Mike O Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Ah...the annual trek to Top of the Rockies. This year, however, we decided to do the trip a couple of days early and tool about the western slope. All total we did about 1500 miles (with one comrade doing 2400 since he started a few days earlier than the rest of us). We met up in Ouray and amid a light drizzle erected 4 tents in a spot that really should have held only 1 or 2. A bit tight, but the cool evening made for nice sleeping. If you get the chance and like to camp, try the Amphitheater Campground a the very end of town. Quiet and the views are spectacular. That evening, we sampled a bit of good beer and met the 'Turkey'. We slept quite nice (me with my new 4in air mattress!) We broke camp the next morning Thursday was a short ride from Ouray to Paonia (all of 80 or so miles). We wanted to arrive early to secure a good spot. I would venture there were already several hundred campers there (including Arizona Al). We pitched our tents with GOOD intentions of another blissful day of riding, but got kinda lazy and just enjoyed sittin' around. My buddy Chuck discovered an interesting way to keep his noggin cool while we watched other campers arrive and set up There was no end to the chillin' going on in the Paonia Park. Dan took up his favorite spot. As for the band Thursday nite? I generally like most kind of music (I even like both Country AND Western;). The two cowboys they had singing must have been unemployed and the club got them to perform 'inexpensively'. We got what we paid for. Paul Burkett and I talked on the phone when he arrived in Westminster Monday. I offered to buy him a beer on Thursday evening. Low and behold (amidst a drizzle), we met at the pavillion with Al, Amac, DrafterMike, Jeff Burns, JB-BMW (John Benedict) and Ted Kerr. Paul, Al and I enjoyed a heated debate on how and why to best secure our borders (no details here...it was quite political!) As for a formal "Jack's Playground", we were a bit disorganized with Roger staking out a central location. None-the-less, we all found time to get together and socialize (amidst a few sprinkles here and there). Friday morning, we geared up and road to meet folks in Aspen. They started out from Denver early morning and we thought a central point from Paonia was Aspen and landed there within 30 minutes of each other. A quick lunch and we motored back to Paonia. Now for folks that have attended prior TOR events, you know we've kinda roughed it. Last year Bob brought a table with him, but the only thing we ever put on it were liquid refreshments (like Jack, and Beer, and...) Well this year we were treated to a REAL smorgusborg of goodies with a bit of social flare, incuding REAL utensils and a REAL table cloth. Check out all the different cheeses, crackers, wine, (and beer of course)... Friday night's entertainment was performed to a medley of 60's Beatles, Stones, and Motown music. I enjoyed the musics a bit more than Thursday evenings. One of the activities Friday evening was planning for Saturday's ride. We decided we needed a LOONNNGGG ride and layed out a nice route from Paonia to Dolores (over Lizard Head pass), on to Durango up north to Ouray (along the milliion dollar highway). Oh...it was just at 400 miles so we christened the ride the "Paonia 400". And Saturday morning, off we rode: First stop was at the top of Co145 at Lizard Head Pass... Where we spent a few minutes admiring the San Juan's and catching our breath;) Then after a spot of lunch at a burger joint in Dolores, we gassed up and headed towards Durango. At Durango, we took Hwy50 North headed for Ouray.... The sceneary never ceases to amaze. And at the top of the ride we were treated to this view of Silverton and if you look closely about the center of the photo you can see the Silverton/Durango Train billowing smoke. With the "Paonia 400" behind us, Saturday evening was spent eating, and drinking and....more beer while listening to Flash Caddillac (minus Flash, but the music was great). Sunday we could have taken the short way home via McClure Pass to I-70, but we knew better. We were far to close to Gunnison to avoid it, so took 92 down the North Rim of the Black Canyon. And we were delighted to miles of more scenic sweepers....Ah what fun: Another enjoyable Top of the Rockies. It was good to see folks that could make the event. I'll have to get Roger to send me a "Jack's Playground" placard on that we could get a bit more closely organized next year. But that didn't stop us from having fun this year! Regards, Mike O Link to comment
co_g30 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Very nice report Mike, sounds like I should have put off the TBS/Valve Check for one more week! dom Link to comment
Lone_RT_rider Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Great report! We slept quite nice (me with my new 4in air mattress!) I personally think this is the only way to camp..... Shawn Link to comment
Mike O Posted July 26, 2007 Author Share Posted July 26, 2007 Great report! We slept quite nice (me with my new 4in air mattress!) I personally think this is the only way to camp..... Shawn Hmmm... If I could find a taller tent and an AC outlet, that might be an option! Mike O Link to comment
hANNAbONE Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 aAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW rATS..! I wanna go too..! I wish I could'a gone with you folks - it looks like the nuts..and that tablecloth - WOW..!! I heard the "SingleTrack" brew was mighty tasty - in all that clean air I woulda lost my mind..again.. I really dig the Paonia400 - count me in next time, Mike.! Nice writeup and pix - thanks many.! Link to comment
rogera Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Great Report Mike Going to put this rally on the things to do list. Link to comment
Draftermike Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Hey Mike O. Sorry we didn't run into each other earlier in the event. You mentioned the two cowboys, but I was thinking that maybe the rally hired the two cowboys to serve the purpose of saving money so that they could have Flash Cadillac on a different night. If that were the case then maybe "Cowboy night" was worth the sacrifice because Flash Cadillac was great! Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Thanks for the nice write up and the lovely pics, Mike! I really miss my Colorado buddies and I'll always have fond memories of the TOR Rally! Maybe Leslie and I can stop by and visit our Mile High Crew on the way to the UnRally this year and try to convince a few of you to join us! Link to comment
Mike O Posted August 4, 2007 Author Share Posted August 4, 2007 We missed all the folks that couldn't attend. But I think with events that unfolded this year and Torrey in particular it was understandable that free time was a bit less flexible. I think the 'Paonia 400' is going to be an annual event for us and welcome anyone to join along (there were more than a few ear-to-ear smiles at the end of those passes!) Regards, Mike O Link to comment
Bud Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Nice report Mike. Thanks for sharing it with us. Have fond memories of the Ouray area after having been there the last two years. Pictures along the way sure started me thinking about going back again. Link to comment
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