Have I told you how much I love Riding Colorado?

If you come across this again, please PM me with some links.
I've been looking specifically for GS attempts, haven't found them. I've seen "similar" GS trips, but not on Black Bear Pass.
I'll definitely not hit BBP as an early foray.
That would be a coup' de gras, not the "let's just give this a go and see what happens."
HOLY CRAP!
 
Good luck to anyone who attempts that Pass. They will certainly need it!
While we often quip "I'd rather be lucky than good", I'm of a firm belief if you don't have lots of experience and supreme confidence, some mad offroad skillz on a big ADV bike, INCLUDING steep downhills on loose terrain, you're toast.
Or worse, pancaked at the bottom of a sheer cliff hundreds of feet below the trail you just biffed.
I'm now reading more accounts of GS pilots who claim to have done it, just not very many actual videos of same.
At the same time, from what I see, the last thing you're gonna be doing is futzing around with some stupid camera while your life depends on every move and every correct line down the mountain.
 
I have a good friend that use to ride the Colorado 500 out of Ouray. He did Black Bear on a R100GSPD BMW way back when. He stripped the bike as much as he could but left the 9 gallon tank on the bike. He only filled it up about half way for that ride. My buddy was an excellent mountain rider. A good jeep tail pass to start with would be Hagerman Pass or Cimarron Pass. Or Mosquito Pass, or Webster Pass into Red Cone Pass. Conquer these and a few others (There are many dirt passes) before you try Engineer Pass or Black Bear. Here are a few pictures of my pass riding on my R100GSPD, KLR650 and DR650s. Of course I was a bit younger back then. The DR and the KLR are the bikes one wants for the Back Country Passes. It is a lot steeper and rockier than the pictures portray. Mountain 4x4 pass riding is a lot different than trail riding at the lower altitude trails back east.


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I have a good friend that use to ride the Colorado 500 out of Ouray. He did Black Bear on a R100GSPD BMW way back when. He stripped the bike as much as he could but left the 9 gallon tank on the bike. He only filled it up about half way for that ride. My buddy was an excellent mountain rider. A good jeep tail pass to start with would be Hagerman Pass or Cimarron Pass. Or Mosquito Pass, or Webster Pass into Red Cone Pass. Conquer these and a few others (There are many dirt passes) before you try Engineer Pass or Black Bear. Here are a few pictures of my pass riding on my R100GSPD, KLR650 and DR650s. Of course I was a bit younger back then. The DR and the KLR are the bikes one wants for the Back Country Passes. It is a lot steeper and rockier than the pictures portray. Mountain 4x4 pass riding is a lot different than trail riding at the lower altitude trails back east.



/QUOTE]

That loose rock is nasty stuff ... Like that dr650, the new ones are fuel injected, big plus in that high altitude. By the way. great pics.
 
Chuck mentioned Engineers Pass, another I wish to ride.
I have another internet / never-met friend who rode Engineers in the 80s, on a KZ650 with street tires when he was in high school. Cinnamon Pass on the same bike.
We don't know what we don't know, right?
He was from Detroit, and had never been to CO.
And remember, everything is impossible until someone does it.
 
Eyes up, look ahead.
Yeah, that IS treacherous and scary, just imagine that on a 1250 GS/A. The "steps" as they're called are narrow and deceptively steep, and from what I have seen on video, are the most challenging (read DANGEROUS.)
Don't know that I'll ever feel confident enough to try it, but who knows?
1200s have done it, but safe to say... it's not for the faint of heart.
 
Got up this morning and decided to take the V-Strom out for a Ride on Terryall Reservoir Rd. Highway 77. Left the house about 07:00 hrs. and headed out Highway 285 to Jefferson CO. on the other side of Kenosha Pass. it tops out at 10000 ft. Stopped at Jefferson for a cup of warmup coffee before turning south on 77 Terryall Reservoir Rd. 41 miles of beautiful scenery and smooth, no traffic, sweeper, pavement. It has been a while since I have ridden this route. The morning started out a bit cool but did warm up a bunch on my way home across Denver. Onward to Highway 24 to Woodland Park and then 67 to Deckers for lunch and coffee. From there on up over Rampart range and in to the City. A bit warm crossing Denver at 87 Degrees. Great ride of 230 miles and many more smiles. The V-Strom purred along smooth and effortless. Here are a few pictures along Terryall Rd. If you are in the area this is a must ride. I favor riding it from South to North, although, today I rode Terryall in the opposite direction. Either way it is a beautiful ride.

