Have I told you how much I love Riding Colorado?

A slow overcast cold Sunday. Winter is not to far off. Time to think about the winter motorcycle maintenance tasks. Finished changing all the clocks back which gave me an extra hour. I was up an hour sooner than normal. My sleep pattern did not know it was back to standard time yet. Decided it was time to do an oil change on the little X300 Versys.

SAM_7203.JPGSAM_7204.JPGSAM_7205.JPG
 
Our High temp today was 57F in the City (Denver) and around 50F to 55F in the foothills. Tomorrow the high temp is suppose to be 22F degrees with 2 to 4 inches of snow in the city. I had to get out one more time with the bike before the end of the month and before the cold weather comes in tomorrow. Rode the V-Strom down along the South Platte River, one of my favorite rides. Took a few pictures along the way.

SAM_7217.JPGSAM_7218.JPGSAM_7220.JPGSAM_7222.JPGSAM_7223.JPGSAM_7224.JPGSAM_7225.JPGSAM_7227.JPGSAM_7228.JPG
 
ChucksKLRST said:
High Country Trifecta II.

If any of you have been following my ride posts on my Face Book Page, you have read of me mentioning my Ride Trifecta. I call it my High Country Trifecta. Each year I try and do a motorcycle ride to Trail Ridge Rd in Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt Evans, and Pikes Peak. The last couple of years I have only been able to accomplish only two of the rides, Trail Ridge, and MT. Evans. I posted my Trail Ridge ride a few weeks ago and this past Friday I was able to accomplish my Mt. Evans ride. Only one more peak to go. I will try and do Pikes Peak this month, if it does not snow at the summit, before the end of September.
Last Wednesday I was surfing my Moto forums on my computer, and it dawned on me that Labor Day weekend was coming up. I have not been to the summit of Mt. Evans this year and Mt. Evans summit traditionally closes right after Labor Day. I better get my reservation and GO RIDE. Got on line, registered on the Park Service website and made my reservation for Friday Sept 2. Two dollar reg. fee and I have a lifetime Fed Parks Pass. I am all set to go.
My Reservation window for Mt. Evans was for 0800-1000. This required me to leave the house at 0700. Another early morning rise and shine for this old retired guy. My route is one that I ride a lot up to Echo Lake as this is the starting point for the climb to the summit of Mt. Evans. The ride to Echo Lake is one of my favorite routes and I have ridden it a lot. Across Denver on Highway 285 to Upper Turkey Creek Canyon, then a right turn on to High Dr. which drops out in Old Evergreen. Passing the Evergreen Golf Course on Upper Bear Creek Rd, I Ride back through the canyon past some very, very (Lots of Money) expensive homes. A few miles later I make a right turn onto Witter Gulch Rd. This road starts the climb up to Squaw Pass Rd. Witter Gulch Rd has quite a few steep switchback turn on it. This is preparation for the switchbacks on Mt. Evans. Once onto Squaw Pass Rd (103) it is a beautiful ride topping out at 11,000 ft before a slight decent to the Echo Lake Lodge at 10,000ft. Here is the entrance to the Summit of Mt. Evans, State Highway 5. It is an overstatement to call this road a highway. I presented my Reservation document and my Federal Parks Pass had headed up Mt Evans Road. 14 miles later I was at the Summit, (14,200ft. according to my GPS.) Took a few pictures and then headed down to ride some of my fav. twisty’s before crossing the city to home. Part two of my trifecta is done. Great ride, 150 miles and many more smiles.
https://goo.gl/maps/8uETGoVcJ6CAkwr47
Click to expand...
Dude, all these beautiful pictures makes me want to ride my bike out there and retrace your routes and/or get some of us riders together and find some more. I've got at least one more year before I can retire and possibly do so. Thank you for sharing. -B.R.
 
Wow! I happened upon your posts and pictures a couple days ago and your description of one of your routes really caught my attention. I rode to Denver last summer for my youngest daughters' grad school graduation from University of Denver. Took two days on US 30 to get there. Lot's of great family time in Denver, sight-seeing (packed in the rental minivan), and food! The bike stayed parked, though, until time to head home. Fortunately, I had three days to head back and was able to dip my little toe into the mountains (or, at least, foothills?). Routed the Garmin to 67 and on to Colorado Springs, US 50 via Pueblo and so on. Anyway, 67 is beautiful, then turned onto W Pine Creek road which soon turned to gravel (which I wasn't exactly planning on!). I stopped and asked a few guys unloading their dirt bikes from pickup trucks if they thought I would be ok on the ST1300. They weren't too sure but I thought why not, I'm here aren't I? While I'm very glad I went forward, got a little nervous when I saw that 15% grade sign! Glad it was down hill and the road was smooth and well packed. Story shortened, the rest of that morning was was so awesome, beautiful and all!
Was fun to read your stories and get that little jolt about a couple roads I was fortunate to ride. For sure I MUST GET BACK!
 
