DK's Definitive Ride Report - Some of the Best Scenic Roads Out West - Tons of Photo'

[DK Custom Products]

You look good on that Dyna

Thanks! It is a very cool bike...but like I told Brandon when I got back from my little ride on it, no way I could own one, way too fast. I would hurt myself. It has a built 120 in it.


Nope, no wheelies.

Valley of Fire sounds too HOT! My brother lives in Boulder City, right next to Lake Meade...it's too hot there!

Kevin

 

[bikerbillone]

What brand of 'cool vest' does Mary have and is it working for her in that heat. Guess I have to add that I've not found one that works very well in the Florida humidity, better in the dry heat.

 

[DK Custom Products]

What brand of 'cool vest' does Mary have and is it working for her in that heat. Guess I have to add that I've not found one that works very well in the Florida humidity, better in the dry heat.

She has a HyperKewl by Techniche, purchased on Amazon. Cost around $30

She has worn in humid heat (but probably not like Florida) and it has worked fine for her. Dry heat it works well also. What I've noticed is when it get up around 95-96 and there is no cloud cover, that is when she likes to put it on...if she has it on and it drops below 80, she is too cold and needs to take it off.

I don't know if the fact that she is always wearing a mesh jacket over it makes it work better or worse.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 15-

Today is a short 300 miles from Laramie to Dubois, Wyoming, where Mary has made reservations at the Super-8 there. Getting much closer than that to the Grand Tetons & Yellowstone, and the availability of rooms get scarce and the prices go WAY up!

Headed out...

We didn't see much traffic all day, but somehow I got in this situation-one that I try and avoid. A trailer carrying a truck ahead, and in the other lane a car with an overloaded ???? barely strapped to the roof.

I got around and past these two pretty quickly.

A typical look ahead today...

...and a look behind.

And another look ahead, clouds are burning off above some long straight road...

...and another look behind.

Mary's trigger finger was getting twitchy...only so many cloud and blank land pics to be taken...so she worked on getting photo's from above...

Cruise on 72 mph and no hands. Road was pretty flat, so I could go about a quarter of a mile without needing to touch the bars. Sounds like a long ways, but at 72 mph, that's only about 12 seconds.

Most of the miles today were eaten up with a couple of fingers on one grip.

As we got closer to Dubois, there was some variation in the landscape...decided to stop here, by the river, to eat our lunch.

It was nice by the river.

Continued in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 15 concluded-

While eating lunch near the river we noticed a deer on the other side-

After a relaxing lunch, and spending 45 minutes looking around the side of the river, it's time to head out...

...Riding back up the gravel drive to the asphalt.

A look back-

As we get closer to Dubois, we are seeing some variation in the landscape.

Off to the side-

We're here!

Photo in shop window-

Dubois has a population of less than 1,000. When we went shopping in town, we had a surprise!!! We met decman from XL Forum. Did not even know he lived here. He thought he recognized Mary from our Ride Reports, then he saw the Trike with the DK 3 Plate.

We chatted for a while, and he gave us some tips for our ride tomorrow. Good People!

We have not ridden a lot in the last two days, but we're both sort of tired, probably from so much riding the previous 5 days! Wish we could have spent more time with decman!

We headed off to the Super-8, our home away from home.

Tomorrow we head over to the Grand Tetons, and then up to the West entrance of Yellowstone!

*

Kevin

 

[kybigmac]

I like the sheepskin cover on your seat,where would a guy go about getting one of those?

 

[DK Custom Products]

I like the sheepskin cover on your seat,where would a guy go about getting one of those?

I don't remember where we got it. This is the 4th or 5th motorcycle the same sheepskin has been on.

I think the name was Alaska Sheepskin something or other. Sorry I do not have the link.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16-

Leaving out of Dubois...

Right off the bat, it is clear, this is gonna be a GREAT DAY of Riding and Scenic views.

Oh yeah! Fun road, and great views, and we're barely started!

We have reservations at a motel in West Yellowstone tonight, but first we are climbing Togwotee Pass, then on to the Grand Teton National Park, then across Teton Pass, then into Idaho to travel north up to W. Yellowstone.

Climbing Togwotee Pass, this is a welcome road and view after the last couple of days.

Thoroughly enjoying the ride!

Almost to the summit, and it is getting a bit chilly...

...which makes sense as we cross the Continental Divide at 9658 feet.

We pull over to enjoy the views & so Mary can put on her electric jacket.

