged land coupled with the constantly changing formations gives the dramatic sense of surviving hardship while experiencing elation at the same time. That's a good riding vibe :-)</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/38630289571/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4579/38630289571_26799d3ebf_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>After our adventures of the day, though, we were beat and didn't feel like pushing any closer to Sioux Falls. So we found a place to stay in Interior, SD and I captured some more shots of the Badlands.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35576208380/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4308/35576208380_343947f166_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>I particularly enjoyed watching the light change as the sun set on the eerie geological formations:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35576213510/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4322/35576213510_779afce640_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35155185623/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4310/35155185623_17a7930b96_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35923707426/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4321/35923707426_c850704942_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35576208720/in/album-72157684801580600"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/35576208720_12972755e0_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Tomorrow's another full day of riding, and I'm looking forward to seeing the Badlands in the early light of dawn ...</p><p>🛣</p>Beartooth Run, 20172017-07-14 21:04:08oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Beartooth Run, 2017<p>Well, today we headed off on the return trip to Sioux Falls. It was an interesting mix of a ride: some really great roads (one of which will be getting its own dedicated post at a later date), some mind-numbing & sleep-inducing stretches, 100+ F temperatures, and a shorter ride than we have been doing, yet also more grueling in a completely mundane sort of way.</p><p><div class="panel panel-default route-summary"> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Day Summary</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><form class="form-horizontal"> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Start:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Lodge,_Montana'>Red Lodge, MT</a> 6:51 am MDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">End:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casper,_Wyoming'>Casper, WY</a> 3:19 pm MDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Distance:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>336 mi (541 km)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Food:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>Breakfast @ Basin Campground, Red Lodge, MT</p><p>Lunch @ <a href='https://goo.gl/DjLH28'>Dairyland Ice Cream</a> in Thermopolis, WY</p><p>Dinner @ <a href='https://www.yelp.com/biz/cole-creek-bar-and-grill-casper'>Cole Creek Bar and Grill</a> in Casper, WY</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Slept:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://goo.gl/Ec8wnR'>Holiday Inn Casper, McMurry Park</a></p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Photo Album:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157687218262045/'>Beartooth Run 2017 - Day 4</a> (Flickr)</p></div></div> </form></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Route Map</h3></div><div class="panel-body" style="padding:0; margin: 0"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4345/35557598304_f8f9e540ff_k.jpg"></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Beartooth Run, 2017 Series Links</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><ul><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-06/29-115623/beartooth-run-fargo-h-o-g-.html'>Prologue</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/06-193659/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 1</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/07-212540/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 2</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/08-220414/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 3</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/13-154024/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Red Lodge, MT</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/14-210408/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 4</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/15-221856/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 5</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/16-192353/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 6</a></li></ul></div></div></p><h2>Leaving the Campsite ... and Red Lodge</h2><p>After a week in Red Lodge, we were finally on our way. It was nice to be on the bike again – although the stay in the Basin Campground was amazing, I really needed to get back on the road. We're definitely going to miss our time there – so many great memories: the river, weather patterns, double rainbows, the mountain air. To top things off, we became friends with the host couple and ended our week with them by sharing a meal at their campsite.</p><p>Due to several heavy rains during our week in the campground, the road wasn't quite so bad on the way out – still plenty of washboards but the worst bits seemed to have been filled in.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35929256066/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4315/35929256066_15ce78f75b_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35581610980/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4295/35581610980_0d582b1bc7_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37912582964/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/37912582964_713294f2bf_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Riding into Red Lodge one last time for a fill up and final pre-flight check was bitter sweet – it was tough to leave this beauty behind ... What a great town!</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37912582964/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/37912582964_713294f2bf_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36193774324/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4371/36193774324_fa5b0e3a3f_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>We headed East out of town on 308 towards Bearcreek, MT. Some nice little curves lead to a phenomenal view as we peaked the foothills, then lots more great riding and views.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36473774594/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4433/36473774594_c4ee5b1224_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37311631875/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4361/37311631875_ea22a30320_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>After Belfry, MT the road really opened up, and while there weren't as many great curves, the morning views of the arroyos, Beartooth foothills and the valley in the distance were constantly stunning.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36913807360/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/36913807360_eb8bbce8ac_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36497893163/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4368/36497893163_820acf5378_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37168780401/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4416/37168780401_a586ee16f3_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36914199730/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4425/36914199730_4fcbd870a3_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>It was right around this point that we passed a turn-off to Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, and it took every ounce of will power I had not to make a right hand turn on 296 ...