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HispanicSlammer

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Blog Entries posted by HispanicSlammer

  1. HispanicSlammer
    Oh man what day! The Colts fulfilled there destiny and Payton stepped up to get his ring. Not that I care all that much but the guy was starting to look too much my like my very own John Elway with all that dissapointment, these last few years, nobody wants to see reruns! I was glad to see the Colts collect on a promise they made!
    Me however I was listening to the action on the radio as Craig and I drove home from PMI in Pueblo Colorado, not sitting on our asses on some strangers couch eating stale potato chips!! We took our XRs out for some riding instead! Four months of snow and cold and a weather report that said 40 degrees was all it took for the both of us to get the truck loaded up with two honda relics called once dirtbikes (XR'S)!
    SIDE NOTE: We did see some CRF's out there today, matter of fact the place was packed with dirtbikes and ATV's Man I love Colorado!
    Where else can you find so much to do outdoors and all relativly free! Look this way theres Pikes Peak, look that way theres the Spanish Peaks, look that way theres Craig rolling on in some nasty ass mud! OK I think he took me through every mud patch there is in Pueblo and at the end I asked him "is there any mud we might have missed there Craig"?
    Good times and tired! Boy he worked me out - I know I slowed him down on my 650 cause he had to stop a few times once when I avoided a patch of standing water and headed for the thistle only to find a 2 foot deep ditch - down I went, and once down a sortid 60 foot cliff that I wasnt so sure about! Its a 650 man but I went down it anyway! hells ya! The the both of us got schooled by the youger generation on there YZ's and there CRF's doing 60 foot triples where we were going around to easy parts, well I was anyways! Darned kids looked mighty good jumping those berms! I had a great time and was soooooo glad to be back on two wheels and thankful to the Lord for providing us with the bounty of warm weather in Febuary after so much misery and snow these last four months, what a great day! Looks like those of us who had a destiny to fulfil did so on this day, I am a rider plain and simple! I ride!
  2. HispanicSlammer

    Oh Man Not Again

    By HispanicSlammer,

    Well from my previous blog entry you can see I took the XR650r out for a long jaunt in southern Colorado, long enough to screw up the bike again! I can't say the bike has been unreliable, cause it always starts and keeps running taking me from here to there and back home again - in that respect its always gotten me home! However she is a fragile beast in the cam shaft deptment and has a few quirks the vfr just doesent have!~
    Last spring I rode her out 300 miles and came back home with a burned up valve and tore up cam shaft/rockers. I spend a good deal on rebuilding it,replacing the parts, new rings, valves, oil locks, gaskets, cam chain, cam shaft, new rockers, and all the time I spent doing that myself. I got home last Tuesday with a familiar tapping but not as pronounced as the first time, I had hopped that the bike was just out of spec and needed a valve ajustment. So I did that yesterday, easy enough but when I got her all back together it was still tapping hard?? I guess I fubared another rocker/cam shaft set AGAIN!! Damn this sucker is either running dry on oil or getting too hot. I remember stopping for gas and checking the oil each time, on the last stop it needed oil so I topped it up. What was more significant was the oil was smoking when I opened it up! So I checked the radiator, the thing was dry! Darned it I overheated her again!
    Once I got home I took a look at the thermostat, it was stuck open and the pin had jackeknifed inside the housing! Replaced that! Then I bought a higher pressure radiator cap 1.6 bar Kawi lid so it wont spew so easily, more pressure but if a KLR can take it so can an XR! At the altitudes I ride at it tends to boil off way to easy. I have an oil temp gauge I monitor as I ride and rarely does it go over 200F but I should have stopped when I saw it go down to 150f, that indicates a problem, not enough oil on the dipstick to register the temp!
    OK so I replaced the main components that control the heat and filled it up with new radiator fluid, now I have a new camshaft and rockers on order - waiting to get that, so I can go adventure riding again, perhaps with more confidence it wont spew antifreeze all over the dirt so easy!
    I know hot means lean condition but it boggs down otherwise up in the high country, my problem is I ride up and down mountains too much the jetting issues are difficult to get right!
  3. HispanicSlammer

    Oh Woe Is Me!

    By HispanicSlammer,

    Bad Karma is Kicking My Ass as usual! I have never been one to live my life by a set of unbreakable rules, nor am I paticularlly Pious by any means, however I do have a stong sense of right and wrong and knowingly once in a while, I take advantage of the situation. It never seems to pay off since Karma comes back into play to make things more interesting. Such as my Helibar procurement - of which I am sorry for, read thread if you havent a clue - on "Throttlemisters and Helibars"
    I took the low road on that one! And It surely was strewn with mud, and a lot of members more than willing to sling some in my direction! I know I know! I was wrong, I confess I did it, I regret it but I needed those bars, as I am begining to suffer from riding, some new discomfort did not have before. After riding Baileyrocks bro's bike with the bars I saw that there was somthing I could do about it, and not loose too much sportyness but at the tune of $200 dollars plus?
    Then I saw an ad in the classifieds for them at a substantial discount, albiet used! I had to get them!
    So I emaild the guy from Cali and asked if they were still availible, - waited till he wrote back then pounced! Not thinking I deleted the thread, I guess I just assumed it was a done deal, clicked the delete button and poof no more classified! OPPS! Wait I did not read that all the way, his reply he did not say SOLD!??
    Aw crap what did I just do? Oh well too late now! and for a couple of weeks it nagged me, then having completed the deal with the bars in my hands I realized wait I cant use my throttle miesters with these?? Payback for being greedy from the Karma police? Yea it was greedy and well Karma strikes again, but I still feel guilty for what I did! Bad Karma was not enough to repent!
    So I posted a question and just sort of tacked on a confession of what I had done and wow I feel way better! Half arsed too, Of course it got back to my detractors, the same ones who always seem to pounce on every oversight, or any mistake, any thing that I should be doing with VFRD that I am not doing now that they could do better! Those who see themselves as doing my vfrd job better than me and make every effort to let me know that! More smilies man more smilies!
    If I wasnt using this POS Invisionboard but instead boardIneverheardoff.com nobody uses we would not have been hacked! I am btw the reason that hackers exist, without me there are no hackers they have no reason to hack without me right there is no challenge in not hacking a board without Miguel to spit on!
    Yea right hmm perhaps If I bought out microsoft tommorow and replaced it with firefox all the hackers would just dissapear never to be seen from again, never mind that you have to download 400 plugins to see a webpage now!
    OPPS off on a tangent there! Back to cleansing my soul!
    AHEM clearing my throat!
    Its winter time here and I am bored, tired from long hours at work, and working nights, seems that days of sunshine just dont exist anymore!
    I know there is sunshine I saw the pictures! I remember it riding my vfr, and while blowing up my xr on Rampart Range road! Damn my wrist hurt! My back is killing me and My knees hurt, my butt is a bit sore too! Hey look there are some Heli Bars on VFRD! Hey its not too late either I will just dash off a quick email to the guy and see whats up home! - I work with young folks I pick up slang
    Hmm I dont know why I added that quote - it was a suggestion from one of my detractors, a long standing one who I happen to actually like but hes a ball buster none the less! hes funny so I am amused by the guy even though I know he doesnt like me much! I guess I am just a whore for my fans! More smilies man more smilies! Miguel you suck theres not enough smilies! Why wont you post that video of me at the Texasmac ride last year - but your other videos suck! How do you mount your camera btw I have some videos I can post there are way better? Some member here posted a how to on how to fix your chain can you fix his pictures? (what that was you oh never mind?) I forgot my log in password. Hey you passed that car on a double yellow in that video you give all motorcyclist a bad name! HMM even the ones named Michele Dumbas Dicoff? Shoot a boy named Sue, we already have girl named Martin and guy Named Stephane! You mind if I give you a bad name? I passed on a double yellow so here you go your now named Jabbadodeeddeeee!! (With 6 E's) Barf! gagged on that suggestion post haste! Ignore that one at all cost! Bad name giver that I am, so you see there is no Karma that isnt bad Karma - as I understand it the road to Nervana has no Karma! I expell you Bad Karma! Go git! I confess I suck!!
  4. HispanicSlammer
    August 14-21 marks an epic vfr trip, some 4000 miles from Colorado to Nelson BC and back again. Craig and I started out around noon on Sunday and headed for Grand Junction to get a head start on the trip, after taking a 4 hour nap after working all night. we took hwy 24 all the way to Leadville and it was Rather uneventful except that there were so many rv's on the road we thought wtf its not even close to Labor day yet what is going on, then Craig figured it out. It was the last weekend of the summer break before school started again. Every year schools seems to start earlier and earlier.

    Leadville Colorado

    Snow on Mt Massive
    When we stopped in Grand Junction we had to pass through Rifle Colorado where there is this massive Mesa top that towers over the area, a storm was brewing over it and the wind was spilling off the mesa down into the valley at 50mph! There were some places where I was almost blown off the road, Craig and I got separated and I had pulled off under an over pass to get out of the wind while he went over it. Oh well we got past the Mesa and the wind died down significantly after that, it was crazy. Not many twisties except a short section over Battle Mountain pass in Minturn from Leadville. There was some guy on an R6 with full leathers hanging off but not leaning over, Craig said the dude drifted over into his lane in the hairpin and gave him a yelp. He looked ridiculous hanging off like that and not keeping the bike steady in the turn, looking too short no doubt and chopping the throttle mid turn. We stopped in Minturn at some bar and had some tacos since thats all they had, nothing but weak Mexican food.
    The Next Day we got up early and headed up Douglas Pass, a bumpy frost heaved road with gravel in all the corners and Cows chewing on the weeds right on the side of the road. It was pretty up there but the riding was a pensive. I was on edge no doubt, going the speed limit cause of all the hazards.

    Douglas Pass

    Douglas Pass

    Douglas Pass

    Craig on his VTEC
    It wasn't long before we where in Vernal UT at Betty's diner, seemed it was the only restaurant open downtown, so we stopped for lunch. the joint was packed and I had a Betty's Burger but after looking around it seemed the Locals where still eating breakfast. Breakfast? Shoot we had already ridden half a day already Breakfast?? From Vernal we shot strait up to the Flaming Gorge.

    Stieneker State Park UT

    Flaming Gorge UT

    Met a couple of guys on the road
    These two guys we met at Mountain Home Wyoming - coming from the big Harley Fest in Sturgis, we where admiring the Ulysis in touring trim. Onto Utah again cutting into the sw corner of Wyoming cuts off some time on I-80. We turned off at Evanston to ride the Wasatch Cache area

    Twisty Sign

    Wasatch Cache National Forest UT hwy 39

    vfrs in Utah
    Craig and I overnighted at the Motel 6 in Ogden, it was the nicest Motel 6 I had ever seen, more like a mid priced hotel than a sixer! We loved the mountains there, but of course they are opposite of us and on the east side unlike Colorado. Ogden has an airstrip where the National Guard flys f-16's wow they where impressive but I am sure the residents get a bit tired of f-16's flying over their homes on full afterburner! We rode a mile north of the hotel for a nice steak at some local steakhouse. The waitress seemed like she was bothered a bit, slamming plates down cause well she just had to be there. Craig was joking "there goes 1%, and another, and another" heh we liked the food anyway!
    Tuesday we where slabbing it to Boise where my Uncle lives, for a visit, Craig has a couple of friends in Boise he used to work with so we got on the interstate and headed North to Idaho. It wasn't long before I had enough of that crap - too slow for the fast lane, too fast for the slow lane and I was going EXACTLY the speed limit! That gets old fast, you just cant cruise at all! So I turned off on hwy 83 and we went off into the marsh land north of the Great Salt Lake. There was a huge rocket factory there that took up nearly 20 miles called ATK formerly Morton Thyocol Infamous for the Columbia disaster. They obviously did the same work

    ATK Rocket North of Ogden
    Then we were back onto the interstate for a little longer and I turned off again and headed up hwy 81 for some lonely desert miles, no semis no more, no nothing till we got to Conner and turned off. Mindful of our gas tanks we where wondering if we hadn't made a mistake turning off. But my zumo said there was gas within 20 miles, turning off on another county road 77 at Malta Idaho we headed up an interesting pass and the road got interesting. Rolling into a nice little town we gassed up and looked for a place to eat in Albion Idaho. Boy did we find it!!!

