amz Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I went for a solo ride through Colorado on my K-GT after the ‘family vacation’ in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The ride was loosely planned as a (primarily) riding vacation – not really to experience Colorado, but rather to experience the roads in Colorado. What I did confirm during this trip was that I probably am not a good “group rider.” In fact, besides the two “slabbing” days getting to Colorado and getting back home, most days consisted of taking to mostly two-lane roads between 8am and 9am Mountain time, riding, stopping for gas every 150-200 miles or so, and using one of those gas stops to get a couple of granola bars and water bottles for “lunch” around noon or 1pm. After ‘lunch’, I continued to ride until 4 or 5pm, then turning into a hotel, having some dinner, and a (couple of) cold one(s). Due to the elevations, and the late season, I decided to forego camping and just find a hotel ‘on the fly.’ The Gear To save space and weight on the bike, I decided to leave my “big” Nikon D80 at home and instead only take the little Nikon L10. I had good luck with this camera in the past shooting “on the move” from the bike, and figured it’ll do for this ride. As far as riding gear is concerned, I took along my Patagonia boxer-briefs as a first layer “downstairs,” and Under Armour Cool and Warm ‘long johns’ as the second layer. Also took ‘smartwool’ and ‘coolmax’ socks. I only took one pair of riding boots – my Sidi ‘Gore-Tex’ waterproof touring boots. “Upstairs,” I took along Under Armor Cool and Warm stretch shirts as my fist layer, and my Gerbings (electrical) undergarment. Also had a couple of buffs, both coolmax and fleece-lined to keep the neck protected. To keep the noggin’ safe, I wore my Shoei X11 with the Scala Rider Q2 installed. Finally, to keep me dry, warm and cool, I was wearing my Olympia Phantom one-piece suit. Street clothes were one pair of jeans, tennis shoes, a couple of light T-shirts, a sweat shirt, and my Crocs (to run around the hotel, as well as in the shower). Also along came my IPod, my SPoT, and my Zumo. And of course carrying me and that ‘stuff’ was the K-GT, with around 15,000 miles on the odometer at departure, bone stock, but for the Corbin front and back seats (with OEM heat). The ESA was set to ‘rider plus luggage’ preload and ‘comfort’ for the slab runs, ‘normal’ or ‘sport’ (depending on mood) dampening for the passes. Finally, I took along my half Covermax to protect the bike overnight from the elements, and my tire plug kit with 12V pump. Everything fit into the panniers, so no need to carry any bags etc (no camping equipment helped too ) The Net Not that Net, just ‘netting’ it out here… Departure was set for Sunday 14 September; return home was planned for Saturday 20 September. Planned overnight points (assuming hotel suitability/availability) were in Ft Collins, Glenwood Springs, Telluride, Ridgway, Gunnison, and Denver. As usual, not everything worked out as planned, but more about that later as part of the daily detail accounting… In summary, the trip totaled 2,667.6 miles, with a moving time totaling 45h 58m over six days, translating to a moving average of round 58mph. Overthe next couple of days (as work load permits), I will update this thread with posts for each day - as I am not a man of many words, I will mostly let the pictures do the "talking" ... Day One - Sunday, 14 September, Home to Ft Collins Started with a healthy, light breakfast and got on the road slightly before 10am Central. Took I-29 to I-680, going North around Omaha, NE, then I-80 West towards Lincoln. Fortunately, I-80 West of Lincoln has a 75mph limit, so I'm running cruise control at 82mph (approx. 10% over the limit - without radar detector that seems to be a "safe bet" on Highways in most states...). Knowing the "nothingness" around I-80 in Nebraska, I had the camera in the tank bag for the first 300-400 miles. Getting gas in Kearney (Nebraska). And back onto the slab (I-80) we go... Finally - Heading SW onto I-76 after passing Ogalalla (Nebraska) and into Colorado. Stopping (no pic, sorry) in Julesburg (Colorado) for another fill-up - this time for both the K-GT and myself: I get two granola bars and a 16oz bottle of water. And I take this opportunity to drain some fluids... Then it's back onto I-76 towards Sterling (until further notice, all towns are in Colorado ). In Sterling, I leave I-76 and take 14 West. Finally, Ft Collins... Turning in at the Comfort Inn, wth the bike right outside my window... After freshening up, I walk down the street to the "Sundance Steakhouse" for a Ribeye and a couple of beers. After walking back to the hotel, I hit the sack. Total of 551.4 miles, mostly Interstate. Tomorrow heading to Glenwood Springs - teaser: Link to comment
amz Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Day Two - Monday, 15 September, Ft Collins to Glenwood Springs Taking off from the Comfort Inn shortly before 8:30 local time, I follow 14, then 287/14, then back onto 14. Follow this until 'Stove Prairie Road' intersects, then head South on it and CR-27 toward Masonville... Then take 56 to 34 through Estes Park, and up into Rocky Mountain National Park until 34 intersects with 40. As the temperatures were in the 40's when I started out, I thought it wise to don the Gerbings over a thin Under Armour - good choice! Follow it through Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling to 134, then back South onto 131... The man is having a blast!!! Oh, and 'Open Range' means, besides the cattle guards near corners, there could be other hazards on the roads - Cow-Doo-Doo 8) ... to I-70 and on to Glenwood Springs. Turning into the Best Western in Glenwood Sptrings. Bike sits right in front of the door to my room. I shower and head into town to the "Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company" for a New York Strip and a couple of 'home-brew' Ales - yummy! I turn in after dinner. Total of 398.8 miles today, mostly through fabulous landscapes - even I-70 is gorgeous here! Tomorrow heading to Telluride - teaser: Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Great pics. I love Colorado. Keep em coming! Link to comment
