NART Calgary Alta. to Browning Mt.
We saw a bit of everything on this leg of the Tour. Divided highway, foothills, a little lake country and about 30 miles of twisties between Browning and St. Mary.
We burned the first tank of gas getting to Claresholm and thought this was as good a place as any for breakfast. Every notice how greasy food tastes better on the road?
Claresholm, Fort Mcleod, Cardston to Carway. While technically we were not on the prairies it was still a boring ride. Long flat super slab with little to challenge the senses other than the high winds. The winds are always strong in Southern Alberta and Saturday was no exception.
The Antique
Virago, with the help of the high winds, is still shedding parts. This time my
right hand side cover. 
Rich saw
something fly off the bike a little South of Fort Mcleod. By the time he
flagged me down, in that wind, I figure my side cover was halfway to
Saskatchewan.
We reached the border around 1:30 and were greeted by a relatively long line of a few cars and lots of bikes. It was a half hour to stretch and talk bikes with the others in line.
Unlike the Customs guy in North Dakota this gentleman was less interested in a motorcycle relay than he was in checking to see if we had a criminal record or how much illegal cash or goods we were carrying with us.
Once clear of Customs I gave Keith’s house a call. I think it was his wife who answered and let us know he was “on the road” to meet us. Now had we ridden a 100 meters beyond the border before making the call we could have saved the nickel cus there was Keith sitting on his naked Wing patiently waiting and reading a book. Had it not been for the wait at the border we would have arrived at about the same time.
After the meet, greet and a little gun talk (how we got on that subject I don’t know) Keith gave us a description of the roads and a warning about gusty winds and a couple of 90 degree corners South of St Mary, and we were off.
Keith was right about the winds. They were strong and gusting. What he didn’t tell us is they do not fence in their cattle in Montana. We passed several grazing on the grass growing on the shoulder of the road. Fortunately cattle are more sedate than deer.
The roads were good and the scenery great and once past St Mary we hit the twisties Keith told us about. He was right, they were challenging and fun. Keith had that naked Goldwing cooking around the corners. I overshot one corner and got the adrenalin pumping as I pushed a little harder on the left bar, willed myself not to look at the shoulder and trail braked to the apex of the corner. No problem, total control and as Rich told me later I had a foot and a half to spare.
When we stopped in Browning I checked out Keith’s rear tire. It was scuffed to within 3/8 of an inch of the edge. Not bad considering the gusty cross winds. I am sad to say the Antique Virago had a safety margin of 5/8 of an inch but we all had big smiles on our faces.
Rich & Keith topping up with fuel
After a stop for gas, a hell of a good burger, scintillating conversation and of course the traditional signing of the shirts Rich and I were on our way back to Calgary.
Keith (left) & Rich (right) signing the shirts
Keith deep in thought as he tries to go lower than Moto
Notice the mass stampede for the exit once the bikers arrived!
With the restaurant now to ourselves Rich admires everyone's handy-work
The trip back was mostly uneventful. Nothing fell of the bike, the cattle had moved on from the side of the road and the Canadian Customs guy was also disinterested in our reason for being in the States.
Rich and I stopped to catch a bit of the Canada Russia hockey game (woo hoo 3-1 for the good guys) and a beer (well I had a beer, he had something pink and slushy) in Claresholm before covering the last leg home.
It was a fine day for a ride, good company and terrific roads. It doesn’t get much better than that.
As with the riders before me it has been fun taking care of my leg of the Tour. I trust the Riders looking after the second half will enjoy it as much.
Ride Safe