Colorado Riders Thread

[Valkorado]

   Thanks for the laffs, and the ride along.  Sounds like an epic ride right there.  We've ridden over the pass just to eat Quincy's filet mignon!

[Disco]

Sounds like a great time.  I recognize a number of those waypoints.  Makes me smile.  Thanks!   

[MarkT]

Sounds like a great ride - and a dedicated quest for PIE!  I know all those roads - except the ones into WY.  Been wanting to get up there and explore them from North Park north. Well maybe another time.  Been having a lot of catch-up lately after Inzane.  Good point about the 4 borders ride in a year.  Didn't even think about that.  But I'm not interested in the left coast.  Too many liberals and not enough reciprocity.  And North - no reciprocity there either.  Last time I checked at a pawn shop.

[Tailgate Tommy]

Great story! Sounds like you guys had a great ride -even if it was without me 
I kinda like the "earned" nickname And it is a hilarious story!!
Tom

[Tailgate Tommy]

So you all understand Damon's Tailgate Tommy comment above.

Story is here: The Tale of Tailgate Tommy (aka tkylli) at InZane 16
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,88397.0.html

[F6CTrider]

 
My anticipated knee surgery has been confirmed for mid August. I have no guarantees so I will have to pass on the ride.
If things go better than expected I may hook up for a leg or two of the trip.   

[Valk-Obsessed]

This is kinda unrelated to the most recent discussions, but had a couple of questions for the local folks here...

I'm going to be changing my rear tire soon, and was going to tackle the rear end service while I'm at it.
For those of you in the more or less Denver Front Range area, do local dealers like Fay Meyers or Sun, generally have the O rings and such in stock, or should I just order the parts online?
Also what are you guys using for Moly paste and grease?  Good place to get that? 
Bike has around 57k on it, do you suppose I need to replace the dampers as well?

Thanks for your input!

[Misfit]

Your o rings are more than likely ok but won't hurt to Change them. I buy mine online. I use Bellray Waterproof grease for everything from the output shaft back. 

[Valkorado]

This is kinda unrelated to the most recent discussions, but had a couple of questions for the local folks here...

I'm going to be changing my rear tire soon, and was going to tackle the rear end service while I'm at it.
For those of you in the more or less Denver Front Range area, do local dealers like Fay Meyers or Sun, generally have the O rings and such in stock, or should I just order the parts online?
Also what are you guys using for Moly paste and grease?  Good place to get that? 
Bike has around 57k on it, do you suppose I need to replace the dampers as well?

Thanks for your input!

This is the best deal I've found for final drive o-rings.
http://www.carolinabikeandtrike.com/ORings.htm

[BeastMaster]

Heading to Leadville Saturday for lunch.  At this point, it's 24 there and back.  Anyone looking for something to do is welcome .  I'll be at King Sooper at briargate parkway and union ~0845.  Kickstands up at 9.

[DenverDave]

I doubt any of the local dealers would stock the o-rings, +1 on Carolina trike & bike o-rings

The dampers are probably fine, unless you are a "while I'm in there I might as well replace them" kind of guy, then you should order a set of dampers.

The dampers usually just wear out slowly and add some slop to the drive train, the new ones will fit nice and tight.

You should check your rear brake pads and order a set of pads, if needed. Also plan on flushing the brake fluid.

Call if you need help

Dave

[Valk-Obsessed]

Rear brakes were checked and fluid changed last weekend...good to go there.  Carolina looks like the place.  Guess Ill see how the dampers look...I'm a if it aint broke, dont mess with it guy!

[MarkT]

Chris,  just a headsup if you don't already know this.  Aurora Honda is the place to go for honest service etc.  Their mechanics know what they are doing, not some greasy teenagers w/o a clue.  It's a family-owned shop, straight up no BS.  I've been their customer since 97, have bought 3 new bikes, one used, and a tractor there.  If I need dealer service they get it.  My wing is there right now. Just off I-225 at the Alameda exit, going S make 2 rights onto Potomac you'll see the sign.  A couple blocks S of the Firing Line gun shop.

