Calgary - Helena, MT Motorcycling

I-15 Highway, entering Helena, MT, southbound

1. After waiting for the sky to clear, I decided that we go at 10:10 on Sunday, June 19. It was drizzling when we left, and sometimes clouds chased us along Highway 2 southbound. This time we didn't stop in Nanton for refueling. The wind was relatively calm for Highway 2, even after Claresholm toward Fort Macleod.

2. As we rode near Fort Macleod, the crosswind picked up. We refueled there after a 200 km nonstop stretch. Carrying a Camelbak behind my back helps quench my thirst. I didn't have the need to buy a drink at the gas station. The wind gust from the mountain became fierce when we headed southbound along Route 2 from Fort Macleod to Cardston, and then to the Carway US border crossing. My F700GS leaned clockwise about 10 degree to compensate for the crosswind blowing eastbound.

3. The border crossing staff asked where we'd go. I said New Orleans. "Are you going to ride to New Orleans with a motorcycle?" Yes, I reply. He smiled, and pretty soon we passed St. Mary – the gate to the US Glacier National Park – on Route 89. We kept going along twisty mountain curves to reach the fork to Route 287 at Browning. It was chilly along the curves; at times the temperature reached 10 degree C.

4. Route 287 was a good alternative to I-15 Highway between Canada-US border and Great Falls, MT, for motorcycles. It was quiet, not too twisty. We met a couple each riding a Harley from South Carolina when we stopped at Buffalo Joe's in Dupuyer, MT, for lunch. The fried 1/2 chicken at the restaurant was fantastic, highly recommended. We saw the couple dance along the route until Choteau, MT, where we refueled after the 280 km stretch from Fort Macleod.

5. We reached Helena, MT at 18:30 after a 160 km leg from Choteau by continuing on Route 287 and changing to I-15 Highway north of Wolf Creek, MT. 

6. Total gasoline spent for the 640 km trip was US$13 and CD$13. The highlight was the high crosswind section between Fort Macleod and Carway, and also the twisty curves between St. Mary and Browning.