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Northern Rockies Rider
Volume 3, Number 8 • December 2014 • A Continental Communications Publication • nrrider2@gmail.com • 406-498-3250
A couple ofBusiness
unheralded
Idaho routes are
prOfile
December 2014
Northern Rockies Rider - 17
world class
Motorcycling is central to Orofino’s
economy and the Konkolville Motel
idaho
Every once in awhile we identify
linens. A bucket of warm soapy water
own steak” dinner
an enterprise that, when it comes to
and a spigot with hose are available by
complete with a big
touring motorcyclists, stands out to the
request. Some ground-floor rooms have Idaho baker and a
By Cole
Boehler
“lock-saw”) and Clearwater Rivers,
degree that it deserves the spotlight.
parking available at your door; just ask
salad with
dressing.
the usual objective of a great tour,
We love touring in North Central
when you make a reservation.
The steak isn’t some
Almost
where do you head before or after?
Idaho and have been doing so regularly
The Chapmans are so attuned to
skimpy piece
of oldall serious riders are
Here are a couple of amazing
familiar
with
U.S.
Hwy.
12
over
for 25 years.
their riding customers that they have
bull. It is a robust
Lolo
Pass
at
the
Idaho-Montana
Idaho
additions to Lolo Pass,
Much of the region’s superb riding
even developed a flyer detailing several
New York, thick and
branching off the bottom west end
centers on Orofino: U.S. Hwy. 12 of
awesome area riding routes.
close toborder.
a pound in
of the run:
It is world-class
and features
course, Old Idaho Hwy.
weight,
juicy,
7 (aka Southwick/
flavorful
and
curves
and
gorgeous country for 99
– Hwy. 11 from Greer
Cavendish Rd., P 1),
tender.
through Weippe to Pierce, then
miles
onMy
the Idaho west slope. The
Dent Bridge Rd. up to
wife andsigns
I
highway
pointing out this
Grangemont Road into Orofino –
Dworshak Reservoir
willare
share
fact
highly photographed with
“The Weippe Loop.”
and Elk River, Hwy.
one ofand
these.
bikes
riders in the foreground.
– Hwy. 13 between Kooskia
11 tied in with the
BYOB
is
(pronounced like “koos-key”)
The Montana side isn’t half-bad,
Grangemont Rd.,
encouraged.
either.
and Grangeville with Hwy. 14 up
and Hwy. 13 from
Enjoying
Once
you’ve covered the descent to Elk City – what we call “The
Joe and Sherry Chapman, never absentee owners, are dedicated
Kooskia to Grangeville
a goodthe
meal
Clearwater South Fork.”
down
Lochsato(pronounced
likeit shows.
their business and
and Hwy. 14 to Elk
under an
City (see features on
umbrella
dependingSouth
on the
room
and the
season?
Read
about
Fork
starting
on page
8
these elsewhere in
along
the the Weippe Loop and The Clearwater
Yes,
really.
Now
add
on
your
AAA
or
this edition) – just
grassy courtyard with friends
AARP discount.
fantastic riding in every
new and old becomes a highly
Tosatisfying
the north,social
what we
call “the Weippe Loop,”
Hwy.we
11must
and Grangemont
Now,
re-iterate: Road
the four
direction.
occasion.
(yellow).
To theinsouth
is a routeofwe
of as “thefacilities
South Fork
of the
Clearwater,”
we’re
familiar
with
So we’ve often found
If you’re
the middle
a think lodging
Hwy. 13 from Kooskia to Grangeville (green)
and Hwy.proper
14 to Elkare
Cityall(purple).
in
Orofino
excellent
and
ourselves lodging in
long tour, take advantage of the
pricing
is
commensurate.
You
won’t
go
Orofino at the end of
coin-op laundry room. If you
Orofino and the Clearwater Valley can be a hot place in the summer.
wrong
at
any
of
them.
We
encourage
What a cool way to end the day.
an awesome day, or
decide to try your luck with
riders to try them all. How fortunate
using the small city as
steelhead in the local rivers,
is Orofino, and touring riders, to have
a jumping off point for another superb
Once you’ve got your chores
there’s a fish cleaning station. The
such quality options.
day out on the bikes.
complete, turn your attention to serious Chapman’s have really thought out the
So, after a nice swim, an excellent
Orofino not only has a small
relaxation. The Konkolville has a well
hospitality proposition, and it goes on...
dinner
while socializing with
selection of very good restaurants
maintained heated outdoor swimming
There is a full kitchen facility for
companions,
and a restful night’s sleep,
(American, Chinese, Mexican, fine
pool that is heavenly after a long, hot
large groups; ice and vending machines;
balanced, his wallet only $181 lighter,
By Cole Boehler
dining), it is also fortunate to have a
defying the common notion that a
number of excellent lodging options
touring rider in distress is completely at
“Word-of-mouth” can make or break
from bargain to high-end. We’re
a business.
the mercy of the nearest dealer and will
familiar them all and have found our
And that’s how we learned about Mac’s likely pay “emergency” prices and shop
stays to always be exceptional.
