As we made our way alongside the Skagit River, I had chance to enjoy the scenery and the company of my fellow scribes in the beautiful, morning sunshine. (Photo: Tom Riles and Brian J. Nelson)

As we made our way alongside the Skagit River, I had chance to enjoy the scenery and the company of my fellow scribes in the beautiful, morning sunshine. A quick coffee stop to change bikes, and I rode until lunch on the Street Bob fitted with ape-hangers, and I have to say I really liked this position better. I certainly applaud the clean looks and the $12,999 purchase price if you buy the base model. With the blacked-out engine, single seat, and license plate relocated to the left side of the bike, the lack of obvious bling just makes this bike seem seriously cool to me. And it’s a lively performer when the roads open up, although high-speed cruising gets a little breezy if you hold the throttle wide open too long.

After lunch we put on another enjoyable 50 miles before fueling and here I took over the controls of an FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic for an incredible 96 miles on the North Cascades Highway. With stunning mountain vistas at every turn, and deep, fast-flowing rivers, scented pine forests, and beautiful sunshine, riding a spirited pace with a group of experienced riders in close formation just completed the bliss. Really settling into the Softail, a little care had to be taken in some of the fast sweepers as the fork-mounted fairing makes for some nervous handling. But keep it sane, and the ride is superb; I couldn’t have wished for more. With a quick swap to let someone else try the Softail, I ran the last twenty or thirty miles into Winthrop with Global Enduro leader, Richie Finnie. A mad fellow Brit, he and I hit it off immediately and enjoyed a fast ride through the stunning countryside on nearly deserted roads. Soon enough, though, Winthrop rolled across the bars, and, marveling at the lively cattle town, we made our way to the Sun Mountain Lodge above town for a hearty meal and a chance to relive our day in the saddle.

A leisurely start to the next day, with a chance to trade through all the different bikes on offer at the various coffee and photo stops, saw us heading toward Canada. Riding through the Okanogan National Forest on a road known as the Seven Devils, I found myself back on a big dresser. It somehow seemed to fit the large landscape, and after some technical hiccups, I won’t say fussy Canadian border guards in public we rolled into Canada to a very nice lunch in a shady vineyard. And here I had been expecting lumberjacks chopping down trees and drinking beer. The mileage prediction for today was only around 300, but with all the various sightseeing, food, fuel and photography stops, the Sundance Ranch was a welcome sight as we rolled in dusty and suitable ready for a cold beer after a stunning afternoon of wide-open Canadian landscape.

I awoke the following morning with the sun rising over the wide-open mountains and a warm wind blowing over the vast expanse of grassland reaching out around my cabin. Walking a few paces to a rustic wooden fence, I gazed out at the view as dozens of horses were making their way back to the ranch. Breakfast was a hearty Canadian affair, with copious cups of strong coffee and bacon and eggs served by beautiful, hardy, young Canadian waitresses. Devoid of makeup, surgical enhancements, and attitude, they regaled us with travel stories from their globetrotting adventures, and indulged us by appearing interested in ours. There’s a certain point in every journey when people become totally comfortable with each other, and this morning it is evident as we laugh and joke with each other, fueled on the java and the anticipation of another incredible day in the saddle.

Leaving one group to ride horses, I saddled up and rolled out with another behind the mini-fairing of the Electra Glide Ultra Unlimited. With the warm glow of the early morning sun and a light chill in the air, we rode down into the small town of Ashcroft. All the low-slung, single-story buildings seemed as if they were hunkered down tight alongside the fast-flowing river. An industrial town, she was looking her best, though, in the golden light, as a lone, wooden church spire stood above all the other buildings. We quickly said goodbye in a couple of gear changes and powered up a long hill and out into the wild, open spaces once more setting our course for Whistler.