    Sage Mountain Grill Albion Idaho - incredible great food
    The special was Chicken Cordon Blue and a Prime Rib Sandwich. Expecting sliced prime rib I went ahead an ordered that it turned out to be a prime rib steak with garlic cloves on a slice of bread for $7!! wow it was better than the steak in Ogden! and the Waitress was this very nice lady who was 6 months pregnant. I have yet to meet an Idahoan who wasn't nice! we loved it, and she mentioned desert and that was great too, and Apple tart for me and some ice cream on top. I was almost too stuffed to ride. Albion Idaho some times it pays to get off the Interstate!! We wanted to make some time so back on the interstate again, following some guy from Washington pulling a rock crawler 4x4 and a camper. We met him and his wife at a rest stop - he was coming back from Moab (it sucked he said) well ya, its summer man Moab must be 200 degrees hot in August! Never again he said but I suppose he missed all the great stuff cause Moab has some great stuff if you know where to go. It sucked, that sucked, this sucks, heh OK buddy have a good one!
    My Uncle let us do some laundry and fed us a home made potato taco salad he put together - it was good, and we watched the Olympics and talked all night, drinking of course and having a good time. We had a good night and I saw them off at 5am to go to work. Never been to Boise before we where soon riding the Payette River on the way to Lolo Pass the next day. We found some good twisties before that off hwy 55 going north

    Payette River ID

    Riggins ID

    River Rock Café Riggins ID
    There was a great pass near Payette Lake from Macall to New Meadows that was railed, Craig took the lead and we got in some tight ones there, very exciting for about 10 minutes. Then we rode along the Salmon River a bit all the way to Kooskia at the bottom of hwy 12 to Lolo Pass

    Salmon River Idaho

    Nez Pierce War Monument Pass hwy 95

    Nez Pierce War Monument

    The Road to the Monument
    LOLO PASS was anti climatic especially since there were better twisties on hwy 13 just south of Kooskia that were far better than hwy 12!

    Kooskia

    Beginning hwy 12 to Lolopass along the Clearwater river

    Clearwater River

    Clearwater River

    hwy 12 ID follows this river for 80 miles

    Lolo Pass

    Lolo Pass

    Lolo Pass

    Welcome to Montana

    Lolo Hot Springs
    I enjoyed the road - it basically follows Clear water river for 80 miles then heads over Lolo Pass for about 12 miles and into Montana, all sweepers and no tight stuff at all, very clean and you can rail it if you want to go 100 mph for 2 hours, we did it at 80mph instead and just cruised. A logging truck overturned on one of the tighter sweepers and we had to stop - other than that there wasn't a police presence at all all day long! The Whole trip for that matter so far! They had us stop as they loaded the logs onto another truck with a Caterpillar.
    Missoula is a beautiful town and we stayed over night there, but we where just too tired to go explore it, opting instead for some pizza delivery and beer from the gas station down the street, I passed out. The next day we had Glacier National Park to explore
    GLACIER NATIONAL PARK - the crown jewel of the National Parks system does not dissapoint, we still had a 100 miles of slab to do before we made it there, I decided to bypass Kalispel and go around Flathead Lake on the south side. but just getting to the lake was a bore, they where laying down new asphalt for 20 miles then on top of that they where chip sealing the road? Never seen anybody chip seal new asphalt before? OK whatever - 35mph was getting to be too much so I hit the Detour button on my zumo and it had us turn off on some side road, very scenic for sure

    Montana Mountains from Near Lake Kalispel

    Yack Yack Yack

    The Zumo Detour button is cool until it puts you on a full on Jeep road going down hill at a 15% decline
    This detour almost turned into a nightmare - starting out paved but worn, then some flat hard gravel road, no problem but then the road went up a hill into some trees and all of a sudden we where on a damn Jeep road that was so bumpy I thought I might get tossed off the bike, lucky it was only a half mile long but the hill was so steep brakes were useless so I just rode it out in gear using the motor to slow me down and doing my damnest to keep it up, but at the bottom we ran right into Flat head lake an cut off 10 miles of construction.

    E shore Road Hwy 35 on Flathead Lake

    Flathead Lake Montana
    the Road along Flat head lake is very pretty and there are cherry orchards all along the hillsides on the east side - we should have stopped cause I love cherries but we wanted to get to the park, stopping only for a hot dog at the gas station -casino-deli at the crossroads a few miles down the road

    Welcome to Montana gas station/casino/sandwich shop at the crossroads of hwy 35 and hwy 206

    I got one of these in my bedroom the German Judge gave this one a 7.8

    Lake McDonald Glacier National Park

    Mt Brown

    People Jumping off the cliffs at Sacred Dancing Cascade

    Going to the Sun Road West side of the park

    Glacier National Park

    Glacier NP

    Craig soaks it in

    My Turn

    Only one place in the world to see these busses

    Heavens Peak

    Beatles are ruining the trees in the PNW

    construction zone 1/2 hour to 4 hour delays

    four of these busses went by most of them waved

    Construction stop its nice to see stuff like this if you have to stop, see the road on the left side

    Mt Oberlin

    water falls everywhere

    closer

    The Valley below from where we came

    The Weeping wall

    Logan Pass the overlook Mt Oberlin

    Clements Mountain

    Bishops Cap

    Looking back (north) Going to the Sun road

    Cresting Logan Pass

    Dusty Star Mountain

    Piegan Mountain

    WOW

    Glacier National Park

    Reynolds Mountain

    St Mary Lake

    Glacier National Park

    St Mary Lake
    We overnighted in Kalispel and I thought I recognized the place we stayed, it was the same place I stayed the first time, did not like it then, still don't. Kalispel is a pit really, don't do the scenery justice, such an ugly town for such a beautiful place. The next morning we where on our way to Canada and the Hootenany. Not much to see really but a few lakes

    Loon Lake it was so still hwy 2 Montana
    THE MAP
    right click and refresh if the map is blank

    Full Size
    THE VIDEO
    [vid]44[/vid]
  5. HispanicSlammer

    Oregon Days

    By HispanicSlammer,

    Shaniko Oregon Maddog and his y2k 800
    Maddog and I spent a day riding across eastern Oregon on the way to the pacific north west meet, he rides a nice yellow 2000 vfr800 in a well used stich. He told me tales of how he spent an entire summer on that bike touring the usa, living in a tent and enjoying the vagabond motorcyclist life. He can definitly ride it well and seems to be able to accelerate at a pace I cant. Here is some video footage I took out of the Town of Fossil on the way to Antelope, up and over Prindle Pass on the Shaniko-Fossil highway .
     
     

     
     
     
     
    fossil_hd.mp4
  6. HispanicSlammer

     

    I really look forward to my summer trips, saving up and planning for the winter to get on the bike and roll across roads I have never been on or rarely get the chance to see. This past summer I took a trip to Northern California by way of Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada some 4000 miles on my vfr1200. This is the continuation of the trip left over from my last blog entry.

    I had met with Radar, Didit, Fay, and Craig and we were starting out the day in Redmond Oregon, with our destination for the day to be a sleepy little place called Shady Cove where the rest of our party (Axle7, Tammy, and Jeff) was going to meet up with us. We headed west with a little bit of slab to Sisters Or, it was a very scenic bit of slab and out in the country a bit but very pretty. Didit lead us to this funky road called the McKenzi highway into a volcanic lava field that cut right into it ending with a very tight down hill section that was fun if a bit cautious since it had gravel strewn into all the right hand tight turns. Seems Oregon has its share of Yahoos to that cant keep their tires on the pavement and toss a bunch of dirt and gravel up into the road!


    Full Size


    Didit was still having issues with his stator so he was riding without his headlight plugged in so we decided to stay off the main roads and go down some serious back roads to avoid getting stopped by the police. The Mckenzi highway was a bit narrow and the trees came right up to where the pavement stopped so I took it a bit cautiously till I could get a feel for the road, I turned on my camera a bit for some video.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     
     

     
     

    So we had a great time rolling down the McKenzi Highway and we originally was going to head over to Eugene and then roll back to Crater Lake but instead we turned off at Rainbow and headed down this incredible road called Aufderheide Dr that skirted the edge of Cougar Reservoir - a fun road with deep long extended turns in and out of the hills that had me scraping pegs - Radar led the way and kept up a challenging pace - then it headed up the mountain side and into some shady tree lined back roads that just kept going on and on and on. I was having a blast, we saw some kind of wildcat cross the road on a rare strait section and then we stopped at the end to check out a neat little covered bridge in the village of Westfir Oregon. Then we rode another 5 miles to Oakridge and stopped for breakfast at some tiny little cafe called Mannings Cafe and had a very good breakfast. 2 hour already into our ride it was shaping up for a great day of riding - I got the tip to ride that Cougar lake road from http://www.oregonmotorcyclist.com/ - a great resource for the motorcyclist planning a trip into one of the best motorcycling states in the country.

    So after that we had a hundred more miles or so of strait slab till we could enter Crater Lake National Park
     
     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
     

    Crater Lake was a hoot, goofing off quite a bit we played around the park for a good hour or so then headed down the road to Shady Cove to meet the rest of us! Not much of a narrative this time but the photos speak for themselves
     
     
     
     
     
     
  7. HispanicSlammer
    I havent ridden the VFR in over a month, shes been having trouble starting. I finally got her fixed and it felt wierd to ride it again after riding the XR650r so much more. I felt like I was laying on top of it. It did not take long to get back to normal, at first I was having difficulty leaning it over so I intentionally sought out all the twisty roads I could find, and went a littler overboard. I did all the tight twisy roads I could find from here to Denver that actually pass through from one to the other. Ute Pass, Deckers Road, Horsepowerhill, Kings Valley Road, Connifer Mountain Road, Kennedy Gultch Road, Shadow Mountain Road, Brook Forest Road, Little Cub Creek Road, Stanley Park, Turkey Creek, Parmelle Gultch, Kerr Gultch and then Up and over Squaw Pass. I stopped a bit here and took some pictures after having got over my strange feeling on the bike.

    Continental Divide Looking north

    Same shot zoomed out

    Perry Peak Saint Mary's Glacier? Not sure

    Looking north again

    The Sawtooth Mount Evans off hwy 103 Squaw Pass

    Central City Parkway I was ripping that road 20 minutes later

    Fish Eye Lens

    Evergreen below Denver off on the horizon

    My VFR Still sweet on her after 89k!
    I kept saying to myself I will stop at the next stop and get a bite to eat, but then I would pass sombody on a double yellow cause they were going slow as S**T, and I would just keep going not wanting sombody to rant about how I passed them! I was surprised to see many of my fellow Coloradoans letting me pass on by - pulling off and waving me on by - it was Sunday after all and boy there were a ton of folks in the mountains driving.
    I must have seen at least 300 bikes - I stopped waving after about 50 cause that just gets old after a while, I mean Jebus how many more where there to come? I just want to ride Mister! I was ripping the new road to Central City (well 2 years old now) its a fast 4 lane sweeper fest - and I encountered a train of Harleys, two of whome were not lock step lane disiplned in the right hand lane like the rest of them, riding slow as hell so I had to actually pass from the oncomming lane, which scared the shit out one of them cause he swerved like I was going to him his as I passed by - way over from the other side of the yellow line?? Idiot I was a good lane away from him??!! Get out of the fast lane fatboy! I had to do it again five minutes later, these gangs of Harleys just hold everybody up - I dont get it? Why cant they take up just one lane on those damn parade rides they do they have to take up every availible lane, even the cages get pissed? Oh well I wizzed on by from the other side of the yellow and was gone after the next corner!
    I only saw one cop the whole day and I was cussing under my helmet cause he was doing 20 mph in front of a line of 6 cages going down my favorite part of the Pine Junction to Pine hill! He pulled off half way down and I was soon gone not long after! Darn I would much rather ride on Mondays the weekend is full of slow bastid idiots in the way! I managed to scrub off the rest of the mud on my rear tire - left overspray from cleaning my XR with the hose. I guess I got over my strangness - overcompensated for it really 320 miles of nothing but twisty!!!
  8. HispanicSlammer
    SRAC Pikes Peak Supercross Penrose Stadium
    This is the third time I have attended this event and each time I have had a lot of fun watching the races with my buddies. Dan, Craig, Mark and a few others from work. We make our way to the Penrose Equestrian Center where they hold the Pikes Peak Or 'Bust' rodeo and watch some close in racing. Literally feet from the stands, you can get roosted if your not careful. Its much closer in than an AMA event - not as talented as say James Stewart or our very own Andrew Short from Colorado - but fun none the less. Craig has been racing a local motocross series of amatures called We-Beracin and he met a young kid out on the trail named Kyle Summers, along with his dad. They talked for a while and promptly left Craig in the dust, it was funny to see this kid racing out there at Penrose, currently 7th in points in the SRAC standings

    Kyle Summers one of the pro racers Craig met him out on the trail

    pitbike racing

    amature getting air

    unknown pro getting air
    We kept running into folks from work, seems it was a good event to get away and enjoy yourself away from work this weekend. Good Stuff. In the final Kyle tried to block pass the number one plate Travis Bannister and lost the front end in the hairpin, he lost 2 postions and had to fight his way back to third. Banister ran away with the race after 3 laps - running the whoops like they where speedbumps, he won easily.

