Sunday, July 28, 2013

Final Trip home - Glenwood Springs to Akron

Well, no pictures today.  Didn't even stop at any places that were scenic.  Just rode good old I-70 and I-76 for 280 miles.  Woke up to rain in Glenwood Springs and Krystal was tired so I let her sleep till 8 this morning.  Me, I woke up at the usual 5 this morning.  Kept looking at radar and decided we were riding in rain the WHOLE way home.  Turned out the last 80 were relatively dry.  Our rainsuits had a workout and I think that this was the longest I have riden in the rain.  Never really hard but wet none the less.

The worst part of the ride was from Silverthorne to Idaho Springs.  We averaged 10 to 15 mph for that entire stretch.  We were supposed to make it home by 1:30 when we left Glenwood Springs with a couple stops figured in.  Ended up pulling into the house at 5:30.  We took a couple extra long stops becuase we were just getting tired of the traffic.  One motorcycle ahead of us was weaving in and out trying to get further ahead.  When we pulled off at Idaho Springs for an emergency bathroom break (2+ hours after drinking coffee all morning) he was only 5 or 6 cars ahead of us.  So much for the weaving and wandering.

Last stop was at Hudson for fuel.  My last tank averaged 44 mpg and Krystal's was right at 70 mpg.  Not to bad for basically idling for 2+ hours.  We are home and ready for some rest after today.

Thanks again Joe and Yvette.  We had a wonderful evening last night.

Day 3 - Lake City to Glenwood Springs

Well, I had a nice sleep last night.  Krystal was up with a cough and a hack that she picked up right before our trip.  I let her sleep in as breakfast wasn't until 8:30.  It was a little late for my liking but it was worth the wait.  After getting a shower and dressing I went out to look around in the dark.  Some others were up that were going hiking so there was some fresh coffee made.  I had a cup or two (dozen).  Well the sun finally made its way up and I started to pack up the bike.  Heard a noise behind me and here was a nice doe mule deer.  Definitely smaller than their plains sisters but she had no worries.
 
She was maybe 20 yards away with not a care in the world.  Didn't see any fawn with her so she must not have had one or she lost it.  Loaded up the bike and Krystal was finally stirring around.  Went downstairs to breakfast.  The place we stayed at was Inn by the Lake.  Didn't realize it when I booked but it was more of a ministerial retreat.  During breakfast they gave a nice talk about things in life that can hit you but you just have to move on.  We have always thought we've been thru a bunch but David and Rosie take the prize.  A child with cancer who beat the odds and then passed away in a car accident, another daughter who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident and another son who was seriously injured in a bicycle accident.
 
Well we had a later than expected start to the day and we had to meet up with Joe and Yvette yet this afternoon.  I sent them a text that it would be closer to 1 p.m. till we made it to Paonia.  We headed back out thru Lake City and did a reverse route on 149.  A great ride both directions and a definite must do again.  Only next time we either come up from the south or make our way to South Fork from the north.  There had been a major fire in that area but it never got closer than 12 miles to Lake City.  Nice area but dry as a tinder box this year.
 
 
We were making good time back to Highway 50 where we would turn west and hit Highway 92 and catch the edge of the Black Canyon.  Once we hit 50 we were behind an exceptionally slow slowpoke.  Why isn't it that people can't learn to drive.  We had 3 cars between us and them and it took a while to get everyone passed them.  Well, we hit 92 and right from the beginning it was a fabulous ride.  The dam for Blue Mesa reservoir was right at the start of the canyon.  The lake is really down this year because of the pathetic snowpack they had this year.  Of we go and it is a great motorcycle road.  One of the better ones around.  Only problem was there weren't very many turnoffs so we could stop and take pictures but here are a few of the canyon.







Once we made it out of the canyon drive the pace picked up as we had a destination to make by 1:00.  We pulled into Paonia to fill up with gas.  The Nomad averaged just shy of 45 mpg and the Burgman was over 77 mpg.  What a fuel sipper it is.  Well, we had no cell service to see if Joe and Yvette were here yet or even close.  We made it a little early so we waited for a little bit.  After 15 minutes of waiting the clerk at the gas station said that in certain parts of town we might be able to pick up service.  Off we go into town.  It is funny looking at a person riding a motorcycle looking at his phone to see if he has service.  Finally found service and it was nicely located under some shade.  Waited a while longer and then I handed my phone to Krystal and said I'm heading back to the gas station to wait there.  I'll be back in around 15 minutes.  Sat around and waited but still no Joe or Yvette.  Headed back to Krystal.  About 5 minutes later a text from Joe.  Yvette had a blowout on her drifter.  At first thought it wasn't good but then realized, if she had an accident he probably wouldn't have texted me.

