2021 NW Starfest Planning

[MikeyC]

Have you ever ridden going to the sun road? I think it said it goes thru Glacier.

[Tykes_Place]

Yep. A few times. Camped a few times too. First ride was when I came to Montana in '91 on my Virago 750. I went back and forth twice. That was early August toward the end of my 7 month ride. I've been swimming in Lake McDonald. The water is so clear you can see the bottom at 50'. No kidding.

GTS is the main road that everyone takes across Glacier Park, between West Glacier and St Mary. Stunning views. It usually doesn't open until early June at least. Sometimes not until early July. Depends on the snow pack. So I can be hard to plan a trip in advance.

It's only 50 miles, but potentially a shit ton of traffic. So it's not a fast ride and you need to pay attention to idiot cagers that stop like they just saw Jesus.

A nice loop might be GTS from West Glacier to St. Mary. Then 89 to Kiowa, 49 to East Glacier, then Hwy 2 back across the lower park to West Glacier.

Are you planning a ride?

[MikeyC]

We saw a post of it and thought that might be a bucket list ride. Figured being in your neck of the woods that you had probably ridden it. May have to do another meet and greet up that way.

[Ahodge75]

NW Starfest?

[Tykes_Place]

I'm up for that! We've talked about a Montana meet before. Lolo highway, and Elk City is the closest we've been.

[Tykes_Place]

Definitely. Lots of nice mountain roads in NW Montana.

I've heard that Banff is even better.

[MikeyC]

It's getting close to the beginning of the year, time to start talking Starfest anyway.

[Ahodge75]

I actually was able to get July 18th - 24th for vacation this year so that would be a good week for me.....that is if I still have a job to go to.....our lovely governor has decided my place of work should be closed to help with the budget

[MikeyC]

I hope you still have a job then

[Ahodge75]

I’ve driven the going to the sun road and it has great views and I’d imagine a good ride. It sounds like a good trip for NW Starfest if that’s what is decided.

[Tykes_Place]

We’ll if this is what everyone wants to do I’d be glad to plan the route.
Maybe Banff too? Everyone would need passport or passport card.

[Shores]

An enhanced driver's license will work. Correct?

[Tykes_Place]

I think for border crossing it has to be a passport card or full passport. I’d have to research to be sure.

[Shores]

Here in WA we now have what is called an Enhanced Drivers License which allows us to enter and return from an adjacent country. EDLs are available to U.S. citizens who reside in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. EDLs are available to Canadian citizens residing in British Columbia and Manitoba, and formerly in Ontario and Quebec.

[Tykes_Place]

We have RealID. Not sure if that’s the same, or if it works fir border crossing.

Banff was just an idea. It would lengthen the trip by quite a bit.

[Ahodge75]

Will need to check on that. Some might not have a passport and would need to get one(me for one) I think it takes time to get one so sooner the better

[roadiemort]

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpce...um=1116&top=16

[Tykes_Place]

Notwithstanding a venture into Canada eh... What's everyone's thoughts on an extended NW Starfest trip? Meaning no "home base", but different destinations.

I'm looking at a starting point in or around Spokane. Then meandering towards West Glacier. Then through Glacier. Somewhere else. Etc. But overnighting in different places along the way. With the length of the trip it could be more than our typical 2 days.

Beartooth highway and Yellowstone would be epic, but that's a big trip and probably best for people that want to put in the effort and expense. Lodging in the area is expensive in the summer.

[Shores]

I think it would definitely limit the number of participants not only due to motel booking complications but the likelihood that you wouldn't be able to find reasonable lodging prices. Food cost would be higher because we would likely eat out every meal versus doing bulk grocery shopping and barbecues. I'm not saying that I wouldn't attend but I just think that it would limit participation. However it could pull more members from the North Central area of the US.

[Doc_V]

Dammit Mikey, you're going in the wrong direction... But that sure looks like a hell of a trip.

[Duke]

Going the wrong direction? I've been thinking of a SW Starfest around the Four Corners area.
It looks like May, or a September is the right timing for this area.

[Tykes_Place]

Maybe not NW Starfest then. But just a group ride for those that can.

[Jaybo]

With my massive changes in my work life I will be happy to be able to attend at all this year. I love the idea of a point to point to point trip would be awesome. Hell I would even be willing to camp. Don't know if that would work for a Starfest though.

[Ahodge75]

I like the idea also of the point to point trip. However if that’s not what others want I’m sure there are many rides there that we could do from a home base. I’m betting Tykes got some good ideas. Must admit though if our amazing governor here in Oregon has her way she will shut down my place of work forcing me to move to another part of the state and I may not be able to go due to her DEFUND LAW ENFORCMENT Movement.....I’ll be living in one part of the state while my family stays here in our home.....but a long trip would be just the ticket to get my mind off of reality for just a short bit.....

[JoeBloShmo]

I’d be down for a point to point trip but like Doc said
its the wrong way. I can make it to Saint George UT in a day. A point to point through Utah and Colorado would be amazing.

[MikeyC]

Some good point to point in Oregon, Washington and Northern Ca. too. Pick southern guys up coming from Ca. and group North till we're all there and roll back South. Logistics would be tough on a point to point.

Edit: changed some punctuation

[Brad_G]

While I'm not going to attend, I've watched this thread with interest. I see benefits to both. A point to point ride could be pretty cool to see a lot of territory and new places. But the logistics of food and lodging become more difficult. The other things as a participant of the Eureka Springs M&G, having a consistent home base makes it more flexible for those who may elect to come early or need to leave a bit early due to work requirements. It would be a shame to have limited participation due to the lack of flexibility. Just my .02 not that anyone asked.

[MikeyC]

My wife and i do a tour each summer and this last year had 2 other bikes with us. But we take 10 days which makes it easier and we just hope for motel space. With just us its not a problem but with 3 bikes we almost got snookered a couple times. The other thing is there is mot much visiting in the evening. Mostly because we end up being on the road 8 to 10 hours a day even if we only travel a distance of 250 miles. The visiting after the day ride is nice to be able to visit and talk about the day and learn about each other. Maybe we should look a Susanville Ca. as a meet point

[LDofDC]

This puts the "meet" into the meet n greet. Otherwise I wouldn't know about the heads up pennys and Lance's mom or the hoover dam story that Warden talks about, even tlr200 has a story or two. I think the RSc is down to only two annual MnG, PNW and Eureka Springs. I think too many variables in a point to point, like weather and some not being able to ride as far as others in one day, Stay in one area and explore. My opinion.