7/30/22
I got up earlier than normal to get on the road. While I only have 150ish miles to go today I had a few places I want to visit.
https://goo.gl/maps/bVeQ5VsoTNZnhtL89
I am continuing on US-12 Northwest Passage Scenic Byway east along the Clearwater River and then eventually the Lochsa River. The morning was cool in the 70s which was a nice contrast to the 90s days in the past week. The road gently curves to follow the river and there were many turn offs for photos.
At one such turn offs, the ground was a lot steeper than it looked. I dipped in and wanted to make a U-turn so I can point my bike towards the exit. As I almost had the nose pointed in the right direction, the bike was leaned over to the left a bit further than I anticipated. I gave it a bit of gas to keep it moving, I then heard the roar of the engine as it sounds when there isn't enough clutch. Next thing I knew, the bike kept leaning over to the left, I stepped off the bike and down it went. I was on my feet without any injuries. I turned off the bike and tried to lift it up. No go. Tried it a few more times and I could only lift it an inch or so off the ground even when lifting it from behind my back.
Two months on the road, over twelve thousand miles traversing across the US and Canada, The Top of the World Highway and a thousand round trip miles on the Dalton Highway, and on this simple pullout in Idaho is where I drop the bike. A few cars drive by without a care. I was just about to start taking off the luggage when a car pulls off the road next to me. Two young guys get out and asked if I needed help. Turns out one of them rides a cruiser. The three of us pick up the bike easily. I put the side stand down and the bike is basically leaning over 45 degrees. They hold the bike straight up while I mount it. I give them my thanks and get back on the road.
I did manage to stop at a few more pull offs without any further issues.
After about 110 miles, I reach the Lolo Pass Visitor Center. They have a station where you can read about the history of Lewis and Clark and the native communities and figures of that era, most notably Chief Joseph.
From the Visitor Center to Lolo, Montana is only about 33 miles. The road is scenic as it cuts through the mountains. Not very technical, it's a relaxing and easy ride. Once I reach Lolo, Montana, I head north on 93 into Missoula.
A short ten miles into downtown Missoula, I check into my motel and stop by a few motorcycle shops in search for a new helmet. The falling visor is just driving me nuts. If I found a shop that carried the Scorpion AT950 helmet, then I would buy one for the rest of my trip home. The 950 is cheap enough and I was very close to buying one back home anyways. After a few stops, I did find one shop that carried it and they offered to ship my old helmet back home for $20, plus no sales tax in Montana so I decided to go for it.
Once I got the new helmet, I headed 30mins north to the Garden of a Thousand Buddha. I found this place online during my research and wanted to see a thousand buddha statues in the Flathead Valley of Montana. Interestingly, the ten acres that this garden sits on is on Confederated Salish and Kootenai reservation land.
Read more about the garden here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/garden-of-one-thousand-buddhas
After this stop, I went back into town and got myself a steak dinner at the Lolo Creek Steakhouse per my friend Jim's recommendation. It was fantastic and will be a regular stop in my future Missoula visits. Next day off to Red Lodge.