[DarkSideR]

Gentlemen,

I would like to invite you on a ride I am taking this coming Thursday (July 14th) with some local Pueblo guys. They did the last Pikes Peak or Bust ride with us.

We will be leaving from Pueblo Thursday morning, and heading up towards Vail for lunch. A nice long ride to get out of the heat and traffic of the front range. Let me know if you are interested in going and I will pass along the details.

[Misfit]

2nd annual Darby Hagger The Horrible ride and loging info.
For those north of me or near here we will be rolling from my place at 8:00 am Saturday September 3rd. We will meet Mark/June and anyone else riding 285 or 50 in Poncha Springs around 10:00-10:30. Roll out from there and hook up with Seth at the park and he will lead us to lunch. From there Seth will lead us through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and through Crawford into Montrose. We will be staying at the Country Lodge. Their number is 970-249-4567 call now to reserve your room. They will fill up because of the holiday weekend. Don't wait. I was not able to get the price down because of the Holiday and the fact that we are only there for one night. There is a three bedroom cabin there that is a cheap route if some of you want to share that. It has a full kitchen and a nice living area also. Some that took this ride four years ago stayed there and liked it. When you call mention the VRCC and they are expecting us and can keep the rooms closer together. From there Seth will lead us to Creede over the Million Dollar Hiway to stay at the Snowshoe Inn. This is another great mom and pop with clean rooms and a homemade breakfast. Those that rode four years ago will remember how nice these folks are. There number is 719-658-2315 again don't procrastinate. These rooms are going to fill up. From there will will head back to Gunnison for a brief farewell to Seth/Cheryl and back over Monarch Pass. Hopefully the BBQ place in Gunny is open this trip. I've heard good things about it. The Horsefly in Montrose has some good chow also. If you could reply to this thread with intensions of making this trip we could get an idea of who's going and if some want to split a room. This is always a good ride and I look forward to riding and honoring a Good Good man. RIP my friend. 

Bump

[GREENDRAGON]

Rooms booked.

[Misfit]

I think rooms at the Snowshoe in Creede are getting scarce. If you are on the fence you had better jump. 

[Tailgate Tommy]

Rooms booked.

 

[suzirider]

Ok, Misfit. Kitchen pass approved and lodging booked. See you on the 3rd.

[Misfit]

All right Bob! Do you remember how to get to my place? 

[Misfit]

I believe that there are only two rooms left at the snowshoe in Creede. Riders that are booked that I know of.
Me
McKenna
Chase
Jamie
Tailgate Tommy
Ron (Won)
JP
Butch
Phil
Josh
Mark
June
Seth
Cheryl
Dick
Cory
Cory's friend
George
Dacia
Bob
Dean
Mike

Maybe's are
Brewer
Mike and Tracy
Come on Dave, Mike, and Tracy. Book the last two rooms and come have some fun. 

[Valkorado]

That list is worthy of a big Woo-hoo!     baird4444 may ride along for a leg or two, he's based in Montrose.  They're currently on an epic book release ride (his wife Jeri just published her first).

[MarkT]

If y'all don't mind, I'm thinking some motel parkin lot Markaritas might be a nice evening wrap-up once or twice. Gonna hafta be with Patron, can't go back to Hornitos anymore...

"How ya gonna keep em down on the farm, after they've seen Paree..."

I might hafta find another trailer to haul stuff; the Timeout camper is just too heavy.  But then if I don't use the internal storage for camping gear; not so heavy and it does have electric brakes now...



Naaa.  I can get by with the bike luggage.

[Valkorado]

... with Cheryl down to my birth state of New Mexico, specifically to the Enchanted Circle area. Spent a few nights in Eagle Nest, a beautiful and quiet lakeside town.  Here's the view from just behind our motel cabin.



Eagle Nest has a year 'round population of less than 300 people, but it seems many Oklahoma and Texas retirees have found a heckuva nice summer roost there. We spent some time hanging out and chatting with the locals.  This guy resembled me a bit, I'll look  just like him after another 100,000 miles or so of road haggard.