Off we head out to see what we could do.  They said it was above Paonia Reservoir so that would be a roughly 25 mile drive.  We didn't even make it 5 miles and here was Yvette along side the road on Joe's Victory.  Turn around and talk with her to find out more information.  She was trying to find a tow service but wasn't having much luck.  I handed her my AMA card as I couldn't find my ROK card and said call them.  Found out where Joe was and headed off to help him.  Krystal stayed with Yvette to help if needed or how she could.

Well, traveling down 133 I made it to mile marker 32 and Yvette said he was between 32 and 33 but closer to 33.  Slowed down and was watching for the red Drifter.  Yvette said it would be on the left side.  Traveling along I came upon a nice turnout and here Joe was sitting but no drifter.  It was just down the road but there was no shade there but there was here.

Pulled in and heard the story on the blowout.  Yvette did a great job holding it up and keeping it on the road.  You could definitely see that Joe was worried about the whole thing.  Well, we sat and talked, talked and sat waiting for Yvette and Krystal.  One hour passed, two hours passed.  When it hit three hours I turned around and headed out to find them just incase there was another accident.  Well, 5 miles down the road there they go buzzing past.  I turned around at the next pullout and they were sitting at a pullout waiting for me.  Off we go to find Joe again.  We start to hear the horror story about getting someone there to haul the bike back.  Wreckers wanted more than $500!!!  Her dad was on his way with their trailer.  Meanwhile, Krystal and Yvette were nice enough to stop and get some sandwiches so we had a little picnic while we waited.
.
Hey Joe, your mouth isn't full!!


Yvette's dad and mom showed up and we finally got her bike on the trailer.  It was a chore with the flat.  The rear end didn't want to go straight.  After some pushing and pulling we finally got it on and strapped down.  Yvette's new ride is extremely economical for the drifter.  
Just had to do it.
 
 
At least there were smiles and laughter at the end because it could have been a whole lot worse that what it was.  We took off following the trailer and every time we looked ahead it looked like we were going to get drenched.  Never hit any hard rain but the roads were really wet.  Finally stopped and put my rain pants on because my pants were getting soaked.  Off to Glenwood Springs again.  GPS didn't have our motel in the database so Joe delivered us to the front door.  We decided to check in and unpack first and then meet up later.  Well, Joe and Yvette came and picked us up for dinner and a great discussion.  Joe took us to their favorite eatery in Castle Rock.  Definitely was a great place with good food.
 
Well the evening came to a conclusion as everyone was tired from an eventful day.  Sleep came pretty easy but this was the last night on the road.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Day 2 Silverthorne to Lake City

Well, after a rainy evening the day started nice and clear but very crisp.  Started out a nice and brisk 39 degrees this morning.  A nice change from many of our mornings.  Everything was wet so off to clean the bikes up.  Back on to I-70 for 10 miles and then onto the hwy to Leadville.  Leadville's altitude is 10,200 feet.  Plenty high and you definitely could tell the altitude.

The road to Leadville is a very nice drive.  Really didn't stop at all but it is nice to be in some mountain riding.  The plains are nice for speed but it is nice just to see some different scenery.  There isn't much to Leadville other than some shops and nice views.  We spent about an hour walking around but felt the need to get going again so we could get to our final stop for the evening.

Leadville Main Street

Other direction
 

Looking west to the mountains

Another street

Back on the road again we were on our way to Buena Vista and then to Poncha Springs.  We would cross Monarch Pass which has a nice stop at the pass with a system that will take you to the top of the mountain.  Well we needed to stop for a short break before we hit Poncha Springs.  This was a nice valley at one time but the water had been sold away to Pueblo.



There are some beautiful mountains in the region but the valley without the water is a desert.  After the break we were back on the road again.  We stopped for fuel in Poncha Springs.  Krystal's Burgman averaged 77 mpg on that stretch.  Beat my 42 mpg.  Off to Monarch Pass.  Part way up we knew that we would be running into some rain.  It didn't look that bad and we had our jackets on.  Yep, we hit the rain on the rest of the way up and over the pass.  The rain didn't stop until we were about 1/2 way down the pass.  On the way down, Krystal claimed there was hail in the rain.  I didn't feel any and told her she must be imagining things.  Well just then one hit my helmet and then another slipped between my visor and nailed me on my lip.  Well I guess it showed me.  Never was really bad but it definitely hurt when it hit.  On to Gunnison for lunch.  We still had some left over grapes, carrots and pretzels so that is what we had.  Gunnison had a very nice park.  Someone had done a bunch of wood carvings for the park.
Who does this look like?

A bunch more carvings.
 
