It’s the event I’ve been planning all my summer travel around. Spoiler alert: It was completely worth it! Amanda Zito, a.k.a. As the Magpie Flies on YouTube, holds an annual small gathering on her family’s farm in western Montana. I’ve been a fan of her channel for years, her well-made cinematic videos of her motorcycle travels, and her positive encouragement to “get out and do the thing.” Over time I went from being a fan, to a journalist writing about her videos, and now a genuine friend after chatting a bit online and hanging out a few times last year. So I was glad to get into the Rocky Mtn Roll this year, particularly because my big loop around the US was bringing me through the area anyway.
While Lister was not the only “camp kitty” here, he quickly endeared himself to everyone, doing his job of breaking the ice and starting conversations with people. It’s not like I needed that help in this environment, though. People here are quite welcoming and friendly, plus we already have common interests in motorcycles and Amanda’s work.
Before I knew it, I was busting out my jump pack to start a nearby Subaru that cranked but wouldn’t fire. Later on it did it again, and its occupants (a female couple, just to live up to the stereotype) asked for my help again. I got my voltmeter and quickly diagnosed the problem, an alternator that was sucking power out of the battery instead of charging it. One great thing about Subarus is that the alternator is at the top, front, and center of the engine, about as easy to reach as it can be. Since I have my entire house with me, I have all the tools I need to replace it. One of the women had her motorcycle here as well, so she bought a new alternator, and later in the weekend I replaced it in about half an hour. That solved everything, and they didn’t have to worry about how they were going to get back to Oregon.
I didn’t come here to fix cars, though. I came here to meet and hang out with interesting people. It rained Saturday morning, so I skipped the group ride into town for the farmer’s market. Many others did the same, hanging out under the community tent and chatting. I made a lot of new friends, and don’t remember ever gaining so many Instagram followers in such a short time (except for the thousands of fake accounts on my personal one). I hung out at the van with Lister a bit, too, and people kept coming over to visit. It was great to catch up with Old Friends New Roads, who I met at the PNW motovlogger meetup last year, as well as meet Explore Adventure Moto, who’s been following me for a while but didn’t make the meetup due to a broken limb. Gmarides and Paco Pete, who I know from Shadetree Surgeon’s Discord server, were also here, and it was great to meet them in person.
Saturday night brought pizza, as well as a raffle. I didn’t win anything, but it was a good time. I made even more new friends, and even got to help Misha plan her trip to Craters of the Moon, sharing my not so secret free camping spot on BLM land just outside the park.
The weather was much better yesterday, and I joined the group ride up to Montgomery Distillery in Missoula. Amanda’s brother Gary, a fellow V-Strom 650 rider, was supposed to lead the fast group, but he partied a little bit too hard the previous night, so Amanda took over and wasn’t happy about it. I ended up behind her on her borrowed Honda Africa Twin and a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure. While doing all the right things to make sure the group stayed together and safe, it was clear that she was also venting some of her frustration on the twisty roads she led us through. That girl can ride! And here I was on my 650, trying to keep up with the two bikes ahead of me with more than twice the engine. They did put some distance on me, but I kept them in sight, and they always slowed down from time to time to let the group catch up. Despite a little rain as we rolled into Missoula, it was a great time.
The main attraction at Montgomery Distillery was a motorcycle show, with bikes scattered throughout the basement and the bar upstairs. The owner gave us the full tour, explaining how the process works for making all kinds of different booze. A group of us found lunch nearby afterward, and the BMW guy and I rode back to the ranch together, randomly seeing others from Rocky Mtn Roll on the way.
Most people left yesterday to get back to work on Monday, so it was a much smaller, low-key group Sunday night. Amanda got to meet Lister, who was of course sucking up all the attention he could get. After admiring the quilt she’d wrapped herself in as the evening cooled off, I showed her the quilt my mom made, which I’ve been sleeping under during these cooler nights. My neighbor across the path brought his out, too, and we ended up having a quilt convention, of all things.
On a more somber note, the ashes of a past participant of Rocky Mtn Roll were laid to rest on the hillside behind where he could usually be found sitting by the fire. He’d passed away suddenly six weeks after last year’s event. My new friend Megan had been talking about another Justin a lot, and it turns out this was who she’d been talking about. He was even the same age as me, which is a little weird. I never knew him, and I’m certainly no substitute for him, but it’s weirdly interesting how this worked out. I kept slipping Megan beers throughout the night, since were drinking the same thing.
It’s Monday morning, and time to pack up and move on. I had an absolutely wonderful time. While events such as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Get On! ADV Fest are motorcycle events, the Rocky Mtn Roll is more like a community gathering. I actually don’t want to write any articles for the motorcycle websites about it. I don’t want it to grow into a huge event, nor does it have the room to, since it literally takes place on Amanda’s family’s farm. She’s described it as an annual gathering of her extended family, and now I understand why. I’m extremely pleased to be considered a part of it now, not only because of Amanda but more because of the community that has formed here, and the wonderful people I’ve met. I’m already planning to base myself out of the Pacific Northwest in future summers, and western Montana isn’t terribly far away for future Rocky Mtn Rolls.
Speaking of the PNW, this is where I stop hanging around and start putting some miles behind me. It’s time to cannonball to Cottage Grove, where parts for many repairs and upgrades are awaiting, as well as a place to work on them and more friends to visit. It’s time to go Westbound and Down.
Smokey Da Van 