Last edited:
DaveD said:
Wow! I happened upon your posts and pictures a couple days ago and your description of one of your routes really caught my attention. I rode to Denver last summer for my youngest daughters' grad school graduation from University of Denver. Took two days on US 30 to get there. Lot's of great family time in Denver, sight-seeing (packed in the rental minivan), and food! The bike stayed parked, though, until time to head home. Fortunately, I had three days to head back and was able to dip my little toe into the mountains (or, at least, foothills?). Routed the Garmin to 67 and on to Colorado Springs, US 50 via Pueblo and so on. Anyway, 67 is beautiful, then turned onto W Pine Creek road which soon turned to gravel (which I wasn't exactly planning on!). I stopped and asked a few guys unloading their dirt bakes from pickup trucks if they thought I would be ok on the ST1300. They weren't too sure but I thought why not, I'm here aren't I? While I'm very glad I went forward, got a little nervous when I saw that 15% grade sign! Glad it was down hill and the road was smooth and well packed. Story shortened, the rest of that morning was was so awesome, beautiful and all!
Was fun to read your stories and get that little jolt about a couple roads I was fortunate to ride. For sure I MUST GET BACK!
Click to expand...
Had you taken the left fork on 67 you would have had 10 miles of dirt/gravel road winding thru the forest.. All doable on the ST (but not preferred) if it is dry. I did that route on a old gold wing once. The route you took down the 15% hill was only three miles to the pavement. The 10 mile dirt 67 comes out 5 miles further down onto the pavement along the river.
 
ChucksKLRST said:
Had you taken the left fork on 67 you would have had 10 miles of dirt/gravel road winding thru the forest.. All doable on the ST (but not preferred) if it is dry. I did that route on a old gold wing once. The route you took down the 15% hill was only three miles to the pavement. The 10 mile dirt 67 comes out 5 miles further down onto the pavement along the river.
Click to expand...
Crazy, I'm reading this thinking it sounds familiar, so I check spotwalla and sure enough, I was there. I came out of Castle Rock to Deckers, and on to Mount Evans. I still smile when I think about the road disappearing in front of me because of the 15% grade, good times.
 
Hur-rah, I was able to finally after a bit more than two weeks able to get out a do my first ride of the year. Rode a short 100 miles on the Big Versys. Today's temps were in the high 40s to mid 50s degrees. Made a mess of the bike do to the snow melt, but it was great to GO RIDE anyway. Rode one of my winter routes, (have to stay out of the twisties in the mountains) south east of Aurora. Crossed over I-25 at Castle rock and ride north on 105 to Sedalia then on over Castle Pines and back to Parker on home to Aurora. The weather fibbers are predicting about two more inches of snow tomorrow so this ride will have to keep my Parked Motorcycle Syndrome in check for a while. Here is the route and a few pictures from today.

https://goo.gl/maps/pEpaRqScmFm87N1H6

SAM_7262.JPGSAM_7264.JPGSAM_7265.JPGSAM_7267.JPGSAM_7261.JPG
 
I haven't been able to get out of the neighborhood street for a month now. Maybe tomorrow.
While you are out and about, maybe move the Colorado Tag or A-Z game. I have been the only one doing them for more than a couple years now.
 
Yesterday I was able to get out with the VStrom for short 105 mile ride. Rode across the south side of Denver to Sedalia and then south on Highway 105 to Palmer Lake. I have ridden this road hundreds of times. It is a favorite of the motorcycle community, as it meanders along the Rampart Range ridge line with it's gentle curves. and shallow ups and downs of the landscape. Around 25 miles of riding bliss. Then turn around and head north. Same road completely different views of the Rocky Mountain peaks and horse farm country. I turned off of 105 at the Wolfensberger Rd. This is a short ride of a few miles of good twisties up over the ridge into Castle Rock. From there on Crowfoot Valley Rd into Parker and then home. A couple three hours of riding before our weather changes and we get more snow.
https://goo.gl/maps/s817n8btDbnFN3h67

SAM_5698.JPGSAM_5700.JPGSAM_5701.JPG
 
ChucksKLRST said:
I have a little X300 Versys, and also a V-Strom 650 for the dirt. Rode all the dirt all in my younger years with a KLR650 and a DR650. Don't do much 4x4 jeep trails anymore just, a few county dirt roads. It hurts when I fall down.
Click to expand...
It hurts me too, so my plan is to continue to learn how NOT to fall down.
I figger with a big ole fat GSA, it's large enough to take the fall, and I'll just step off it, when it has to go down.
That's the "plan", anyway, and y'all already know how my plans go.
But I've also decided that waiting a "couple more years" at my age isn't going to improve my chances, know what I mean?
With all that I read about us "experienced" riders, there may come a time when I'm forced to go smaller. Even here on st-owners, we've seen those threads.
So it's like, "when is the best time to plant a tree?" Answer: 10 years ago.
"When is the second best time to plant a tree?" Answer: today.
It's an allegory, folks, a parable if you will, a metaphor. I'm not gonna really plant a tree...
 
