Day 86-87: Heading Over to Helena
Missoula, MT to Helena, MT
115.09 Miles | 1:56 Riding Time
It’s Friday, July 5, 2024, and it’s Day 86 of my cross country motorcycle trip.
After three days of rest, I was feeling so much better. Not 100%, but good enough for a short ride, and I decided to head to Helena, MT and spend two nights there for two reasons. First, the hotels in Helena were much more affordable than in Missoula, and if I have to spend several days just sitting in a hotel, that matters. Second, it brings to a central location where I have the option of either going back up to Glacier to ride the Going to the Sun Road again (but on a sunny day), or heading over toward Red Lodge to get near the Beartooth highway entrance to Yellowstone.
The ride to Helena was pretty and uneventful. About an hour on the highway, then an hour on RT-12—up and over another scenic pass—into Helena. Unfortunately, no pictures today, because I picked up two bug splats on my lens about 10 minutes into the ride. While there was plenty of beautiful scenery, the splotches in the middle of the picture sort of negate the impact. Trust me. It’s nice.
On Saturday, I took things easy. I went for a long walk, had some lunch and caught up on all my postings. I also made the decision that I’m going to head back up to Glacier National Park tomorrow to give the Going to the Sun Road on more try. I have a reservation tomorrow night at the Rising Sun Motor Inn, which is inside the park and will let me get up and on the GTTSR early, with the sun over my shoulder. I’m so looking forward to it.
