The Breakfast Club: MOA Rally 2015 [page 13]

Thursday, July 23, 2015

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Alberto’s tale… DAY ELEVEN - BILLINGS

Last night.

“Alberto, tomorrow we are going to Bear Tooth Mountain”. “Great!” Guess I am going. “At what time are we going tomorrow? Just to make sure we are up early enough”. Hmmm. Chris is hesitant on this question… “Get up at five in the morning and ready to roll right after coffee” Yes, I did get up at 5:00 am. But, do you think the rest got up? Fat chance ! By 7:00 however, yes, we are ready to go for coffee.

Coffee was, for lack of worse word, turpentine. Not suitable for human consumption. Chris and Harvey both happily consumed their coffee, I guess they have a cast iron stomach capable of handling anything rough. I ended up throwing away my cup and went to a commercial coffee stand. Not great but acceptable.

While getting coffee we had a opportunity to look at the inner-field of the grand-stands where most motorcycle riders have camped. It is an ocean of tents and motorcycles, impressive!

Headed back to our camp to collect other riders that will come along. Dan, and Marvin Bohn (Chris’ buddy since the first MOA rally), also Harvey, Joe Kelly (remember the man and woman from yesterday? - him.) and myself.

Marvin has a great sense of humor, and Joe, well he sure does not fall behind. Great company.

Today we went to Bear Tooth Mountain. 10,950 feet high. Very windy, Cold, rainy, all wet. Hmmm… I don’t think I said that correctly. Let me try again: WINDY, COLD, RAINY, ALL WET! Much better. Can you take a hint? While riding in such conditions I forgot all I knew about technique, analysis, thinking or whatever. I was scared, to be honest. It took a while for me to come to my senses and do things correctly. Had it not, I’d be flying down the mountain one way and my bike a different way.

I disclosed this apprehension to others, only to hear similar stories. It did not make me feel any better, we still had to deal with the ride. But, like I said, I came to my senses and … Better. Much better

Up and down Bear Tooth Mountain in the end turn out quite a pleasure, scared or not. Now for the second part, we have to get back to camp! Fortunately not the same way. This time we return via Chief Joseph Mountain. Another lulu of a road. Fantastic scenery and vistas. We stop several time along the way, just to enjoy the place. Harvey and Marvin are running out of gas. Joe, had a spare mini-1/8 of a gallon container. We load Marvin and continue knowing that a gas station is not that far. We got gas and asked the lady for a place to eat. “Well there is the Blue Rooster, not bad. But do not go to the other restaurant… The owner is a grouch!”. To the Blue Rooster we went. It was closed, we are ready to deal with Groucho when the door at the blue rooster opens and a your handsome lady comes out, “We closed at 3:00 pm, but since it is just 3:05 why don’t you all come in anyway”. Whoweee! Great! We tripped in and in great humor thank the owner Nd set ourselves to that task of ordering.

Massive amount of food plus dessert. Coffee and a macho drink, my diet Pepsi. This ain’t Coca Cola country.

Back on the road, we have 60 miles to camp, Miles that we easily chewed minus the stops at the several vistas… Great vistas!

At camp at 6:00 pm. Remember we started sometime around 9:00 am that is nine hours ago and 250 miles ago. Tired but happy.

At camp, Linda, now my girlfriend, was happy to see us all come back as she and her group will do the same ride tomorrow. She was curious about all aspects of the ride, foolish me thinking she wanted was to see me! Oh well, guess I am not that attractive after all.

Now, more friends of Chris, Harvey and Marvin have arrived. We must be 10 or 12 people. A very happy group, specially since they all come bringing beer, whisky, or whatever. Happy Hour is in full swing! Me?, well I am typing, you all know what a boozer I am! Diet Pepsi is way too strong for me.

The baloney flew until late, these people sure have a liking for each other, and there was I listening to it … And enjoying it!

9:20 pm. Time I close as I am the alarm clock for everyone and we are heading for the Little Big Horn where, I racken Custer took a shellakin’. Joseph, one. Custer, zero. Should be fun.

Good night all.