Al st1100 said:
test drove one years ago ...no. lacks power, screems at slab speeds. It would be ok riding Colorado side roads but living in Colorado I would prefer something to take on dirt roads also.1686525214818.png
Click to expand...
So what bikes do u like in the 750 range for tours lasting less than a month?
 
Spent most of the afternoon watching guys tackle Black Bear Pass on YouTube.
I'm convinced if you don't get off the tarmac in CO, you're missing much - if not MOST - of what it has to offer.
I'll have my will updated before I ride my GSA over Black Bear.
And I still may never do it... those steps on the back side, going down to Telluride, should be reserved for the likes of Ned Suesse, Bret Tcaks, Jimmy Lewis or Chris Birch.
I actually haven't found any videos of GSs trying it, although one guy did it on a KTM 1290, and it kept overheating. 3 friends did a series of CO Rockies videos on their GSs, but they agreed to pass on riding that pass, after scouting the first mile.
I'll call Jim Hyde and get his opinion.
 
Sadlsor said:
Spent most of the afternoon watching guys tackle Black Bear Pass on YouTube.
I'm convinced if you don't get off the tarmac in CO, you're missing much - if not MOST - of what it has to offer.
I'll have my will updated before I ride my GSA over Black Bear.
And I still may never do it... those steps on the back side, going down to Telluride, should be reserved for the likes of Ned Suesse, Bret Tcaks, Jimmy Lewis or Chris Birch.
I actually haven't found any videos of GSs trying it, although one guy did it on a KTM 1290, and it kept overheating. 3 friends did a series of CO Rockies videos on their GSs, but they agreed to pass on riding that pass, after scouting the first mile.
I'll call Jim Hyde and get his opinion.
Click to expand...
I did some roads around Telluride on a carburated XL250 in the 80's. Lots of rocks made it difficult and I was much younger at the time. Was at the top of Bridel Vail Falls 2x. Black Bear is nasty and dangerous. I was told this By the Mayor of Telluride Who was a good friend of my dad at the time. There are many passes with varring degrees of difficulties that would test your skills before hitting the crazy ones. Those passes are just as scenic and should be satisfying. The Colorado back road adventure route maps trails and bypasses around difficult passes if chosing to do so. Besides best laid plans can be detoured by weather. Are you planning this year?
 
Al st1100 said:
Those passes are just as scenic and should be satisfying. The Colorado back road adventure route maps trails and bypasses around difficult passes if chosing to do so. Besides best laid plans can be detoured by weather. Are you planning this year?
Click to expand...
I'll need massive amounts of seat time and peg time (standing) on the big GSA before I even entertain the idea. And I have yet to fetch it from Kalifornistan; not enough time.
I posted similar in the Riding forum over on ADVrider, and said "there's probably a good reason I haven't found any YouTube videos of GSs coming down the steps on the back side of Black Bear pass."
I could see a Chris Birch doing it, and a select few other pro riders, but one mistake in a number of areas would be a quick death.
Seen KTM 790s, one KTM 1290 SA, and several smaller 250/350s succeed. Even then, it is horrifically sketchy in some critical parts, with a vertical face on the left from which there would be no recovery. Truly taking one's life in one's hands.
But people, even on *gasp!* motorcycles, defy death all the time, in many different ways.
 
Sadlsor said:
I'll need massive amounts of seat time and peg time (standing) on the big GSA before I even entertain the idea. And I have yet to fetch it from Kalifornistan; not enough time.
I posted similar in the Riding forum over on ADVrider, and said "there's probably a good reason I haven't found any YouTube videos of GSs coming down the steps on the back side of Black Bear pass."
I could see a Chris Birch doing it, and a select few other pro riders, but one mistake in a number of areas would be a quick death.
Seen KTM 790s, one KTM 1290 SA, and several smaller 250/350s succeed. Even then, it is horrifically sketchy in some critical parts, with a vertical face on the left from which there would be no recovery. Truly taking one's life in one's hands.
But people, even on *gasp!* motorcycles, defy death all the time, in many different ways.
Click to expand...
I have seen videos of a GS doing it falling multiple times. Usually someone helping to pick up the bike. If your going solo better get a smaller bike. I would try some other easier passes first. You can do a number of passes in a week. Souds like you need a case car.
 
Al st1100 said:
I have seen videos of a GS doing it falling multiple times. Usually someone helping to pick up the bike.
Click to expand...
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."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom