Gathering in the parking lot of Perkins Restaurant in Helena the group of riders then set out for the colorful ride to Canyon Ferry Lake.
The evening was beautiful with partly cloudy skies and only a slight chance of rain in the forecast.
Over twenty riders from throughout the Helena area enjoyed the outdoor deck at the restaurant.
The food service was very good and mealtime conversations at each table centered on the latest rides and adventures of the various members.
I enjoyed the Fish & Chips on the menu. They proved to be well worth the ride. Others enjoyed burgers and fries, Chicken Strips and steaks.
Jon Chacopolus got the meeting underway and Bob Walker reported on the clubs finances and then began a sales pitch for the last remaining Tee shirts the club had sold in the past. Two remained from the clubs original order and despite the fact that they were both XXL in size, he quickly sold them
The meeting part of the evening was short and everyone moved outside to kick some tires and share stories about their ride.
The ride back to Helena through the beautiful night sky was great.
Canyon Ferry Lake showed little activity. Only a couple of sail boats on the far side.
The Canyon Ferry Lake Marina had many sail boats docked and ready for a cruise.
A lone Osprey was seen watching over the young in a large nest along the road.
There was smoke in the valley as I topped the last rise before dropping down into the city.
Forest fires in Glacier National Park, Washington and California are all sending smoke our way.
With very little wind the smoke was settling into the valley.
All in all, a short but pleasant ride for a summer evening and the good company of many motorcycle enthusiasts.
More rides coming up with a planned ride to Three Forks, Montana for lunch at the Wheat Montana Farms Deli. Always a good place to visit and a pleasant ride from Helena to Boulder on I-15, than off on State Highway 68 for a ride through some beautiful Montana countryside.
Planning is underway for my ride south to California in late September.
After visiting with daughter Janis and her family in San Jose I will head south to San Diego for my first attempt at the cross country ride from San Diego, California to Jacksonville, Florida.
The 2,400 mile trek has to be completed in 50 hours to count as an Iron Butt 50cc Quest ride..
Can the Honda VTX 1300 complete with Sidecar and pulling a tent trailer carry me clear across the United States from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Coast in 50 hours of Ground Pounding?
We'll find out during the first week in October.
It should be a grand ride and an epic adventure.
I'm looking forward to meeting in person Shareef AsSidiq who has volunteered to be my Start Witness in San Diego.
Reef, as he is called by his fellow Long Distance Riders, recently completed an IBA 48-10 ride during which he visited all 48 contiguous states. The ride has to be completed in ten days or less.
He and his fellow rider, Smiley Smith finished in Nine Days and one hour.
This despite the fact that Shareef hit a deer in North Dakota near the Wyoming border.
He kept the bike upright, escaped serious injury and finished the ride he had set out to accomplish.
Fantastic stamina and courage to fight through the problems and still finish a day early.
I hope I can exhibit the same strength on my cross country endeavor.
Watch for me, I'll be in the Right Lane America.
Del "Lonnie" Lonnquist
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