To Challis... On A Sportster?

My Sportster, loaded up for the trip to Challis.

I own a Harley Davidson XL883 Sportster. It is a fun little bike to ride. It's quick and very nimble.  The 883cc V-Twin is a strong little engine that has ample power to get me where I want to go. The suspension consists of two externally mounted shock absorbers connected between the frame and the swing arm. Little else. I FEEL the road when I ride. I FEEL that famous Harley Davidson rumble. Rugged and free. Not sheltered. Wind in my face. It's everything an adventurous biker looks for in a ride.

Within the organization of CMA, rallys are important events. At a CMA rally, members gather and friendships are forged and strengthened. Rallys are a time of refreshment. Get some wind in your face, have a good time with other bikers, build one another up. 

Each summer I attend the Idaho state rally which has been held in Challis over the past four years. Challis is located in central Idaho near Borah Peak, Idaho's highest point. The route I take to Challis goes east on Hwy 12 to Lolo, MT then south on Hwy 93 back into Idaho. All told, a bit over 400 miles.

The first time I rode to Challis, I did so on my Sportster. Looking forward to the adventure, I was chomping at the bits to ride. The first 200 miles was great. However, as the day wore on, I was beginning to have my fill of feeling the road; the rumble, the rugged and free unsheltered adventure, the wind in my face. 

As anyone who lives in Idaho or Montana can tell you, there are three seasons in the region: Winter, Almost Winter, and Road Work. I was riding smack in the middle of Road Work. Oh the joy of being cut off by a flagger and waiting almost a half hour for the pilot car to return. Baking in the hot sun. Ah... but this was the mountains of Montana. Mercifully, a cloud moved in and gave me some shade. CRACK! BOOM! A lovely little thunderstorm. Oh, look! The pilot car has returned! I can continue on my journey. Surely, this must be the last of the construction delays. 🤣😂 Lather, Rinse, REPEAT.

By the time I reached my destination, about 13 hours after the adventure began, let's just say I wasn't feeling very sociable. Our area rep walked up and greeted me with a huge smile. "Glad you made it!" I muttered something about it being a small world unless you're riding a Sportster. I was finally at a rally to forge friendships, strengthen bonds with fellow CMAers, have a time of refreshment... All I wanted to do was SLEEP.