About

I moved to Missoula in 2005. The phone company offered me a promotion to come to Missoula as Lead Engineer. I was not seriously looking to leave Wyoming. I was born and raised in Wyoming and started my career there. I married my wife in Riverton, and my son and daughter were born in the Cowboy State. I had two brothers and many friends living near my little country acreage with the two story log house on Weathervane Lane. I had everything a man could ask for. My kids had left the nest so the offer to move to Montana was tempting. My wife and my daughter, who was in college at the time, rode with me to Missoula on the 4th of July weekend in 2005 to check out the town before I accepted the offer. On the drive up I kept thinking I would turn the job offer down. Why would I leave Wyoming, what could Missoula and Montana possibly offer to lure me away? We spent two days in Missoula exploring the area. We met many great people, and even made it down the Bitterroot Valley as far as Stevensville. On the drive back to Wyoming my pickup truck was silent as we cruised down I-90. Then my wife said, “You need to do this!” My daughter let out a big “Yes!” I accepted the job and the rest is history. It was the best decision I have made other than marrying my wife.

I was thinking of my journey to Montana as I rode with Ken Senn up Highway 12 to Lochsa Lodge a couple of days ago. The Super ‘T’ was running well, the scenery as always was great. The air was cool with the feel of winter approaching, the color in the trees was amazing. The Philly Cheesesteak sandwich at the lodge made the day. I felt like I was in paradise. But I have felt that way on many roads, all over this great State. As a motorcyclist I cannot imagine another place to live with so many great roads. Every summer riders come from all over the U.S. and the world to ride in our backyard. This summer I rode with five good friends from our Club over the Beartooth Highway, down into Wyoming to Jackson Hole and over Teton Pass into Idaho. We rode through my old stomping grounds, just a few miles from where I lived on Weathervane Lane. The ride was great, good roads and great scenery. But I looked forward to getting home to Montana. My home.

I hope you all got to ride to your heart’s content this riding season. We may have a few days yet to get out on our bikes but Mother Nature is in control of that. My bikes are in the garage gassed up on battery tenders ready to go if the weather permits.

I am thinking of rides for next year. I need to get a new road Atlas as I wore out my old one. I know, I am old school. I like paper, GPS and the internet are nice but I enjoy leaning over a map with a good cup of coffee. Start planning folks, the 25 riding season will be here before you know it. Safe travels,

Larry Manchester, President, Montana BMW Riders