https://goo.gl/maps/43Q2Dhsz1VTVsrL29

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Recently there was a rockslide up in ST. Vrain Canyon. This is one of the best canyons to ride along the front range. Highway 7 out of Lyons, Colorado climbs about 28 miles up to the intersection of Highway 7 and 72, Peak to Peak Highway. It is a great ride up the canyon. So today I decided to go ride up there and check out to see if the canyon was open to traffic. I left the house today about 7:45 and jumped on the freeway headed to Boulder and then Highway 36 to Lyons. Rode through Lyons and then up Highway 7 for about a mile. Road was closed. No riding the canyon today. Turned around and then headed up to Estes Park via highway 36.
This early morning, it was beautiful….blue sky, lush green fields and meadows, crisp clean air. We have had a lot of rain lately so the vegetation is full, green and glistened in the early morning sun.
Once I arrived in Estes I decided to ride down Devils Gulch to Glenn Haven to check out the Glenn Haven Country Store. Lots of people there enjoying the fantastic sweet rolls that they sell. Too crowed for me to partake in the Sweet Rolls, besides I really don’t need all those calories. Headed back up to Estes Park and the up Highway 7 to Peak to Peak Highway. Beautiful ride with some great sweepers. The pavement from Estes to Nederland was excellent. Smooth with no sand or gravel and very little traffic. Once in Nederland I stopped for coffee at the “The Train Cars” for a riding break and a cup of normal coffee. The folks in Nederland are some interesting people. From there I rode on to the turn off to Golden Gate Canyon and descended down the canyon to Golden and across town to home. 206 miles total ride. The only negative was the wind was quite blusterous today, however the FJR handled it just fine.
https://goo.gl/maps/URkgYGbFD5zfvUBZ6


On Highway 7 descending into Estes Park, around the bend
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On the Devil's Gulch Rd. on the way to Glenn Haven
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Dropping down into Devil's Gulch. The road is steeper than it looks in the photo
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The best sweat rolls can be bought here.
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A view from Devil's Gulch Rd. looking west at the Continental Divide
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Another view

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riding along Devil's Gulch Rd
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Another shot further down the road.
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Saint Malo's Chapel on the Rock in Allenspark, Colorado
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Another view with Long's Peak in the background
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First of the Trifecta rides of 2023
Some of you may remember me mentioning, last year about my Trifecta Ride. Each year I try and get up to Trail Ridge Rd RMNP (12,183ft), Mt Evans (14264ft) and Pikes Peak. (14110ft). Today I decided to head out for the first ride of my Trifecta, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain national Park. Because of the reservation system that is in effect, I left the house at 05:30 to be able to enter the Park before the reservation times started at 09:00. I arrived at the entrance to the park at 07:15 and there was a line of about 30 vehicles waiting to get in. I thought I was an early person.
I also had a secondary mission and that was to ride up St. Vrain Canyon. CDOT had finally got it the road (Highway 7) cleared out from the landslide back in early June. What a beautiful ride up the canyon at 6:30 in the morning. There was new fresh pavement the complete 14 miles from Lyons, Colorado to the intersection of Highway 7 and 72 at the top of the canyon. No traffic in front of me at 06:30 in the morning on a beautiful sunny, blue day. The big Kawasaki Versys that I rode today carved the sweeper turns effortlessly. The sun glistening off the St. Vrain River thru the pine trees, and the beautiful contrast of the green trees, and gray stone cliffs of the canyon walls against the blue sky was just magical. This was one portion of my ride today that could have gone on forever. I enjoyed it so much that I rode the canyon again on the way home. Then continued on Peak To Peak Highway into the town of Estas Park and the entrance of RMNP.
Rode up the mountain on Trail Ridge Rd to the Alpine Visitors Center and took a short rest break and then headed back down the mountain. By now it was 09:00 and the tourist were up from there hibernation and flooding the area like locust in a corn field. Time to head down. Rode on back to Estes Park and then took Highway 36 to Lyons and then back up St.Vrain Canyon to the intersection of 7 and 72. Another great ride up the Canyon with no traffic. Here is where I turned south on 72 and rode Peak To Peak Highway to the turn off for Golden Gate Canyon Highway 46. I did behave myself riding down this canyon as the LEOs were out in force today. Passed a Motorcycle crash site where a Harley had low sided in a left hand curve and slid into the guard rail ejecting the ride over the railing and down the cliff. I was not able to stop and take a look and the emergency vehicles were just now arriving. Time to move on. Hopefully the rider is alive and will recover. Be careful and be safe my friends.
Of course I had to take a few pictures along the route. Enjoy. Will try and ride Mt Evens within the next month.


PS: I saw 42 degrees up top this morning and 92 degrees crossing the City this afternoon. 257 miles round trip.


Along Peak To Peak Highway 7

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On the way up Trail Ridge Rd. Just getting above the tree line.
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Up on top looking at the continental divide.
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Looking South along the Divide
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Along the top of Trail Ridge,
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Another pull out for another picture of the Big Versys.
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Alpine Visitors Center at 11,796ft
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Me, Your Truly
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On the way back down just at the tree line again.
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An overlook, looking down in the valley to Estes Park.


