Day 8

Today is our last day riding together. We've got about 440 miles from Kalispell to Billings and then the ride is over.

Suzanne left us during bike prep this morning. She's on her way to Anchorage and then back to Sweden. We all miss her already and wish her safe travels.

The ride today took us through scenery of all types. We started out in farmland, then rode into forests, past lakes, around snowed covered mountains, across open range and finally into the great prairie. At one point when Greg was leading he came over a small rise and startled an antelope standing in the middle of the road. Happily, Greg didn't crash and the antelope ran off across the fields.

The last 100 miles saw us on the Interstate for the first time. In Montana I-90 is a good road we took advantage of it to make up some time. I won't tell you how fast we were going but I can tell you that the sign for I-90 meant more to us than just identifying the route number.

Along the way Sam ran out of gas, or had water in his gas tank, we're not sure which. A can of gas provided by the chase car solved the problem and they were only a half hour behind us. This was, by the way, the only mechanical issue we had on the entire trip.

Back at the hotel we said goodbye to Rob and Scott M as they had to make tracks for Vancouver. The rest of us had pizza and beer in the hotel lobby and sat around talking about the ride for a while.

Which brings me all too quickly to the close of the 8th LRLR charity motorcycle ride. Every year the ride seems to get better and the people more special. I want to thank everyone involved with the ride this year for making it such a special event. Greg, Alice, Loren, Kate, Mark, Ali, Scott H, Scott M. Jared, Sam, Carly, Bill M, Jonathan, Sheryl, Jack, Diana, Eddie, Rob, Phil, Alycia, Randy, Suzanne, Kit, and the folks that work backstage to make this ride happen; Sarah, Joe, Lori, Ed, and David.

You guys are the best and I would ride with you anywhere and anytime.

I also want to thank all of our friends and supporters. Without you this ride wouldn't happen. I will have info on the donation totals and next year's ride in a couple of days.

Thanks again.
Be well
Bill