</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/26854025429/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4552/26854025429_3d649761a9_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36498265173/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4426/36498265173_31b6afa3b9_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36498273103/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/36498273103_1ab12bd8c6_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>As you can see from the pics above, there were modest rewards for continuing on the planned route – and getting home sooner ;-) The ride between Red Lodge through to about 30 minutes outside of Cody, WY was definitely some of the best on the trip, after Beartooth Pass, of course.</p><h2>Cody to Thermopolis</h2><p>The stretch from Cody to Thermopolis was one of the low points of the day, with two notable exceptions: the rest area before Greybull which also happened to host "The Museum of Flight And Aerial Firefighters" was a life saver. I was feeling pretty drowsy before we got here and needed to shake off the boredom.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36498567413/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4340/36498567413_15ca497474_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35930855985/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4257/35930855985_ef30e0bfab_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35930855835/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4256/35930855835_329509ed75_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The other exception was the ride into Thermopolis: some nice views and interesting turns in the road that let you see the area from the perspective of most points on the compass.</p><p>At this point I was pretty hungry and trying to figure out what to do about lunch when I almost missed a local dairy freeze – a last-minute lane-change saved the day ... for a fat double cheeseburger with bacon and a strawberry shake :-)</p><h2>Wind River Reservation</h2><p>Hands-down, the best riding of the day was on Highway 20 after leaving Thermopolis. 20 runs down the eastern edge of <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_River_Indian_Reservation'>Wind River Reservation</a> home to Shoshone and Arapaho tribes. All the way down to Boysen State Park, it closely hugs the Bighorn River and passes through multiple tunnels. Definitely a local treasure, based on the joyous waves from fellow riders and the expressions on their faces! I could ride that road up and down, all day long.</p><p>Sadly, I was so stuffed from the burger at lunch that I'd forgotten to clean up the gear before setting out again ... so the GoPro pics from the section are all pretty crappy:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37312547385/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4346/37312547385_1eecdd954c_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36914534300/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4337/36914534300_76a4109403_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Just before that tunnel, I was stunned to see a large flying shape come swooping off the river to my right, pull a loop low over the road where it seemed to hover without moving – at which point I identified it as a very large golden eagle – and then make another rush down to the water. Already pretty high on the ride, this sent me right over the top: one of the most stunning things I've seen the whole trip so far ... and it's going to be pretty hard to beat that. Words just can't describe the intensity of that moment; nor its beauty and intimacy.</p><h2>Casper</h2><p>After Wind River, we hit the biggest low-point of day: very hot, no scenery, & high winds. Even the adrenaline rushes from the difficult riding conditions couldn't keep me fully alert, thus making this also the most dangerous leg of the day's ride. Between Shoshoni and Powder River was a no-mans-land that seemed like Wyoming's own version of hell. Don't ever want to ride 26 again, if I can help it.</p><p>I was so excited to get out of that area, that when we approached Casper, I punched it and sailed right trough. Rory had other ideas, though, and flashed me to pull over. Seeing how tired she was and feeling how 26 had really chewed me up, we made a sudden change of plan and pulled a U-y – off to get a hotel room just back down the road.</p><p>After a shower and change of gear, we were down in the lobby restaurant of the hotel – Cole Creek Bar and Grill – enjoying steaks and several porters from the Odell Brewing Company. What a dinner!</p><p>With Rory keeping me steady on my feet, we walked around the hotel and captured some of the truly beautiful weather rolling over town:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35121593273/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4206/35121593273_dae8be1891_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35155181143/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4313/35155181143_8116841818.jpg" style="width:442px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35155169903/in/album-72157687218262045"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4295/35155169903_d581efb198_n.jpg" style="width:301px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>🛣</p>Beartooth Run, 20172017-07-13 15:40:24oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Beartooth Run, 2017<p>As mentioned in the previous post, of the Fargo crew I was the only one to return to Red Lodge. We had originally planned to pack up, head back up the pass, camp in Yellowstone, then in Livingston, MT, eventually making our way to Helena to visit my old Army buddy who lives there. However some urgent tasks came up at work and I needed to stay put for a few days to power through them. As it turned out, there couldn't have been a better place to be "stranded" then Red Lodge :-) Great Internet, excellent coffee, good food, really nice people, and a quiet environment where I could concentrate.</p><p>One of the first things you notice about Red Lodge when you come into town is the strong feel of a western mountain town. Riding up and down Broadway (the main street in town) is a total pleasure:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35993216400/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/35993216400_e4ea99f444_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Red Lodge really reminded us of Boulder, CO when it was smaller and quieter (i.e., in the 1970s). There's also a bit of the feel that Leadville, CO has. Needless to say, we instantly felt at home here :-)</p><p>The picture above was from the 8th, after I came down from Beartooth Pass. While in town, we regrouped, looked at some maps, picked a campground that looked nice, ate, got supplies, and headed up into the mountain valley that West Fork Rock Creek runs through.