Have I told you how much I love Riding Colorado?

The only riding today was the Little Gray Bike rode the table lift today. The Little Gray Bike (Versys X300) is up on the lift for it's 12000 mile service. First thing is getting new shoes. Wheels are at the tire shop having new Dunlop Trailmax Missions mounted. After I get the wheels back and remounted it will be oil change time and what ever else the the 12K mile service requires.

Edit. New tires have been mounted and wheels installed on the bike. Ready to scrub them in tomorrow morning when it is cooler. Too hot right now, 95 Degrees.

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Today I took a quick ride up to Loveland Pass and back to give the FJR some exercise. Haven't had her out of the garage all month. Been riding my other bikes. Rode some of my favorited back roads to Evergreen and then followed the access roads along I-70 to Georgetown and then I had to run Freeway to the turn off for Loveland Pass. Loveland Pass is the route over the Continental Divide that hazardous material semi tricks have to use instead of going through the Eisenhower / Johnson tunnel on I-70. It is a beautiful ride if one is not stuck behind a semi truck. Very few placed to pass on the east side of the Pass. Easer to pass the trucks on the west side. also this is where Loveland Ski Area is and A-Basin Ski Area. Continuing down the West side takes you to Dillion and Dillion Reservoir. I did not ride all the way down into Dillion I turned around where the twisties ended and headed back up over the Pass again to head back home. I pretty much just retraced my route home. See imbedded Map. Here are some pictures that I took along the way.

https://goo.gl/maps/NzD96hG94cuxDgG49



This is the view coming down Little Cub Rd. into Old Evergreen
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Summit of Loveland Pass
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Just more views headed down the west side of the Pass
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More views
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Beautiful red FJR1300 with the Continental Divide in the back ground
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Another view looking into A-Basin Ski Area
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East side of the Pass looking down on I-70 and the Eisenhower / Johnson Tunnels
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Getting the V-Strom ready for an overnight ride. Not sure if I will camp or motel for that night. But will take the camping gear anyway. Plan on leaving Tuesday morning early @ first light. Here is the proposed route, however I reserve the right to modify or change the route completely
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Just completed the 20000 miles service on her today and will do the packing tomorrow.
https://goo.gl/maps/z7Qe1rNmpk2qA1WT6

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Rollin, Rollin along the River.
Took the little Gray bike (Versys X300) down along the South Platte River for a early Saturday morning ride. Stopped at Deckers for a cup of coffee, hoping I might meet up with some other Colorado Versys X300 riders. No avail, just me today, and then a bunch of noisy Harleys showed up. Time to leave and Go Ride. Here are a few pictures of the ride along the river. Most of the river route was off pavement dirt road. As a side note, the Dunlop Trail Max tires did real good on the dirt. Another beautiful Colorado day. Enjoy.
https://goo.gl/maps/A1v5n4ihzFE6f2ui8

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That's just too gorgeous, you need to stop with the pictures, already.
But don't stop.
I would have loved to pull off the highway today and just fall in that river. Is it as cold as the Snake River?
I rode 200 miles of interstate to swap out a receipt printer - 5 minute job - and it was 94 most of the way, per the dash indicator.
Not complaining, summer will be gone before I know it.
(And yes, I am fully aware some out West are seeing 100+ degrees. Hope you enjoy your summer too!)
 
Sadlsor said:
That's just too gorgeous, you need to stop with the pictures, already.
But don't stop.
I would have loved to pull off the highway today and just fall in that river. Is it as cold as the Snake River?
I rode 200 miles of interstate to swap out a receipt printer - 5 minute job - and it was 94 most of the way, per the dash indicator.
Not complaining, summer will be gone before I know it.
(And yes, I am fully aware some out West are seeing 100+ degrees. Hope you enjoy your summer too!)
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Don't know about the Snake River, but this water is still snow melt runoff from the high country. Yes it is cold but a lot of people were out tubing, trout fishing and some kayaking in it today. High temp in Denver was 97. A bit less warm along the river but the water is a bit chilly. Air temps along the river in the early morning shadows was quite cool. And we have relatively very low humidity at our altitudes.
 
