Have I told you how much I love Riding Colorado?

[cneher]

Man, this is awesome.

I love Colorado - I have a trip planned for late September early October I’m pretty excited about.

OKC - Taos - Telluride - Denver - Pikes Peak - Taos - OKC

First multi-day motorcycle trip in 16 or 17 years.

 

[ChucksKLRST]

Just a short 180 mile loop up to Echo Lake and then over Guanella Pass and then on home. Took a few pictures and enjoyed the coolness of the High Country vs. the heat of the City.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mtemw8mBbESbqmYX6


Over look on the way up to Echo Lake




Another angle of the FJR at the overlook




Echo Lake





Summit of Guanella Pass





Looking the other direction on the summit






Proof that I was at the Summit.

 

[ChucksKLRST]

This morning I made my annual pilgrimage to the summit of Mt. Blue Sky (Mt Evans) 14200 ft. above sea level. I now have completed my entire Trifecta rides for this year. As I have said; I try and ride up to the summits of Pikes Peak, Mt. Blue Sky and traverse over Trail Ridge Rd. in Rocky Mountain Nation Park at least once each riding season. Today I left the house at about 06:30 and arrived at the gate of MT Blue Sky at 7:50. They were open and there was a cute young lady checking for reservations and colleting the entry fee. She waved me to a stop. I showed my Fed Parks Lifelong Pass and she waved the reservation requirement as long as I did not park for any length of time along the way. Ride up, take my pictures and ride down. So that is what I did. The morning was sunny and cool, with no wind. Perfect conditions for the ride up. I had to stop at the Tree Line Rest Area to don my jacket liner as the temps were dropping as the road continued higher in elevation. I reached the summit around 08:45 and the temps were 50 degrees. The good thing was no wind yet. Hung around for a while, took some pictures, talked to a few folks and decided it was time to head back down the mountain. The skies were starting to cloud up a bit and the tourist were now out in force and on their way up to the summit. Time to go. The key in the mountains is to be heading down when all the tourist are headed up. Makes for a much more pleasant moto ride. Got down off the mountain into the foothills and across town, and arrived home just before noon. 145 mile round trip. Good ride and completed my Trifecta Ride for the year.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nhFoW9wttU89E4B89


Ah, to be young again




The climb up




Looking down at Echo Lake




Continuing the climb




Some of the local residents




Summit Lake




Another view just past Summit Lake



The Versys at the top.





Again






More local residents





Looking west over the Colorado Rockies





Me and the Versys





A different local resident






On the way down, looking South West over South Park




We don't need No Stinken guard rails





Got to get my picture of Echo Lake





Evergreen Lake with the golf course in the background

 

[Sadlsor]

Loving those photos.
I bet that park attendant is not the same gal that sent @Uncle Phil off first in line, allowing him to break some ribs on his last Alaska trip.

 

[ChucksKLRST]

Did my Annual leaf peeping ride today before the colors gone and wind blows the leave to the ground. A sign that winter is not far off. Decided I wanted to ride my old standby route up to Echo lake from Evergreen. Great twisties on this route. Then from there over and up the Northside of Guanella Pass from Georgetown and then back down the same side. Did not feel like riding 285 back to Denver. Instead I rode my favorite canyon rides Kerr Gulch, Turkey Creek Canyon, Deer Creak Canyon etc. Beautiful Weather day and a great Moto Ride Day.

Hampden Ave & S Tower Rd to S Tower Rd

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[ST1100TX]

Great photos and blog.

I have a buddy in Joes, CO who wants me to come up and ride. Of course, it's a ways to any good riding from there.

I've never been to Colorado, but I'd like to check out Salida and Ouray if I can get out there.

 

[ChucksKLRST]

It

Great photos and blog.

I have a buddy in Joes, CO who wants me to come up and ride. Of course, it's a ways to any good riding from there.

I've never been to Colorado, but I'd like to check out Salida and Ouray if I can get out there.

IT is only a 1000 miles from Kerrville. Speaking of Kerrville If I had to live in Texas now it would be Kerrville. Beautiful part of the Hill Country.

 

[ST1100TX]

It

IT is only a 1000 miles from Kerrville. Speaking of Kerrville If I had to live in Texas now it would be Kerrville. Beautiful part of the Hill Country.

Lol. Only 1,000 miles. That's a long haul for me. I could do if I split it up into three days and took all back roads.

Kerrville is still nice. Lots of good roads around with small towns sprinkled throughout.

Colorado looks amazing, though. Real mountains. I'll have to write down your routes and look them up on Google Earth.

 

[Mellow]

Lol. Only 1,000 miles. That's a long haul for me. I could do if I split it up into three days and took all back roads.

Kerrville is still nice. Lots of good roads around with small towns sprinkled throughout.

Colorado looks amazing, though. Real mountains. I'll have to write down your routes and look them up on Google Earth.

There's always big bend.

 

[ST1100TX]

There's always big bend.

Oh my. What a great place. Only been there once so far and in the cage. I've been itching to go back and stay in Alpine again and ride around that whole area on the bike.

 

[Auron]

If only our weather-damaged roads were as nice the views

 

[Sadlsor]

@ChucksKLRST what do you do in the snow time?

I like skiing, but I like riding more.

Do you strap skinny boards to your boots, or ride machines with wide belts in the back?

Or do you just drink heavily in front of a wood fireplace and watch riding videos on YouTube while waiting impatiently for the Spring thaw?

I'm half-kidding, I love your mountains and trails and your aspens, but I'd rather ride year-round.

In reality, probably the best solution is just to have 6 homes around the country, like @Whisker Bill ...

 

[ChucksKLRST]

@ChucksKLRST what do you do in the snow time?

I like skiing, but I like riding more.

Do you strap skinny boards to your boots, or ride machines with wide belts in the back?

Or do you just drink heavily in front of a wood fireplace and watch riding videos on YouTube while waiting impatiently for the Spring thaw?

I'm half-kidding, I love your mountains and trails and your aspens, but I'd rather ride year-round.

In reality, probably the best solution is just to have 6 homes around the country, like @Whisker Bill ...

For the most part I can ride year around except for a few stretches of two week intervals. I have my winter routes laid out here in the front range, (stay out of the mountains) Just make sure one has good electrics for winter riding. Because the humidity is so low here and the air is dry in Colorado, the roads dry up quit quickly. Just make sure to wash the bike frequently as they use magnesium chloride on the roads. When dry it is like a fine powder (Think gray baking flower)

 

[ChucksKLRST]

But then sometimes we get surprised in the Spring. Middle of May

 

[St-Gerard]

But then sometimes we get surprised in the Spring. Middle of May

Been there ,done that. Which is why I love the St,built in luggage for all weather gear.