</p><p><div class="panel panel-default route-summary"> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Day Summary</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><form class="form-horizontal"> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Overall Experience:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>✪✪✪✪✪</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Supplies:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://goo.gl/Tx5MPJ'>Sylvan Peak Mountain Shop</a></p><p><a href='https://goo.gl/pMFUi5'>Beartooth Market</a></p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Coffee:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://goo.gl/C5bC4P'>Coffee Factory Roasters</a></p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Photo Albums:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157688587312485'>Red Lodge, MT</a> (Flickr)</p><p><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157684554501191'>Camping in Red Lodge, MT</a> (Flickr)</p></div></div> </form></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Beartooth Run, 2017 Series Links</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><ul><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-06/29-115623/beartooth-run-fargo-h-o-g-.html'>Prologue</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/06-193659/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 1</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/07-212540/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 2</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/08-220414/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 3</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/13-154024/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Red Lodge, MT</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/14-210408/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 4</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/15-221856/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 5</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/16-192353/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 6</a></li></ul></div></div></p><h2>Camping</h2><p>After a few miles of paved roads, we passed Basin Campground and promptly hit dirt and gravel. Some of the worst washboards I've ever experienced:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35929265046/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4321/35929265046_b8d2dfa697_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35581616410/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4302/35581616410_1f9120f72f_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>After three miles of that, we found Cascade Campground:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36256581601/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4348/36256581601_20eee128bd_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36348540716/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4336/36348540716_ce65df5d2b_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>We ended up with a site reserved for walk-ins – amazingly, they selected the best site in the campground for this. This was made an even more welcome gift, since it was to be our home for the next week.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36256595131/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4401/36256595131_b62ac83ac5_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>We enjoyed the hammocks during the day, but the nights were too chilly in the mountains for anything other than our tent.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36348544476/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4336/36348544476_0ba64ad769_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>We were surrounded by incredible beauty, even in the face of huge tracts of forest land slowly recovering from the devastation of a massive fire 8 years ago.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35039002154/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4255/35039002154_85a357af79_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36256572571/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4386/36256572571_5ec040fd24_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35039008844/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4281/35039008844_0e63855c13_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>We had our breakfast and evening meals here, relaxed in the sun by the river after work, and absorbed the goodness of the land. What's more, the campground hosts were an amazing couple from Minnesota with whom we quickly became friends.</p><h2>Great Coffee and Internet</h2><p>Every morning I'd take the support vehicle into town and get to work:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36193778404/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4417/36193778404_663a88fa7a_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Without deviation, I'd make bee-line for <a href='https://goo.gl/C5bC4P'>Coffee Factory Roasters</a> where I'd have one of several cappuccinos, a breakfast sandwich, eating and drinking while I got online. The smell of the coffee roasting wafted down Broadway, and you couldn't help but be drawn in by the incredible aroma. I ended up buying some roasted beans, too :-) (The Rocky Mountain Espresso blend and the Snakebite roast ... mmmm.)</p><p>I'd spend all day there, buying coffee and food, working and feeling well-supported by the friendly staff. At the end of the week, they had asked if we were thinking of moving there – I was definitely sorely tempted!</p><h2>Supplies</h2><p>We were constantly stocking up on food, beer, ice, and firewood. The <a href='https://goo.gl/pMFUi5'>Beartooth Market</a> had everything we needed and the prices were very reasonable. I also made several stops at the <a href='https://goo.gl/Tx5MPJ'>Sylvan Peak Mountain Shop</a> and tried to limit purchases to just the essentials, despite being met with one of the best-stocked small-town hiking and camping stores I've ever seen. That being said, cook-stove fuel and freeze-drive meals did have to make room for a few gifts I picked up :-) Also: one of the employees there makes trips out to Nepal on a regular basis, which is where the Tibetan prayer flags come from which decorate the outside of the store.</p><h2>Heading Out</h2><p>Tomorrow we head out and continue our journey, but this time heading back east. I can't recommend Red Lodge enough, should you have the chance to visit – and hopefully for more than a day! On your way out of town, be sure to keep you eyes open for this friendly guy:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35746812171/in/album-72157684554501191"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4256/35746812171_a8dbe652f4_k.jpg" style="width:1536px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>🛣</p>Beartooth Run, 20172017-07-08 22:04:14oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Beartooth Run, 2017<p>An early rise this morning out of the tent and into a hot cup of campsite espresso. I made my way into Red Lodge, gassed up, and went looking for the armory that was to be our starting point. As early as I'd come down, there were still four folks there before me. We had a great time talking bikes, enjoying the warm sun, and sharing stories of other rides we'd done.</p><p>As the hour approached, more and more folks showed up, topping out at 76 participants. With a few words from our organizer and our police escort, we were off!