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My Gunnison Chronicles II


murrayg

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The round trip from Bella Vista, Arkansas to Gunnison, Colorado of 2,927 miles was my longest bike tour by a factor of four. It wasn’t all fun, but it was all worth it. The people, roads, mountains, canyons, lakes, streams, creeks and *’s Angels combined for a trip I will never forget. smile.gif

 

Having never taken a long tour on my own I was a bit nervous about my ability to handle the miles, heat and whatever else was in store atop Bennie, my 97-A-red R1100RT. I needn’t have worried Bennie took good care of me.

 

My Gunnison Chronicles breaks down like this: The people I met, roads I loved and would gladly ride again and special times either on or off the bike. So, I will try and relate this tale in that order.

 

The People:

 

Thank you all for making me feel so welcome. Yes, I’ve been posting since May 2000, but posting, meeting and hanging with people can be a different experience. It was great. I pulled into the Gunnison KOA not having previously met a soul and instantly felt at home. Now, that was worth the 1,041 miles it took for me to get there.

 

I won’t try and list all the people from the BBS that I met, just those I spent some time with. First and foremost it was a pleasure to meet the Carey. I was able to tell him face to face how great an environment he has created on this BBS. I also got to blame him for this accessory craze that I and the rest of you, judging from your bikes and gear suffer from. tongue.gif

 

I spent time hassling and being hassled by the Three Amigos, Ken, Wes and Dick now forever locked into my brain as the U-Turn Gang. U-Turn Gang because everywhere they go they have to make a U-Turn to correct a navigational error. It might have something to do with being from a state that few people, including myself can spell, Massachusetts. Thanks Gang for the fun and dinner at Garlic Mike’s.

 

It was fun visiting with Laney, Princess Jedi Streamwalker and her partner in miles Kathy, a.k.a. Paperbutt. Their ride tales helped me open up my definition of a Bike tour. It’s not a tour if you don’t get off the bike, its a trip. So I got off the bike, took pictures (not very good) and walked around some. Thanks again, Laney and Kathy.

 

On a couple of occasions I spoke briefly with David, a.k.a. recourses and David, I’m not sure that I ever said how great a job I think you’re doing with the site, so in case I have not, you’re doing a great job including the handling of the recent firestorm. Thanks for the invitation to come on down and ride with you in the Tennessee Hills.

 

While riding solo out of Crawford toward Hothkiss a string of Beemers whipped up behind me. I was taking a nicely paced ride and when the speed limit dropped to 45 I slowed down and waved my fellow riders around me. They shot by and I thought, well this looks like fun. Well this group turned out to be Sean a.k.a. Data, Daley and Shelly a.k.a. Braveheart, Russell a.k.a. Throttlemeister, Bynum and Lisa, his life and two-up partner formerly know as 90% Angel, now 100% Angel, right Russell, Bigfoot and his new betrothed Connie now known as Cool Little Foot, Sierra Rider, Sage Rider and Lester V of British Columbia. What a great group of people to be with especially if your bike brakes down, or if you wan to ride like the wind.

 

Tuesday, I was treated to another hooning experience with Michael Cortez, Pat Allaire, Hannabone, and Darryl, still searching for an appropriate moniker for that Mountain of a man. Ron B from the Chi-Town crew joined us for a few miles into Ouray. Thanks guys for letting me tag along. Pat I hope I didn’t slow you down too much.:P

 

Doc47 enjoyed adjusting me on Tuesday. Doc, I now walk with a limp and my attorney will be calling in the morning. tongue.gif

 

While staying in Pleasant Valley Campground and Cabins I met Larry the owner for the past 26 years and Larry and Sabrina (name?) of Montrose. The three started sharing roads I should try. Larry and Sabrina told me if I was in Montrose to stop by and a meal would be on them. Nice folks all.

 

I spent the most time with Chris Kinney a.k.a. Chris K from Atlanta by virtue of the fact that he was nuts enough to want to ride back with me so he could play on Arkansas roads. We had a blast and Chris was showing me how to ride my bike. He ran off from me on my own roads. Well, I guess I’ve got work to do in the skills riding department.

 

Next Installment: The Roads

 

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PhillyFlash

Murray,

Nice installment on your Chronicles. It was good to meet you, although too briefly as we were both leaving the KOA. Looking forward to reading more of your Chronicles and riding with you in the future.

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Emerson, it was a pleasure to meet, ride and eat with you, as well as jOHN, Pat, Daryl and that hoon on the the canary bike. Come visit us in Chicago sometime. We have twisties here too. We call them highway ramps. (don't have to worry 'bout falling rocks, neither)

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Murray, great read. You are a wonderful person and we'd love to ride with you again anytime.

 

Keep reminding Russell of that 100% angel thing we were discussing on our ride! smile.gif

 

Looking forward to the next installment.

 

-Lisa

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Murrayg,

 

It was really great to meet you, and we really enjoyed riding with you. The next time we make it to Arkansas, we will definetely let you know. Looking forward to your second chronicle.

 

dean & Littlefoot.

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FLIronButtRider

Emerson, it was great meeting you as well. I'm sure we'll get together again sometime seeing as how you're so close. If you haven't made it to the TX Hill Country yet, you're in for a real treat!