After lunch, on to the next and final stop, Lake City.  Well, I have passed the turn to Lake City many times but never though much of it.  It looked like it would be more of the same boring ride as it was to Montrose.  Well I was fooled.  After you get 15 or 20 miles down the road it turns into some gorgeous mountain riding.  Definitely fooled me.  It was definitely a must do again road.




Outside our motel




Our motel for the night


Well, we made it to Lake City and it was a nice town.  Very much dependent upon tourism.  We did find our motel which was really a bed and breakfast.  It was a little different as it is run by a religious organization but they were very friendly and greeted you like family.  The location was very relaxing.  Then night finished with a bon fire and roasting marshmellows and making smores.  Brought back memories of being a kid.  It was getting late and we hand no service for wifi so I had to do this on Day 3.  Tomorrow we head to Glenwood Springs and meet up with Yvette and Mal.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Day 1 - Off we go

Well, we had the bikes packed and ready to go the night before (or so I thought).  Had an early start to the morning as we had to get the dogs to the sitter by 6:30 as she had a meeting at 7 to go to.  Dogs taken care of and went back home.  Did a final check and someone was still adding items.  More jackets, this and that.  Finally made it out by 8:00 a.m. and off we go.  It was a very nice cool morning.  We had our jackets on the entire time.  I don't think the temperature every went much above 65 the entire day.

We by passed Denver as we would still be hitting it at rush hour and besides, I-70 through Denver is boring as hell unless you are interested in bumper cars.  We ran straight to Fort Lupton and then on to Boulder (man I hate that city) and then up Boulder Canyon.  One of the redeeming factors of having to go through Boulder.  Took a short stop and took a couple of pictures.

 
 
 
When we hit the Peak to Peak highway we stopped for fuel.  Less than a mile later the roads were wet and they were that way the entire way to Central City/Black Hawk.  This was an old mining town but over 20 years ago they legalized gambling.  Krystal likes it so we stopped.  Plan was for an hour or two and then lunch.  Well, after lunch it was raining again.  Looked at radar and it was definitely going to get harder but there was a dry pocket after that.  So, we waited.  Many of the buildings in Central City are vacant but there are some nice casinos but Black Hawk has definitely won the war of gambling.
 
After leaving Central City we went south on the Central City Parkway as there was more rain moving in and we wanted to make some time.  Well, once we hit I-70 again it was a parking lot.  Not a vehicle moving west.  They were blasting the tunnel to expand them to handle more traffic for the people who want to go to the mountains.  That tunnel has always been a bottle neck for going and coming back.  Well, we sat for a few minutes and saw a couple of bikes just ahead of us.  I went a head just to chat.  Lo and behold, one was a red and black Nomad and the other was a 900.  They were from Indiana and were heading to Granby.  We were headed to Silverthorne. 
 
Well, you could tell that they hadn't done much mountain riding and definitely in the rain.  Oh ya.  During the waitfest the rain caught up with us again and it was a drizzle the rest of the way there.  Well we passed them after a few miles and I think that they were surprised that a 400 Burgman(Krystal's) could buzz by them in the mountains.
 
We had planned on taking Loveland Pass rather than the tunnels across the divide.  Well, they were pretty well socked in with rain, low hanging clouds and fog.  Well another day.  On to the tunnel.
 
 
 
 
Well, we made it through the tunnel and generally the weather is just the opposite from the other side.   Not today.  Steady light rain/drizzle the entire way there.  Once we checked in the rain turned a little heavier.

 
 
Parked for the night.  We really weren't very hungry and there was a King Sooper next door so I went and bought some grape, baby carrots, cheese and pretzels for dinner.  Before dinner, we hit the hot tub.  The indoor one was packed but there was a nice outside one.  No one was outside as they must have been afraid of melting.  Nice to sit in a hot tub when the temps are below 50 and its raining outside.  Well, off to bed soon and tomorrow is Leadville to Monarch Pass and then to Lake City for the night.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Pre-Trip Planning

Well, Krystal said she was having 4 days off from work so she wanted to go somewhere for fun and get the hell out of dodge so to speak.  We are taking a nice leisurely trip up into the mountains to have a nice break and stop and smell the proverbial roses.  Longest mileage day will be the last day with about 260 miles to home.  Most other days will be around 200 miles so it will be peaceful and no hectic pace.




Well, there is the map of our proposed trip.  Many mountains to ride through with a few new ones to hit.  Lake City (Hwy 149) will be a new one and one that is highly rated as is Hwy 92 which will take up by Black Canyon National Park.  We leave on Thursday with much anticipation for some much needed relaxation.  The bikes are washed and just need to have the final check up before we hit the road.