Weekend update: COLORADO!!!

We spent most of the last two days in "Colorful Colorado." Absolutely amazing riding!

We left Grand Junction yesterday; bad-ass Bill took the lead.

Started off on Highway 14 (Poudre Canyon Road) to Steamboat Springs. The scenery was amazing, roads were twisty, and not much traffic. It got a little chilly (altitude was over 10,000 feet at times). We thought it couldn't get any better.

Then we left Steamboat Springs on U.S. Highway 40 and Co. Highway 13 to Rifle, Colorado. That ride was equally amazing.

It was a li'l adventure for me when I also ALMOST made venison the hard way on that road. ABS braking kept Bambi (and me) alive for one more day (why do they always run toward you?). Poo in pants.

We were then originally going to take I-70 to Grand Junction, then down to Montrose on U.S. 50 to our next hotel. Bill discovered a different possible route, taking Co. Highway 65 through Grand Mesa National Park. Group decision; hell, yeah! Heading to I-70, Bill found an alternate road to access the interstate (see below). I was mildly concerned, but we made it.

Casual cruising on I-70

Then, our last road of the day (Colorado 65). It couldn't have been any better. Close to 450 miles today, but more than 450 smiles as well! Checked into our hotel in Montrose. The owner, Kazi (no comma at the beginning) let us park protected at the front entry.

Decided to start our day today with something other than a hotel breakfast. So, off to Starbucks. Bill's breakfast sandwich wasn't heated enough and he gave it to a barista to "re-nuke" it. Instead, they gave his wrapped, partly eaten-sandwich to someone in the drive-thru. SURPRISE.

We headed down U.S. 550 toward Telluride, and did a Durango Deja Vu (Co. 62 to Co. 145 to Cortez). Motorcycle Nirvana.

Couple of scenic stops

              Scott being Scott

After Cortez, we headed to Tuba City on U.S. 160

Almost as pleasant as Bill's (dirt road) shortcut. Bounced around for almost three hours.

Tuba City is on Native American land (Navajo Nation). We checked into our two-room suite and headed out for dinner. Chinese, of course. We went to the supermarket for water and Monsters (Bill). Bill tried to make a funny at the checkout stand (checker, who just happened to be Native American, asked if Bill had a membership card for the store. He said he didn't and asked if he could still buy his stuff.). She smiled, but Kenny and I could tell she wasn't particularly amused.

Not funny, paleface.

Walked out to bikes and heard war drums not far away. Not funny, paleface.

Heading to Wickenburg, AZ tomorrow. Here's a video of our ride in Colorado

Homeward Bound!

Well, all good things come to a (partial) end (we still get to ride for a few more days). So, us outlaws need to head home!

Our new member, Chris, joined us for the first day ride; we were headed to separate forts in Colorado (Chris to Fort Morgan and us to Fort Collins), but were together for about 300 miles. Chris led the way; took us to a burger place in Crawford, Nebraska. Bill had a shake with the biggest straw in the world.

Nebraska; lots of plains. But perfect riding weather and an occasional curve. Occasional. But mostly straight roads. 

And cows. And some playing antelopes.

Then some familiar clouds showed up. WE ACTUALLY AVOIDED THEM; we somehow threaded the storm needle.

Got to the hotel and the front desk had Bill's name all over it....

Oh, and most important: IT WAS KENNY'S BIRTHDAY TODAY!

Happy B-day, buddy. Glad we could celebrate it by riding with you!

Tomorrow we are headed to Montrose, CO. Through the Rocky Mountains!

Spearfish Canyon Ride!

Eating our hotel breakfast this morning (sixth day of that nonsense; no wonder some of us haven't been exactly regular), we watched as the rain came pouring down. So, "leaving at 9:00 am" turned into "how about 10:00." Wait, maybe 10:30. Spearfish Canyon, downtown Sturgis, downtown Deadwood, and maybe a ride to Nemo was the plan. We met a fellow RG rider, Chris, on our ride yesterday who wasn't part of our gathering. He ended up joining the forum and joining us last night for the raffle and vote. He booked a room at the host hotel and joined us on our ride today.

Looked like we still might hit some rain during our ride, so everyone's rain gear went on. ALL of it, including FF helmets. 10:30, rain gear ON. The sky looked scary before we headed down to the bikes.

As soon as we pulled out of the parking garage, it was sunny. Off to Sturgis. It was plenty warm(+) and dry when we parked the bikes.

And still sunny. And did I say warm? 11:00, rain gear OFF.







Checked out the Shark Week group photo at the downtown photo place; it was pretty awesome. Then on to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

Walking out of the museum, it started to rain. Of course. Then it rained harder. And then wind. Got to the bikes and soon it was really coming down. 11:45, rain gear ON. Got on the bikes and it started to taper off. Five minutes later, no rain. Clouds, but no rain. Rode the Spearfish Canyon Byway and it was amazing! Stopped at Bridal Vail Falls. 12:20; rain gear OFF.

But we never did find Nemo.

Back to the hotel. BBQ dinner (pulled pork and chicken):
















Temporarily ran out of pulled pork right before Kenny got to the serving area. How about just getting more chicken, Kenny?

Yes, we waited for the pulled pork....

Then the closing love-fest and announcement of SW11 in 2021. We are going to:

Yup; Lake Tahoe.

It's going to be a great event, right in our backyard!

Sadly, we are leaving Deadwood tomorrow. But it's been a great Shark Week.

Kenny now has, well, probably ten new t-shirts. And no room in his Tour-Pak. I'll keep sending updates on our return trip to SoCal!