Heading down the other side now...

...a beautiful winding road, and those are the Grand Teton mountains in the distance!

more in next post.

*

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

Getting closer to Grand Teton National Park!

Yeah!

That sounds like a good idea.

​​​​​​​ooops, forgot to clean my windshield this morning!

This range is so big...

...Mary took dozens of photos...

...these are just a few of them.

There are no roads into these mountains...you can hike up into them, but that is not in the cards for us.* lol

A close up from the bike.

We did ride to Lake Jenny, which is the closest road to them.* Parked and took a little hike to the lake...

...hope we don't need to make use of these 5 options!

Will post more on Day 16 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[Fearless]

I don't remember where we got it. This is the 4th or 5th motorcycle the same sheepskin has been on.

I think the name was Alaska Sheepskin something or other. Sorry I do not have the link.

Kevin

Sheep skin covers all colors sizes and shapes. Village Shop.com don't mean to but in but these folks have it all check them out just sayin... Fred

 

[ol' school]

Totally amazing photographs! Makes one want to be there! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Sheep skin covers all colors sizes and shapes. Village Shop.com don't mean to but in but these folks have it all check them out just sayin... Fred

Thanks Fred, not sure if that is where we got ours, but they look like they have a nice selection!

Totally amazing photographs! Makes one want to be there! Thanks for sharing!!!

Good to hear that you're enjoying! Lots more to come.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

After hiking down to Jenny Lake...

...we looked around, enjoying the quiet and the beautiful views...

... Mary messing around on a log in the water!

Walking back to the parking lot we ran into some folks from Tennessee and Mississippi, chatted for a bit, and got our picture taken.

Back rolling now, taking it all in...or, at least trying to.

Saw a little side road, with a wooden bridge across the stream. Went across it and ended up in an RV campground.

Back rolling on the asphalt, amazing views and perfect weather!

Rolling around 50 mph, you can see Mary in the mirror, taking a photo of the mountains she sees in the mirror.

A look back over her shoulder.

We're getting close to passing thru Jackson.

More coming on Day 16 as time allows.

*

Kevin

 

[DblTrbl]

First chance I have had to check out this years ride. Went thru all 20 pages. Once again, amazing pictures and summary. Hoping one day I can make a trip with you or at least part of one. Stay safe!!

 

[Pegasus1300]

Day 16 continued-

After hiking down to Jenny Lake...

...we looked around, enjoying the quiet and the beautiful views...

... Mary messing around on a log in the water!

Walking back to the parking lot we ran into some folks from Tennessee and Mississippi, chatted for a bit, and got our picture taken.

Back rolling now, taking it all in...or, at least trying to.

Saw a little side road, with a wooden bridge across the stream. Went across it and ended up in an RV campground.

Back rolling on the asphalt, amazing views and perfect weather!

Rolling around 50 mph, you can see Mary in the mirror, taking a photo of the mountains she sees in the mirror.

A look back over her shoulder.

We're getting close to passing thru Jackson.

More coming on Day 16 as time allows.

*

Kevin

I have been going thru your photos of your trip and longing to get back out on the road again. I just got back from the Deadwood 3wheeler Rally and now your pictures make me ready to leave again. BTW when you were in Crawford Co that's where Joe Cocker and his wife used to live at the Mad Dog Ranch. They both rode trikes. As I remember his restaurant was just across the street from that store.

 

[ultrafxr]

I have been going thru your photos of your trip and longing to get back out on the road again. I just got back from the Deadwood 3wheeler Rally and now your pictures make me ready to leave again. BTW when you were in Crawford Co that's where Joe Cocker and his wife used to live at the Mad Dog Ranch. They both rode trikes. As I remember his restaurant was just across the street from that store.

Been through Crawford many times. Nice little town and great riding around there. Ate at his restaurant once. He had lots of memorabilia there at that time. Great singer / performer. I really enjoyed his music.

Last time we were there we were riding through town on a Sunday morning. Just outside of town we came across a herd of cattle being driven toward town . . . and the cowboys were herding them down the road! Had to stop the bike and wait for them to pass . . . and pass they did right up close and personal to us. Wife asked what would happen if one of them nudged us on the bike. I said I imagine we'll fall over. But it did not hapen and we were glad when they had passed and we could continue on our way.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

We stopped in Jackson for gas...