  9. HispanicSlammer
    Yep, I am keeping her! I ordered a few items to freshen up the old girl for another great season of motorcycle riding.
    2 sets of ebc hh pads for the front
    1 set of honda pads for the rear complete with anti heat transfer asbestos pad
    2 sets of honda fork seals and dust covers
    2 bottles of race tech US1 fork oil, I tried other 5w oil this stuff seems to work better for my race tech valves
    1 D.I.D. 530VM X'ring Chain & Steel Sprocket Kit - HONDA VFR 800F1 98-01
    1 - Front Sprocket Size: 16
    1 - Rear Sprocket Size: 45
    Synthetic brake fluid - to bleed the brakes and clutch lines
    So I have my work cut out for me come January, also going to remove my Ohlins shock to send out for repairs. Repairing the remote preload, and rebuild the seals change the oil, nitrogen charge. I should get some new plastics too and get my tank painted, rebuild the worn out foam on my seat and have it recovered by a professional ulpolstry shop. I need to have my Kanadian Ken 5th gen rack repaired too, its cracked and needs to be reinforced, great little rack!
  10. HispanicSlammer

    Pushy Pushy

    By HispanicSlammer,

    So I needed spark plugs for my two bikes, I don't know how long its been since I replaced the plugs on my vfr? 35K? So I decided it's time, off I went to the dealership. Once in the parking lot I notice the place is packed, its Tuesday 2:30 in afternoon and the place is packed! Don't these folks have jobs? I know its close to downtown Colorado Springs so I guess its rather easy to get to. Me I am driving the lot looking for a spot to park and boom one opens up. I was wishing I had the VFR and not the Civic today, but the VFR is torn down for maintanience - Laguna Seca Trip next week.
    I spy a VTEC parked in the bike only parking and go over and look at it, nice candy red a new one! It has some well worn in Pilot Powers, just a smidge of unused rubber on the sides, the guy rides it well enough to lean it over anyway. Newish tires too. So I go in and there are people EVERYWHERE, I go up to grab a ticket - but there is a line for that too. A line to get a ticket to get in line for parts! Oh well I wait patiently for my turn when this corperate looking sales type guy walks up pushes his way in front of me and an another guy and snatches a ticket from the machine! This instantly makes me angry, and I start to say somthing to the guy but he walks off with his cell phone glued to his ear speaking loudly into the damn thing. I just grab a ticket and stew for a bit, then see a nice street legal KTM 450 on the showroom floor - the one everybody is raving about. Trail worthy and you can ride it on the street to get to the trail!
    Then I hear them call my number, and phone jerk is next to me hassling the parts lady too - shes politely trying to get him to tell her wtf he wants but hes on the phone of course can can't be bothered, and actually had the nerve to get snooty about it?? Nevermind the 6 people waiting to get parts behind him - ASSH**&L. I get my spark plugs and head for the car - and who do I see getting on the nice VTEC sitting in the lot? You guessed it! It makes me ashamed to think that this jaggoff could own a VFR! Its seems counter to the guys personality, he would be more at home on a Duc! I know one thing if hes a member here - it is not for long!!
  11. HispanicSlammer
    Radar with his brand new VTEC Sun Honda in Thornton Colorado
    Radar flew into Denver Monday Morning to pick up a Brand new wine colored VTEC he bought from Sun Honda in the Denver Area, he said coming here and buying his new bike saved him 3 Grand Canadian Dollars. He did the math and it was cheaper, much cheaper to guy in the USA. I PM'ed him and told him that I would make the trip up there to Denver to meet up with him and ride a bit the rest of the day. I rolled into the Dealership about 11am and Darren was already done with the paperwork and almost ready to go, they installed a ram mount for him, and they installed the rack for his pack on the back, added a powerlet for his Zumo, put in a brand new Sargent Seat and he was ready to go. I went to high school only a mile down the road so I knew exactly where the place was, back then Sun was just a little place now its huge and operating out of 3 buildings. The only thing I could think of that was wrong was they left on those god awful Metzler M4 tires. The worse OEM tire ever inflicted on a VFR. So we talked a bit and Radar hands me this tube - "here ya go". Thinking it was something related to the Summit meet coming up in the next few months I just took a wild guess and said "The Flaf"? No dummy - he gave me a set of his famous sliders for my bike. Well wow thats a surprise for sure and a I wasn't expecting that! Thanks man - thanks very much!
    Radar says "I hope you have some lunch in mind soon cause I have been up since 4:30 am and I have not eaten yet" I tell him maybe a half an hour up to the Wondervu Café! Then off we went, Zig Zagging the main roads in Arvada till we finally we came up on Coal Creek Canyon and without missing a beat it starts raining, just as soon as the canyon walls closed in and the road started to curve and a cold rain at that. I figure well - New Bike, Crappy tires, we should probably take it easy. So I do that and hes all over me like Olivier Jacque riding his brand new bike in the rain. Hes on my 6 all the up the mountain on the way to Wondervu and then we find out that the Diner is closed on Mondays! OK well then lets Try Nederland, so off we went winding down the hairpin turns at a snails pace cause I hate going down that mountain - always wet or there is gravel in all the turns, but alas I was just a bit too cautious for the conditions cause Radar was all over me again. Then we crossed the railroad tracks at Pinecliff and the road eases up a bit and its much faster here. So I roll it on some. The place I had in mind for lunch in Nederland was also closed, WTF!! It wasn't even a restaurant anymore, it was some kind of art galley now? OH hell - Radar by now is getting desperate and was eyeing the leather on his gloves a bit too much. So we just rode into the town square and hoped something was there. It was - a nice bar and grill at the end of the strip. A pretty European girl came out and waited on us, and we were finally fed for the day. We got out and were putting on our gear when a couple of neo-hippies were talking to everybody, a man and a woman who seemed a bit tore. She was telling jokes. "Why don't blind men jump out of airplanes"? - "cause it scares the shit out of the dog" and "Why was the strawberry crying?" - "Cause its mom was in a jam". The guy being a guy was asking all kinds of questions about the bike, and lots of them, till finally the roar of the V4 mysteriously drowned him out and off we went. Bye bye Hippy dude! Nederland - should be called Nutterland in all honesty!
    At the Grill Radar says "you know you can speed it up a bit". OK well then than more speed it is Captain! So we rolled on out of Nederland down the Peak to Peak hwy and into some tasty sweepers where I am more at home and soon we were leaning it over much more than we were in Coal Creek Canyon - ever mindful of the police I slowed down in the straits. Then the road came to a stop and I pulled off and asked Radar "this way is scenic, that way is twisty, what do you want to do"? He says "twisty" and down the hill we went into The Stain Vrain Canyon - the scene of one of my videos, this time not screaming down it so hard as that but still at a good clip. The pace was allot more challenging now, but not so bad that it was out of hand.

    Gassing up and waiting out a rain storm Lyons Colorado
    From here we headed into the farm country on the way to Stove Prairie road - I took him up to Carter Lake along the foothills and we stayed out of the metro area east of there, then looking north I could tell the place was getting pounded with rain. We made the turn off to Masonville where the road begins and sure enough the road was all wet again, and so it was back to riding like Olivier Jacque in a rain race. Then we encountered a small car in the tight stuff, I signaled to Radar to let the car go on ahead for a bit, but he mistook it for "take the lead" and whoops all of a sudden I was following him now. He was riding it pretty well, the car had found a spot to pull out and let us pass. Stove Prairie is a fun road but a bit contentious with all the wet spots and leaves that had been washed down from the trees and onto the road. Gravel washed onto the corners some and of course those darned cattle grates - in the turns! It was still enjoyable and soon we were at the Rist Canyon turnoff

    Stove Prairie Road

    Rist Canyon Taking a water break - just off Stove Prairie Road

    Top of Rist Canyon

    Radar all decked out for winter let nary a drop of H2O land on this man without being ready for the worse
    I lead the way down Rist Canyon and it was worse than Stove Prairie, that at least was somewhat dry but Rist was all wet and it had mulch all over the place from a recent mowing. Damn so much for Rist Canyon. Then we were in Fort Collins on the outskirts where some crazy old biker on a ratted out 60's era Harley Sportster with missing spokes and a rusted up Shovel head came rolling up behind us. We stopped at a light and he yells out "I am from New York"! I take a look and hes wearing cut off jeans, and flip flops and hes got a beard like Moses himself, wearing these funny goggles he looked ridiculous but he rode that rat bike out here all the way from New York? OK then it seemed like it was ready to fall apart as soon as he used the brake once more. Then he saw his opening and blasted past the both of us. I could just imagine what it was he was saying as he blew on by ....."those pussies"!
    So its 5pm and Radar pulls into the La Quinta, and I am thinking well the sun is going down and I hate riding into Denver in the dark so I thought we should just split a room - get some dinner and then head out in the morning. Radar says sure why not, he gets a room and its all the freaking way on the very back of the hotel - like a mile down the corridor, well its nice so we forgive the hike. We drop off the stuff and head to a steak house down the road, the hostess takes one look at us and then all over again we are trekking past the bar, past the this section, past that section, all the way to the back of the house again? What gives with Fort Collins? - she must of thought "oh no not bikers - I will just stick them in the back"! Either that or the New York guy stopped in and said "if you see two pussies riding red rice burners stick em in da back"!
    OK so I ordered a steak cause Radar was paying - heh sorry man - I got lunch and well he got the sort stick on this one! So he hands me a set of sliders, says mail this for me please. DA OK will do.
    Darren and I stay out in the sun after dinner and watch the sun go down then head in for some sack time, he knowingly hands me a set of earplugs cause apparently he knows I am going to need them? YUP he snores, YUP and I work nights so guess how my night went! I was wide awake till 3am when I finally fell asleep, to wake up at 7am with Radar already eaten - showered, shaved and packed up ready to go! I slept through all that? Well it was good seeing you and have a good ride into South Dakota! Enjoy yourself and be safe. Just like that he was gone, I take a shower and start organizing my stuff when he knocks on the door, forgot his jacket! YES you might need that. I am surprised he didn't have a spare packed away cause he was packed for a nuclear winter it looked like to me, food, gear, thing's! Well dude see ya - again.
    Then it was my turn to head out and I made my way to Loveland on some back roads, boy northern Colorado just sort of melds together, Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthod, Longmont it all melds in together. I decided to do the scenic stuff we missed out on yesterday. So I rolled up the Big Thompson, never been on that road and it was fun, lots of good turns and an interesting canyon, little villages all along the way to Estes Park - but boy does Estes Park top everything!

    Estes Park This place just blows me away every time

    Estes Park from further out and zoomed in

    A Stanley Steamer At the Stanley Hotel

    Stanley Hotel Estes Park redrum redrum
    I thought for a moment to head into Rocky Mountain National park but the slow drivers were already getting on my nerves in the Big Thompson, lucky they have lots of passing zones on that road I would have gotten a bit irritated - 20 mph irritated! So I just rolled south on the Peak to Peak hwy all the way to Central City

    The Chapel on the Rock Mt Meeker

    Work Horses Impressive animals

    Peaceful Valley Sawtooth Mountain off the Peak To Peak Hwy
    I wont describe my lunch at the McDonald's cause its indescribable how awful that place was, never seen a McDonald's that filthy before! Too bad I had already paid! Then after eating I played who can corner faster( a motorcycle or a bicycle) going down Kerr Gulch road in the hairpin turns with 2 riders on the way down, guess who was faster! YUP (yea it was me - don't even). Then up the hill at Kittridge over Parmalee Gulch road where I got stuck behind a dump truck, no way I could pass with a car coming every 5 seconds I just endured it. Then I saw a post office in Indian Hills and remembered Radars Package he wanted mailed, pulled out from behind the dump truck and pulled the package out of my tail bag. I talked with the postman for about a half an hour about motorcycles. 75 miles a day he puts on his Harley riding to and from work. 210 miles per tank 40 mpg - about what I get almost, a bit less. However I am sure it would take me much less time! He looked like a biker too, tattoos mostly military tats but he was at least agreeable for a biker, and even talked to a rice cake like me. Then I headed down Deer Creek road and again played with the bicyclist in the tight stuff. One guy was holding me off for about 3 turns - just because it did not seem safe to pass with the guard rail so close and he was sort of protecting the lane. I waited till there was a strait short just long enough to pass. By the look of it I got the impression he was trying to take me on in those turns pedaling his ass off? HEH OK as soon as I got by .....gone, just gone, gone gone gone.

    Full Size
    Day 1

    Full Size
    Day 2
  12. HispanicSlammer
    :media:
    Rampart Range Video - The Hard Part
    Dan and Craig ride the roughest steepest part of the Rampart Range Trail system, getting stuck along the way. Dan rides a yz400 race bike not geared for climbing, with a racing flywheel it doesn't have the torque for this kind of riding, he must rev and feather the clutch to achieve momentum a tiering task that is fraught with fatigue if you don't ride well.
    Rock slant Dan and Craig must keep the bikes from sliding off a slanting granite rock face to get to the other side of the trail.
    Google Map of the area
  13. HispanicSlammer
    Probably the most photographed mountains in Colorado Maroon Bells National Monument near Aspen Colorado
    I found a great photo of this spot at work and was admiring it when a coworker friend of mine asked me if I had taken the picture, she said that it just fascinated her. I tried to explain to her just how the picture did not do it justice because the two 14k peaks just tower over everything so the perspective is never quite right in a picture.

