15th Nat'l NT Rally - Jun 18-21, 2025 - Spearfish, SD

It's been a hard decision, but I've concluded that I don't have any business riding now. I'm going to bet around to selling Horse sometime this summer. I might try to drive (oh, the horror!) to Spearfish. We'll see.

My son had his 60th birthday on May 8. Talk about making me feel old.

My granddaughter who lived in Germany for the last 8 years or so has moved with her Egyptian rocket-scientist husband to the Island of Cyprus. She's expecting my first great-granddaughter in early August. My daughter and I are going to fly to Cyprus (Denver-Heathrow-Larnica) on September 2. I was astonished that the round-trip is only $867 (with travel insurance) round-trip.
What airline? Thats incredable.
 
It's listed as an American Airlines flight, but it's British Airways equipment all the way from Denver to Heathrow to Larnica, Cyprus.
 
It's listed as an American Airlines flight, but it's British Airways equipment all the way from Denver to Heathrow to Larnica, Cyprus.
Wow...prices have really come down in the last two months. Round trip from Spokane to Boston is only $350 in Sept.
 
Preparations have begun. I just ordered a new helmet and a chain/sprocket set. Not sure whether I’ll put it on or not before Spearfish.

I’ve done some route planning but I’m running out of new routes. There just aren’t that many east-west roads in SD. And I’ve already used the roads in southern ND and northern NB. I’m blessed by not having the incredible memory of roads that Phil Tarman has so re-riding the same routes is not all that bad. The lack of campgrounds in the Plains States is an issue too.

I plan to arrive on Wednesday (possibly Thursday). Departure is unscheduled. I’m hoping some of the new forum members will join us. It’s certainly not an exciting event but that’s what makes it so enjoyable. Laid back - ride where you want - with whom you want - and when you want - or not. Kick tires and visit with the best people I know.
 
Forecast for the whole west in June is hotter and dryer than normal. I will be on the ground on Wed, Thur, Friday, going to Buffalo Sat, then over the Shell canyon route to Sitting bull campground for two days, then Butte and home. Spokane normally has 19 ea 90 degree days per year.
4 ea. 90 degree days coming up this week. Yearly average is 19. Last 4 years. 36,28,34,42, Trees are dieing.
Joining the Thai Navy.
1749051395746.png
 
I could do without the HOT. But I'm hoping to avoid the rain I've had on my trip home the last few years. Last year I stopped in Aberdeen SD because I was catching up with the rain. It was supposed to clear by 10:AM. I waited in the hotel room until noon but it wasn't clearing. The rain was supposed to move out to the east but I was always just into the western edge of it even though I kept slowing down and waiting for it to clear out. Knowing that I had a 420 mile ride to home I pressed on in order to get home before dark. The rain did eventually move out to the east but not unitl I was about 20 miles from home and pretty wet.

In all my western rides I've had quite a few in which I rode under the same cloud for a long time going eastward. These were mostly all widespread rains, not the pop up afternoon thunderstorms that are so common. I can watch the radar on my GPS and dodge a lot of those. The good, bad, and the wet.
 
I’ll be departing home Monday, June 16 for a leisurely? 3 day ride to Spearfish, arriving Wednesday afternoon.
Going to pack light and motel it this trip. Lanna has a cabin reserved for me at the campground.
I will finish the break-in process this week on the NX500 and do the first oil change before leaving.
Looking forward to good times with old friends.
 
Back
Top Bottom