</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36221802262/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4374/36221802262_be422d5266_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><div class="panel panel-default route-summary"> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Day Summary</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><form class="form-horizontal"> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Start:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Lodge,_Montana'>Red Lodge, MT</a> 6:19 am MDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">End:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Lodge,_Montana'>Red Lodge, MT</a> 4:39 pm MDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Distance:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>32 mi (52 km)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Food:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>Breakfast @ Rattin Campground</p><p>Second Breakfast @ the first turnoff on Beartooth Pass</p><p>Lunch @ a little sandwich stand next to Lions Park</p><p>Dinner @ Basin Campground</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Slept:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/custergallatin/recarea/?recid=60837'>Basin Campground</a> (tent)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Photo Album:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157684801453550'>Beartooth Run 2017 - Day 3</a> (Flickr)</p></div></div> </form></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Route Map</h3></div><div class="panel-body" style="padding:0; margin: 0"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4572/24797025418_f3dabd16de_k.jpg"></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Beartooth Run, 2017 Series Links</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><ul><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-06/29-115623/beartooth-run-fargo-h-o-g-.html'>Prologue</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/06-193659/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 1</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/07-212540/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 2</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/08-220414/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 3</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/13-154024/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Red Lodge, MT</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/14-210408/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 4</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/15-221856/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 5</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/16-192353/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 6</a></li></ul></div></div></p><p>Soon we were out of town and on our way up to the summit:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/37788179682/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4509/37788179682_cd43defb51_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36221810812/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4376/36221810812_7dd62aac82_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35581714293/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4418/35581714293_ca210f0122_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>We started to hit some gentle hairpins, but were still catching some phenomenal views in the morning sun:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36221821582/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4351/36221821582_365930de18_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35554342734/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4351/35554342734_c61f95d9de_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36221824232/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4403/36221824232_73106f1015_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36221825222/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4382/36221825222_5d20573610_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>In no time at all, we were at the half-way point:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35969629445/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4302/35969629445_924526d125_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>There, breakfast was waiting for us (served by the good folks at Red Lodge Pizza Co.), lost more good conversation was had, and more pictures were taken. Here's a panorama of the valley we'd passed on the way up:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35878220005/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4238/35878220005_f09dd1456a_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Here's a topo map that shows this stop (Roadside Park) ... and some GPS points:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35585098733/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4405/35585098733_3d1d62e73c_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Eventually, the roar or two of a v-twin could be heard, as the first groups got back on 212 and headed for the pass.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35554350344/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4361/35554350344_b1cdaee854_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35581735173/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4379/35581735173_5bf188732f_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>I used to live next door to Rocky Mountain National Pass, and went riding in the Rockies last fall. I miss the altitude, the views, and the summer snow :-) So I was delighted as we crossed into the tundra biome and then got our first glimpses of snow:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35554352474/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4418/35554352474_0622ec6062_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35554355314/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4422/35554355314_553a0e9947_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35993175360/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/35993175360_176509340f_m.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Turns out there was a race up there today, too – so the road was quite busy!</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36252967441/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4435/36252967441_1796f87df1_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35993177200/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4374/35993177200_893b12a7f4_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Turning into the parking lot of the overlook, we were met with a mud and ice surprise – always lots of fun (no, seriously: it's a LOT of fun):</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35993179100/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/35993179100_a4e813854e_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Once off the bikes, more panoramas ensued:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35069037233/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4303/35069037233_32b37ba0c8_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35490456340/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4260/35490456340_1ce95e50a2_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The person who ended up taking our picture was a German naturalist, visiting to photograph Montana alpine and tundra wildflowers. He was quite delighted we asked him to take our picture, and received a T-shirt from the group to remember us by. He also took pictures of us with his own camera, saying they would be published when he returned home.</p><p>Here's a topo of the Roadside Park at the summit:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36256381991/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4440/36256381991_1d2f43695f_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>At this point, the group was splitting off – everyone continuing southward on 212 ... so to Cody, some to Cooke City. After that, the group was splitting even further, including trips to Alaska, the Moab, Yellowstone, and the Black Hills. I was the only one who would be returning to Red Lodge, so after bidding farewell, I was riding back down.