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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Rider in the Storm...

...

Ahhh,..Yellowstone, one of America's most beautiful and unusual national parks. It's amazing with its abundant wild life and natural scenery, and of course the geothermal features. You never forget those incredible geysers. At least that's what I remember when I was here ten years ago. This time I blasted right through, and didn't even go into the park. Why?..

Well,..I ain't religious, but God damn!..It was f*@king raining like a mother f*@ker!!!

Cold as hell, and dumping rain since I left Bozeman. I took HWY 191 through Big Sky to West Yellowstone. After getting there and reviewing the forecast, I thought it smart (and safe) to hit the road before the snow flies. All I wanted to do is ride the f*@k out of this storm!!

At least I stayed dry even if my fingers almost froze solid. The best thing about riding through a storm, is coming out the other side ("Break on through," flashes to The Doors). Once I hit Ashton, ID, the rain stopped and my fingers came back to life. I felt on top of the world! YES!! "Mother Nature, Is that all you got?!"

I think I'll stay in Driggs tonight...

(Ride Safe. Be Wise. Ride the road in pleasure, not in danger. - LiveWhereYouRide.com)

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Getting closer...


80mph to Bozeman…

The rain stopped – I had smooth air all the way – a far cry from the wind and rain of yesterday.

Getting closer, the Bridger Mountains came into view, just as I imagined them. I thought this would be a great place to get a better view (wanted to get airborne). I rode straight to Gallatin Field to check it out. I met Teri at Summit Aviation, and she informed me that Mark Taylor (Rocky Mountain Rotors) did flight instruction in his Robinson R-22. Mark and I met up, and immediately I knew I found the right guy. I didn’t want to just go flight seeing,..I wanted to fly the helicopter myself. One half-hour of ground school and we were off! We flew toward the Spanish Peaks to look for buffalo, elk, and wolves. Mark's expert instructing skills made my flight invaluable from a student's perspective, as well as a traveler. Thanks again, Mark!!!

This morning it’s time to hit the road again, and my new local Montanan friend, Teri, showed me a local place for breakfast that was great! Folks from Bozeman have been eating there for years, long before all the big box stores and the "outsiders" encroached upon this valley. I love little places like this cafe, they’re strongholds of original American culture and must be preserved and protected. I highly recommend you eat there at least once, but don’t ask me where to find it. If you want to visit, you gotta find it yourself. (Unplanned, unscheduled, and just happening,..that's Our Warrior!)

Good People of Montana Video...

Friday, May 28, 2010

A Friendly Place to call Home...

You just have to love Montana with its beautiful scenery and friendly people, and not to mention their roads with 70 -75 mph speed limits…YES!!!


After leaving Kalispell, it was off to Glacier National Park. I only made it 16 miles in, because the park is not fully open for the season. However what I did see on the Going To The Sun Highway was awesome, and I’d love to come back -- maybe the Hoka Hey will bring me back...hint, hint. (Hmm,..Lake Weir Living just might...)

I arrived in Helena in a thunderstorm (wouldn't have it any other way). In Helena you can't help but notice the double steeples of the Cathedral. Seeing them made me wonder if my old friend Nick still owned the Barrister Inn right next door. I called him up, and after 12 years since I last visited him, he said, "Com’on over! The live music downtown starts in a half hour.” I made it in perfect time -- of course -- and after many beers I had great nights sleep at the Inn.

Thanks, Ol’Buddy!! Yep, I could live in Montana...

(Sleep well, our Friction Zone Warrior, and may the wind be at your back.)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Happy Trails...


I awoke undecided to exactly where my destination would be. After running around Spokane rounding up more gear I headed east on 90 through Idaho. (What did the one potato says to the other potato?..LMAO!)

My original itinerary took me north through Sand Point, ID – but after checking the weather – I opted for Missoula. I would’ve made it, but I gave into temptation and got off 90 at St. Regis on 135.

…Ahhh, Yes! I love these secondary roads. This leg proved to be the right choice as I soon found myself riding through the Paradise Valley, and onto a jaw dropping view of Flathead Lake with jagged snow capped peaks in the distance. (Ahhh, yes…)

This is the West… Here it is. It's easy to imagine the bike is actually a horse riding through wild country. On top of all that the weather was perfect!!!

I devoured a steak dinner in Kalispell. After which I was too tired and too lazy to unpack the bike, so naturally I just rode it right into my hotel room.

Sweet dreams...

(Sleep well, our Friction Zone Warrior, may peace ride with you, and the trail be happy and keep your pony dry.)

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Countdown...


After fueling up in Gig Harbor, I was back on the road...

Railing through traffic on Interstate 5 is not my idea of vacation, but that's the reality of traveling. It wasn't long before I left the the hectic Interstate for the North Cascade Highway (HWY 20). Shortly after passing through the town of Concrete, the highway starts to reveal its reputation for being one the Country's most scenic routes.
(heart-pumping adventure...)

A lot of fun with a lot of corners to give the sidewalls the attention they deserve, and each vista surpassing the last. HELL YEAH!! This is the Shit!! It's why I bought the bike in the first place. Definately need more of that! Made it to Spokane earlier this evening, and I'm pondering my next leg. My planned route takes me to northern Montana with snow, rain and flood advisories...Hmmmm, might have to re-think this one...
(Keep your thoughts and blessings coming as the Friction Zone Warrior makes his journey.)

Monday, May 24, 2010

13,000 and counting...



After kicking back with cousins and catching up, it's time to hit the road again.

