Colorado Oct. 2010

[jamesearthdrum]

On my recent trip to Denver, for work, a week ago I was able to spend a day and a half on an RT1200 riding. Trip started at 12:30PM on Thursday. I had planned to pick up the bike Friday morning, but seeing that I walked away from work at 11AM Thursday and it was nice and sunny, I wasn't about to waste the rest of the day. I called Colorado Motorcycle Rentals and asked Bill if I could pick the bike up early. The answer... of course! I was meeting a couple friends that evening for dinner in Golden, just west of Denver, so a quick look at the map showed I could ride the Peak to Peak scenic hwy. 119 to Boulder and then south on Rt.93 into Golden. I headed west on I25 to 6th Ave. 6th quickly turned from 4 lanes to a twisty 2 lane with this along the way.


A quick turn onto 119 and I was in motocycle heaven,


I found it difficult to stay focused at time as the scenery was awe inspiring. Luckily there was very little traffic in the middle of the afternoon so I was able to finally pull it together and stay present while riding. I got into the groove and soon found myself in Boulder. I had only stopped once. Well that wouldn't due as I needed to get pictures. So after a quick bite to eat I decided to back track to stop and get pictures. Their in my Gallery. The ride down Rt. 93 to Golden was along the foothills.


It was amazing how the landscape went from absolutely flat plains to mountains in only a couple miles. Dinner with friends was great and I was back at my hotel for a final night.
7AM I checked out in full gear, gave my suitcase to the bell station and headed out. Friday's weather was to be rain north later in the day so I decided to return to 119 and maybe go all the way to Estes in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Soon as I got to 6th it began to sprinkle. I stopped a put on the Frogg Toggs over my gear and continued up 6th. The rain came down steady, there was much more traffic, and it was slow going. After about an hour in a parade of cages I needed gas. While fueling and watching a steady stream of cars go by I decided that continuing would be zero fun. I could still make it back to turn the bike in before my one day deadline of 12:30 so I headed back into Denver. Well as I approached the city I could see blue skies to the south and the sun was coming out. I called Bill and said I would like to keep the bike the rest of the afternoon. I had seen a place on the map called Garden of the Gods that was suppose to be pretty great. So South I went. This is what it looked like!




I was not disappointed.
Here's me and the RT


I turned the bike in at 4PM Friday afternoon, took a taxi back to the hotel, collected my suitcase from the bell station, still in full gear. It was the perfect way to end my having travelled to 5 shows, total of 7 weeks on the road, in the last 3 months. Needless to say I slept well, with a huge smile on my face on the plane ride home.

[Mark Olson]

Great pics of a great time 

[Yamifj1200]

James, looks like you had a good time. Colorado has some beautiful scenery to ride in. Probably a good deal you didn't head to Rocky Mountain National park this time of year, Frank and I ran into snow there last August!!! How did you like the beemer?? Thanks for the trip report and pics...

Eric M

[jamesearthdrum]

James, looks like you had a good time. Colorado has some beautiful scenery to ride in. Probably a good deal you didn't head to Rocky Mountain National park this time of year, Frank and I ran into snow there last August!!! How did you like the beemer?? Thanks for the trip report and pics...

Eric M

The beemer was very smooth. It had all the bells and whistles. I'm not sure I would want to own one though. No sport to it at all. Don't get me wrong it had plenty of power, just didn't feel like I was connected to it. I love the FJ because I feel I'm more involved in what's going on. On the Beemer I felt like I was along for the ride. Not visceral enough for me, I guess.

[racerman_27410]

nice ride James.... The garden of the Gods is a beautiful place.... Eric and i wanted to check it out but we ran out of time when we were out there last year.

Rocky Mountain National park is kick ass but i would not venture there this time of year without heated gear and snow tires   

BTW i enjoyed some persimmon meade a couple weeks ago that reminded me of you.


Happy holidays Brother!

Frank

[carsick]

Beautiful images, moving descriptions. It's been too long since I was out West, maybe a winter of reading this kind of trip report and I'll have to plan a journey!

[mijohnso]

Ah yes, you explored the glory that is Colorado. I am a recent resident of Vermont, and I dearly dearly hope I can someday move back to the the front range someday. If you ever go down there again, you should try riding up Morrison road to Evergreen, it is much twistier and a whole lot less crowded (fewer cops too).

I am planning on attempting a ride to Colorado from here with my wife next summer, and if it works out, I am dearly looking forward to the roads there.

Looks like you got some great pictures!