2022 FJ Pikes Peak Run

[aviationfred]

Casper was prepped for the weekend ride to Colorado. 2 days before departure and the turn signals went wonky. So the decision was made to ride the VFR800.  
Dinner in Colorado Springs was at the Airplane Restaurant. A B-29 converted into a Refueler and badged as a KC-97 has been integrated into the Restaurant. The BBQ Bomber Burger is a must have.
A great time was had on this weekends ride out to Colorado. The plan for Saturday was a ride to the Summit of Pikes Peak. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. We were stopped by the Park Rangers just over the 12,000 ft point at the Devil's Playground parking area. It was 41°F with drizzle. Was told the Summit was 28°F and snowing. After we came back down, a stop at Rudy's for some incredible BBQ and then on to the Gold mining towns of Victor and Cripple Creek.
We had 8 bikes, 2 from Colorado, 2 from Michigan, 1 from Iowa, 1 from Kansas, 1 from Wisconsin, and 1 from Utah. We had 4 FJ's, 1 FJ-09, 1 VFR800, 1 KTM 390 Duke and 1 Kawasaki Z1000. A few of us spent Saturday evening socializing with a local VFR owner and drooling over his gorgeous bikes.

[aviationfred]

Saturday we woke up to chilly weather with overcast sky's. We rode up to the entry gate to meet up with everyone. We had myself, Kurt, Alan, Leon, Dan, George, Kris, (George's wife) Dan's nephew and a surprise with Cap'n Ron in his Honda Insight.


Fred

[aviationfred]

We all went throught the entry gate and headed for the Summit. It did not take long and we were riding in the clouds. Visibility was cut down to a couple of hundred yards in some stretches. We stopped at the Crystal Lake Reservoir Visitor Center for a break. We did a lineup in front of Bigfoot.


Fred

[aviationfred]

A short ride video from above the treeline that also shows all of the riders.

https://youtu.be/QJHIp9ofEKs



Fred

[aviationfred]

Some stills taken from the video and views from where we were stopped.



Fred

[aviationfred]

A few action shots that Cap'n Ron captured.


Fred

[aviationfred]

You can Never go wrong with BBQ at a Rally. Alan took us all to Rudy's and the Moist Bricket did not disappoint.


Fred

[aviationfred]

After everyone's belly were full, we decided to ride into Gold Country. We found our wat to the Victor & Cripple Creek Gold Mine. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cripple_Creek_%26_Victor_Gold_Mine.
After a stop at the mine, we rode through the towns of Victor and Cripple Creek. Looking at the Old abandoned mining buildings was fascinating.


Fred

[aviationfred]

A fuel stop in Cripple Creek for everyone. We split up and a few of us headed back to Colorado Springs.

A VF(R) owner Thomas Westby, that I know through VFR channels had invited us to his house for dinner. His 1984 Honda VF1000F Interceptor and 1986 Honda VF1000R Resto-Mods are magazine article quality. He has a 1986 Honda VFR750 in the garage getting the same treatment. The end result is pure motorcycle porn. He also has a Honda VF400F. This model was never released in the US. In my lifetime, i have only seen 1 other. While we were there, one of Thomas's friends showed up on another 1984 VF1000F Interceptor. Kurt even admitted that he was impressed.
There even was an impromptu transaction made. Hopefully George will chime in on this.


Fred

[gdfj12]

I already posted here:

https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=20265.msg209268#msg209268

And here:

https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=20265.msg209271#msg209271


George D
gdfj12

[Old Rider]

Great report ! Thanks for sharing pics many nice places over there .You guys didnt  see Guy Martin up there ? or tried to beat his pike peak record ?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVvXP8EtdGA