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35993184130/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4417/35993184130_e8d47325ef_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>I missed the group, but the turns were even more fun this time around :-) It also gave me a chance to stop and grab some shots of some of the things I'd missed on the way up:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35039037024/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4285/35039037024_5f315201f8_k.jpg" style="width:1536px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>In one of the pull-offs, I saw a Triumph all decked out, so I pulled over and ended up having a really long chat with its rider. He's a local who comes up to the mountains to ride all the time. He shared a big chunk of his recent life story, including possible plans of packing up and traveling around the U.S., looking for new territory and good rides. I wished him well, and continued down the mountain.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36389838425/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4423/36389838425_3b84ebad28_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>After getting off the bike, I was delighted to see the evidence of the day's adventures written all over the read fender :-)</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35039033154/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4233/35039033154_853aea4e59_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>The next thing I needed was to set up the site with Rory and then get some hammock time ...</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35837609256/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4313/35837609256_1e50711a84_n.jpg" style="width:354px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35935672014/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4368/35935672014_e1c7a58cae_n.jpg" style="width:387px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>... so I could relax and watch the river we'd camped next to:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35709007602/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4320/35709007602_01964759a1_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35039018714/in/album-72157684801453550"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4315/35039018714_7588fc305c_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>What a day ... 🛣</p>Beartooth Run, 20172017-07-07 21:25:40oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Beartooth Run, 2017<p>Today we were up around 4 am, took our time breakfasting, having tea and campsite espresso, performing the morning rituals, and packing. Not too long after 6 am we were on our way, just beating the sun, getting a view of that orangey-pink morning beauty as we were getting back onto US-212:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35863074105/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4213/35863074105_0808acf8dd_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><div class="panel panel-default route-summary"> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Day Summary</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><form class="form-horizontal"> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Start:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Fourche,_South_Dakota'>Belle Fourche, SD</a> 6:19 am CDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">End:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Lodge,_Montana'>Red Lodge, MT</a> 4:39 pm CDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Distance:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>374 mi (602 km)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Food:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>Breakfast @ Riverside Campground in Belle Fourche, SD</p><p>Second Breakfast @ <a href='https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g45098-d4914167-Reviews-Cashway_Cafe-Broadus_Montana.html'>Cashway Cafe</a> in Broadus, MT</p><p>Lunch @ <a href='https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g45086-d3266456-Reviews-Cham_Thai_Cuisine-Billings_Montana.html'>Thai Cuisine</a> in Billings, MT</p><p>Dinner @ <a href='http://www.redlodgerestaurants.com/red-lodge-pizza-co/'>Red Lodge Pizza Co.</a> in Red Lodge, MT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Slept:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/custergallatin/recarea/?recid=60831'>Rattin Campground</a> (tent)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Photo Album:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157683434776573'>Beartooth Run 2017 - Day 2</a> (Flickr)</p></div></div> </form></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Route Map</h3></div><div class="panel-body" style="padding:0; margin: 0"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4436/36256381541_2b06e22b88_k_d.jpg"></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Beartooth Run, 2017 Series Links</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><ul><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-06/29-115623/beartooth-run-fargo-h-o-g-.html'>Prologue</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/06-193659/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 1</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/07-212540/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 2</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/08-220414/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 3</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/13-154024/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Red Lodge, MT</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/14-210408/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 4</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/15-221856/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 5</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/16-192353/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 6</a></li></ul></div></div></p><h2>South Dakota & Wyoming</h2><p>In the day 2 album on Flickr, there's a picture the GoPro captured of me pointing at a sign:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35731320501/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4277/35731320501_6ce306654c_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>I was delighted to see that this segment of 212 was called the "Warrior Trail" (even though I was in the 101st during Desert Storm, one granddad in WWI, and the other in WWII, Korean, and Vietnam wars, my appreciation for the "warrior's way" is actually <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushido'>philosophical</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung<i>fu</i>(term)#Etymology">nature</a>, as opposed to martial).</p><p>It turns out the naming of U.S. Route 212 – from Belle Fourche to the Wyoming border – is a relatively recent change. It was made by the South Dakota Transportation Commission unanimously in 2009, <a href='http://www.capjournal.com/news/dot-designates-highway-as-the-warrior-trail/article_75412450-6f98-5d25-9d99-94e89b1a1344.html'>honoring the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne</a> who resisted the U.S. policy of forced reservation life, wiping out Custer and decimating his unit.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36220813982/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4331/36220813982_5440f2da8b_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>As the sun continued to rise, its rays warmed the sage and the smell across the road was just amazing. One of the great pleasures of riding is smelling the countryside, and one of the best smells of any land, in my opinion, is that of sage in its natural environment. So much more, to have it gently baked like this in the sun ... what an incredible morning!</p><p>An hour or so later, the land started to change with less of the prairie and more hills and trees:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36344133976/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4433/36344133976_12a797083d_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><h2>Montana</h2><p>After another hour of riding, I was ready for some more food – so in true Hobbit style we stopped for a second breakfast on the far side of Broadus, MT. With more food and coffee, it was time to see more of Montana from the saddle of this iron horse ...