Colorado...the preview

[Dirt_Dad]

Just a quick preview of the ride report that will be forthcoming. Been an amazing ride so far, with many more miles to ride. For now a few shots...











Just a tiny fraction of the photos taken so far.

I've done a lot of rides. This one will be hard to top.



James Taylor: I've seen fire and I've seen rain

Dirt - Mom & Dad: We seen rain, sleet, hail, snow, freezing rain, and a whole lot of lightening. It was a heck of a 30 minutes of riding.

 

[AdvToorer]

Nice teaser photos, looking forward to report.
It has been a cold wet spring in Colorado and I haven't attempted any passes yet (currently on FJR).

 

[True Grip]

The West and Rockies are awesome! Glad your enjoying them.The top of those passes can be like a box of chocolate when it comes to weather. Be safe and great photos

 

[eemsreno]

Love Colorado!
Can't wait for more. ::012::

 

[trikepilot]

Can't wait to see the rest of the pix and hear the stories. Ride safe!!

 

[snakebitten]

Tenere Mecca, Colorado.

You're there a bit early.

 

[coloradoklr]

I spent Wednesday/Thursday riding around the San Luis Valley, Just getting a feel for the new bike and waiting for the rain and snow to go. Need dirt Need dirt. (NOT MUD) Bike at Joyful Journey hot springs.

 

[bigbob]

I hope to ride with the Denver group on Sunday July 19th. Will leave Iowa on Saturday, overnight in Denver and end in Longmont on Sunday night or Monday Morning. Because it is Colorado I am not taking my Star cruiser to Star Days for the first time.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Tenere Mecca, Colorado.

You're there a bit early.

Mecca...Utopia... whatever you call it, I'm blown away by how fantastic this state is to ride.

May be a bit early, but I'm told by the locals that most of the snow should be gone very soon. Must admit, that even though I hate winter, the snow capped mountains everywhere are making this experience very special. I've never used heated gear so late into the spring, but we brought it and it has made everything nice and comfy.

 

[eemsreno]

Heated gear is great!
Leadville, Colorado 30* right now.

 

[low drag]

Mecca...Utopia... whatever you call it, I'm blown away by how fantastic this state is to ride.

May be a bit early, but I'm told by the locals that most of the snow should be gone very soon. Must admit, that even though I hate winter, the snow capped mountains everywhere are making this experience very special. I've never used heated gear so late into the spring, but we brought it and it has made everything nice and comfy.

We have received a bit more late season snow than we typically get. Last I heard Arapahoe Basin ski area is still open or at least was for Memorial Day weekend.
A good rule of thumb is mid July is when you can get over most high passes that are traversed by trails not roads. Late July/August is a pretty safe bet.
I moved here 15 years ago from western NY state. I still get amused by how fast the weather can change here.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[trikepilot]

A good rule of thumb is mid July is when you can get over most high passes that are traversed by trails not roads. Late July/August is a pretty safe bet.

Good intel.... I am planning a TAT trip next summer and trying to time my arrival in CO to coincide with passes clear enough to cross via Tenere. In that effort, I have visited the Bushducks website and made a spreadsheet of the dates noted for the opening of passes over the last five years. Not that it matters to the thread, but I post it below in case others are searching threads for the same info.

 

[NittanyXT]

Enjoy Jon! There were many times when I was out there 2 years ago that I would just pull off to the side of the road for a "whooooaaa" moment ???

 

[twodogs]

DD and DM, Enjoy, take it all in and ride safe. ::012::

 

[FrontRangeRider]

Colorado Weather

Dirt Dad - Sorry I missed you when you were here in Colorado Springs. Love the photos and really glad you are enjoying your visit. Now you know why Jan and I will never leave...

For anyone doing trip planning, it is best if you have a little schedule flexibility in case you need to detour. We rode Cottonwood Pass on Saturday. When we got on the western side, the snow walls were 8-10' high on the uphill side. On the way back over Cottonwood (after exploring some new roads), a small avalanche closed one side of the road but we were able to get through. Some of our buddies rode Independence Pass yesterday and were nearly taken out by an avalanche. Being enterprising motorcyclists, they decided to dig a path through so they would not have to return to Buena Vista the long way around. About the time they finished (and before they could get back on their bikes), a second avalanche covered their work. They took the long way back.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Probably shouldn't have called this a Colorado preview. Here's a teaser from somewhere not Colorado, but still same ride.

 

[lapi]

Probably shouldn't have called this a Colorado preview. Here's a teaser from somewhere not Colorado, but still same ride.

Which windscreen is this? You have the clamp on MRA touring X-creen as well.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Which windscreen is this? You have the clamp on MRA touring X-creen as well.

MRA VArio Touring Screen

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Beartooth Highway anyone...?

Our brief encounter with a couple from Arizona.


If you've never seen it, a photo is such a poor way to capture the magnitude of this ride.

 

[cliffo]

Very nice pics!!!!! Now I really wanna ride to Colorado!!!!! What places did you hit while there?

::021::