Day 6 - Continued - Part Two - Beartooth Pass to Cody

We started in Montana, went through Wyoming, back into Montana and then back down into Wyoming and then we repeated Montana and Wyoming. This was a big day out and the riding was out of this world. After the deer incident we headed for Beartooth. This is a bucket list tick for any serious rider who has a chance to ride in the USA. Just incredible. Actually the road to Beartooth Pass was sublime and the scenery just kept hitting us in the face.

Approaching the pass we all were a little unsure of  what might lie ahead. I had heard many stories about the difficulty level but anyone who cut their riding teeth on the Rimutaka's back home (before the improvements) had to back themselves to do this comfortably. We did and it was still bloody awesome!

At the summit we stopped and took the opportunity to look back down at where we had come from and take in our surroundings. A moody almost desolate environment that grabbed you no matter where you looked.

This is wild rugged country where the pass is only open to vehicles for about 4 months of the year. The road itself was in superb condition and the switchbacks were very manageable only getting down to first and almost stalling speed once or twice at most. On the way down I got the chance to open the Harley up and really attacked every bend. Now I know they ain't no sports bike but whoever said Harley's can't corner either had the wrong Harley or couldn't ride for shit. This was unbelievable fun and I flew past a number of riders on their Japanese scoots who were looked decidedly uncomfortable on these tight down hill twisties.

Beartooth led us into the town of Red Lodge where I pulled my bike into a workshop to have a quick once over after the deer attack. My lights were straightened out and it got a clean bill of health. From here we pushed hard across the plains of  Wyoming through Belfry then on to the western town of Cody. Named after Buffalo Bill Cody his footprint is everywhere. Our stay for the night was the 110 year old Hotel Irma, built by Bill for his daughter. We pulled up around sunset to a country band playing on the verandah, a gunfight going on in the street and about 150 bikers drinking.

As soon as we arrived our silver ferns attracted immediate attention and we were soon surrounded by everyone with a Kiwi connection, including Canadians, Americans, Irish (and importantly) a surprising number of Kiwis. These guys were on a tour out of Christchurch and I got the impression they were envious of our ride. Sure they had the back up we didn't have but already personalities were interfering with the rhythm of their group. The more personalities the more interference. I think we are lucky in that regard - small and tight riding groups will always find ways to make the ride the most important part of the day.

I recommend Cody's Hotel Irma as a place for a stay. Complete with ghosts, great rooms, awesome bar staff and very good food what more could a cowboy want.

We spent most of the night standing round the bikes talking to the people gathered there. They were all fascinated by our ride and ultimately the deer story came out. By the time it was time to head for the rooms the deer had gone over twenty feet in the sky and Larry had not only ridden under it he had parked his bike before it hit the ground. I went to the bar to get a drink and a local came up to me and asked me if I had heard about the kiwi who hit a bison so hard it went straight up in the air - somehow the story had grown further in the telling - We made a lot of good acquaintances that night, some of whom we would meet up with again at Sturgis. The big guy and I were in our element and it was hard to call it a night.

In the cold light of the next day we took stock of our surroundings and realised it would have been nice to have been able to have spent more time here.

We gassed up and pulled out of Cody early. We were heading for Sturgis and another amazing bucket list biker experience. LTGTR!