Although I had a great time driving my cousins KICK ASS corvette, and cruising around the Puget Sound on his yacht!..And meeting Terry, Doug, and Ken (three more cousins I didn't even know I had),..I'm antsy as HELL! I just wanna ride and burn a few hundred miles.

At work (Alaska Marine Highway), we say, "Put the rudder to this town." Awesome time, and thanks for all the hospitality, but I am "Outta here!"


I'll ride over the Cascades on HWY 20 East in search of sun, twistys and speed.
I'll let y'all know where my Iron Horse leads us...
(Brody is logging his iron horse journey.
Check back to see his experience rolls, as he hits the road!)

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery...

(Me and my new best friend EJ cruising Ketchikan, EJ works for the AMHS like me and we thought since the office is here, we'd drop in and let our dispacher Dan know that we won't be around for work for a while.)

Brody's lights out thoughts...
After getting off the short ride to Port Townsend on the WA state ferry, the second boat of the day, I continued south to Gig Harbor to visit my reletives Ron and Ruth. I think you would agree, what's the point of a road trip if you don't visit friends and family along the way?..
Anyway, on the leg of this trip -- I quickly remember what the pacific north west is all about-- RAIN!!! It's not green here by accident. It was coming down in buckets.

Anyone cruising a busy highway up to speed in these conditions knows it can be a little nerve racking, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it. Especially when I'm now writing this from a warm cozy DRY bed...
(Rest up, Brother. 13,500 miles and counting...)

Friday, May 21, 2010

5/21 Count Down to Hoka Hey from AK: 6/20 Key West, FL

Repairs are complete as we lay here in Ketchikan in the rare sun shine. Our ship was built in '64, and it has seen a lot of foul weather (some of it while I was at the helm). Now it's time for us to cross the gulf again, and make way our for Homer.


I've been contemplating my trip almost all the time now as we prepare to cast off our lines. I'm talking about my cross country motorcycle trip. I've traveled around the world more than once, and have been here and there most of my adult life, so this trip is just another chapter. However, I'm glad that I still get nervous a little preparing for the unknown. If I didn't, what would be the point of this adventure in the first place?

I haven't been a rider my whole life. In fact, this is a relatively new experience for me. I remember the first time I rode a motorcycle -- a dirt bike in Nepal, for a day -- a girlfriend back then said, "You're a boy! Of course you know how to ride!" and off we went through the countryside among rickshaws, elephants, and other things.
But, that's another story.

This is a BIG trip through Alaska, the lower 48, and back again with the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Some folks I know, just can't get their heads around it. Why? I don't just ship my bike down to the Keys? It's inconceivable for them. They don't get it! (And if I gotta explain it to you, then you don't get it!)

A 14,000-mile trip through some of the greatest terrain on the planet with like-minded riders and for chance to win a sack of gold in the end?.. Shhhhii##! It's a vacation of a life-time! Riding just for fun, setting my head down at night under a big sky, and moving at my own pace with folks who know what I'm talking about -- it's the freedom that we crave, and the passion that fuels our next ride.

My route is picked out with some ideas of things to see and do along the way. But mostly, I'm leaving things open and letting the trip unfold for me as we (me and my 2010 HD Dyna WG) go. Funny, as I think about the start of this trip, I can't help but get the feeling that it has already started, and now I'm left pondering the past, present, and future as one thing. Yeah, this trip is going to be...? And, that's the beauty of it!

(Brody will log his trip.
Came back daily until July as he reaches the end of his 14,000 miles!)



Thursday, May 20, 2010

14,000 Miles on an Iron Horse by Brody McNeill


14,000 MILES FROM AK TO FL, AND BACK AGAIN ON AN IRON HORSE

Friction Zone Warrior rides Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge 2010 (& more)

OCKLAWAHA, FL -- May 20, 2010, Brody McNeill of Anchorage, Alaska will ride his way from Alaska to Florida, and back again to Alaska as the sponsored Friction Zone Warrior for Lake Weir Living in the 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. McNeill will meet up with 1,000 chosen riders from around the globe to embark on what is truly a challenging ride through public roadways into deep back-road terrain. The Iron Horse Riders understand the risks involved riding across two countries and four-time zones. And McNeill wants to do it twice!


Lake Weir Living (LiveWhereYouRide.com) is a motorcycle enthusiasts’ residential community in Central Florida (Ocklawaha, FL). The Rider-Friendly community (with home and land packages from the $90s) is nestled between what Harley-Davidson endorses as some of Florida’s best touring roads. Brody McNeill, Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) deck-hand and private pilot, is Lake Weir Living’s Friction Zone Warrior during the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge 2010!


This challenge of endurance, navigation and wit is what fuels McNeill’s fire. Filled with passion, between his days off from AMHS or flying a plane for fun, you usually find Brody heli-skiing (helicopter drop onto a mountain top) down Alaska’s mountain range, or suspended from a steep river ravine catching wild salmon! McNeill’s in-it, to win-it! The first Warrior to arrive in Homer, Alaska on July 20, 2010 wins the $500,000.00 U.S. (Five Hundred Thousand Dollars U.S.) in Alaskan gold as valued on June 20, 2010. McNeill will be keeping a daily log of his journey. “We’re proud to sponsor Brody McNeill, our Friction Zone Warrior,” says Neil Schuster, Co-Managing Partner of Lake Weir Living. “We wouldn’t want anyone else to represent us in the Challenge. His spirit is what’s true about riders – the motorcycle family camaraderie. On the road riders have each others’ back, and that’s what we’re building at Lake Weir Living, a motorcycle friendly community where homeowners watch out for their neighbors and respect their bikes.”


For story information and photos, please call 352-304-0027 or email info@lakeweirliving.com.

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