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Every year for the last 9 years Reddog and I have done a run across the state of Colorado for an all day 500 plus mile ride. Usually its a ride to the Black Canyon and Back and its always right around fathers day - he gets a kitchen pass every year to go. This year was no exception, I invited a few other riders but life got in the way and it was just Bill and I again this time. We had to make a decision since half of the state of Colorado is currently engulfed in smoke from wildfires we had to figure out how we were going to do this. This year we had to avoid the smoke from the Springer fire that was burning on the backside of 11 Mile Canyon so we just headed up hwy 24 and avoided the closed roads and all the smoke we could then looped over to Pagosa Springs and did the loop clockwise. I recently bought a set of blue tooth Sena communicators and well Bill wasn't too interested at first but warmed up to it after a 100 miles in and decided to give them a try. I bought a set so we clamped the thing on when we got to Gunnison and boom we were talking and riding and they performed very well, I had mine on the whole ride 11 hours and it worked great! I listened to music, spoke to Bill and pointed out road hazards when I lead and he the same, wow its so much easier to figure out whats going on when you can just push a button and start talking about what is going on! I dont think we ran into a cop anywhere we usually expect them, and the ones we did see were marked well ahead by our two radar detectors, I could actually hear his detector go off since he has a speaker in his helmet so I could watch my flashing indicator and hear his. I have yet to figure out how to get the sound of my TPX radar to work with the Sena? Maybe somebody reading this has already solved that problem and can pass along the secret? His radar kept giving false laser signals every time the sun was behind us, we figured it was probably the sun reflecting in his rear view mirror and the way he had it mounted on his tank? Bill was getting annoyed with it not sure if he figured it out yet? Sena sells a bluetooth adaptor for inputs signals but its a bit pricy, I might have to go that route for the radar but I think I will wait a bit first. As you can see from the pictures Bill was riding his 09 FZ1 and not his VTEC, he said he needs new clutch plates for the vfr before he can ride it, it was sort of an enigmatic ride on the FZ1 this time riding roads he is not as used too so he couldn't get his body position right for some of the tight sweepers we were riding, the wider bars and more upright position was giving him fits and he was inadvertently making steering inputs on the bars and making some turns unstable due to being in an uncomfortable position he said, we usually take the Canyon about 10 mph faster in some of the turns - well I charged a few corners too hot myself but all in all we always take it easy in the straits around 70-80mph and just dont slow down for the turns so its challenging but not a brake fest, just a pace type of ride - this road hwy 92 will bite you in the ass if you dont show a little respect, its a long way down to the bottom! Bills FZ1 gets about the same gas range as the veefalo so we both tried to fill up at the bottom of Monarch Pass - but the gas pump was filling up so slow I barely got a gallon after 10 min, we gave up on it and decided to ride over to Gunnison and fill up there and get something to drink. There was a group of HD riders from Texas filling up also that we had passed and they pulled in after we had settled in a bit and I went over and talked to them, headed to the 4corners area they were in for a treat riding the Million Dollar highway -none of them had ever been on it before so I am sure they were about to be very pleased with their day! It wasnt much longer we finally turned off onto hwy 92 and were on the Blue Mesa the Gunnison river below flowing into the Black Canyon, I love this road and was hoping that the chip seal they did last summer held up over the winter, it had indeed and was grippy and very good, a few spots I already knew about where the road had buckled from frost heave was still there and with the communicators I was able to point it out to Bill before we got there, so yea the Sena was great for that too. We had a safe but fun pace up the Canyon. I took video