Sunday was Gorgeous Weather, sooooo.............................................

[Firehawk068]

I hopped on the FJ and ran my absolute Favorite 200-mile loop!  



After topping off the fuel tank, and a quick blast down the freeway to the Wadsworth Blvd exit,
I entered the foothills into Deer Creek Canyon.
My ipod in the tank bag cranking out some great riding tunes.









Where it quickly turns into a series of 2nd-3rd gear corners.









The left turn onto Deer Creek Road comes up quickly, as you are focused on the corners. (I've missed it a couple times)



It starts off mellow, through a small residential community.









Then it starts to climb the ridge, and turns into this glorious ribbon of pavement!  









They don't call it "High Grade Rd." for nothing..............I usually turn around, and run this section twice!  



From there is becomes Pleasant Park Road, and passes through some ranch properties.
The ride is easy to where it meets up with 285.
Less than a half mile up the 285, I exit again and head south on Foxton Road.



The road starts out with some lazy curves as it winds down through the valley, and can be a higher speed section.













It then becomes steeper downhill, with tighter turns as it drops down through the canyon towards the South Platte River(North Fork).



















When it meets up with SW. Platte River Rd., you are rewarded with some amazing scenery as it meanders along the river.



This section is slower. The road is narrow, there's no center stripe, lots of blind corners, and you have to be mindful not to drop into the river.
However, it gives you a chance to take a deep breath and "Take it all in".  













Among the natural beauty, I saw this beauty!



At Buffalo Creek, I meet up with 126 and head south toward Deckers.



The road then starts steadily climbing..........



and climbing..........



and climbing..........



and climbing.



At the end of this climb, you get a clear view to the south of Thunder Butte.  Beyond that is Pikes Peak.







There's also a scenic pull-off where you get a view of Long Scraggy Peak, and Campbell Mountain.





From here the road starts to descend once again into the South Platte River Valley.













Where it meets up with the main South Platte River.











It winds it's way down to the little village of Deckers, where you meet up with Hwy. 67.
The Café here is a popular motorcycle stop.



Once on the 67, you wind your way through the valley towards West Creek, where the road starts to climb again.
The road is higher speed here, and the turns are easy.















From here, the road really opens up, and it's a straight shot down to Woodland Park.



Your distant view to the south is constantly dominated by "Pikes Peak"  (14,114 feet)







From Woodland Park, it's a short ride down the 24 through Cascade, and  Manitou Springs to my dining destination of choice.



Rudy's Country Store and BBQ!  







They are always busy, but they have an enormous amount of seating, so there is always room.



I had some Pork Baby-Back Ribs, some Beef Brisket, some Sausage, and some Green Chili Stew.



I wouldn't recommend the baby-backs (they tasted, and chewed like Ham)
The Brisket and Sausage are fantastic. The Green Chili Stew is Phenomenal!  



After filling my belly, and resting for a spell, it is only about a mile and a half to the entrance of "Garden of the Gods".
I decided the short scoot was worth it, to take in some of the marvelous geology in the area.





When you slowly ride the loop, you are privileged to get up close to some of the most amazing, up-ended, razor-back sedimentary rock formations anywhere.































After taking in all that natural splendor, the afternoon was growing long.
I still had a half tank of fuel, but I decided to top up anyway and head for home.
I headed over to I-25, but since I don't like slabbing it on the Interstate, I took it north about 15 miles to Monument.



From there, I took Hwy. 105 through Palmer Lake, and headed north.



The road just lazily undulates over and around the rolling hills.
The FJ just floats along underneath me. She cruises easy, and is happy that I took the back-road towards home.













Once the 105 reaches Sedalia, it's a quick ride up Hwy. 85 to the Freeway once again.
From there, it's a short 20-minute ride to home.



Total round trip was 208 miles.
I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!  

Hope you guys enjoy coming along for the ride.  

[roverfj1200]

That looks awesome. Great pictures. 

[TexasDave]

Beautiful country. You are a lucky man Alan. This area has my vote for a 2016 central rally.  Dave

[Urban_Legend]

Love the visual journey.  I envy you. Might have to start saving for a bike trip State side.

[rlucas]

Well, shit.

I'm gonna be in Denver (Cherry Creek) in a couple of weeks for my daughter's wedding.

Now I wanna take the bike...

[Firehawk068]

Well, shit.

I'm gonna be in Denver (Cherry Creek) in a couple of weeks for my daughter's wedding.

Now I wanna take the bike...

DO IT!

[yamaha fj rider]

Your rides always look awesome. Thanks for sharing the picks. We need a 2016 central rally in Colorado. Maybe we can get that ball rolling in a few weeks. I will bring it up in Klickitat.

Kurt

[Firehawk068]

Your rides always look awesome. Thanks for sharing the picks. We need a 2016 central rally in Colorado. Maybe we can get that ball rolling in a few weeks. I will bring it up in Klickitat.

Kurt

I am already working on it...................................

[fj1289]

Your rides always look awesome. Thanks for sharing the picks. We need a 2016 central rally in Colorado. Maybe we can get that ball rolling in a few weeks. I will bring it up in Klickitat.

Kurt

I am already working on it...................................

          

[LarryFJ1990]

Alan, what a great ride!! Next time you head out on that ride I would love to tag along. 
If you don't mind a slow poke. 

[Firehawk068]

Alan, what a great ride!! Next time you head out on that ride I would love to tag along. 
If you don't mind a slow poke. 

No problem Larry.
I'll be re-posting this ride shortly, hopefully to get a group together.
(This was the ride route that I postponed in May due to our spring weather)
No worries about ride pace. Just get out and ride! 

[Mark Olson]

Great pics and great ride alan.. lucky bastard. 

[Troyskie]

Spectacular !

[big r]

Beautiful country. Looks like an awesome ride. I haven't even started my bike yet this year. Work has gotten in the way, I haven't been home long enough to get anything done. Working away from home really sucks. One day a weekend is not enough time to get anything done. I should be working from home sometime next week so hopefully will get started on her and get some riding in. Big R

[jo-sommer]

Awesome RR; thanks for sharing!

Cheers Jo