    Maroon Bells Aspen Colorado borrowed this picture from work

    map.jpg this is the map from Independence Pass to the Monument

    The route we took for the day trip

    Stop In Twin Lakes

    Heading Up Independence Pass

    La Plata Peak Waits around the corner

    Maroon Creek Road

    One Right Turn to awesomeness

    Maroon Bells just tower over everything

    Sievers Mountain

    The Path to the parking lot along Maroon Lake.JPG

    Pyramid Peak.JPG
    I was just thinking of the several trips up and down Maroon Creek Road I have taken over the years, its always like visiting a foreign country to me cause its so incredible - there is a ranch at the bottom of the road that usually is covered in Dandilions so the meadow is just full of this pretty yellow Dandilion Patch and the owner lets Llamas run in the meadow but they like to sun themselves on top of an old shed along the side of the road so you get this pastorial feel before you meet the magesisty of the Rockies and its just a wonderful expierience for a day trip, stop at Maguires Sandwitch shop in Aspen on the way and get a great hoogie before you go up to the monument

    Lunch Stop Aspen awsome sandwitches
  14. HispanicSlammer
    The Road Home Woodland Park
    I spent my Birthday riding around the Hayman Burn area near Cheesman Lake - riding the XR650R on some fireroads, literally fireroads. Its been 6 years since the Hayman fire devastated this area burning a total of 138,000 acres in a week. I can still remember the smoke plume seen from the City - I went for a ride that first day and almost got caught in it, they had several roads closed and it stayed that way all summer.

    burn area

    During the Hayman fire

    fire1.jpg
    I have ridden around the area for along time since but never been to the center of it Cheesman Lake, the place has a lot of visual damage and they dont allow you to do much there but fish.

    Cheeseman Lake
    I took some singletrack to get to Goose Creek Road where most of the fire was.

    Single Track Rampart Range

    Goose Creek Road Lost Wilderness

    Lost Wilderness 6 years after the Hayman Fire

    Hayman burn area Pikes Peak in the background
    I decided to ride up to Wellington Lake and into Bailey for some lunch when it started to rain, I was worried about getting my camera wet there so I took no pictures. Stopping at the Cut Throat diner there for a burger I was sitting next to a young couple when the power went out, they had their daughter with them, a cute redheaded girl who yelped when the lights went out. Appearantly a tornado had touched down on Kenosha Pass and it took out some Powerlines - wow a tornado in the mountains?? First time I had heard of that! They had a police scanner on and I guess there was also a motorcycle accident - bad enough that they requested the flight for life? Being the 4th of July Weekend their where bikes out everywhere. Luckly I was riding on some obscure backroads and single track - no traffic there to speak of except the occational campers out in the woods.
    I made my way over to rampart range, and decided to ride the entire length of it to Woodland park, some 50 miles of twisty windy rough in places mountain dirt road. There were a lot of folks fishing along the Platte River on the way to Rampart Range from Buffalo Creek, tons of them and I saw my buddy baldy cop sitting in his police sherrif pickup, along with another cop in another truck - they both had atv's in the back, they where sitting at the crossroads where hwy 67 and Buffalo Creek road meet, east of Foxton. He was the guy who stopped and lectured me about speeding on horsepower hill last May. Still bald as hell!

    Rampart Range

    Primordial soup bowl

    Rampart Range after the rains

    Rampart Range

    Rampart Range

    Rampart Range
    I have this thing for wild flowers I like to photograph them whenever possible

    Wildflowers

    Wildflowers

    more wildflowers

    red ones

    Columbine Colorado State Flower

    Another Columbine
    attached is the gps track from my zumo
  15. HispanicSlammer
    I have never been on Boreas Pass before, drove or ridden past the entrace at Como several times on the way to College or on a vfr ride. I decided this last August that I would give it a try. Not knowing if it was challenging I figured I would take the Piggy this time. Turned out to be really tame actually since I passed an Accord and several minivans on the way up. The way to Cumo was much more challenging to be honest, taking every dirt road I could find that connected me all the way to Breckenridge. Boreas pass was the old route to Breckenridge by stage coach from Denver and the front range.
    I rode up to Woodland Park by hitting the Pikes Peak highway then splitting off just before getting there and heading northwest to Green Mountain Falls. It is a sleepy little village on the way up Ute Pass about three quarters of the way to Woodland Park from Colorado Springs. Its a nice diversion from the hustle of Hwy 24 and all the highway traffic, you can avoid hwy 24 by about 80% if you turn off at Chipeta Park and stay to the left. In Green Mountain Falls there is a nice lake in the center of the village, and a big Gazebo and fountain highight the park in the middle. Then to the west is a strip of small buisnesses, a local tavern and a great little resturant called "The Pantry" the ham sandwitch has 1/2 inch thick ham and real swiss cheese, and the breakfast is scrumptious. I like to stop there when possible for some lunch.

    Tarryall

    Tarryall

    Tarryall
    I rolled into Cumo to find its mostly closed up, boarded up old buildings so I started my way up Boreas Pass with large rain drops falling all around me, it was a quick summer shower and it did not last long.

    Boreas Mountain Packer Road

    Boreas Mountain

    Wild Flower

    Tarryall from across the valley on Boreas Pass

    Packer road from which I just came
    I was surprised to see so many cars on the pass, its wasnt challenging at all really so I rode it very fast. I passed about 4 minivans and was at the top in less than 5 minutes, seemd all too quick really. There were a ton of folks stopped at the old rail house at the top so I kept on going prefering the solitude of riding than stopping with tourists everywhere.

    Windy Point Boreas Pass

    Breckenridge

    Boreas Mountain Crossed the Continental Divide

    Breckenridge hwy 9 lies below - Hoosier pass is to the left
    I did not stay around Breckenridge only to gas up at the 7-11 and get a snack of some chewing gum to make my ears pop. Sometimes up in high elevation my ears dont equalize like they should. I decided to head up Loveland pass and ride down to Georgetown via I-70 then make my way up Guenella Pass. I had a burger at the "Red Ram" in old Georgetown and well I did not enjoy it as much as I would have liked too. Its a very old 100 year old building and well I can only take so much hippy music from the 70's before I have to get out, I like the Grateful Dead but not that much! I have had a better time there before, I should have waited for lunch - headed up Guenella pass and had a burger in Bailey instead there is a wonderful little diner there called the Trout diner, just a few hundred feet from the Gas Station. Should have but didn't Oh Well I was surprised to see all the work being done on the North side of Guenella pass, there was lots of heavy equipment being used to divert the creek and expand the road, it was practially paved all the way to the top, paved over 70% I would say!

    Guenella Pass strait south of Georgetown once again crossing the Continental Divide
    I headed down the pass and was soon back on gravel road again all the way to Grant at hwy 285, I found myself rubbernecking when I caught a glimps of a large hot dog building just west of Bailey. It was the old hot dog stand I remembered from my youth - Coney Island Colorado‎. It wasnt were I remembered it, they moved it by truck from Connifer to Bailey some 15 miles down the road! "Whoa" I said "whats that doing there?"
    They have the best chili dogs - foot long chili dogs and fries!
    I turned off hwy 285 as soon as I made it to Bailey, saw the trout diner and sighed that I missed out on a good cheeseburger and headed back into the dirt on Wellington Lake road, then I turned off at the Buffalo Creek turnoff sign and was on Hwy 67. The pavement was perfect and I at that moment I wished I could flip a switch and be on my viffer cause boy the road was perfect!

    Pikes Peak Heading down the bowl at hwy 67 to Horsepower Hill

    Pikes Peak in the late afternoon

    Full Size
    A - home
    B - backroads
    C - Tarryall
    D - Packer Road
    E - Boreas Pass
    F - Loveland Pass
    G - Georgetown
    H - Guenella Pass
    I - Wellington Lake Road
  16. HispanicSlammer
    Pikes Peak
    It is not very common in November to find so many warm days to go riding, matter of fact you take what you can get! Usually its sunny but the temperatures range in the 40-50 range with snow and ice on the sides of the roads and gravel in all the corners. Yes it has already snowed in Colorado - once here in Colorado Springs. However we are having an Indian Summer and the temperatures have been an unbelievable 70 degrees out. So what do you do? You go riding of course.
    Sunday I decided to do a tour of Colorados famous Gold Belt tour, a three road loop of all the old Gold camp roads to the Cripple Creek Victor area. I asked my Boss he was free for a ride and he agreed to come along. Me on my XR650 and him on his DR350. The man stands a full foot above me at 6'8" and hes the most jolly happy man I know. Seems nothing fazes the guy, he recently was promoted at work and is moving to the other night shift so I wont be seeing him at work any time soon. So off we went up Gold Camp road to Victor, down Phantom Canyon - he wanted to see where I spent the night looking for Bigfoot, ha ha It wasnt so spooky, matter of fact he looks more like Bigfoot than anything I saw that day. Then we had some Mexican food for lunch in Canon City and then headed up Shelf road - Nate said he had never been on Shelf road so we went up it.

    Me and my XR650 south face of Pikes Peak in the back ground

    Riding with my boss This is Nate
    After we ate lunch we were climbing the 20% grade on Shelf road when my headlights all of a sudden stopped working, I pulled off as the sun was going down to fix it but I couldnt get them to work. So when we got back on pavement Nate lead so I could see what was going on in the dark. We stopped at a gas station and bungied some cheap flashlights to the fenders as makeshift headlights and tailights. Going down UTE pass we passed a couple of cops and I thought for sure I was toast but I made it all the way home with no insidents. Nate is more of a comuter on his bike than a weekend explorer like me, he said he really had a great time and he was glad for the dirt riding practice. He went from really going slow to keeping excellent pace with me - I am no dirt demon at all so it not a stretch to keep pace with me. He followed me home and we laughed about all the cops we passed - I guess they just couldnt see me with no lights on. It was dark and the temperature had dropped to 45 but who cares I was all pumped up on adrenelin from the thrill of the adventure.
    Gold Belt Tour Map
    [map=AARTsJrQVOhsknZuKjJBw8cWX8vrPlSGcg]http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=7467263987749735846,38.765810,-104.813840%3B277796909954106813,38.724770,-105.021520%3B5534676680459063252,38.560716,-105.223531%3B6347464844011596467,38.447680,-105.205290%3B14943544766476927283,38.613150,-105.134450&time=&date=&ttype=&saddr=Unknown+road+%4038.765810,+-104.813840&daddr=Gold+Camp+Rd+%4038.724770,+-105.021520+to:CR-9+%4038.560716,+-105.223531+to:Royal+Gorge+Blvd+%4038.447680,+-105.205290+to:CR-67%2FPhantom+Canyon+Rd+%4038.613150,+-105.134450+to:divide+co+to:Colorado+Springs,+El+Paso,+Colorado,+United+States&mra=pi&mrcr=2&via=1,2,4&sll=38.819381,-104.939346&sspn=0.239137,0.63858&ie=UTF8&cd=7&om=1&ll=38.733732,-105.010071&spn=1.206186,2.993774&t=p&z=9[/map]
    TWO DAYS LATER
    I couldnt beleive my luck yet another day of 70 degrees, where to this time - I wanted to ride the VFR this time, I hadent been on the viffer in over a month, lots of riding the XR but not the Viffer. Partly because my rear PPower was spanked all the way past the tread indicators. I had a slightly used rear in the shed, a take off from my trip to California this summer. It was just starting to show wear near the indicators and so I took it off before my trip to New Mexico and the Gila Monster, it was good enough to keep for just this sort of occassion. It was all worked over to the edge but it slipped on the wheel like a well worn glove.
    I pointed it south and twisted the throttle, let the wind take me where ever! I had my New Zumo mounted on it shake down test. I am impressed with this thing. I actually took it on the XR ride too but it shut down when the lights went off, I used battery power when it got really dark to see where the road was going.
    The zumo said I was doing a good 90 somthing somthing on the sweeper of the Green Horn Highway, I had somehow managed to make it to the Wet Mountains after slabbing it down hwy 115 - I decided to do a loop to Bishops Castle, over to Rye, back to Mckenzi Junciton and head over to Westcliff then wind my way to Texas Creek and up into Cripple Creek from High Park Road, then head home the same route I did with Nate. It is amazing how much more ground I cover on the VFR 250 miles compared to 130 with Nate in the same amount of time.

    Bishops Castle my vfr parked on the road

    Bishops Castle

    At the top of the lowest spire

    The Atrium weddings, raves, parties, you name it - its has happend here

    I climbed to that top spire lots of wobbly steps made of wrought iron

    A typical Jim Bishop creation not strong enough - slap another bar of iron on it.