 

Ron, "hoon on the canary bike"? I was taking it slow!!

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Emerson,

It was a hoot riding back with you. New Mexico was great, OK was long , but the roads you took me on in Arkansas were worth it. Great write up, I look forward to the next installments. I'm sure I will see you again in the not too distant future. Our ride last Friday just whetted my appitite for further riding in north Arkansas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Emerson, it was a pleasure to meet you, too! I'm serious about escorting you around some nice roads. If Chris left any chicken strips on your tires, we'll dispense with them immediately!

 

And I stole some of your naming suggestions for various members. Good work.

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Murray, it was a pleasure to both meet, and ride with, you. I really enjoy your sense of humor and you kept the group smiling even during the trying times. You'd be dangerous with an FRS radio. Maybe it's a good thing you don't have an FRS radio, since I'd probably laugh so hard from your jokes I wouldn't be able to ride straight! smile.gif

 

Great trip report. I hope we get an opportunity to ride again some time.

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Murray, as people started arriving I got to meet you and introduce myself, shake your hand, then I was off to do likewise elsewhere. People obviously smarter than me scooped you up as a riding partner whereupon they kept you out till all hours of the night, much to my loss. Next time (who know, maybe it WILL be in Arkansas), we will sit and talk, on a lookout or rest area, having just "hooned" half the state.

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Thank you all for making me feel so welcome.

 

No, we're the ones YOU made feel welcome! It was wonderful to meet you in person!

 

And listen guys, you can take charm lessons from Emerson - after bowing and kissing my hand, he nearly charmed the cast off my leg so I could ride again wink.gif

 

I think we're all glad you decided to make the trip out to Gunnison. See you at the next one!

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Murray,

 

I had a great time getting to know you on our extra long ride Monday!!! You were cracking me up the whole trip. I enjoyed seeing the picture of your family and talking to you wife on the phone. I hope she comes to a rally sometime and tears up the rode with us!

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Emerson, you were the first RT I saw, in my side view mirrors, as I was heading North out of Raton toward Gunnison on Saturday. Let's hook up next year on the way out to Gunny or other points West depending on the Un-II location. Very nice to meet you.

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Dang Murray, I was hoping to hear some controversey about any hooligan ridin ya might took part in, but I see your post is not going "to get em riled up". Y'all are awesome when ya see some guy passin on the right.

 

Sounds like ya had a good time the old fashioned way.

 

 

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Emerson, as the sarcastic member of the U turn trio, I speak for the three of us in saying what a pleasure it was to meet you. I personally love being with someone who can take kidding as well as dish it out. Sorry we didn't get to ride together more but we didn't feel that GPS you had was up to the task. Maybe by the next un-rally, you'll have a real adult model.

We had a great time and you were a big part of it......safe riding.....

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Hey Emmerson. Glad you made it. It was fun riding together. You shouldn't worry about your riding, you were doing just fine. I had a good time hanging with you.

 

The 5 of us, hANNABONE, Mike Cortez, Pat Allaire, you, and myself, made a group of great stature! We're all over 6 feet aren't we? I think we intimidated a few of the shop keepers. smile.gif

 

Take care

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FLIronButtRider

I think Emerson would have had a hard time intimidating anyone in his riding boots and shorts...definitely the look of a BMW rider.

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MurrayG has to win the Mr. Congeniality Award for G-'02. One of the most instantly-likable people I've ever met, no kidding.

 

Emerson (I guess that's your real name), let's do the Talamena Drive this fall when the leaves turn. How about it, Pie-Town Crew? Let's do some Arkansas. Austin folks are welcome to stay w/ me on the way up. Murray, pick a date. We can be there for lunch from Dallas.

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Yeah, that was a sight! smile.gif

 

Once again, I need to work on taking candid shots, because a picture of that would have been funny.

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I read a post like this and I think, geeze...the folks who break down have too much fun! I just love how something like that can be turned into a romp. You are all just too much fun!

 

Murray - it was a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to the next. I think we should all decend on David's house before fall is over ....he's so centrally located wink.gif

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In reply to:

MurrayG has to win the Mr. Congeniality Award for G-'02. One of the most instantly-likable people I've ever met, no kidding.


Amen! Murray, I Really enjoyed riding and wrenching with you!

 

Sean, I have to agree with Russell. That bike of yours just doesn't seem to know what straight is! Somehow I can just hear you now on the FRS as you flick the bike from one footpeg to the other going "BUUWAAAAAHAAAHAAAHAA!!!!!"

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Yeeha! Stephen

Brian McGauley says:

"Emerson (I guess that's your real name), let's do the Talamena Drive this fall when the leaves turn. How about it, Pie-Town Crew? Let's do some Arkansas. Austin folks are welcome to stay w/ me on the way up. Murray, pick a date. We can be there for lunch from Dallas."

 

Stephen says: smile.gif IN !!!!!

 

 

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Murray, you are one of the most patient people I have ever met. It was awesome meeting you and talking with you. Sounds as though we would have been great travelling partners. Too bad we came from opposite directions. Blessings on ya!

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