amz Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Day Three - Tuesday, 16 September, Glenwood Springs to Telluride (Part I) Getting the bike ready around 8:15 local time: All is stowed inside the panniers, need to go check out now... The open door behind the bike is my room. After checking out, I head over to gas station to fuel up. I head down 82 through Aspen and then up Independence Pass. Again a chilly morning that warranted the Gerbings, especially since I'll be going up above 12,000 feet... I get off at the top of the pass, almost tripping over the gerbings wire - will have to get used to that again ... After looking around atop the pass I get back on, plug in and head down the pass towars 24 and 24/285. There are a couple of 'Wings and Cruisers ahead - but never for long. The colors are stunning... On towards Poncha Springs, where I turn West again onto 50 and up to Monarch Pass and on through Gunnison towards Montrose... This is the 'Blue Mesa' lake along 50. The remainder of 'Day 3' will follow later.. Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Great report, waiting for the rest Link to comment
Bologna Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I lived in Vail for many years and seeing this post reminds me of the great rides I had years back when we took all of this for granted and just rode! Sweet ride, thanks. Link to comment
Bheckel169 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Oh, look at those blue skies! Wonderful pics. Bruce Link to comment
bogthebasher Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Great job. Thanks for taking the time to share - looks like you had just fantastic weather for the trip. Link to comment
amz Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Thanks everybody for the nice words! the little L10 did a great job again. And here is the track for Day 2 as recorded by my SPoT (in the tankbag). And Day 3.... Will continue the trip report with Day 3 (Part II) later today hopefully (the wife & dogs want some of my time after being gone for a week ) . Teaser: Link to comment
Kelly3027 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I live here and I was spellbound by your images. Beautifully photographed! Maybe Colorado should hire you for the vacation brochures they send out. Riding around the state taking pictures, and getting paid to do it. Man, wouldn't that suck? Thanks for sharing, Kelly. Link to comment
amz Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 LoL! And that is 'raw' material, straight from the little L10, without any PhotoShop work done Yes, that would suck - NOT Thanks for the feedback! Hehe. Part Deux to come shortly... Link to comment
amz Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Day Three - Tuesday, 16 September, Glenwood Springs to Telluride (Part II) I continue past Blue Mesa towards Montrose on 50, then turn South onto 550 and pass the Ridgway Reservoir (Ridgway State Park)... On to Telluride from Ridgway via 62 and 145... Arriving in Telluride, that town looks like it's been overrun by the Huns... No Hotel/Motel rooms available! Oh well; on back to Ouray via Ridgway to check out the Best Western there - no vacancy either (only a smoking room - yuck). So, backtracking it to Ridgway and turning in at the "Ridgway Lodge and Suites." First small "snag" for this trip. I book a room for two nights, since I planned on coming back to Ridgway ('the long way around') tomorrow anyway. Sky looks like it might open up later today too?! My room is right behind the parking spot for the bike (again); and the friendly receptionist even volunteers to take a picture of me and the bike... Total of a mere 270.6 miles today, even with running back and forth trying to find a room. Tomorrow from Ridgway to Four Corners and Mesa Verde back to Ridgway via 145. 160, and 550. Due to budget time at work, the next installment (Day Four) will have to wait until Wednesday at the earliest. To bridge the time, here are a couple of 'teasers'... May the Force bestow patience upon you, my Young Apprentices... Link to comment
amz Posted September 22, 2008 Author Share Posted September 22, 2008 Day Four - Wednesday, 17 September, Ridgway to Ridgway (Part I) (I need a break from this budget stuff, so here goes Part One of day 4...) Today I have a loop planned: Day Four SPoT track I take off from Ridgway going West on 62, then South on 145 through Cortez and on to the Four Corners via 160. Since my experience so far has been that I really only needed the Gerbings for a short time in the morning, I decide to just go with my cool weather Under Armour, leaving most of the luggage in the hotel room. I do take my tire repair kit with 12V pump, as well as the Gerbings along though. The last picture is at the Four Corners fee house. I was so busy looking around and hydrating that I don't have any picture of the 'actual' "monument" - although, frankly, I don't think it'd make a big impression in a photo... Next installment: From Four Corners via Mesa Verda NP and Durango back to the Lodge in Ridgway; teaser: Link to comment
