Alaska Day 4

Well, today is a different day. I was up early wondering if my trip to Alaska would end today. I figured I would be here in Pierre for at least two more days. That would make it almost impossible for me to catch up with the guys unless I want to do 700 mile days. I'm not interested in doing that kind of mileage, so I figured I would just take the scenic route home.

I went to the local Perkings restaurant around 7:30 am for breakfast. Afterwards I headed to the shop. When I arrived they already had the bike on the lift and was getting ready to work on it. It took them about a hour to remove the drive shaft, and it turned out the problem wasn't the u-joint as I first believed.

It seems the shaft jumped off the splines due to lack of lubrication. The shaft was stuck in the rear position and with the flex of the bike it jumped off the splines. Why there is a lack of lubrication is something I will have to think about. This is not what could be considered a maintenance item. The bottom line is I was back on the road in two hours.

I headed west on Highway 34 out of Pierre. What a scenic road. This is for sure another must do road. I followed 34 to Sturgis where I took a small break and ate a hot dog. I then headed north on 79 to 212 where I turned west. The winds were high today. The one main thing I do not like about the trike is that its a bitch to handle in the wind. You get moved around a bunch. By the time I arrived a Broadus, MT I was ready to call it a day.

I checked into the local motel, and then contacted John. They are in Great Falls, MT which means they are about 400 miles ahead of me. We hatched a plan, where I would leave at daylight in the morning and drive to Shelby, MT. They are going to have a short day and stay in Calagry. Shelby is only about 200 miles from Calagry, so I will get another early start, and should be caught up with them by 8 am Monday. Of course that assuming that I don't have any other bike problems.

We will see what happens.