    The Dragon from above

    Everybody says this is a moat but Mr Bishop says its a Dungeon
    I actually passed a Harley Davidson rider near Wetmore and made it to Bishops - climbed all over it and was heading back out when the HD rider pulled into Bishops. Behind him a guy on an Aprillia stopped too, it looked like a Falco at first but when I got closer it was clear to me it was a Mille. I was filthy with no lower fairings and about 6 months of bugs on it. The rider looked like he was just as filthy. Now my bike has been this filthy too, no passing judgement here, so I went up and introduced myself. He said his name was Larry and he was heading the same way to Rye for some lunch. He asked if I was interested in joining him - sure why not?
    He then said somthing I thought was funny "I will meet you at the turn off in Rye.. I know this road really well" - Rye is some 15 miles down the road! OK "why not ride together I thought"? Then I realized this guy meant he was gonna go so fast that I wasnt gonna be able to keep up! I thought OK? He did after all refer to my VFR as a sport tourer! So I got on the trusty viffer and Larry pulled out on the Mille.
    He took off like a bat out of hell doing 120mph! I reved it up and stayed in contact, he did after all have a liter bike. He was hauling, then some easy sweepers came up and I started to reel him in, and a few more staits but I was still in contact. Then the harder sweepers came up and all of a sudden I was right on him. He wasnt shaking me at all! I seemed to have surprised the guy cause he was checking me out in his mirrors. Yep I was right behind him - I KNOW THE ROAD TOO! 15 miles to Rye wasnt too long of a ride. We had some lunch and he told me about his 10 bikes he owns and how he never came across anybody who could keep up with him on the Green Horn Highway Like I did? I thought he must ride alone then? I know plenty of guys who ride that fast.
    He is one of them loners I guess who always pins the damn thing, all the time, pinned. All his bikes are for sale, all ten, he said he even has an 86 viffer for sale - salvage title 2 grand with some mis matched body work? OK lots of old bikes too.
    We headed back to Mckenzi Junction together for the 40 miles of the Green Horn Hwy on past Bishops Castle, a great road full of long sweepers and nice S shaped turns. I started out ahead of him but he passed me on the stait, and got a good 1/4 mile ahead of me. I reved it up to 117 or so to catch him and got a bit closer, but that Mille has more power. I wanted to stay close till I could catch him in the turns, sure enough the turns came up and I was on him like glue. He was unpredictable in the turns so I passed him on an easy turn and got way ahead for the next set of turns. I guess he wasnt used to sombody riding turns like that? He passed me again on the next strait and so I stayed close for the next set of turns and then he started to blowing turns, he blew one really hard - over the double yellow and the next one too going all the way into the oncoming lane - which got me rather alarmed. I realized I was riding too close so I rolled off and let him go on ahead for a good 10 bike lengths - he was a bit shaken I could tell - and I didnt want to see him go down. I was having a blast myself, and feeling really comfy - what a Day. I stopped and said goodby, and we parted ways I had another 100 miles of twistys to do! He was all tuckered out on his Mille - not me the Viffer was just getting warmed up!
    Back to the same spot for a picture - as I took with Nate two days before.

    Same place two days later southern face of Pikes Peak

    Pikes Peak
    Map of the Bishops Castle Loop
    [map=AARTsJpQxq7sU9PIvfNWKP8SNhXT-nhwYQ]http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=7092982224853031565,38.789280,-104.822010%3B8627210910271840572,38.613330,-104.893570%3B17582621160096791106,38.164850,-105.189980%3B11175003633667319254,37.923200,-104.927270%3B10271801768667968077,38.135870,-105.459080%3B5119389560107096371,38.673200,-105.344980%3B10469175807363240318,38.764570,-105.203930%3B11197392464292667535,38.711030,-105.137110%3B2551081133983032187,38.725050,-105.122580&saddr=CO-115+N+%4038.789280,+-104.822010&daddr=CO-115+%4038.613330,+-104.893570+to:CO-96+%4038.164850,+-105.189980+to:CO-165+%4037.923200,+-104.927270+to:Main+St+%4038.135870,+-105.459080+to:CR-11+%4038.673200,+-105.344980+to:Cripple+Creek-Florissant+Rd+%4038.764570,+-105.203930+to:CO-67%2FDiamond+Ave+%4038.711030,+-105.137110+to:CR-81+%4038.725050,+-105.122580+to:Woodland+park+to:38.794768,-104.823303&mra=dme&mrcr=2&mrsp=10&sz=10&via=1,2,4,5,6,7,8&sll=38.629745,-104.971619&sspn=0.603987,1.496887&ie=UTF8&ll=38.582526,-105.227051&spn=2.417421,5.987549&t=p&z=8[/map]
    I love Colorado - days like these are what I live for.
  17. HispanicSlammer
    New Video
    Well this is really two rides, an ill fated ride I put together for Adam30 and the same ride the next weekend (of sorts) - Adam30 put out feelers on the forum to take a ride in Colorado to which I responded to and set up a ride on Memorial Day to show him some good local twisties. I got some vfrs, a Bandit and a K1200 beemer together to go riding. Unfortunatly Adam called me from a 100 miles away and wasnt gonna make it. It was already 8am and the guys where ready to meet with kickstands up by 9:30 I had to go.
    Ride one - brief version
    The weather was not cold but not warm either, we took off for Woodland Park - Deckers where we were supposed to meet more riders but they were not there, finnally after riding most of the Pine Loop hwy 67 we found Sfarson waiting for us at Pine Juction on hwy 285, we hemmed and hawed about the weather a bit and decided to take an abbreivated trip into the foothills around Denver, hopefully to see some views of the city from on high. It did not work out since the fog had gotten so thick any views where obsucured, and surprizingly there were a lot of bicyclists out riding in the thick fog, we had to tip toe around them on the gravely roads near Turkey Creek. Sfarson was leading and he schooled me a bit pulling away from me on Turkey Creek Road on the good part down at the bottom. I was 10 yards behind him at first, then 20, then 50, he was at the next turn, then gone! I looked at my tires (brand new Road 2's) and I wasnt even leaning over. I guess I am a cold blooded rider, not warm blooded I need a little heat to come alive. Mr Dude and LDSRIDER had to get home for domestic duties so they headed into Denver and went home to southern colorado from where this picture was taken below. Reddog, Sfarson and I took a look up on top of Connifer Mountain where the fog was so thick I couldnt see Steve for the Forest or the Trees. A least I had his brake lights to guide me I dont know how he could see where he was going, and at one point he turne off on sombodies driveway thinking it was the road, only to stop and turn around. We said enough of this "lets go get some lunch" and off we went to Pine Junction for 2 hours of stories and a good lunch. Then the fog turned to rain and I followed Reddog Home as he smoothly guided us back down the mountain to Woodland Park and home. Steve I havent ridden with him for over a year, Mr "I have been Everywhere" check out the video section for some of his famous videos Sfarson.com (not much there but his videos - no website I think) I got the good ones in the video section.

    Ill fated Adam 30 ride L to R - LDSRIDER - Mr Dude - SFarson - Reddog
    Ride 2
    Mr Dude - Colosprvfr and I all work together and Mark (Mr Dude) said he wanted to try the ride again - this time when it was clear out and warm. Last ride he had on mesh gear and was visibly shivering, I loaned him a jacket to get him through without going into hypothermia, hes a vetran and wouldnt ask so I just handed it to him - no worries I know where you work!! Anyway this time I got Craig to come along too, or Mark did I think I was the one who was going to dual sport instead but it doesnt take much to get me off of that.

    Craig looks over the Continental Divide

    Top of Squaw Pass overlooking the Continental Divide

    He finally turned around so I could get his picture

    Thumbs up
    This ride we would trace the route we were supposed to take on Memorial day but sort of play it by ear since we did not leave till 11am, mostly the same stuff, but this time staying off Connifer mountain where there was a lot of gravel on the road. We headed up to Woodland Park, into Deckers over Horsepower Hill where Mr Dude was going to smoke us (dude those vfrs just dont have the power my bandit does) OK we pretty much opened it up there and well............not like predicted. So we waited on the long strait and then headed down the Hill into Buffalo Creek and the town of Pine. We wanted to go hit up the Bucksnort Saloon for lunch - did the mile long dirt road into the mountains to get there only to find it is closed on Mondays now. OK what now?? Up to Pine Junction back to the Crossroads Diner where Steve took us last week, I had a meatball sandwitch that was awsome, and we had the same good looking waitress again, good looking Irish girl.
    I then took the guys into the hills around Evergreen - criss crossing over a few times to avoid the actual mess around Evergreen - up and over Brook Forest into Little cub and High Drive, back the other way over Parmalee Gultch Into Kittridge and a mile or so of shitty road on Kerr Gulch and up onto Squaw Pass road to Mount Evans. It was a lot of good twisties and the guys enjoyed it I think. Mr Dude and I switch bikes and I rode his a bit on hwy 285 I found it to be stretched out a bit and the steel frame seemed to flex alot with road shock, it fights you at slow speed like it doesnt want to turn but at speed it was stable, soft brakes I did not like but it had plenty of power. Another hour or so and I think I could get used to it! I had to reaclimate to my bike after that, tottally different. My bike bends you over a bit and puts your hands out wider, knees not so far back and the shifter and brake are different. Wierd having to get used to my own bike again so soon.
    The Route
    [map=AARTsJp-hJ7CpDFIahLLN5V0pZq-BOoyeg]http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=12960902794228093676,38.805690,-104.803070%3B9122679265987358436,39.243900,-105.253610%3B16349537758131869779,39.573500,-105.383410%3B5868094169438716382,39.616884,-105.287638%3B8477526918289051932,39.616604,-105.235749%3B11824084871735532496,39.680049,-105.323831%3B18172287422626321777,39.658924,-105.601874%3B9715024367986603673,39.739011,-105.430843%3B9134224254711685995,39.718056,-105.355237%3B10229800758628161607,39.700140,-105.333770%3B6595482955177938619,39.671753,-105.304005%3B15736109217874686941,39.458874,-104.983936%3B9471670675130473078,39.243040,-104.956000%3B17536871409415329671,38.795790,-104.797390&saddr=I-25+N+%4038.805690,+-104.803070&daddr=CO-126%2FDeckers+Rd+%4039.243900,+-105.253610+to:S+Black+Mountain+Dr%2FCR-78+%4039.573500,+-105.383410+to:Stanley+Park+Rd+%4039.616884,+-105.287638+to:S+Parmalee+Gulch+Rd+%4039.616604,+-105.235749+to:Kerr+Gulch+Rd+%4039.680049,+-105.323831+to:CO-103+%4039.658924,+-105.601874+to:US-40+%4039.739011,+-105.430843+to:US-40+%4039.718056,+-105.355237+to:US-40+%4039.700140,+-105.333770+to:Kerr+Gulch+Rd+%4039.671753,+-105.304005+to:US-85+%4039.458874,+-104.983936+to:CR-105%2FS+Perry+Park+Rd+%4039.243040,+-104.956000+to:39.11621,-104.903641+to:I-25+S+%4038.795790,+-104.797390&mra=dpe&mrcr=7&mrsp=13&sz=11&via=1,8,10,11,12,13&sll=39.199802,-104.720993&sspn=0.315542,0.749817&ie=UTF8&ll=39.364032,-105.136414&spn=1.25919,2.999268&t=p&z=9[/map]
    if map is blank right click it and "refresh"

    Mr Dude On his Bandit

    My Baby loves it up here

    Mr Dude whips out his camera Kingston Peak I think in the background

    Mount Evans just behind Craig

    Perry Peak

    The Continental Divide Colorado Style

    Berthod pass just behind those mountains
    Most of these pictures where taken on the western side of the road then these next where looking east or south at Mount Evans

    Haystack Canyon Brookvale - Elephant park - Buffalo Park and Evergreen below

    Craig on his VTEC

    Mr Dude and His Bandit

    looks like somthing out of the Sound of Music

    Mount Evans from Echo Lake 14,264'
    We rode down the mountain into Idaho springs I was flyin and got around a few cars quickly which the other guys could not get around so I just decided to take off and meet them at the bottom soon enough - the road was sort of bumpy but sweet I enjoyed taking the turns quick - much quicker than usual I really trust these new tires (road 2's).

