The Long Way to the Central Rally

[FJ1100mjk]

Happy Memorial Day.

Bombed it across South Dakota yesterday, and camped east of the Badlands. Headed south this morning into sunny skies. A nice stretch of a secondary highway early on...



Currently having a late breakfast at a local greasy spoon somewhere in Nebraska.

Will be in Colorado in about five hours!

[FJmonkey]

Will be in Colorado in about five hours!

Your gonna be week early. Is that your plan? If not then keep on riding to the WCR and then back to the central rally the week after. You likely get the award for most miles ridden. The prize, a sore butt and pride and happiness of attending both rallies.

[FJ1100mjk]

Your gonna be week early. Is that your plan? If not then keep on riding to the WCR and then back to the central rally the week after. You likely get the award for most miles ridden. The prize, a sore butt and pride and happiness of attending both rallies.

Mark:

Yep, getting to Colorado a week early, is my plan. I will be staying here (might venture into Utah too) the whole week, up until and including the Central Rally.

Rode straight here, and got in about two and a half hours ago. Found some awesome riding roads already.

[FJmonkey]

Well then keep riding and posting what you find. 

[Firehawk068]

Damn Marty,
I just got home from camping yesterday afternoon. If I'd have known you were in the area, I could have put you up at the house, and given you some tips on roads to check out.
Sounds like you're doin just fine though. Keep in touch. 

[FJ1100mjk]

A day behind... Here's a couple of pics from where I camped last night on highway 14 in Roosevelt National forest east of Fort Collins. Highway 14 is a great road that runs along a rushing river, that I camped beside. I also took it across a high pass that had snow all around, then dumped me in a long windy valley. I took highway 40 north to Steamboat Springs, where I am staying tonight.




No pics from today, although the scenery, was was again super, and expansive. I had an electical problem at a gas stop, that cost me about 2.5 hours. I went to start the bike after filling it up, and it started, but some of the dashboard lights came on, and the starter kept running. WTF! I pushed it off to the side, pulled all my luggage off, the side panels, and the seat. All the while fearing there was an electical meltdown.

Upon inspection, I found nothing, no bad wires, blown fuses, nada. When I tried to start it, lo and behold, it fires right up, and idles fine. Again, WTF! I called the Guru, Randy at RPM Racing, and he picked up. Great! I told him what happened, and what didn't. "It's your starter button, it's sticking on." That nugget of appreciated knowledge, and the offer (and acceptance), of a retired local motorcyclist to use his garage two miles up the road, and I was back on the road to Steamboat Springs, with confidence, AND peace of mind.

[FJmonkey]

 

[FJ1100mjk]

Backing up a bit, to when I was going through Nebraska...



I think that the Nebraska Department of Transportation, has to reappropriate some funds for their rest areas.

[Firehawk068]

Here's a couple of pics from where I camped last night on highway 14 in Roosevelt National forest east of Fort Collins. Highway 14 is a great road that runs along a rushing river, that I camped beside. I also took it across a high pass that had snow all around, then dumped me in a long windy valley. I took highway 40 north to Steamboat Springs, where I am staying tonight.

When Cap'n Ron was here last September, I took him through Poudre Canyon on the 14. It's a great ride!
Keep the pictures coming! 

[FJ1100mjk]

Another great day of Colorado riding and sightseeing.

Rode south out of Steamboat Springs, across Gore Pass on Highway 134, then down/over to Rocky Mountain National Park, which was definitely worth the entrance fee. The main road, Trail Ridge Road, took you through the park, and up into the snow-capped mountains. Thin air, cold, windy, but great views and riding. Met a young local motorcyclist, who was on a decked-out KLR650 (punched out to 685cc) at the top, and who showed me some other awesome roads in the surrounding area.

[Yamahammer1200]

Awesome photos of your trip!  Keep em coming.

[fjfool]

hey Marty,
if you get a chance, it is worth a few hours:

this Saturday the 4th

http://www.visitgrandjunction.com/events/vintage-motorcycle-show-palisade

i hope to get there, work is fighting me, usually around 100 bikes on display and some very nice people too!
Palisade is a cool little place, just outside of Grand Junction

the FJ would be very well received

[FJ1100mjk]

Another fine start to a great riding day. Left Denver early this morning, got on I70 westbound, then got off the exit for Highway 6, that takes you over the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass what's the campus that independent pass between Aspen and comes out it's a bunch of campgrounds on Lake State Forest Campground. Stunning scenery, and sunny skies. Westward ho!

[FJ1100mjk]

Today, I met fjfool (Eric), who hails from Gypsum Colorado, at a Vintage Motorcycle Event in Pallisade. Awesome event, with many tasty bikes, both vintage and custom builds.

I was close to Colorado National Monument Park near Grand Junction, so I booked it on over, and rode aound it. F'n awesome scenery! Just riding the road above it all, is worth the $5 enteance fee.

[ribbert]

Great shots of your trip so far Marty, what fabulous country to ride through. You have a great eye for photos that make us want to ride.

Hmmm...must be about time for another road trip.

Noel