Cycle in Clarkston, Wash., just across the rates.
One motel in Orofino faces a
Since we were later going to be in the
state line and river from Lewiston, Idaho.
challenge the others don’t: being off the
neighborhood, we wanted to meet these
While we were getting refreshments
beaten path. This means they have to
in Elk City, Idaho, a fellow rider noticed
fair and efficient folks at Mac’s Cycle, so
creatively try harder. The Konkolville
a rear tire going away fast, nearly ready to we gave them a call, then dropped in to
Motel is three miles east off Hwy. 12,
talk. What we found was a true familyreveal inner carcass cords. A little quick
right through town up Michigan Ave.
owned and -operated business staffed by
research and a few phone calls showed
We discovered the place about a decade
the nearest replacement tire – installed –
born-and-bred locals who know their
ago and we, and our groups, have since
business.
was 100 miles away.
availed ourselves of the hospitality on at
Steve Wessels, Sr., wife Gail, son Steve
Good fortune led our rider
least four occasions.
Jr. and his wife, Jenna, are the family who
companion to Mac’s Cycle. He
We try to always fuel at the end
have owned and worked Mac’s Cycle
subsequently told us that when he pulled
of the day so it’s not a factor when
up to the service department garage
since 2010. Even Steve Jr.’s and Jenna’s
we’re ready to roll in the morning.
two-year-old daughter, Macee, can be
door about 4 p.m. on that Friday, the
We also favor enjoyment of a cold
found “helping out” around the store.
service manager was expecting him and
beer or maybe a glass of wine and a
immediately ushered him to a bay.
The business was originally founded
few snacks as we unload and unpack,
in the 1940s by Allan McClain who
An hour later our rider was heading
change clothes, clean up, unwind and
east on a brand new tire, mounted and
The
storefront
of
Mac’s
Cycle
on
Bridge
Street
in
Clarkston,
Wash.,
at
this
location
since
1968.
See Mac’s Cycle, Page 2
otherwise prepare for a good dinner.
Fuel, libations
and
snacks
are
available
Change service requested: Continental Communications, 914 Holmes Ave., Butte, MT 59701
Motorcycling
en route to the Konkolville.
The new Suzuki
is central to the
PRSRT STD
Joe and Sherry Chapman own and
650 V-Strom is
Orofino
economy
U.S. POSTAGE
run the place and over the years have
a do-everything
and Konkolville
become our friends.
PAID
bargain bike
Motel
There’s nothing like on-sight owners
Permit No. 93
Livingston, MT
to make sure the ship stays shipshape.
Page 18
Page 17
It is clear the Chapman’s are careful to
reinvest a portion of their revenues in
upgrades and upkeep.
The grounds and facility are
invariably clean; the bathrooms literally
“Grill your own” means you can’t complain to the cook! Socializing is an important aspect of the Konkolville Motel experience.
sparkle. The rooms are of generous
proportions, the beds are comfortable
and nicely turned down, linens are of
day in the saddle. There is also a hot tub a business work station with computer,
you’ve had a light breakfast, you’re
high quality and as white as new snow.
to help work the kinks out of muscles
fax, printing and copying services; a
fueled up, packed and loaded.
All rooms have modern flat-screen
and joints.
small gift shop with snacks, ice cream
The only problem you now face is...
TVs with extended cable, aboveMost riders we know disdain getting treats and pizza; smoking and (20) petdeciding
which way to go!
standard in-room coffee (the pots don’t
back on the bikes after establishing their friendly rooms are available.
dribble!), microwaves and refrigerators
camp. No problem at the Konkolville
Finally, there is a continental
and the air conditioning is powerful
since it is not necessary to ride back
breakfast included: waffles, cereal, toast, Konkolville Motel
2600 Michigan Ave., Orofino, Idaho
and fast. And the free wi-fi works!
into town in search of a meal.
muffins, milk, juice and coffee.
<www.konkolvillemotel.com>
For the more anal touring riders,
Monday through Saturday they
Sounds like you might expect to
(800) 616-1964 • (208) 476-5584
cleaning rags are integral to the room
feature a moderately priced “grill your
pay $100 and up. How about $60-$90,
Clarkston’s Mac’s Cycle’s
legacy goes back 70 years