    Small waterfall in Idaho Springs
    At Idaho Springs we stopped for gas and took a long break, and decided on a path home, back down Kerr Gultch and down Bear Creek Canyon and into the Denver foothills Hwy 105 south and home.
    The Video
    :media: Shadow of Mount Evans Video - high resolution wmv - music by cold play.
    You tube low res

    all in all it was a good day of riding 260 miles most of it tight and twisty. Attached is the GPX tracks from my zumo

    Vertical Profile from my Zumo
  18. HispanicSlammer
    Independence Pass New Video
    Mr Dude calls me last Monday and says "hey Dude lets go riding" - I say "meet me in Penrose around 10:30 - how long can you ride for?" Dude says " one O'Clock" ???? I was thinking well that should get us about 50 miles? Maybe he was mistaken? So I take off for Penrose around 9:30 and meet Mark in Penrose at 10:50 - he says he underestimated the ride time from Pueblo West to Penrose. Ok off we went - strait into Cannon City on Hwy 50 - its packed, Dude decides lets short cut into the side streets - just as the traffic jam recedes and we end up behind all the same cars again out of town. Heh - well here comes my lecture on "DON'T FORCE IT" but maybe another time! I take the lead and turn off on Hwy 9 toward Hartsel. Mr Dude says "hey Dude I had to stop gotta take a Leak" so he heads up the hill behind the buildings, but the shop keeper comes out and he has to detour behind another building, she follows him and so he goes around another building - suffice it to say he walks for a while to find a place to go! HEH I am laughing about his marathon trip to the bushes when he comes back. I say "now I gotta go" and walk into the store and use their restroom, buy a drink so as not to freeload on services and come out washed and everything - again "DON'T FORCE IT"!
    Now we have some open road between us and hwy 24 so we make a couple of top speed runs, his Bandit has me on top speed, its a 1250 after all but surprisingly the vfr hangs in there, Mr Dude is still somewhat of a new rider so his forays into speed consist of top speed runs on strait roads yet. Add a tight turn and some rain and I am stopping to see where he is in my mirrors. Mark is a good guy, kind hearted and fun to ride with. Everything is still new and he never seen most of the places I take him so its pretty cool - I like showing people around Colorado.
    Anyways I decided we should top up in Buena Vista where gas is $4 a gallon instead of $5 in Aspen and we head for Twin Lakes, where it rain has started to spit a bit on Hwy 24 up to the turn off, so far the roads have been easy sweepers you can take at 80mph - but Independence pass is bumpy and tight in places it is so narrow its only one lane wide. So I decide to put the bike in scenic mode and enjoy the scenery I hope you do to!!

    Twin Lakes

    Mt Elbert 14433 from Twin Lakes

    Wildflowers

    Wildflowers
    THE MAP
    [map=AARTsJr_FQGEaAHg5iMqdC3aVLhveokyog]http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=1830566667506800369,38.441420,-105.023940%3B1759674402003979697,38.744770,-105.528220%3B3654820069581009807,39.023420,-105.813960%3B9580343057048383265,38.838380,-106.130810%3B6404037643053820741,39.081850,-106.383440%3B1787465083701773634,39.187330,-106.815330&saddr=CO-115+%4038.441420,+-105.023940&daddr=CR-102%2FCR-59%2FMain+St+%4038.744770,+-105.528220+to:US-24+%4039.023420,+-105.813960+to:US-24+%4038.838380,+-106.130810+to:CO-82+%4039.081850,+-106.383440+to:CO-82%2FE+Cooper+Ave+%4039.187330,+-106.815330&mra=cc&dirflg=h&sll=39.18224,-106.750031&sspn=0.593986,1.417236&ie=UTF8&ll=38.882481,-105.875244&spn=2.385988,5.668945&t=p&z=8[/map]
    Once we start up the Pass the scenery does not disappoint, there is still snow on the peaks and along the road in places, I made a snowball and pelted Mark as he was looking over the side.

    Twin Lakes La Plata Peak

    Mountain boy park My bike in the foreground

    Lackawanna Gulch Mount Champion

    Casco Peak

    La Plata Peak

    Independence Peak

    Aspen Groves all these trees are of the same root system making them one giant organism

    Mr Dude and his Bandit 1250 stopped for a drink

    Independence Ghost Town a historical stop on the way to Aspen

    Independence Pass at the Summit looking east toward Mt Elbert

    Independence Pass at the summit Looking West from the Road

    Independence Pass from the summit looking west

    Ski Gondolas In Aspen

    Lunch Stop Aspen awesome sandwiches

    Pikes Peak as seen from Guffy Heights

    I know not much story this time around but the pictures speak for themselves, I did however make a new video, here is the you tube version and the high resolution wmv below.
    THE VIDEO

    high resolution wmv, music by Pat Metheny Quartet this is not a knee dragger vid its about the scenery.
  19. HispanicSlammer
    Monarch Pass In The Rain
    I found some more footage from our annual Colorado trip to Creede, this short video is of the ride home over Monarch pass topping out at near 10,000 feet at the Continental divide. There were 5 of us riding up the pass but I was in the lead for most of the video. It was cold at the top!

    The Terrain

    video preview
    :media:
    Monarch Pass In The Rain Video
    runs about 4 min, 1mb/sec wmv music by New Order.
  20. HispanicSlammer
    http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/videos/491/1236161198_stove08.wmv.flv


    One of the great things about having a video camera is reliving the rides you did over the summer, and watching them again when winter time rolls around. This video I took after riding some 4000 miles up to Canada to attend the Kootenay Hootenanny. I had just rolled through Laramie Wyoming and stopped for lunch at some small chinese joint - sat down and looked at the map for somthing that could perk me up after having ridden much too much slab in Wyoming. I headed to Ted's Place, turned right and made my way up the Cache La Poudre till I found the turn off for Stove Prairie Road. I have only been on this road 3 times since its some 200 miles to the north of where I live and getting to it involves crossing the Denver Metro area or going WAY around on the Peak to Peak Highway, suffice it to say its not easy to get there from home.

    I gotta say I was not too thrilled about the dark clouds gathered in front of me as I set up my video camera but as usual Colorado weather is rather fickle in the summer and it only lasted a few miles before clear skies opened up again. I really enjoyed the road this time around, with all my touring gear strapped on for a long ride, and already spending 14 days in the saddle it was a welcome sight to see a nice clean twisty road after so much slab during the rest of the day. I did get a good scare, a long strait on the top of the Prairie invited me to open up the motor a bit only to find a whole heard of Cattle in the middle of the road not 200 feet from a blind rise. I crested it at some 70mph and hauled it down to 15mph just in time to weave my way past the Black Angus that where grazing on the weeds along the side of the road. You would think that Cows dont make good road signs , and that perhaps in order to save your investment it might be prudent to let them graze somewhere out of sight of the road? Thats the realitity of riding in the west, you have to watch for animals in the road!




    Full Size
  21. HispanicSlammer
    Lake Isabel
    The Greenhorn Highway has always been one of my favorite Rides, also known as Bishops Castle ride, since the road takes you to ....Bishops Castle. Lately its been the site of much sorrow. A few crusier riders have gone off the road these last few months in some rather tricky turns, one fellow losing his life trying to turn a HD around a 30mph turn at 80mph going off into the rocks. At this same turn a coworker of mine from work - her husband lowsided his brand new Yamaha roadstar doing the same damn thing trying to stay in contact with his sport bime buddies and spend a couple of weeks in the ICU. ME? I take that same turn all the time without a worry in the world, but I know I can lean it over at say 90mph and not lose it, cause I know it is has a slight decrease of radius at the bottom and you have to tighten up your line slightly to stay in your lane. That is where the problem is, it suckers you into going off into the other lane and people panic and stand the bike up. Of course these wrecks where all in May before they swept off all the winter gravel and so there was an added danger factor of loose gravel as well - folks just not riding for the conditions is what caused most of these problems, not knowing the roads and going too fast!
    I like to go fast but today the wind was blustering at 30mph gusts in places and it seemed the narrow canyons around McKenzi Junction where funneling the wind rigth into me - so I slowed down, part of my new "dont force it" riding philosophy, ride naturally and my instincts where telling me to drop a few mph in favor of a safer ride. Of course I was still going faster than most cause I know this road like the back of my hand, so I went around a few other bikes - with plenty of room and way over in the passing lane (again not forcing it but passing naturally) and it just seemed to flow nicely. SO I turned on my camera at McKenzi Junction and left it on all they way past Bishops Castle on the way to Lake Isabel. I like to take a sandwitch and Picnic at the Lake.

    10 years 100000 miles!

    The Greenhorn Highway This is at the bottom of the road near wetmore
    The Map
    [map=AARTsJqK5x_99pbKTVWvmaGYpVqFVMAJoA]http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=13023472482596864890,38.237460,-105.087020%3B16012930406249089554,38.164734,-105.190090%3B12961183773227682459,38.063890,-105.094550&saddr=CO-96+%4038.237460,+-105.087020&daddr=CO-96+%4038.164734,+-105.190090+to:CO-165+%4038.063890,+-105.094550+to:37.983987,-105.050583&mra=mi&mrcr=2&mrsp=3&sz=12&sll=37.980469,-104.956856&sspn=0.151003,0.354309&ie=UTF8&ll=38.136717,-105.096588&spn=0.602721,1.417236&t=p&z=10[/map]
    If map is blank right click and "refresh"

    Wetmore
    Mckenzi Junction
    Bishop's Castle
    Lake Isabel

    THE VIDEO

    :media: Riding the Greenhorn Highway Video - High Resolution wmv format - music by Urge Overkill
  22. HispanicSlammer
    The Apishapa Arch
    I spent Monday setting up my XR650 from long distance dual sporting, tearing off the vinyl seat and cutting the foam to make the seat top a bit wider, to better support my wieght. I cut up a sheepskin seat cover and used it for the seat cover. It came out ok, and very comfortable! I put a layer of soft foam around the seat that had a plastic laminate so it wouldnt absorb water.
    I have been wanting to head down to the Spanish Peaks to do the dirt roads down there, paticularly Codova Pass. It comes out in Aguilar Coloardo where my Mother Was Born and where my Grand Father was Buried. A Coal miner who suffered the fate most coal miners did of that era, black lung. I am 3 generation Coloradoan and I think my Great Great Grandmother was born in Aguilar too which would make me 4th generation but that is unconfimed. I passed through Ludlow where the infamous Ludlow Masscure happened, 1913. I did not stop but it peaked my interest and I did some research.
    My Grandfather emmigrated from Mexico during the Mexian Revolution to avoid being killed by Pancho Villa who was killing seminary students who where loyal to the government, so he crossed the Rio Grand and became a Coal Miner in Colorado. I dont know if he was involved with any of those where were killed at Ludlow but I know it was around the same time he met my Grandmother. I went and visited his grave outside town, he died when my Mother was 3 both my grandparents died before I was born. Last time I was in Aguilar it was rather run down. I was pleased to see that it had gone through some renovation and it seemed the town has grown some these last few years. There is a lot of oil and gas industry activity down south and people are moving there to retire - no small wonder its beautiful there!

    12-mile hwy 78 Greenhorn Mountain Near Buela Colorado
    I have been wanting to explore this dirt road from Wetmore to Buela for quite some time, I started to turn off on it and some dude in a pickup truck turned right infront of me. I followed for a mile and got tired of the slow pace and passed him on a clear section. It was bumpy as it winded its way up a mountain then surprise it was paved for 20 miles into Buela. I love that place, its so nice there. So peaceful and pristine and only 17 miles southeast of Pueblo.

    Greenhorn Mountain Aspens Changing

    Aspen Grove open view of the high plains

    12-mile hwy 78

    Ophir Creek Road
    I ran into an old couple who where changing a flat, I stopped to see if they needed assistance. the long haired old hippy man said he was fine but he warned me of a fire on the other side of the mountain said it was a controlled burn and not to worry. Nice guy and boy did he have a long beard!

    Gardener Road cr-634 a contoled burn by the forest service

    Presribed Burn

    Mount Blanca from Gardener Road

    Gardener Road From where I had just came it had been graded since my last visit

    Colors where incredible

    Gardener Road 10% grade in places

    Sangre De Christo Mountains across the wet mountain valley

    Lets See here names - left to right - Marble Mountain, Broken Hand, Crestone Needle, Crestone Peak, Humbolt, Kit Carson

    Tiseras Peak, Tejeras Peak, Music Mountain

    Sangre De Christo Mountains across the wet moutain valley

    Williams Creek

    Gardener Road

    Blueberry Mountain

    Sheep Mountain and Little Sheep
    now for another dirt road to get to Lavita Pass head west to Malicite and over Pass Creek Pass

    Mount Blanca

    Hogbacks Co-572 going up Pass Creek Pass

    Pass Creek Pass

    Pass Creek Pass

    Spanish Peaks from Old Laveta Pas

    Spanish Peaks same spot zoomed

    Old Laveta Pass

    Highway Of Ledgends
    The pavement up to Cucharas was brand new and the colors where fantastic, I sometimes wish I have both bikes at the same time cause I could have railed those turns on that wonderful pavement on my vfr at 30 mph faster!