</p><p>In what felt like no time at all we started getting more altitude:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36344129866/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4364/36344129866_c2f14aba2c_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Soon after, though, things slowed to a crawl as I rode through gravel, sand, mud, and partly chewed up asphalt in a line behind others trying to make their way through this road construction. I'd seen a sign warning motorcyclists to find another route ... they didn't mean me, did they? :-)</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36220806662/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4430/36220806662_6a76fca1a0_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36344127846/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4347/36344127846_3e8d151378_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36344123656/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4352/36344123656_0f3343fdb3_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36344122326/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4403/36344122326_8b71b25a2d_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>To be honest, I really enjoyed this. I'm constantly finding myself on unpaved, "exciting" roads with the Harley. In this particular case, I was met with a very pleasant surprise: the large truck driving immediately in front of me was continually making adjustments of minor potholes, slowing down before bumps that were nothing for a big rig, but which were a big deal for a motorcycle. I felt that he himself was a rider and was acting as a road captain, letting me know what was coming. He really saved my bacon on more than one occasion, too!</p><p>I eventually passed him and the truck he was riding with (long after the construction zone), and give them both a big, heart-felt wave. I wish I could buy you two some beers tonight – thanks for all the help!</p><p>More overpasses, a little more construction, and before too long it was time to get gas again – this time near the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. We didn't visit, but we did have a great conversation at the gas station with a fellow rider and Native rancher, swapping stories of the road. This has been the best conversation of the ride so far; we probably talked for about 30 or 40 minutes.</p><p>Since this is where US-212 joins with the highway, once we were on the road again, we opted to get off at <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crow_Agency,_Montana'>Crow Agency, MT</a> and take some more country roads. We rode Crow-St. Xavier Cutoff to 313 and then Old U.S. 87 – wow! What a road this was. At some point, it's getting a blog post all its own. Definitely the best riding so far.</p><p>Billings, MT was an adventure all its own: finding food, getting across town without going on the highway, avoiding construction, etc. We eventually made it through, though, and headed south on 212 toward Red Lodge. The traffic here was unexpectedly slow and dense – not a good riding experience. Just had to be patient and settle into a fairly low speed.</p><h2>Red Lodge & Campground</h2><p>At long last, though, we rolled into Red Lodge – and it was well worth the wait. It's a great little town that feels like some of the smaller gems of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. In fact, Rory said it reminded her of Boulder, CO in the 70s.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36220786442/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4415/36220786442_ec54a0b79c_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Next up was finding our campsite ...</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35992185180/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4402/35992185180_1c68d0e927_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>which took us longer than I care to admit:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36220781752/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4406/36220781752_6e43731c56_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35992183380/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4434/35992183380_6fdc20e9ab_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36220779282/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4391/36220779282_395c5d9fc5_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36220778242/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/36220778242_bd2792a94e_q.jpg" style="width:182px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>However, I had great fun bouncing around on the dirt roads – something I got to do a bunch today, given that I made so many trips into town and back!</p><p>The first ride back was to get a chapter picture taken with my bike. Got lots of comments on the bobber seat (as often happens), but with some folks assuming I'd ridden it out to Red Lodge on a different seat, and then swapped it out for the ride up the pass. (Do people do that?) We had some good laughs, then I browsed around town and took some supplies (and a gift!) back to Rory who was chillin' at the campsite.</p><h2>Beartooth Run Group Dinner</h2><p>I returned to town for the first official event of the ride: to meet with the rest of the Fargo H.O.G. chapter for a pizza dinner (sponsored by <a href='http://www.hdfargo.com/'>Harley-Davidson of Fargo</a>!), lots of great conversation, more than a few jokes, and some presentations (including a returning local guest speaker who was a favourite from a few years prior). One presentation covered the back-story of the Beartooth Ride, even before the 1st annual ride, 24 years ago.</p><p>Long that, two of the Fargo chapter members had made the trip in 1967 – more great stories of this particular event were shared, causing much laughter around the room. I managed to snap a couple of pics of the photos that were passed around:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36021577290/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4424/36021577290_5947849cdb_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35490469260/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4297/35490469260_ca150e6354_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36417440705/in/album-72157683434776573"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4342/36417440705_6b4b6b2a76_n.jpg" style="width:371px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>With that, I'll wrap up today's post. Everyone's feeling pretty excited about the run up to the pass tomorrow morning. Should be a lot of fun! 🛣</p>Beartooth Run, 20172017-07-06 19:36:59oubiwannurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Beartooth Run, 2017<p>We set off bright and early this morning on the first day of a two-day trip to get to <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Lodge,_Montana'>Red Lodge, Montana</a> in order to participate in the 24th Annual Fargo H.O.G. Beartooth Run. Rory drove the support vehicle which provided two important benefits: she got to come along for the fun and camping, and I didn't have to pack up the bags on the cruiser :-) The only bummer about this was that she wasn't able to ride her Heritage Springer on the trip.</p><p>(Oddly, at the first stop, I found that I missed having the bags on the bike – getting cleaning supplies and snacks from the bags, swapping out goggles, etc., was rather cumbersome when doing so when everything was in the support vehicle. Lesson learned for next time!)