amz Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Day Four - Wednesday, 17 September, Ridgway to Ridgway (Part II) After leaving Four Corners, I make my way back up 160 towards Cortez, then to the East to - and into - ... ... Mesa Verde National Park. Those 'cave cities' are just fascinating! Also must have had a fire... After Mesa Verde NP, I continue East on 160 towards Durango, then North on 550 ('Million Dollar Highway') back to Ridgway... As I make my way into the higher elevations, more and more fall color seems to be 'creeping up;' stunningly beautiful! It also is starting to look darker and darker in the sky. This was the last picture for the day; had to put the camera away as it is starting to rain just enough to get the roads wet in the mountains, and the temperatures fell down to 35F - I love those Michelin Pilot Road 2s: even with the little rain and the roads quite slippery, they performed solidly. I was really happy to have them on going down into Ouray! Thanks to the tires, I am not so much concerned about my wet road grip as I am about "black ice" - with the temperature around 35F and the snow flake flashing, I ride down the mountain very carefully... As I pass Ouray, it starts to really rain - I put the cover on the bike in the rain back at the Lodge in Ridgway, get undressed and head over to "Panny's" for a home-made pizza and a Heinecken. Total of 360.9 miles today - loved every last one of them - even riding in the rain (it's still better than 'not riding' - right!?). Anybody bored yet?! Link to comment
Bullett Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Nope, not bored yet. . . Very nice photos. I have the impression that you enjoyed the trip. Link to comment
Paul_Burkett Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Very nice so far, keep them coming. Link to comment
amz Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 Day Five - Thursday, 18 September, Ridgway to Gunnison SPoT track for day five... Not realizing that the Zumo only stores so many 'track points,' I lost the first couple of days of Zumo tracks (bet y'all wondered why I was posting the SPoT tracks only?!). Day 5 was still available in the unit: Here is the Zumo track for day 5... After two nights at the Lodge, I pack my stuff, have breakfast, check my tire pressures, and get gas. Then I "get going" South on 550 direction Ouray. I again wear the cool weather Under Armor, with my trusty Gerbings 'on standby' in my pannier. Beautiful morning! The weather is much nicer than yesterday evening, and I actually get to admire my surroundings a little more again - riding on wet street in the cold obviously had me somewhat focused on the road . So back up into the mountains I go, this time with a little more 'documenting opportunity'... I love that crisp and clear morning air! Up and up towards Molas Pass. Then down again. The K-GT (and its rider!) loves this road. Yyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Feel like "Zoom-zoom" Back into Durango. After Durango, I turn onto 160 East towards Pagosa Springs... Chimney Rock South of 160, about half way between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs... ... through Pagosa Springs... ... and 'up' towards South Fork via Wolf Creek Pass through South Fork onto 149 aling the 'Rio Grande.' To the North it looks definitely like 'something's brewing... The colors are starting to turn; so what if it'll rain a little... ... back at 'Blue Mesa' - and back onto 50, eastbound this time... Clouds are getting darker... Arriving in Gunnison, I stop at the 'Days Inn,' no vacancy; then the 'Alpine Inn' next door, no vacancy. After consulting the map, I decide to press on via the Friday route, which would take me through Poncha Springs on 285, then up to Breckenridge and onto I-70 into Denver - surely, I'd find a hotel/motel on that route! Somewhere between Johnson Village and Fairplay, I hit several heavy downpours. I put the camera in the tankbag and put on my Gerbings. As it is looking pretty bad towards Breckenridge (to the North), I decide to stay on 285, instead of running through Breckenridge and onto I-70. Somehow, I seem to have forgotten that I want to find a hotel/motel, and now I just want to press on to Denver... the temperatures are falling quickly into the lower 40s, even dipping into the upper 30s in the higher elevations West of the Front Range. I get hit on and off with rain, and the 'shooting opportunities' are few and far between... I finally turn in for the night at the Super 8 Motel, just off I-76 East of Denver - essentially one full day ahead of schedule/plan Total of 518.9 miles today - essentially two planned riding days completed in one... Amazingly enough, I am not overly tired - I guess having fun makes one forget those 10+ hours on the road... I call the wife and let her know that I will be home a day earlier than planned... She already knew I made it to Denver early (darn SPoT ). Link to comment
amz Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 Day Six - Friday, 19 September, Denver - Home SPoT track for day 6... Zumo track for day 6... After a good night's sleep in Denver, it is with both sadness and anticipation that I look at the ride ahead. Sadness, since this marks the inevitable end of a great ride in an outstanding environment; anticipation to see my wife and the dogs again... So I saddle up and head out onto I-76. At least there's some color to break the monotony or Interstate riding; and one can always count the 'bugs per minute rate'... Turning onto I-80 and continuing on East towards Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE, I pass bconstruction for miles and miles and then Kerney, NE. Finally Lincoln's in sight... From I-80 'round Omaha on I-680, and, instead of boredom on I-29, I decide to take "Old Lincoln Highway" from Crescent, IA up to our place... Got to smile at this sign - after riding the passes in Colorado... home, sweet home - here we are, the property, and down the driveway... I am baaaahhhhaaack... Somewhere between Denver and home, a bug committed suicide on the camera lens! Starting to plan the next tour... -- That's All Folks -- Link to comment
hANNAbONE Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 aWESOME stuff..! Thanks for letting us ride along.! Link to comment
Paul_Burkett Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 That was very cool. Thank you for the Ride Tale. Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Thanks for taking the time to post! Awesome. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.