Another 12-hour All-Day ride

[Firehawk068]

A week ago I planned on heading west and doing a loop around Grand Mesa.
I contacted fellow Colorado member Eric (fjfool) who lives in Gypsum, to see if he wanted to join me. (as I would pass right by his place)

Friday morning I gassed up the FJ, hit the highway, and headed for the mountains around 8:00 am.















After a couple PMs and a phone call, I met Eric at the fuel station just off the highway in Gypsum.





We quickly hopped on I-70 heading west toward Glenwood Canyon and Glenwood Springs, where we would exit the freeway and head south on the 2-lane stuff.







Since Eric's R-1 is still new to him, and he was unsure of the fuel range, we stopped again for fuel in Carbondale.



That shiny new bike is just Gorgeous!



A little ways down the road we pass through the town of Redstone, and past these no-longer-used Coke Ovens. (built in the late 1800s, and used for baking coal into high-grade coke)
http://www.britannica.com/technology/coke

These are all that remain of the once 200 or so ovens that were built here.



We continued on over McClure Pass, and on to Paonia Reservoir.















After a brief stop at the Reservoir, we continued on down the road toward the town of Paonia.
We passed by a bunch of the many still operational coal mines in the area.













Once in Paonia, Eric topped off the fuel tank on the R-1,  and we split off in separate directions. He headed for home the way we came, and I continued on around my loop of Grand Mesa.



A view of Mt. Lamborn, and Landsend Peak.





I continued on through the town of Hotchkiss, and by this time I was pretty hot (it was around 100 degrees F), pretty hungry, and growing tired of being on the bike.
So at the next little town (Austin Colorado) I stopped at this wonderful little restaurant tucked back off the main road.
Faye's Café! Where I had (what else would I have?) a fantastic Bacon Cheeseburger. 




I prefer to eat at local establishments like this, as opposed to the mass-marketed chains that are everywhere. Especially while traveling on the bike.
Prices may be slightly higher (sometimes they are not), but customer service is almost always at a higher level, and your hard-earned dollars go towards someone's local economy instead of Corporate pockets.

Since it was quite a warm day, I was happy that the next leg of my journey would take me to higher (and cooler) elevations.
After my brief rest, and my belly full and hydrated, I headed north through the town of Cedaredge.
Just beyond the town, the road started climbing and became twisty once again as the ride up the mesa began. 









Lots of busy Honeybees doing their thing........................(no bees were harmed during filming, nor did I at any point get stung)




I continued winding my way up on top of the mesa, and eventually found this lake (Island Lake).





This place was right on the lake. They rent cabins, canoes, and snowmobiles. 
It appears to be a great place to get away from it all.









It's located at quite the high elevation. (10,500 feet above sea-level)


I continued on toward the north end of the mesa, and almost took a little side journey while I was up there, to "Land's End Observatory"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land%27s_End_Observatory
But the day was growing long, so I decided to save that for another day.
I was awarded some spectacular views as I reached the north edge of the mesa, and started heading down in elevation.











As I made my way down, I noticed a storm with lightning moving across my intended course, so at the next junction I decided to head due-north to the little town of De Beque.

The cutoff route ended up being this amazing little undulating road, that snaked it's way through some fantastic desert landscape.















Once I reached Interstate-70 once again, I topped off with fuel, made a quick restroom break, and hopped on the freeway headed east toward home.





During this section, the highway winds it's way along next to the Colorado River.



Through a few tunnels.



And the Always-Spectacular Glenwood Canyon.





























When Eric split off, he left me with an open-ended invitation to swing by his place on my way home if I needed a break.
Since I was riding back through Gypsum, I decided to stop.

He's a really nice guy, a great rider, and along with the brand new R-1, has quite the fantastic bike collection.

Here's his '86 FJ


His FZR400/600 monster.



He also has another FZR400 that I didn't see.

It was a quick stop, for a short break and a chat, then back on the highway for home.





I crossed the "Continental Divide" once again at Loveland pass, through the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel.
From here it would be just about an hour to get to my driveway.







Altogether, my route was 569 miles.



I arrived home at 8:30 pm, so the journey was 12-1/2 hours total.
I rode through a very light sprinkle of rain heading north to De Beque, but other than that it was a very warm and partly cloudy day.
A perfect day to be on 2-wheels! 

I once again averaged around 47 mpg.
Although I like the fuel savings, I am certain she is running a bit lean since fitting the UNI-pods.
From here, I'll do a little research, and get with Randy on zeroing-in a proper fuel setup.

[Derek Young]

Wow! Soma amazing pics Alan! looks like another epic ride!

Derek

[FJmonkey]

Inspiring ride and post, thanks. 

[Bones]

Spectacular scenery and some great photos,  What sort of camera are you using Alan, the action shots from your bike are great, nice and clear with no distortion at all.

[X-Ray]

Simply magical stuff, always love the ride reports with scenery like this 

[FeralRdr]

Thanks for sharing the journey good sir. 

I knew I should have detoured into Colorado on the way home from Arizona last month.  Especially, with everything being so greeeeeeen.   

[Firehawk068]

Spectacular scenery and some great photos,  What sort of camera are you using Alan, the action shots from your bike are great, nice and clear with no distortion at all.

I use an Olympus Tough TG-610 14-MP





I usually just bring it along in the left side pocket of my tank bag.
When I see an opportunity for a picture, I make sure the situation will allow me to free my left hand off the bar.
I then pull out the camera, turn it on, and snap a few shots.
I need to come up with some kind of retractable tether, to attach it to my tank bag in case I need to let go of it.

[Firehawk068]

Thanks for sharing the journey good sir. 

I knew I should have detoured into Colorado on the way home from Arizona last month.  Especially, with everything being so greeeeeeen.   

Yes, you should have! 

[ribbert]

Alan, you are a lucky man to live in an area so rich in natural splendour and to have roads on your doorstep that many here would kill for, no wonder you are out and about on the bike so much. Great photos. I have a similar point & shoot camera, set for best quality pics, but it doesn't give anywhere near that resolution.

You could start up the mother of all pizza shops with those coke ovens.

Noel

[jo-sommer]

Just Awesome!

I absolutely agree to Noel about the area you live in, Alan!

Those roads are perfect for some high-speed-fun... so when you've enjoied the scenery you can enjoy reducing the amount of rubber on the outside of your tires...

Cheers Jo