from the Damn up to about 3/4 of the way of the road to Hermit Point, cutting out the strait and boring parts. Then it was a hot and fast ride to Paonia for some lunch and then we headed up McClure pass past the Paonia Lake area for some more video, this time we attached it to Bills bike but it shook like a leaf on a tree and the video card came out about 5 min into it and we missed the fast parts. There are some sweepers right after the lake that the veefalo just eats up, 60, 70, 90mph the bike just keeps creeping up in speed and eating up those tasty sweepers - many of my friends consider it thier favorite part of the ride, I sure as hell love that part all the way to the top of McClure pass on hwy 133. Too bad when it ends there is a mob of traffic and slab all they way from Carbondale to Aspen. Lunch was pretty good in Paonia, just a mom and pop joint and a burger very tasty and great service, seems the only resturant in town and everybody including the town chief of police was there, it was funny a kid in a souped up ricer car was reving up his engine outside and the Chief got up out of his booth and went out and yelled at him BY NAME. Small town no doubt! The dude must have been 6 foot 8 and probably pushing 300lbs - Big dude I wouldnt test him! Riding over to Aspen was tourture, it was hot and the traffic was thick, in town it was the worst, but we did see a few Aspen hotties on sidewalk, the scenery is great in Aspen in every aspect. Then we rode up Independence pass and got held up by a soldier in a Subaru who absolutely refused to use any number of the pulloffs as he drove just barely above the speed limit, the pass is very narrow and tight and lots of traffic coming down the other way so we just waited till the first opportunity, I was trying not to be disrespectful of the cagers all day but this guy was just not budging - first time we saw dotted line the RPMs maxed out and we were gone. Then was stopped at the top for a few shots and then back down we got in front of a VW golf what was not doing so bad following us, he would catch up on the super tight 10mph hairpins that drop off the side of the mountain and then we would be gone till the next one and finally he gave up chasing us down the mountain. It was actually very fun ride down this time, the bumps were smoother and they repaved some of the worst parts, the chip seal was in good shape on the Aspen side it was actually a fun ride over the pass. I cant complain other than the slab into Aspen it was a great ride all day long! We stopped one last time in Buena Vista for gas and I talked to a couple from Arizona riding together him on a KTM 990 and her on a Monster 650 they both seemed to be good riders. Must be nice to have a wife who can not only ride but keep up with you in the twisties! Super fun time - for those of you coming to the Summer Summit in August I can say that the Black Canyon is back up to standards!

Colorado 2015 Seven guys, seven states, three ferries, cold & hot, wet & dry, sea level to 14,000 feet and back, in 13 days and 6300 km. The late June afternoon view of the valley below and Chalk Mountain in the distance was quite lovely. Perhaps the biggest flat-topped mountain in the world, Grand Mesa is nearly 2 miles above sea level. Less dramatic than at Colorado National Monument this morning, but elevation and a high overcast tempered the fierce summer sun. It was a perfect day, I thought while stowing my camera. Until I discovered my 2009 VFR800’s battery had died. In 20 years of bikes trips I’ve never had a mechanical, not even had a flat tire - knock on wood. Sure, I’ve run out of gas a couple of times. But that’s an own-goal and not a fault of the bike. Tried bump-starting worked - woohoo!, the VFR fired up. But with a duff battery for how long? - it was 70 km to Delta. I worried it would die at any moment but rolled into our motel an hour later. The battery measured12.0 vdc engine off, 12.8 at 5k rpm. At 6 years old it became the prime suspect. A local independent shop, Fast Repair, had a battery and owner Allen stayed open till I arrived - after another bump start. Two of the stator coils at 45 vac but third only ~16. Both new and original batteries were put on charge overnight. Was it the battery, reg/rec, or stator? Hmm, troubleshooting is trickier a thousand miles from home. Next morning we fitted the new battery and wrapped the old in