    Cuchras Lunch at the Dog Bar

    Cucharas Pass seen from the top of Cordova Pass

    Trinchera Peak

    Cordova Pass

    Adolesent Mule Deer they just stood and watched me

    his partner in crime

    Spanish Peaks from Cordova Pass

    Looking East from Cordova Pass

    More Hogbacks

    Trinidad Lies below from Cordova pass

    West Spanish Peak

    The Apishapa Arch west side

    The Apishapa Arch east side

    East Spanish Peak near Ludlow

    Purple Mountains Majesty

    Pikes Peak

    The Dark Road Home
    All in all it was 320 on a dirtbike! wow I was so tired when I got home I fell asleep as soon as I got out of my gear

    Full Size
    This map will probably be blank click on it and then refresh. I attached my gps tracks and the path in google earth
  23. HispanicSlammer
    Two New Videos
    I had a Monday free to ride but it was overcast and drizzling rain all over - I spent the day looking into buying a used car. I hate buying cars its stressful and I don't like dealing with salesmen. So when I heard Tuesday was going to be more of the same I vowed to ride no matter what - but where? I thought Rocky Mountain National Park - sure why not, every time I try to go there it rains like hell. Thats what rain gear is for. I woke up at 5am and fooled around a bit on the computer fixing vfrd stuff and then the sun came up with what looked like a slight over cast but the sun was peaking through so I took off for Breckenridge. I intend to ride Hoosier Pass, Loveland Pass, Berthod Pass, and head into Granby to ride RMNP.
    Bright and early I took off up Ute Pass hwy 24 all the way to Wilkerson Pass, by 8:30 I was at the top. The sun was shining and it was cool, even warm in places with no sign of rain.

    Balloons Over Buffalo Peaks

    Collegiate Peaks Of The Continental Divide

    Wilkerson Pass Balloons in the Hartsel Valley

    The Road To Fairplay Mt Democrat looms over all
    I was soon riding through Alma riding behind a number of slow rv's at the posted 25mph speed limit. Alma notoriously has a town marshal that hands out tickets like candy for speeding in thie little town, they come off the pass and he hits them with radar as soon as they hit the city limits. This place likes to call itself the highest town in Colorado, at 10,333' I believe it. Alma is the gateway to Hoosier pass the Continental divide that takes you to Breckenridge from the south side of the divide. Its a nice view at the top and there are some challenging turns on the other side. It is usually raining or cold, or there is gravel in all the turns. The gravel was there but it was nice and warm.

    Alma Below from Hoosier Pass

    Hoosier Pass

    Quandary Peak

    Hoosier Pass

    Red Peak and Red Mountain
    I stopped in Silverthorn and put my camera together to ride up Loveland pass to shoot some video, it was a nice ride to the top but I was alarmed by how many Big rigs were on the pass, it was jammed up with them. They where all over the place going up the pass from the other side of I-70. I can only speculate that they drive up Loveland pass to avoid delays on the Eisenhower Tunnel? I was thinking if I rode a bit too fast and drifted into the other lane I would get plastered!

    Loveland Pass
    A hiker stopped and offered to take my picture. He was pretty cool and I so hung out and talked a bit, there were a lot of people up there hiking the paths. I was thinking you could probably get one good line of skiing at A-Basin if you mapped it out, there was still some snow in the shady side. Then I rode down the nothern side, and headed down I-70 to Empire, where I intended to turn off at Empire, intended to but I missed the turn cause of another big rig obscured my view of the road sign. I thought about turning around but the other side had a long traffic jam bakced up for at least a mile and down to one lane, forget that! So I decided to head over to the Central City Parkway and onto the Peak to Peak Highway. I enjoyed the road to Central City a good deal taking it at a fast pace but then comming into Central City I got caught behind a dump truck, and rode down behind some big RV, the guy pulled off to let us all go by but only after we had already come to the bottom at Blackhawk.
    I headed north on the Peak to Peak and was enjoying the switchbacks near Rollins when I got stopped by the sheriff for speeding - he wasn't letting me off, warning me to stand off the bike keep my hands out of my pockets and not walk around? I guess he was a bit jittery, I can blame him but he could have figured that I did not give him any trouble and I pulled over before he had to go catch me. I did get a ticket 40 in a 35, he cut me a break cause I was going faster than that. I just took it with dignity and did not give him any reason to go hard on me, but I did not give him a strait answer when he asked me why I was going so fast, dodging that one like a politician!! He asked me for my social security number which I thought was uncalled for - what do the police need with that?? Some kind of Homeland Security abuse? Then he asked where I worked, the address and phone number? Why - What for to harrass me at work?? I am going to write a letter to my congressman about this and to the Govenor, I was appalled but I did not make a scene I just complied, you wait this won't go away it only gonna get worse, what do they need with all that information??
    That took 20 minutes out of my day and some woman I passed "legally" on a dotted line stopped honked her horn and wagged her finger at me?? Whatever lady!! Some people think if you pass them your automatically a maniac! I like how Danica Patrick put it - "GET OUT OF THE WAY" now there is one woman I wouldn't mind letting drive she would probably scare the crap out of me! The cop said "what was she honking for - you probably passed her on a double yellow"? What? Now I am guilty by default for passing on a double yellow without so much as a witness? A car honking on the way by doesnt qualify sorry!! I again did not answer that question either, this cop was starting to test my resolve a bit too much, what was next a DNA sample??
    So after that nonsense I was looking for ways to get off the Peak to Peak and its "police" presence, so I decided to head down the Saint Vrain Canyon into Lyons. I wasnt going to let that crap get to me. I think I handled it with poise and did not let him rattle me, I complied with his requests when he asked and asked and asked again for things that where none of his buinsess.
    I was soon riding behind a couple of riders on sport bikes a slow guy and a fast guy. Slow guy waved me by after about 30 seconds and Fast guy took off and I followed, it was getting fun at this point and my jitters after getting my ticket was put away post haste. Fast guy was a pretty good rider, so I followed him, I took a corner hot and scrapped my right boot/foot peg in the turn. This sort of freaked me a bit and I bobbled for a moment but gathered it up and put my feet up higher on the pegs for more clearance and then I put my head down and soon I was right behind Fast guy again. You can see the video shake a bit where I scrapped my boot. The Fast guy - he was hanging off and I could tell he was enjoying it, soon we where stuck behind a Harley Davidson and a Car which slowed things down - so he waved me by to wait for his friend. I waited a bit for a place to go around the Harley and the Car safe, but the Harley passed the car right when I was going to so I had to wait longer. I passed the car and then the Harley waved me by too. I looked in the Mirror and there was fast guy was also around them too. So I resumed the pace but fast guy was not able to hang - or he decided to wait for slow guy I don't know but I was alone after a few more turns. I pulled off in Lyons at some Bar micro brewery Blues club for lunch. I was off the bike and taking off my gear with the two guys rode by waving with thumbs up, I waved back, that was a lot of fun. I decided RMNP was going to be too slow after that rush so I decided to ride up Rist Canyon in Fort Collins, never been there before. It took about an Hour to get there riding along a series of lakes in the foothills.

    Horsetooth Reservoir Above Fort Collins

    vfr on the lake
    Rist Canyon starts at a nice little village called Bellview a nice place - I should have stopped for a picture but I didn't, Rist Canyon was cool, it was getting swept by the DOT. The grass was overgrown and there where a lot of cars in the way. I took my time and passed them one at a time, and headed to the top of the hill, where I saw some bicyclist hoofing it up a steep pass. One guy was stopped at the top waiting for his buddies and I talked with him for a bit, he was too exhausted to say anything more than one word at a time.

    The view from the top of Rist Canyon
    THE VIDEOS
    :media: Saint Vrain Canyon Video - riding down the canyon with a couple of local guys, riding as fast and they wanted to go, music by the Smashing Pumpkins
    :media: Loveland Pass Video - High resolution video more Smashing Pumpkins
    You Tube Versions


    Google Map Link of the route - the map is too large to embed - attached is the gps data
  24. HispanicSlammer
    Gardner Road 52 mile dirt road 10,500 feet up here at the top 3,500 feet down to the bottom of the road
    My Mission
    I wanted to ride all the way to Santa Fe from Colorado Springs on as many dirt roads as I could find. How did I make out? Not too bad actually, as far as solo adventure touring goes. I started out on the first dirt road south to Pueblo its called Meridian road here and when it gets to Pueblo it changes to Overton Road, same damn road two names. Its a 30 mile jaunt strait down to Pueblo from Fountain Colorado. I made short work of it cause it was hot. There is a 40 mph speed limit but I was the only one on it. In Pueblo I gassed up and headed into the Wet mountains over to Buela Colorado where the road goes up and over 19 miles to Lake Isabel, I turned right and headed over to Gardner road (above) this is a 52 mile dirt road that takes you up to the base of Green Horn mountain the highest mountain in the Wet Mountain range and down the other side, its a 3,500 foot decent and its fast and fun if you avoid the deep ditches on the sides and the ruts.

    Pass Creek Pass off in the distance my next assignment
    Once in Gardner Colorado I quickly made my way over to Pass Creek Pass, I had to turn around once cause I made a wrong turn but soon I was at the top, its a nice wide dirt road and easy to go fast on, at the top it connects to La Veta Pass hwy 160, I decided to take the Old La Veta Pass down to La Veta and have lunch there. I stopped and gassed up but my regular lunch stop was closed for a month? So I headed up Cucharas Pass and saw that there was a place in Cuchara that looked like a grill.

    Dog Bar and Grille Wonderful food! Cuchara CO
    Wow the Owner Kenny and his wife run the place, well OK he just serves and she cooks and actually manages the place. I came in and Kenny says "what can I get ya" I said "whats the special"? Another patron shows me his plate and its some kind of turkey meat on a bun with Guacamole and bacon, and homemade wild rice pea soup with carrots and barley. I say " OK I will try that" - OMG was it good!! If your ever in Southern Colorado near Cuchara stop here and eat its worth the trip! I am glad I found it, it is sort of tucked away in the village way back in the back.
    I took off again and found a nice dirt road over to Stone Wall where I crossed the "Highway of Legend's" and headed south again on another dirt road, my GPS said it would take me all the way to Red River?

    Stonewall Colorado

    Torres Ditch Colorado L-R Purgatoire Peak, Vermajo Peak, Red Mountain, Culbrea Peak (14,047')
    The Wall of Death
    Once I got 20 miles south of Stonewall near Torres Ditch the road stops and its gated off with chains? Private Property it says, so I reroute the gps a bit east of there on another dirt road and take off on road 13 east, soon there is a sign that says "something and something ranch - stay out!" Crap not again! There were some folks fixing a fence there so I stopped and ask them what happened to the roads? The maps, they say they go through? On the map anyways. A woman says "oh about 8 years ago you could go through but its all private now you have to go around to Trinidad" Shit!!! 70 miles out of my way for this?? I kept seeing Halliburton trucks pull out onto the highway in front of me - there must be mining or drilling going on back there - thats why the state line is closed off for 40 miles? Well at least its putting some rural folks to work I hope?
    I headed east to Trinidad and over to I-25 but decided to stop at the lake there and eat my orange and have a drink of water. I pulled up on an island peninsula and sit down to enjoy my orange but there is a couple of folks RV'ing on the road next to me, the woman sitting there looking like a typical idiot camper just stares out me the whole time. So I get up and move - mind you I am no where near them at least a good 300 yards away with the lake between us. She is still staring at me. So a shrug my shoulders and yell "WTF are you looking at"? She moves her chair around for a minute but as soon as I got up she was staring at me again? I could hear them talking too "whats he doing now" jebus nosy idiot campers. Mind your own bizatch! I got on the bike and did some slab over I-25 to Raton where I topped up again and filled up my water jugs. It was getting late in the afternoon and I thought about just getting a motel room but decided naw keep pushing on, that private property detour cost me 2 hours.
    I headed up hwy 64 in New Mexico up Cimmaron Canyon and was having a bit of fun on the twisties there, the XR doesn't handle so great with toasted knobbies especially with they way I had it set so soft. There was smoke everywhere from a forest fire in Tres Piedres, seems this place is on fire every time I ride by it, Toas which is near by must be smothered in smoke right about now. Once I crested the mountain and saw the valley at Eagles nest the whole sky was a peach color it was incredible, I wish I had stopped for a pic?