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Approaching the exit to Rocky Mountain National Park, looking west at the Continental Divide
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The Last Ride on the Little Gray Bike
The last ride on the little X300 before she gets a set of new shoes next week. Going to put Dunlop Trailmax Mission on this time around. Wore out the Mitas E-07 in around 8000 miles. Rode down to my favorite Café' at Deckers. I just love riding along the South Platte River. Took a few pictures along the way.

https://goo.gl/maps/2uLQJ9SaGBnL28cK9


Last stop before the three miles of dirt on a 15% down hill grade on Night Hawk Canyon
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Today the dirt was hard packed from the rain and traffic yesterday.
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Enjoying the view from the patio of the Deckers Café
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The Café'
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Along the north fork of the South Platte River
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Another angle
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Climbing up the 15% grade. It is steeper than what the picture portrays.
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Back on the Pavement climbing up over Rampart Range.
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Chuck, do you have this?
Came in yesterday, recommended to me on ADVrider when I asked if any GS riders had negotiated Black Bear Pass.
I've yet to find a video of a GS/A or GS going up and over and down, although a few claim to have done it.
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Yes
Chuck, do you have this?
Came in yesterday, recommended to me on ADVrider when I asked if any GS riders had negotiated Black Bear Pass.
I've yet to find a video of a GS/A or GS going up and over and down, although a few claim to have done it.
20230706_190337.jpg
Yes I do, Great book. I have ridden about 90% of the ride in the book at one time or another in the last 35 years or so.
 
The Second Trifecta Ride of the year.
Yesterday stared out as most mornings do. Trying to decide if I am going to go for a ride or not. The forecasted temperature for Aurora was 93 degrees. Too hot to think about riding, unless I head to the High Country. I thought “That is an Idea, where to ride to escape the heat. I have not been up to Guanella Pass (11669ft) in a bit so decided that is where I will go. Going to ride the V-Strom 650 today as it had a full tank of gas. I plotted out the route, Highway 285 to Parmelle Gulch Rd. through Indian Hills to Kerr Gulch and then the access roads that parallel I-70 to Georgetown. I headed out around 06:45. Well plans and routes change once on the road and since I was already in Evergreen at the top of Kerr Gulch I decided to ride up over Highway 103 to Echo Lake (10001ft) and then down the mountain and pickup my route at Idaho Springs. I really like the 103 ride as it has some great twist and turns on the way up to the lake. By the way Echo Lake Lodge is also the entry to the road up to the summit of Mt. Evans (14364ft), highest paved road in the country.
To ride up to the summit of Mt. Evans, a reservation is required. I did not have one so I had dismissed that Idea. Also the weather was not looking very good at the top of Mt. Evans. However as I got to the Lodge around 08:15 there were no tourist at the entry shack, so I figured what the hell. All they can do is say “No.” I would see if the ranger might let me ride up without the required reservation. After showing the lady ranger my Veteran’s National Parks Pass, she still insisted that I needed a reservation. I pointed out that there was nobody there and I just wanted to ride to the top and get my pictures and return down the mountain. She relented and I was on my way to accomplish the second ride of my Trifecta Rides for the season. As I gained more altitude the weather was changing for the worse as a large storm cloud surrounded the peak of the mountain. Reaching Summit Lake (12830ft) the rain started in a light drizzle. Thought about turning around but it was only about 1500ft more of altitude to the summit . If I turned around I would have to do this again at a later date, with a Reservation. Onward and upward. Approaching the last set of switchback it started to snow. Temp was 43 degrees with a fairly robust wind. Not a lot of snow just flurries. Once at the summit the storm cloud had moved off a bit and the flurries had stopped but the wind was still present. It was a bit cold with just a liner and summer riding jacket. Got my pictures and started the descent down the mountain. Second Trifecta Ride in the books. Still need to get up to Pikes Peak (14110ft) to finish the Trifecta for the season. Maybe later this month or Aug.
I was on my way down by 0915 with still plenty of time to ride Guanella Pass and be home by early afternoon. Followed my original route parallel I-70 to Georgetown. This is where the ascent to Guanella Pass starts. I enjoy this road, county road 118, another twist and turns as it gains altitude. In a past lifetime this route was dirt. Riding it was a real adventure. But today to appease the hikers and mountain climbers, it has been paved, both north and south side. Always a full parking lot at the top. By now the sun was out and shinning allowing for a beautiful ride. Arrived at the summit, got my pictures and headed down the south side of the pass to Grant on Highway 285. From there it was just a short ride to Conifer where I turned off to ride the rest of the way down Deer Creek Canyon to C-470 and across town to home.
Great ride today 205 miles round trip and got to ride three of my favorite ride routes.
https://goo.gl/maps/A4MGY12b3xD7Pdfd7


Stopped at Indian Hills to put on my liner as it was getting a bit chilly in the foothills.
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On the way up to Mt Evans.
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Info Center and out houses just above tree line on the way up to the summit of Mt. Evans

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All most at 12,000 ft.
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Beautiful View
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We don't need no stinking guard rails.
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At the Summit of Mt. Evans
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Heading down, looking west
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Looking back up at the observatory and summit house.
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The local High Altitude Residence
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Pictures Part Two


Back down at Echo Lake. A favorite spot of mine.
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Of course Me
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This is the road climbing up to the summit of Guanelle Pass
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A nice private lake along the climb up
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Nearing the top
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The summit sign, but the camera focused on the bike's windshield
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Another view from the summit of Guenella Pass
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Bottom of Dear Creek Canyon before heading across town. ( This picture should be the last one. It is out of place)
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On the way down looking back up to the Pass.
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My Reply to your Post #263...
Oh my!
A Garmin III Plus!
I haven't seen one of those in years.
Except for mine. LOL.
(I wanna ride CO too.)
 
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