</p><p><div class="panel panel-default route-summary"> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Day Summary</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><form class="form-horizontal"> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Start:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sioux_Falls,_South_Dakota'>Sioux Falls, SD</a> 6:23 am CDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">End:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Fourche,_South_Dakota'>Belle Fourche, SD</a> 4:39 pm CDT</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Distance:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>466 mi (750 km)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Food:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p>Lunch @ <a href='http://www.burgershackfaulkton.com/'>The Burger Shack</a> in Faulkton, SD</p><p>Dinner @ Riverside Campground in Belle Fourche, SD</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Slept:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='http://www.bellefourche.org/index.asp?SEC=793C37DA-55F8-4041-87D2-78A5C98A1F5F&DE=DEF0F545-145E-4899-8A96-A923111669F0&Type=B_BASIC'>Riverside Campground</a> (hammocks)</p></div></div> <div class="form-group"><label for="panel-row" class="col-sm-3 control-label">Photo Album:</label><div id="panel-row" class="col-sm-9"><p><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/albums/72157683927036270'>Beartooth Run 2017 - Day 1</a> (Flickr)</p></div></div> </form></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Route Map</h3></div><div class="panel-body" style="padding:0; margin: 0"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4416/35585097933_87f753eefd_k_d.jpg"></div> <div class="panel-heading"><h3 class="panel-title">Beartooth Run, 2017 Series Links</h3></div><div class="panel-body"><ul><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-06/29-115623/beartooth-run-fargo-h-o-g-.html'>Prologue</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/06-193659/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 1</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/07-212540/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 2</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/08-220414/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 3</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/13-154024/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Red Lodge, MT</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/14-210408/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 4</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/15-221856/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 5</a></li><li><a href='/blog/archives/2017-07/16-192353/beartooth-run-2017.html'>Day 6</a></li></ul></div></div></p><p>The <a href='https://www.facebook.com/fargoharleyownersgroup/'>Fargo H.O.G.</a> Beartooth Run is a bit of a unique animal for a ride: everyone heads off on their own (or forms rider groups as desired) and then meet in Red Lodge, MT the night before the run up to the pass. Some might find this a bit odd, but it's really great to have that kind of freedom to plan the ride you want.</p><p>As it turns out, I've wanted to ride Beartooth Pass for a while, now – but I wanted to get there riding <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_212'>U.S. Route 212</a> as much of the way as possible. This trip was the perfect excuse :-) So we started day 1 with the goal of getting to US-212 north of Pierre, SD. We ended up taking a little different route due to an unexpected dirt road, some construction, and a detour.</p><p>The scenery is pretty typical for eastern South Dakota: flat farmland with small town speckled around. Folks were especially friendly in <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woonsocket,_South_Dakota'>Woonsocket</a> – definitely a great place to stop and get gas or grab a meal.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36225695792/in/album-72157683927036270"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/36225695792_5772cc0759_c.jpg" style="width:800px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Next up was <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faulkton,_South_Dakota'>Faulkton</a>:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36348772356/in/album-72157683927036270"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4342/36348772356_6557a33219_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>We got there around lunchtime and had some great burgers (and a strawberry shake!). Big thumbs up on the food, and fun decor to boot:</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35558121434/in/album-72157683927036270"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4423/35558121434_fe856d0556_n.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/36393575835/in/album-72157683927036270"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4377/36393575835_f6b27e5c5d_n.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35746908801/in/album-72157683927036270"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4208/35746908801_6bde22bfe4_n.jpg" style="width:244px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Just after Forest City, we crossed the <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_River'>Missouri</a>. As we topped the hill and came around the last curve before the river, an amazing site was waiting for us: the Missouri as I'd never seen it before. It looked nothing like a river in the Midwest or Western states; instead we were looking at an ocean scene in the Caribbean. The blues, azures, greens – all sparkling in the sun – it was breath-taking, even more so for the unexpectedness of it. Sadly, we found out later that the GoPro's battery had died during this segment of the ride. At the time a little voice was telling me to pull over and take a picture – I really should have. I hope I do so the next time I hear such hidden advice.</p><p>We proceeded to make our way through the <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheyenne_River_Indian_Reservation'>Cheyenne River Reservation</a>. As we approached the small town of Faith, the land had started to change a bit, getting a little more interesting (don't get me wrong – I love the prairie! but in the hot sun, on the bike, when the scenery doesn't change much, you can get the 1000 mile stare, and then comes trouble ...). Things continued to change, keeping the eye and mind engaged, and before we knew it, we were in the town of Newell – no strangers to bikers, there!</p><p>Some of the best views all day were to be had as we left the gas station in Newell and headed towards Belle Fourche. Cresting one of the rises, a long, dry vista opened up before us with Sturgis in the distance the the Black Hills on the distant horizon.</p><p>By the time late afternoon arrived, we were ready to quit for the day, so we were quite relieved to pull into the Riverside Campground when we did.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35709087512/in/album-72157683927036270"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4257/35709087512_d4829cdd94_k.jpg" style="width:2048px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>Still quite hot out, I ran out for ice, a cooler, and some beers and we had a delicious dinner of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YRNVS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0002YRNVS&linkCode=as2&tag=forgottenroad-20&linkId=ff7211731826a8c75d3a13b5028871ae">freeze dried lasagna</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=forgottenroad-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0002YRNVS" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />. It was too hot for the tent, so we strung up our hammocks and had a late siesta, hung out until dark, and then hauled our tired bones back in the sacks :-)</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forgottenroadsmx/35558111694/in/album-72157683927036270"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4371/35558111694_8327b2ae4f_k.jpg" style="width:1536px;height:auto;"></a></p><p>🛣</p>Working with KML and GeoJSON Files2017-07-01 12:38:50bobbermacurn:forgotten-roads-mx/blog:feed:post:Working with KML and GeoJSON Files<p>As anyone familiar (not me) with geographic information systems (or "GIS") data can tell you, working with the multitude of data formats, versions of those formats, data entry errors, and inconsistencies, makes GIS data processing a pretty time-consuming task. We've just tried to do very simple things, and it has taken us a few days to get things sorted.