    Cimmaron Canyon NM at Palisades Sil
    The Three hour short cut
    I crossed the valley and headed up to Angel fire where the ski area was - I looked on the map and it showed a dirt road going over to Penasco - a place called Luna Canyon. I had been on the road before camping with my sister I remember it being wide and smooth. Its only an hour if I head strait down to Mora on the paved road. Nope I take the short cut, right off its starts to get narrow, then it climbs the hill, Baby heads everywhere (round rocks shaped like baby heads) they are bumping the hell out of me, then there are jagged rocks and wash outs everywhere its starting to get rather technical. I sit forward on the seat and just ride it out for 12 miles, rocks all the way, I caught and passed two ATV's on the road, I know it must be more of a trail than a road now. And its getting dark, there is livestock on the road too. A big bull and and about 20 cows and calves all standing in the road. I am not so keen on rolling up next to a bull so I rev the bike up and make some noise - nothing maybe a few of them look over at me! So I hit my wimpy horn and its scares them to moving?? What that POS little horn? So I start moving forward honking that wimpy horn till they all run up the hillside and let me by. Now its really dark Ya know twighlight where the headlights dont work but its not quite dark yet, shadows in the trees are impossible to see - so I flip up my visor only to get knats right in my eyes - and I cant see a thing. I decide to pull off and just camp overnight here, just lay in the grass with my stich and my space blanket and sleep here its about 8pm. Which I do for an hour or two but the moon is so bright and its shining right in my eyes. I can see lightning in the distance and thought "oh hell no I am not getting rained on!!"
    I get up off the grass look at the time 10pm and decide to try the decent know, I got a good Baja designs lighting system on the XR we will see. I kicked the bike over and turn on the headlight and low and behold its rather bright, its got a high and low that I can see far and close with. I started heading down the mountain, all baby heads and its dark so I am going like 9 mph all the way down - right about now I am cussing at myself, Mora was only 15 miles more you idiot!! but soon I start seeing a familiar sight, that wide and smooth road I remembered from camping with my sister 5 years ago, so know I am doing 30mph and every so often I can see a camp fire near the creek. That is what I remembered not that nasty ass rock strewn crap 15 miles back? Wow what a nightmare, oh and I fell off too I think I cracked a rib cause it hurts when I lay on my side.
    I guess I should go to the doc and get it checked out, but you know these injuries they have to heal on there own right? $2000 for that? nothing aspirin wont fix! I can move I can breath, I am not bleeding? It just bruised!
    I take paved roads all the way to my sisters place where she is waiting for me at midnight, she smacks me upside the head - "you had me so worried she says" I spent a couple of days hanging out with them and my niece and nephew to play with. We went out to dinner a couple of times and went to Albuquerque too for a day - good times!
    The ride back
    I woke up before everybody showered up and knocked on my sisters door - said "see ya in Colorado Springs", (they were comming up to Colorado now to spend time with us now and visit my other sister) "See ya tonight"! I pretty much retraced my route till Penasco where I headed north to Toas this time, its a twisty road that I was having trouble going fast on, paved by my XR was set way too soft so it was wallowing in the tight turns. Which is fine for the dirt roads I wanted to be on. I got to Taos and decided to gas up there, I pushed on my tires and decided they need some air, but the compressor was out of order (insert dark omen here) so I pressed on, totally bypassing the main town and going around it on a back roads. I thought I would go see what Arroyo Hondo was all about and headed strait north to that place, wow its a huge canyon, I was on a road called Rim drive but it too stopped "private property" I had to go back and head a bit south and around it. I should have taken pictures here too darn!!

    Santa Cruz Recreation Area NM hwy 4 near Cundiyo
    The $300 flat tire
    I got on NM 522 headed for Costilla right on the Colorado Boarder where I planned to peel off and head east on a dirt road and go around to San Luis. But my bike was starting to sqirm under me. I knew I had a flat tire, but I was out in the middle of the desert now, 7 miles to Costilla. I just rode it out till I got to the gas station convience store there. The air pump did not have a hose, they keep it in the store for some reason, I guess sombody stole it once before. I put in my quarters and tried to fill it up but it just went flat instantly - CRAP!! There is nothing there in Costilla just some old houses and a gas station with no services. I got on the phone and called a tow truck to come get me and take me back to Toas - 48 miles back! I should have packed a tube patch kit and a few tires irons but ya know - limited space in the bag and I just hustled off too quickly and did not think about it till it was too late.
    Anthony Navarro
    The tow truck guy shows up an hour later with his toyota and a trailer to come get me, hes a heavy set hispanic dude like me, only a bit rounder. He shakes my hand and says "where is it" I point to it, my bike that is, but he cant see it behind the car and freaks out? "OH NO VATO" - he says "I cant do a car with this"? I walk him over and show him the bike behind the car and he starts laughing big belly laughs! Right off I like the guy. Hes a single father whos been working tow trucks for 10 years, always on call, he wants out. Tony is his name and we start talking for the 48 miles to Taos, he gives me his Philosophy on how to avoid speeding tickets"
    Intruduce yourself in a freindly manner
    Shut up and let the cop do all the talking
    Dont admit anything
    Smile and be freindly
    Dont challenge the cop
    Tony says he gets pulled over all the time but always gets away with a warning. Then he started to sell me on his home buisness which pretty much ended the conversation! Sorry Tony not interested! He pulles to the back of the motorcycle dealership and rings me up $200 for 48 miles - JEBUS this is getting costly! I pay it and thank him for comming so quickly! Then at Taos Cycle works I get an earful from some tech who says we are not supposed to be in the back move the tow truck, already I am worried , with service like this? Jebus what am I in for? So I says " I got a flat dude! Shut up and help me unload this bike" which he does - "crotchety" cancels out "cranky" I was having a bad day and taking no shit!
    I walk into the show room and up to the service counter and right away there is a guy there with another flat he brought in complaining about the price, he brought in just why was it so much when the other dealer was only $8?? OH no I am getting screwed looks like right about know. I see on the wall $69 an hour for labor, time and half for emegency repairs no appointment? AW jeeZ!! This shits gonna cost me $150!?! I waited in the lobby looking at ATVS reading magazines for another hour. And I get the call, its done! $89 bucks - well its better than $150 but jeez thats a screw job!! I pay it and get back on the road! Then I hear them talking about changing prices on tires to a flat rate of $15 if you bring it in yourself? I started cussing myself for not finding another air compessor earlier in the day! Oh well what can I do?
    I go back up the road AGAIN for the 3rd time and turn off at Costilla and find a dirt road into Colorado I like, its wide and very fast, 70mph time!

    Ventero Creek near San Luis Colorado

    Sangre De Christo Mountain Range Same mountains as Stonewall - on the other side

    Looking back towards Toas
    I get back on the paved road at San Luis and head for Fort Garland to gas up and put oil on the bike, she burns a bit of oil so I have to keep tabs on it at all times. I guess its common with the XR650r? I was soon heading up La Veta pass with a very dark onimous cloud ahead I was watching it the whole way from San Luis it looked nasty. Yep it started raining huge drops that hurt like hell when they hit, then it started just pouring and it was beating the living crap out of me. I was screaming "come on stop this shit" I was really having a bad day now, I was going to go back over Pass Creek pass again but F'that I just wanted out of this rain from hell!

    Welts all over my arms and chest I dont know maybe it was hail too?
    I have been caught in rain and hail before on the vfr but this just beat the crap out of me! I was wishing I was in a car at this point! Or just home by now! I decided to do some more dirt roads once I got clear of the storm and headed north on hwy 520 from Lavita to Badito CO. I have been on this road before its about 20 miles long.

    Storm over La Veta Pass taken from co-520

    Chavez Arroyo Co Road 520

    Spanish Peaks south on co-520
    I had to get on I-25 for a bit till I got to Apache City where I found another dirt road which took me a back way into Colorado City. Gas station and a drink there! I routed the Gps to a place called Burnt mill hoping for a good back road to Pueblo and sure enough it payed off, nice long 30 mile dirt road all the way to Pueblo, It was all back country canyons and farm land out there, very nice, almost worth the beating I took on La Veta Pass vs going back over Gardner road again. The front range has some good roads too! Once in Pueblo I just snaked through town back to Overton road right as the sun started to go down over Pikes Peak! What a nightmare - I mean adventure flat tires, $$$$, a beating, welts and a bruised rib to take home for war stories!!

    Sunset in Pueblo CO taken on Overton Road

    Colorado Map

    New Mexico Map
    GPS Tally
    Miles 812.3
    moving avg 44.8
    max speed 82.8
    overall avg 34.1
    stopped time 5:41
    Map Files
    Mapsource tracks
    Streets and trips file
  25. HispanicSlammer
    Veefalo on hwy 9
    I needed a much deserved ride Monday, and solo so no deciding, or waiting, or compromising just how I wanted to ride. I wanted to just go and go and go all day. So I got up, put on my leathers and headed for this secret road my friend Sfarson took the fast group on during the summer summit. I suppose its no longer a secret but in fact a part of the vfrd lore now that its been an official "summer summit route" but I don't care its a Colorado Paved road I haven't ridden yet so I needed to remedy that.
    I set the radar detector to highway and turned up the volume, added some new mp3 tracks of Sarah McLachlan newest album and turned it down for background music. I love the zumo its so nice to have a listen to music while you track your routes. I got about have way through the album after the first hour and thought well shes put out better music before this! Well it also took a good hour to get past all the usual hwy 24 traffic too, my route would take me up Hoosier Pass, into Breckenridge - past Dillion where the summer summit was and over to Kremmling. I would gas up there a second time since my first fill up along Ute Pass. I was trying a couple of new things this ride, new bike, new HD contour camera, new soft daily contacts, and newly fixed seat!

    Fix for my sore butt scoop out a bucket
    I haven't been too happy with the seat as of late since its pinching off blood flow to my legs and I am getting sore after 100 miles now, so I took a sander to it and scooped out some foam to make a more bucket like shape out of it, then stapled the vinyl seat cover back on. This was the test run to see if I can hack it all the way to Oregon next month, it don't look so pretty anymore but I am happy to say it feels better.

    Pikes Peak from the gas station on Ute Pass
    I gassed up like I mentioned at the Kum and Go station in Kremmling and there were all kinds of bikes out, mostly HD cruisers but a few Beemers too the Veefalo turned a few heads, you can tell who the motorcyclists are! They do double takes when they see it. My recently installed headlight modulator might contribute to that as well. My contact fell out so I stopped into a restaurant called the Moose Lodge to get it back in and felt like I needed to sit down and patronize the place for using their bathroom. I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu since well I am pretty much broke at the moment with only $30 bucks in my pocket, so the special said Grilled cheese - Tortilla soup - Desert $5! Yea that sounds about right! The whole thing was cheap and good very good, cant go wrong with grilled cheese! The soup was good too, and the apple pie hit the spot. Two sisters worked the place like a well oiled machine, one would pick up where the other left off and they teamed up on the lunch crowd like a couple of seasoned pros. It was definitely a local hangout and well that suits me since I cant stand yuppie tourist traps! Good price, good food, great service and well what more could you ask for? Pretty too they were both very pretty!
    So I strapped my new HD camera too my helmet and rode up Gore Pass a couple of times, up and down and of course first time I had the camera pointed too low. So I wont add that to the video stock, this thing makes quick time HD mov files, so I had to figure out how to edit those, so I used the Sony Vegas software I bought a few months back and it worked great. I have to figure out how to upload them here but in the mean time - above is the best one of the day hosted by vimeo. No its not the secret road ~ It was shot late in the day about 3/4 of the way home of my 500 mile ride, I like it best cause it was great hardly any traffic at all and the cars I did have to pass were all lined up in the passing zones with no oncoming traffic it was so nice! I got lucky on that run.

    http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/videos/491/bearcreek.mp4
    Back to the story, I found this road 21mile road its called at Oak Creek Colorado and it heads north west from there up and over a mountain in a nice tight windy road up and down a few mountains, I can see why Steve was reluctant to share it, its sweet! Then it head into more open rolling hills where its like a race track, long straits and sharp to tight sweepers, you can definitely get in trouble speeding on that thing! It took a good half and hour to do it since I stopped to film some of it, and messed that up too. Had it on but did not set it to record properly, This thing needs some getting used too.
    I soon was on hwy 40 and in Steamboat Springs, the furthest away from home I would get on this ride, and pace up Rabbit Ears Pass at 80mph cruising speeds, the veefalo she likes sweepers but these are bit too easy to really be fun with all the traffic, coming down off the pass I chased a sporty Audi 2 seater and the driver made like he wanted to go! So I followed him, hes radar detector kept setting mine off so I was a bit paranoid at first about the radar blips, so I turned it down for the duration. Darned cheap RDetectors set mine off! Anyway he held me off for a good 5 miles and I had fun, till he got behind a row of cars and so I passed the whole bunch at a clip, he did not follow. Back in Kremmling I headed again down hwy 9 to Dillion, where I rode past this l lake I have seen a good number of times, Green mountain reservoir. Its very pretty and I have always thought I should stop and take a picture so I did!

    Green Mountain Reservoir

    Green Mountain Reservoir panoramic
    I did not stop much this trip for pictures, these are about it for pics, but I took all sorts of video. I did one going up and over Loveland pass I will upload next, vimeo only allows one hd upload a week for my account unless I upgrade, that will be next. I ended up catching a pickup truck on the way up and most of the way down the driver was going rather quick, too quick for me to make a safe pass on the top curves, not enough room or long enough sight line for me to attempt it. After watching him go completely over to the oncoming lane passing him would be on the top of my list, no talent driver - doing stupid stuff crossing the double yellow cause he was over cooking the turns not too skilled!
    I did get past him though! HEH

    http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/videos/491/lovelandpass.mp4
    500 miles and some good turns along the way - here is the map

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