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Myra Abstreiter, member of the Women In The Wind - Edmonton Chapter in Alberta, Canada, is the January winner of the $50 Gift Certificate with her "Novice to Seasoned in 4 Days" article. Thank you Myra for taking the time to write and submit your article to us.
Novice to Seasoned in 4 Days
The trip was not planned as an initiation but it sure was what the new riders were going to think before we were finished our four-day trip to tour the Beartooth Highway, Chief Joseph Scenic Highway Wyoming (WY) and the north side of Yellowstone Park in Montana (MT).
Four seasoned riders, Jiggs, Marlene, Anita and myself were joined by two new, soon to be seasoned riders, Karen and Doris for a ladies July long weekend ride. As we rendezvoused in Fort Macleod under blue skies, we all foresaw a great adventure. After a quick lunch at the local A&W, we eagerly started our adventure heading south for the US border. When we arrived, the line up starting on the Canadian side was about two miles long and after an hour or so, it was our turn to have a few words with the custom officer. After finding the reason for our trip, he sent us on our way with good wishes. This was probably the last time that Karen and Doris thought we were out for a ride in the park.
Twisties - After leaving the US border, the road quickly turned into a road that all seasoned riders long for. But with just getting her license two months before this trip, Karen's only practice on the twisties was in the Alberta Council parking lot and a trip or two down Groat Road. No comparison to what laid ahead. The beautiful weather was with us all day but I'm sure only because someone up above knew these two ladies could not have handled both the road and bad weather in the same day.
Long days in the saddle - After 500 kms, Doris and Karen were only too happy to make Choteau MT for out first night's lodging. After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we were on the road again. Our destination was Big Timber MT, 434 kms away. The good weather was still with us. The road had settled down to nice sweeping curves with beautiful countryside.
Construction - In the middle of nowhere land we ran into about 10 miles of washboard- dusty-dirt-road-type of construction. At the end we stopped for a chat and inventory of machine and body parts. Nothing lost so on we ventured very glad to have done that piece of road while it was still dry.
Storms - Stopping for gas, we noticed storms approaching. Anita quickly donned her rain suit while the rest of us regretfully didn't give much thought to it at the time. As soon as we hit the interstate, the skies opened up on us and we received a free facial from the hail. To add insult to injury, the road had been grooved, the temperature was dropping, the wind was very strong, the semi traffic was heavy and we quickly got separated into two groups. I recall at one point finding myself flat on my gas tank thinking I had been hit by lightening from the storm overhead. This was a challenge for the most experienced rider and about when Karen and Doris started to think this was some sort of twisted-sister initiation.
Road weary - We were all thankful when we arrived at the hotel in Red Lodge MT. Warm lodging, hot food and great company always brings the spirits back up.
Cold - The next day we headed to the Beartooth Pass ride under a blue sky but cold temperatures. There was snow at the pass and the girls could not resist throwing snowballs at me while I tried to take their picture. A detour on the Chief Joseph Highway leads us to the beautiful little town of Cody. We were running out of time so back down the chief Joseph Highway we headed and to Cooke City the northeastern gateway to Yellowstone Park.
Wet - We just pulled into Cooke City for gas and the skies opened up again causing the rain to bounce off the payment. About half an hour of waiting saw the rain slow down so off we headed to Yellowstone Park, however; the rain never did quit for the remainder of our trip.
Traffic - We thought the tourist traffic through the Yellowstone Park was bad; it was nothing like the July 4th parade in Choteau. We were heading north and the parade was heading south. The Town Marshal detoured us away from the main street. Somewhere there, I recall seeing little kids on the side of the road with their bags of collected candy, waving to us and us weaving around tractors and decorated floats.
Congested traffic - We finally make the north side of town only to notice we lost Jiggs. Stopping in a turnoff, we waited. A friendly local stopped to inquire if we needed help. After a discussion, it was decided we had to go back into town to get gas. On the way back to town, we met Jiggs who turned around to join us in our battle with the locals to get to a gas station. After gassing up and with much struggle we crossed the traffic and head north out of the city for the second time.
More wet, More cold - We were now behind schedule. We were cold and wet to the bone. A brief stop in Browning MT almost resulted in us staying there for the night as we were in dire straits. After a pot of coffee and a bowl of soup, we decided we weren't that desperate. Jiggs and I left the group and headed to Hungry Horse, then home. The rest of the group headed north to Edmonton.
There was six of us and each had their own version of the trip. I can honestly say it was one of the best rides I have ever been on. Sure it was a challenge but I could not have done it in better company and I felt privileged to be part of the unanticipated twisted-sister initiation weekend.
Enduring Twisties, Long days in the saddle, Construction, Storms, Road weary, Cold, Wet, Traffic, Congested traffic, More wet, More cold will turn any novice into a seasoned rider. It is just that most riders don't do it all in one weekend. Kudos to Doris and Karen for hanging in there until the end. And many thanks to my sisters-in-the-wind for the memorable ride.
By Myra Abstreiter
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