a cloth & zip lock bag as a backup. I pulled the headlight fuse and disconnected the wiring for my heated grips and e-vest. If my VFR gave any more trouble I’d rent a truck and haul it home. By 9 am we were heading for Colorado Springs. Day 1 Six days earlier we’d met at the Coho ferry terminal at 5 am(!) bound for Port Angeles, Wa. for a 2 week trip to Colorado. Later in the morning another ferry took us across Puget Sound to Seattle, and the freeway to Pendleton, Ore. Thankfully, it’ll be the last freeway for at least a week. A tasty dinner was had at Prodigal Son pub. Day2 SR-204 and SR-82 were nice back roads through farm & forest on the way to breakfast at the Red Rooster in Enterprise, Ore. Wallowa Mtn road is a narrow, bumpy ride through forest with 15 miles of gravel at the south end. And most of us missed the spur to the overlook of Hell’s Canyon. So, all in all, not worth the effort. SR-71 was good fun before heading up US-95 to McCall, a resort town on the shore of Payette Lake for the night. Dinner on McCall Brewing Company’s upstairs deck was enhanced with a view of the sun setting over the lake. Day 3 A cool morning ride down SR-55 along the east side of Lake Cascade, then on SR-55 to Lowman. This was the twistiest road of the trip and there was no traffic - great fun. At Lowman we regrouped before breakfast near Stanley, Id., at Elk River Lodge - a great spot for a meal. Stanley is set in a very pretty valley along the Salmon River with views of the Sawtooth Range to the west. It didn’t fit this year’s plan so we opted for Salmon, Id. Bertram’s Brewery was a short walk from the motel, with great food and good selection of beer. And the finals of the US Open on telly. Day 4 It was 250 km down the road in Rexburg before we could find a meal. The terrain en route reminds me of Nevada; a broad sage-covered valley with mostly straight road. By Rexburg it became low rolling farmland, and nearing Teutonia on SR-33 we caught our first glimpse of the Teton Mountains. High prices killed plans to overnight in Jackson, so the Three Rivers Inn at Alpine Junction substituted. Construction and heavy truck traffic over Teton Pass was unfortunate. Day 5 Cool temps under hi thin overcast on our way down US-89 and over Geneva Summit before breakfast in Montpelier, Id. En route a handful of antelope decided to test our braking skills so keep your eyes peeled and stay safe out there. US-30 to Diamondville, Wy., for fuel and a water break. Flaming Gorge has red rock vistas so common to this area of the USA and unfamiliar to me that make it seem exotic. Nearing Vernal, the temperature jumped up to the mid-30’s ℃, or mid-90’s ℉. Warm, but the dry near-desert air kept it bearable. The rest of the trip we’d see similar afternoon temperatures. Vernal Brewing Company was our choice for dinner, as it was for many other folk. Thankfully, it was worth the wait. Day 6 From Rangely, Colo., SR-139 is a surprisingly entertaining ride through low farmlands and over Douglas Pass before descending to Grand Junction. Colorado National Monument was another pleasant surprise, like a scale version of Canyonlands NP in Utah. Some of us are a little nervous about the loong drops. Our two hours or so wasn’t enough but Colorado is a big state and we had more ground to cover. A couple guys headed straight to Delta, the rest of us took the side trip over Grand Mesa. Dinner in Delta was one of the few bad choices and is best forgotten. Day 7 SR-133 to Carbondale is a lovely rural highway, scenic but not dramatic, curvy but not tight. Hickory House in Aspen, Colo., is a ribs joint with a pretty varied menu. Atop Independence Pass the brilliant sunshine kept us warm despite the 12,000 foot elevation, as we enjoyed the fantastic alpine vista. But walk slowly or you’ll soon find yourself panting. One photo recreated a shot I took on my first visit back in 1996. The western approach is narrower and tighter, the eastern side has I think better views. After Twin Lakes we turned east on US-24 bound for Colorado Springs. Crossing Wilkerson Pass we caught a heavy rain shower, but it barely dampened my jeans. Day 8 The Pikes Peak Hill Climb was scheduled for Sunday, but on Friday morning we could ride up after the practice session ended ~9 am. Unfortunately there was heavy stop & go traffic for the last 15 miles to the summit, not fun on the tight switchbacks. The wx cooperated