...then double back to Teton Village.* (the back road from the NP was closed)

We thought about riding in one of those little cars, suspended above the ground on a cable....but they were closed for maintenance....which might have been a blessing, since we were not totally comfortable with the idea.* lol

Found a shady spot on a grassy area...

...near a little stream and ate our lunch.

Nice cloud pic as we are leaving Teton Village...

...heading for Teton Pass.* It did not take long to get past all those cages up there, so we could thoroughly enjoy the road and the views.

​​​​​​​*Fun ahead road sign!

This road, climbing the pass, is definitely scenic and fun to ride!

More of Day 16 in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

Continuing up Teton Pass, this is a super fun road to ride and...

...the lack of traffic and the views are huge bonuses!

As we head down the other side, there are even more "fun ahead" signs!

I don't know why, at 60 y/o I still have just as much fun in the curves as I did at 6 y/o, it must be in my blood.* lol

Heading down this beautiful pass toward...

...Idaho...

...The land of Potatoes.* That is a Big Spud!* lol

Not too far into Idaho we stop for a panoramic shot back at the Teton Mountains.* We're now on the west side of them.

We do not have any photos that really capture the uniqueness of this section of 22 in Idaho.* It is full of elevation changes and snaking roads, sometimes tight, sometimes longer sweepers...

...it is an absolute blast to ride, and very different than anything else we've ridden up til today.

​​​​​​​More on Day 16 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 Concluded-

After turning north onto 20, there were 17 vehicles behind this semi, and in front of us, for well over 30 minutes. He would go slow up the hills and in curves, then speed up to 65-70 when the road was straight enough for anyone to pass...and no one would pass him. Finally there was a chance, and I got up to 90 mph, but I got past all the folks behind him, plus his front and rear escort vehicles...

...after that it was smooth sailing with very little traffic and some great views!

Cloud pic-

Crossing into Montana...

...this has been an amazing day of riding, great roads, great weather, spectacular scenery, all in three different States!

Here we are, West Yellowstone, Montana...

...this motel is our home for the next 3 nights. We'll be spending some relaxing time exploring Yellowstone NP.

After we checked in, unloaded, then went across the street to the grocery store....I had something I wanted to check out. My video camera has a remote microphone that is at the rear of the trike. A few days ago I noticed that the sound on my videos was not coming from the remote microphone, but from the mic built into the camera. The built in mic basically picks up wind noise, whereas the remote mic picks up very little wind noise but does a great job of capturing the exhaust note.

I was hoping that the cable to the mic was damaged, or the connector had come loose. So I pulled the seat and inspected the cable. Connector is not loose, and I could find no obvious cable damage. Oh well, it could still be the cable, or might be the actual mic or the connection at the camera. Doubt that I'll take the time to troubleshoot and fix it until we get back home.

That's it for another epic day of riding. Tomorrow we head into Yellowstone NP.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

We're opposites! :laugh:

We've been there many times, but never in a car....but there have been a few times when we got caught in traffic, in the sun, on a hot day, and it would have been nice to be sitting in air-con.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 17-

Today is the first of 3 days that we're exploring Yellowstone at a relaxed pace. Always before we've been thru Yellowstone and only had 1 or 1.5 days, and then our schedule had us moving on.

I think most everyone has seen tons of photo's of Yellowstone, and Mary took over 500 today, but I'm just going to share a few...well, about 20 of them.

Here we are coming up to the entrance. We already have our NP pass, so we just stop and get a map...

... go thru and pull over to look at it, deciding what we'll do today.

Saw this bike/trike? go by...

...we were stuck in a bit of "buffalo in the road" traffic, you can see how low and small it is on the right side, above the fairing, as it cooked along in the bike lane.

We saw a LOT of buffalo today!

And some fantastic sights!

Waiting, a good distance back, for them to cross the road.

Saw a few groups of riders today.

Yellowstone is an amazing place, and very scenic. But whenever I see this kind of activity, I can't help but think the earth is leaking, and one day it's not gonna be so pretty here. eeek!

Mary enjoying the walk thru the earth's pressure relief valve.

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 17 concluded-

hahaha, Stock. Bikes. Suck. Did not know Mary took this pic til this afternoon when we got back and I downloaded all her photos.

We headed over to Old Faithful...

...walked over to near it, had our lunch, and it was still another 1.5 hours before it blew again....we saw that just a couple of year ago, so we took a few photos...

...and were on our way. Here's another little traffic jam. Buffalo are walking down the middle of the road, between the cars. I hung back, keeping an escape route open...