Closed out my Aug. 2023 motorcycle miles with a ride down Forest Service Rd 300 (Rampart Range Road) to Woodland Park. Total Dirt about 60 miles give or take a few. Stopped off at the Airforce Academy's Recreation Center. (Camping, Fishing, Picnicking, etc.) and then dropped down off the Rampart Ridge into Woodland Park. Motored up Highway 67 to Deckers for some Ice Cream and then on home. Total moto miles for Aug is 2127. Total miles for today 158. Took a few pictures.
https://goo.gl/maps/UtVvym6FqLbsVC1A9



Rampart Rd. 300
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Looking off to the west from a Rocky overlook.
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The Big Rock Overlook. Was going to ride up on the rock but decided against it.
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Continuing south along FS 300
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Pikes Peak
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Nice view of the little Gray bike X300 with Pikes Peak in the background.
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The next few pictures are of the Air Force Academy's Rec Area.
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Nice place, Might have to come up here and rent a cabin for a weekend and just get away from the craziness in the city.
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Looking for a handout.
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On the way out of the Rec Area.
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Another view of Pikes Peak.
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The entrance to the AF Academy's Rec Area.
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Yesterday I headed up to the High Country to do a bit of leave peeping. An annual past time here in Colorado when the Aspen leaves change color. My route was across Denver to Evergreen and up 103, Squaw Pass Rd to Echo Lake. Then down the others side to Idaho Springs and up the freeway to Georgetown and over Guanella Pass, and home on 285. Dropping down to ride Clear Creek canyon to C470 across town. I have ridden this route and posted the ride before on this thread, but here are some pictures of yesterday's ride.

maps.app.goo.gl

Aurora Highlands to Aurora Highlands

maps.app.goo.gl maps.app.goo.gl


Overlooks on 103 headed up to Echo Lake
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Echo Lake
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Down the other side to Idaho Springs


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Overlooking Georgtown
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On the way up Guanella Pass
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Me at the Summit
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Down the backside of Guanella Pass to Highway 285
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Nice little cabin in the woods for sale. Might look into it.
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I rode over Cumbres Pass, Colorado (10006ft) and over La Manga Pass, Colorado (10230ft) on highway 17, on a ride to Chama New Mexico this past weekend. I have not been down south that way in quite a few years. The Fall color changes were just magnificent. Highway 17 is a great ride over the passes. Lots of nice twist and turns. Here are a few pictures of the color change that I took.

maps.app.goo.gl

Antonito to Chama

maps.app.goo.gl maps.app.goo.gl

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Took the FJR out for a 160 mile ride today into the foothills and up to Echo Lake again. No pictures as I have posted many pictures of these roads in past write ups and... I was just enjoying the late October ride with out all of the tourist and weekenders clogging up the roads. Very enjoyable, The FJR loved the cool mountain air and purred along happy as can be. Mid to late Oct is the best time to ride around here if there is no snow on the ground yet. Here is the google map route that I rode today.

maps.app.goo.gl

Hampden Ave & S Tower Rd to 3434 S Tower Rd

maps.app.goo.gl maps.app.goo.gl
 
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ChucksKLRST said:
Took the FJR out for a 160 mile ride today into the foothills and up to Echo Lake again. No pictures as I have posted many pictures of these road in past write ups
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We'll forgive you this time.
I've been on rides where it was just nice, not having to worry and fuss with cameras and composing shots and...
Gives me a real appreciation for Noraly's videos.
 
ChucksKLRST said:
Took a little 250 mile loop through the mountains west of The Front Range today. Needed to pick up the Colorado Tag and find a couple of new ones. This ride was the furthest west into the high country that I ventured this year. Wanted to check out the snow levels. Highest altitude that I got was about right at 10000 ft crossing Kenosha Pass on the way home from riding Terryall Rd (77) Only a few remnants of snow up at that altitude how ever they are taking about some more on Thursday. Beautiful Colorado day today but a bit breezy.
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Having moved to colorado and seeing all of the bikes on rt160, im getting cold turkey. Gotta get a ride this spring!
 
Pop-Pop said:
Been thinking about that for years. I dont like having a chain, but ill compromise. U just verified my thoughts. Thank you.
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The versys 650 is also a strong option when looking at that category.
 
Winter maint. on the Girlfriends has begun. First up was the little X300 Versys. All it needed was it's annual oil and filter change and a good visual inspection. Only put 1700 miles on it this past year. So far she has 12732 total miles on the odometer. (Bought here used with 495 miles on the clock back in Aug 2017) Next major maint is due at 16000 miles. I will have to check the maint records and see who will be next on the lift.

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