</p><p>Right now at Forgotten Roads, we're evaluating software and data services for use in motorcycle adventure trips. We think we've got a good selection, at least for a first run or two. But before we go into any details on that, we wanted to provide a prelude blog post that can be a head-start for the eager reader and something that we can reference in later posts.</p><p>Below we'll give a super-quick overview of the main geospatial file formats used by mapping and routes services, and then show you how to work with these files (something that will be very useful when you want to start doing interesting things with your ride routes).</p><h3>File Formats</h3><h4>KML</h4><p>Thanks to Google's ubiquity in so much of the tech world, <code>.kml</code> files (KML stands for "Keyhole Markup Language") are quite popular. <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyhole_Markup_Language'>KML</a> is a type of <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XML'>XML</a> developed by the company Keyhole, Inc., which specialized in geospatial visualization software. Google bought them in 2004 and turned their product "Earth Viewer" into "Google Earth".</p><p>There are several versions of this markup language:</p><ul><li>Version 2.1 - The last one produced by Google – this version is still widely used</li><li>Version 2.2 - The first KML version that was submitted to the <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Geospatial_Consortium'>Open Geospatial Consortium</a> (OGC) in 2007</li><li>2.3 - Published by the OGC in 2015</li></ul><p>Most of what we see is still version 2.1.</p><p>Really, the thing you need to know about KML is that, among the many, many things that it does, it can specify "traces" or "tracks" (very simple geospatial data, sometimes as little as just latitude and longitude values). The visual routes you see on mapping services like "Google Maps" can be represented in KML files that have this simple data.</p><h4>GeoJSON</h4><p>With the increasing popularity of KML in the mid-2000s, the nearly industry-wide distaste for XML, and rapidly growing adoption of JSON as a preferred human-readable data representation format, a working group for a <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSON'>JSON</a>-based geospatial data format was begun in 2007. This gave the world GeoJSON. Then, in 2015, a working group was founded at the <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Engineering_Task_Force'>IETF</a> for GeoJSON, which led to an <a href='https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7946'>RFC</a>.</p><p>We've been using this format a fair amount, too – not directly, but because other tools or services we are using work with it.</p><h4>GPX</h4><p>The last format we'll mention is <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_Exchange_Format'>GPX</a>. We're not making use of any data in this format, but would remiss if we didn't mention it.</p><p>Based upon XML, it was created around the same times as KML and stands for "GPS Exchange Format". In continues to enjoy a great deal of popularity.</p><h3>Converting</h3><p>Okay, now that we have that boring stuff out of the way, we can talk about MORE BORING STUFF! How do I move from one to the other?</p><h4>Validating KML</h4><p>The first thing to keep in mind is that you may download a KML file from a service that has not provided the data fully to spec. Or they may be using an ever older version (and calling it a newer version). This is something that you can check, if you find that services are not letting you upload these KML files.</p><p>For instance, if you download a KML file, open it up and check the version number. You should see a line near the top something like the following:</p><pre><code><kml xmlns="http://earth.google.com/kml/2.1">
</code></pre><p>The version number is there at the end. KML is an XML format, and XML file formats are defined with schemas. A quick internet search or two turns up the location for the KML version 2.1 schema here:</p><ul><li><a href='https://developers.google.com/kml/schema/kml21.xsd'>https://developers.google.com/kml/schema/kml21.xsd</a>.</li></ul><p> (Here are versions <a href='http://schemas.opengis.net/kml/2.2.0/ogckml22.xsd'>2.2</a> and <a href='http://schemas.opengis.net/kml/2.3/ogckml23.xsd'>2.3</a>).</p><p>We'll use a command-line tool running in a terminal window for this next bit. The command we'll run is <code>xmllint</code>. If you have a recent version of Mac OS X with developer tools installed, <code>xmllint</code> will already be on your machine. If you are running something like Ubuntu, you may already have <code>libxml2-utils</code> installed (which includes <code>xmllint</code>). Here's how you check that the formatting of the KML file is correct:</p><pre><code>$ xmllint --schema ~/Downloads/kml21.xsd ~/Downloads/track.kml
</code></pre><p>We downloaded a KML file from <a href='https://spotwalla.com/'>SpotWalla</a> and found that this command failed on that file. We had to open it up and change a line from this:</p><pre><code><altitudeMode>relative</altitudeMode>
</code></pre><p>to this:</p><pre><code><altitudeMode>relativeToGround</altitudeMode>
</code></pre><h4>KML -> GeoJSON</h4><p>Probably the easiest way to convert a KML file you have downloaded to GeoJSON is to upload it to the "MyGeodata Converter" service:</p><ul><li><a href='https://mygeodata.cloud/converter/kml-to-geojson'>https://mygeodata.cloud/converter/kml-to-geojson</a></li></ul><p>Simply browse for your file when you hit the button, then hit "Continue". Once your file uploads, you'll be asked to set any options (the defaults are fine for most cases; we haven't needed to adjust them yet). Then hit the "Convert now!" button, and a <code>.zip</code> file will download, which you can open up and extract your new <code>.geojson</code> file.</p><p>The same site offers <a href='https://mygeodata.cloud/converter/geojson-to-gpx'>a GPX converter</a>, should you need that.</p><h3>Other Tools</h3><p>We've tried each of the following other tools but they either didn't work for our files or the functionality provided was not quite what we needed. However, they do seem to have a good user following and may be useful for you, so we'll share some links:</p><ul><li><a href='http://merkaartor.be/'>Merkaartor</a> - a mapping program that can be used with <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenStreetMap'>OpenStreetMap</a>; it offers some import capabilities</li><li><a href='https://www.google.com/earth/download/gep/agree.html'>Google Earth Pro</a> - Google now provides the "pro" version of their Google Earth software for free. This is now considered an outdated version; the supported one is the new Chrome-only Google Earth 9 (released in 2017).</li><li><a href='http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=googleearth'>GPS Visualizer</a> - only used it once, but it seems pretty good.</li><li>KMLCSV - maybe we were doing it wrong, but I wouldn't even bother with this one ...</li></ul><h3>Next Up</h3><p>Before too long, you should be seeing another FRMX post about how we use the services that use KML and GeoJSON ... ! 🛣</p>