...they came to about 10 feet from our front tire, then decided to cut across our lane and walk along the side of the road. Mary was pretty nervous and did not take any photo's until one of them was right beside us...I still could not move forward, since there was another one right in front of us. But I was ready to cut left, into the oncoming lane, if necessary.

This photo is of one right beside us, about 5 feet away. Massive creatures.

Absolutely stunning views!

Another guy that Mary grabbed a pic of as we rode by.

Mary in the Mirror...heading back to W. Yellowstone.

A quick look back...we have two more days to putt around.

Back "home".

Tomorrow is more time in Yellowstone!

Kevin

 

[ol' school]

Awesome pictures as usual! Yellowstone is full of beautiful scenery! Love the buffalo pics! Probably is pretty unnerving sitting on a trike in the open with one walking that close to you!!!

 

[MDO]

Awesome photos Kevin! You & Mary will need to publish a book.

 

[DakotaTG]

Some great pictures of Yellowstone and the buffalo. Gayle and I have been thru Yellowstone 12 times total with several trips on the trike and the rest in a car. Been there early in May and late in October. Actually living here in Idaho now we will get there a few more times I'm sure. We have also been very close to the buffalo. One time Gayle could have slapped the one on the hind quarter as we rode pass, but not a good idea to do that. We've also been close to elk near Mammoth Hot Springs. On a couple occasions we had called out to people to back away from buffalo as they were getting very close to get their selfies and pictures.

Have also been close to buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in ND. On one occasion we had to stop and help out a couple on a motorcycle that had been hit by a buffalo. Took about 15 minutes for park rangers to get there, about 45 minutes for two ambulances. She had a fractured ankle and he a perforated lung. They actually didn't see the buffalo as it was the last of the herd crossing the road and was hidden by brush and a deep ditch and just came up into them. Three rangers ended up responding and one of them was going to go looking for the herd to see if the one buffalo was injured.

Enjoy the ride!!!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Awesome pictures as usual! Yellowstone is full of beautiful scenery! Love the buffalo pics! Probably is pretty unnerving sitting on a trike in the open with one walking that close to you!!!

Thanks. Yes, it is not comfortable to be within range of them and not have a good escape route.

Awesome photos Kevin! You & Mary will need to publish a book.

Thank you!

Some great pictures of Yellowstone and the buffalo. Gayle and I have been thru Yellowstone 12 times total with several trips on the trike and the rest in a car. Been there early in May and late in October. Actually living here in Idaho now we will get there a few more times I'm sure. We have also been very close to the buffalo. One time Gayle could have slapped the one on the hind quarter as we rode pass, but not a good idea to do that. We've also been close to elk near Mammoth Hot Springs. On a couple occasions we had called out to people to back away from buffalo as they were getting very close to get their selfies and pictures.

Have also been close to buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in ND. On one occasion we had to stop and help out a couple on a motorcycle that had been hit by a buffalo. Took about 15 minutes for park rangers to get there, about 45 minutes for two ambulances. She had a fractured ankle and he a perforated lung. They actually didn't see the buffalo as it was the last of the herd crossing the road and was hidden by brush and a deep ditch and just came up into them. Three rangers ended up responding and one of them was going to go looking for the herd to see if the one buffalo was injured.

Enjoy the ride!!!

Thanks. Yes, I've seen some Youtube vids on them knocking bikes over with just a effortless toss of their heads. They can move fast too, when they want to. I prefer to keep my distance!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 18-

Today is our second day in Yellowstone, and it is starting out beautifully!

Almost right away we saw these buffalo slowing down a LONG line of traffic going the opposite direction.

They were walking right down the center of the lane!

Cute!

Stopped for some photo's of this waterfall...the beauty in this NP never fails to amaze.

Back riding, enjoying the views!* It is so nice to be able to take our time on this trip, and stop wherever, whenever we want, knowing we have 3 full days to explore.

This is the section of road construction that a few folks have mentioned.

Sheepeater Cliff...when I first read that I thought it was because sheep "ate it" falling off the sheer edge.* Then I read the explanation for the name.* lol

Just amazing, picturesque view after view!*

Was sort of surprised to see snow in Yellowstone still, but there it is.

Even though the speed limit is relatively slow in the park, and the roads are mostly straight...there are some really fun sections of road too.

​​​​​​​More on Day 18 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[ol' school]

Love the pics Kevin and Mary! Beautiful place to see indeed!