Old Harlys and Indians plus many other old bikes would be there.
We headed out Jon Chacopulos, on his new Royal Enfield, Charlie Dickert, astride a Suzki V-Strom, Jimmy Wallenberg kick starting his 1973 Triumph Bonneville and I on the Honda VTX 1300 with sidecar.
It was a great ride north on I-15 to Wolf Creek where we soon discovered the planned breakfast stop at the Oasis was no longer possible since they had closed their doors.
A quick run to the other side of the highway brought us to Frenchies where a great breakfast sandwich was on the menu.
Still no sign of the vintage bikes from Great Falls so Charlie said, I'm going up the road a piece to find them.
Sounded like fun to me so I followed him out the door.
I soon found out that Charlie rides his age, and a little more.
(He is 76 years old)
22 miles up I-15 and I had managed to stay close behind him on his V-Strom.
When we arrived at the location where they were supposed to be, we were the only bikers there.
Charlie said, "They must have run on down to Wolf Creek and we missed them."
Away we went to Wolf Creek.
22 miles later we found several other Last Chance riders at Wolf Creek, but no vintage bikes.
Charlie decided he would go for a ride on the way back to Helena, so of course I followed.
46 twisting, winding miles later we found Highway 200 and rode into Lincoln.
The Pit Stop Restaurant is a for sure biker stop and I have to say they make a great cheese burger and fries.
I'm sure Dr. Paustion, the Cardiologist would approve this great meal.
Leaving Lincoln, Charlie headed for Helmville where he said there was a great winding road that would take us over to Drummond.
Sounded good to me and we did make some good time winding through those hills.
Drummond was a good gas stop and Charlie said he knew how to navigate the frontage roads so we could avoid those darn Interstate highways on the way home to Helena.
He was right, they were good and not as much traffic either.
We ended up on Highway 12 at Garrison and headed for Helena, without stopping at the BarSL ranch. We passed rather quickly.
In Helena I couldn't go home until I saw the Corvette he keeps under cover in that oversize garage.
Checking the mileage as I pulled into my garage, I found that we had covered 253 miles of the spectacular backroads of Montana.
With temps in the upper 70's it was a perfect weekend ride.
Oh, I know we missed out on seeing those vintage bikes, but as you all know the only thing better than looking at a bike is to be in the saddle and riding one.
Great ride Charlie.
Thanks for introducing me to some backroads I had no idea were there.
Watch for me, I'll be in the Right Lane America
Del "Lonnie" Lonnquist
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