Sunday 16 July
Whitefish, Montana, USA
From a personal point of view, but also with a bearing on the team the best news is that I can ride the bike with no problem following my torn calf muscle. Treatment includes elevation and rest – well, riding is pretty restful on these roads even if elevation is a bit difficult!
The team plan was that Ian and I should join Tom in Calgary this weekend, and we ride on together on Monday, but only after he has liberated his KTM from the air freight depot. The service and help in all things from Roddy at Motofreight has been outstanding. He arranged collection of the KTM from Birmingham on Tuesday morning (and many thanks indeed also to Cliona for sending on the V5 document, finding the keys and facilitating collection- we are all in your debt!), changed the tyres, dealt with paperwork and got the bike crated and to the airline by Friday – it arrives in Calgary today. How good is that?
While Tom is cooling his heels beneficailly visiting various friends in Calgary and on Vancouver Island, Ian and I have slowed down and risk killing time which will have to be made up later. A decision was made for us to press on southwards, and bypass Calgary; we need to get to LA by the 31st July and don’t want to be forced to rush on Interstate highways if we can avoid it. There are places to see, roads to ride! Tom will press on quickly as soon as he can, and hopefully meet up with us again in 2-3 days.
This decision made, we felt somewhat better and headed Eastwards from Stewart to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, arriving there after three days of varied and at times slightly tedious riding, in warm sunshine under a blue sky. Jasper is more opulent than anywhere we have been so far – a nice little touristy resort at the top of the fabled Icefields Parkway which runs up from Banff. This was obviously a great treat with magnificent scenery of course, heavily predicted and foretold so it didn’t have the impact of a surprise discovery but very beautiful nonetheless. The Canadian Rockies are big, jagged and raw; iconic destinations for adventurous skiers, and I can see why. Maybe one day…
Now we have a wifi signal!
Phew!
Glad to hear things are settling down….
Sue xxxx
LikeLike
Hi Sue – not settling so much that the ride (and therefore the blog!) becomes boring though I hope!
And I wish the calf would settle a bit quicker. Its still very painful, but I’m manning up and not mentioning it to anyone!
LikeLike
If I was a film producer I would want wild bears, torn muscles, and crazy drivers. Seems all three are riding the bikes.
LikeLike
I’m sure its only a matter of time before the blockbuster is released onto a screen near you. I think Tom Cruise would be perfect in my role…
LikeLike
missed your Skype I think Phil…caught up on the blog now. have you thought of getting hold of a local DR650 to replace the CCM? Reliable and tons of back up in the US? Anyway good luck sorting it. Enjoying the photos!
LikeLike
Hi John – it wasn’t a skype from me but I did send a WhatsApp message. Please do let me know if you can’t find it – what is the best way of contacting you? A frequent question that I don’t have the answer to!
Latest blog has details of getting Tom’s KTM sent out from the UK – it was got out of customs in Calgary today. Hope all is well?
LikeLike
Ian and Phil
Leon and I really enjoyed our short time with you at the KOA camp in Whitefish. We thought we might see you in the AM but guess you guys slept in a bit. I’m looking forward to following your travels over the next few months. Hopefully, you have your misfortune out of the way and the rest will be smooth sailing.
Best regards
Alan M
LikeLike
Hi Alan, it was great to meet you both! We have been rather stressed with all the unexpected events, so it was good to relax a bit. We have now met up again with Tom, the third member of the team and are heading steadily south. I’ll have to write another post to keep you updated!
Good luck with your travels
Phil
LikeLike
Hey, Guys nice meeting you in Whitefish. Very enjoyable conversation. Be safe out.
See you down the road someday
LikeLike
Hi Leon, great to meet you too!
Ride safe…
LikeLike
Torn muscles are de rigueur… I to remind on the trip to at least was only pillioning ! Icefiels looks good in sun… trip to Head smashed in Buffalo Jump well recommended… Good museum to stop at at Lolo… free coffee .. hope leg continues to improve
LikeLike
It happened to me.. that was 😁
LikeLike