and only near the top was it get socked in, and then only to the northeast view. The air at 14,000 feet tasted pretty thin but no worse than on Independence Pass. Spending the past week above one mile elevation must have helped. iPhone panoramas are handy but sometimes give queer results - zoom in on #76 ;-P Downtown Colorado Springs hosted a Fanfest in celebration of the race. Lots of competitors as well as a chil cook-off (cheap dinner), but no vendors that I saw. And it was within walking distance from our motel. Btw, this was the furthest south and east for the trip. Day 9 Little traffic and a mild, sunny morning on ride up SR-67, SR-126, SR-73, SR-74, and CR-65, to Idaho Springs. Breakfast at Wildfire in Idaho Springs then a short stint on I-70 before taking US-40. Berthaud Pass was good fun despite being a 3-4 lane highway. Coffee break at Kremmling, Colo. We stayed on on US-40 the rest of the day. Another thunder shower on Rabbit Ears Pass, then a great view of Lake Catamount descending into Steamboat Springs. Another timeout for an iced coffee to beat the heat. As with Jackson, Steamboat Springs was pricey and busy so we opted to stay just down the road in Craig. Two thumbs up to the Castle Ranch Steakhouse at the Clarion. Day 10 For 3+ days and 1,000 km the VFR ran well, but the battery died again early Sunday. Bump started the VFR again and at the next fuel stop in Rawlins, Wy., I swapped in the original (recharged) battery. Lunch at the Split Rock Cafe in Jeffrey City, Wy., was … interesting. The temperature hit at 35 ℃ later while riding through Wind River Canyon. Maybe an hour after checking into our motel in Thermopolis a massive thunderstorm roared in, first the wind then heavy rain. Starting early has benefits. Day 11 Cooke City, Mt., was our first stop. Fuel first, then a leisurely breakfast at the Prospector Restaurant. Lots of photos on SR-296, Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. It was one of the best roads of the ride, or would have been had the western slope not been under construction. Very little traffic though. We scratched Beartooth Pass, opting for a shorter ride through Yellowstone NP to Bozeman. Too bad ‘cause it was a lovely day. The northeast part of Yellowstone is typically the least travelled and we practically had the road to ourselves - other than for the bison that is. No photos because if I don’t mess with them and they might not mess with me. Final break was under the trees at Mammoth Hot Springs visitor centre, then on to Bozeman, Mt. After checking into the motel I bought a battery charger and a small digital multimeter from a local auto parts store so I’ll start tomorrow with a fresh battery. Day 12 SR-84, SR-287, snd SR-41, took us past Norris and Virginia City to breakfast at Dillon, Mt. Some great vistas along the way, too. SR-287 over Big Hole Pass is more flowing than twisty, with a lovely view of the valley below. Then SR-43 to US-93 at Chief Joseph Pass. US-93 was ok for the first few miles then became forgettable into Missoula. Our early starts mean ending the day by mid-afternoon, a big bonus with the high temperatures. And it gave me time recharge both batteries overnight. Dinner next door at Mackenzie River Pizza was another good choice. Day 13 Our earliest getaway yet for the longest leg, we were on the road by 6 am. Last night we decided on a more direct route tomorrow to Winthrop, Wa. I-90 made for a quick ride to Spokane, with only a quick gas & coffee stop in Coeur d’Alene. Then onto US-2 through the rolling farmland to Davenport, and a relaxing coffee. On the way to Grand Coulee I got separated from the others after some photo stops and ended up solo for the rest of the day. SR-155 climbs into the cool forest before hotting up nearing Omak. Then onto SR-20 and on to Winthrop, a small, western-themed town that relies on tourism. We had our only Mexican dinner of the trip at Carlos 1880 - may I recommend the grilled salmon fajitas? Day 14 Breakfast at Three Finger Jacks before leaving. No reason to hurry as it is the shortest leg of the journey, giving us plenty of time to get to the ferry at Anacortes. More photos of the Liberty Bell formation on Washington Pass, and then at Ross Lake. I caught up to the guys at Nehalem. At Anacortes we had time to unwind over coffee at Starbucks, then time for the boat. The 2 hour ferry ride had us back home by dinnertime.