Never Pass Gas

I've been attending the World Superbike Races in Salt Lake City for the past three years. Each year I planned on riding my motorbike to the event, but each year some unfortunate circumstance prevented me from doing so; two years ago I had a work conflict, last year the weather. A good friend had ridden his Moto Guzzi twice, so this year I was determined to take the journey on two wheels, come hell or high water.

The weather in Montana never cooperates on Memorial Day; I cannot recall a sunny holiday weekend in ten years.  The weather forecast predicted rain for the entire corridor from Helena to Salt Lake, but improving daily.  Yesterday, the sun shone in Helena and I decided to hastily pack my gear and start my journey early while the weather was improving. So off I went without a plan, to see how far I could get....

Not one for taking the interstates, I stuck to two lane roads; Hwy 69 from Boulder, Hwy 359 from Cardwell and US 287 through Ennis to near Quake Lake. The ride was cool and windy but manageable; the bikes temperature gauge read 48 degrees. Having made it to Ennis without getting wet by squeezing between storms, I thought my luck was running good.  I took a quick break to stretch my legs and check phone messages. The fuel gauge looked full and so continued on.

"Never pass gas" is an old biker mantra, I didn't take heed today. Here I was at the junction of Hwy 287 and MT 87, cold, wet and snow was falling hard, better yet my fuel light was just about to indicate reserve. The weather had deteriorated fast since leaving Ennis and no gas stations exist in between. Turning around was not possible and going to West Yellowstone, where it was surely snowing harder, was out of the question. Nothing to do but press on into Idaho and pray for the best.

Hwy 87 is a short stretch of road, but today it seemed like an eternity. Snowing even harder now, the bikes heated grips couldn't keep my hands warm, snow caked my visor and this little yellow light was flashing in my face reminding me of the gas station in Ennis. The Road was filled with vacation homes and RV parks but no gas stations. Where do these people get their gas?! Is that a highway junction I see ahead through the snow?

Turning west on US Hwy 20 made me feel a little better, and elated when a few yards down the road was a GAS STATION! Riding through the slushy parking lot, I parked next to a pump and immediately went in side to warm up.
"You weren't expecting this, were ya?" was the first thing out of the attendants mouth.
"Nope." with a shiver in my voice.
"Don't Worry, you're not the only biker through here today. The weather gets better once you get off the mountain." she said.

After fueling up the snow covered bike, I pressed on through the snow and slush for another 30 miles, wiping the fog and snow from my visor, and impatiently waiting for the weather to break. The Targhee National Forest must be beautiful to ride through, but today was I concerned more with cold hands and wet roads. Then through the trees I could see sunlight and a road sign - 6% grade ahead. I was getting off this mountain to warmer temps!

The decent into the valley below was a relief, I never thought 38 degrees could feel so good on the hands. Eventually, the temperature rose to 50 when I hit the valley floor and the snow that caked my bike melted away. Feeling rejuvenated, I pressed on to Idaho Falls where a nice warm hotel room, hot shower and a cold beer awaited. 

Next stop Salt Lake City by back roads and....  no passing gas.