If you're looking to relax Eagle Nest is a good place to go. There is also some pretty darned good riding there.  I really enjoyed the twisty little canyon between Eagle Nest and Cimmarron.  Had some good fun playing with (what I'm guessing was) a local HD rider who came out of nowhere and blew by us on a double, pipes saving lives and doing waaaaay over the limit.  I anted in and played, and Big Bertha pushed him harder than he planned or hoped to go all the way back into the (screaming) Eagle's Nest.  He pulled to the side and I smiled and waved at him, but he just looked plain frustrated and peeved.  Bad attitude!

The next day we went to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire.



https://www.vietnamveteransmemorial.org/
Make sure to take the virtual tour of the memorial on this website.

That was a really poignant experience.  The grounds are well kept and beautiful,





and the memorial museum is nothing short of incredible.  There are so many artifacts -- photos, uniforms, videos, challenge coins, weapons, day to day items, toiletries and necessities -- you name it.  We spent over an hour there, and I could have easily tripled that.  Oh, yeah.  THANK YOU, VETERANS!!!

Had some good chow.  I forgot to photograph the tasty green chili burrito I wolfed down in this old whorehouse turned modern restaurant



right on the motel grounds.  Got a tour of the upstairs "business" area from the owner's grandson.  Some of the rooms had sinks in the corner.  The original, peeling wallpaper still adorned the walls.  Rumor has it the madam still haunts the place, and she even once chucked a rolling pin at our tour guide's grandma and an employee.  

This BBQ place

http://www.hailsholysmokedbbq.com/

was lip smacking good. We met the owners, nice folks.  They came out to look over the bike and we chatted a bit.  I don't think he'd seen a Valkyrie before, and it sure made him grin.  He rides a Suzuki (Intruder, I think he said) and his brother has a Honda chopper.  We were eating light, Cheryl had a salad and I enjoyed a smoked turkey sammich.  



Well they stacked the meat high on that sammich, and the homemade sauce was sweet and good!  We brought a slice of pecan pie back to the motel, and enjoyed the hell out of it!



All in all  'twas a fun trip, Bertha ran like a champion and inspired comments from strangers at nearly every stop.  Met a guy from Texas at a convenience store in Saguache who said he also had a 99 Valkyrie.  I asked if he was in the VRCC, but he said he wasn't and didn't sound interested in the club.  To each is own, at least he has good taste in bikes!

[Misfit]

Glad you had fun. Those are the same places that a group of CO riders went to last fall. 

[MarkT]

Good report Seth.  Have to add that to my rides bucket list.

Took George out for his shakedown ride finally, today.  Was only gonna go for a shorty jaunt over to Sedalia & back, not knowing if George has any issues.  Also he's not really a miler, more like a boulevard aka "bar bike".  But he was running so well, and was more comfy than expected, that we detoured down to Palmer Lake to a fav restaurant The Depot - has a nice 2nd floor balcony with Perry Park rd right below it - always lots of bikes go by on a nice day.





George is running great, SCARY FAST.  Pretty sure he's in the ten second league.  Was just an easy cruise for us, but several times I got on it, and w/o using the clutch he lofted the front wheel!  I was surprisingly comfy even topless - gonna leave the flyscreen off.  Seems to break up the air stream better than I expected even without.  Sure would like to have a Brakeaway on it though. Might do that, just because the carpal tunnel is pretty bad.

Oh BTW, I got lots of thumbs-up nearly everywhere.  Like that!

[Jess from VA]

That is a very cool bike Mark.      

The Magna is nice too. 

[Tailgate Tommy]

Nice! You guys have all the fun!

[Valkorado]

Cool bike, Mark.  I doubt you'll get many (intelligent) challengers when riding George!
 
I found this video about the haunted brothel in Eagle Nest, NM.  Hard to believe it was operational until 1971.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mC_Z-pGJ0rs

[baird4444]

sounds like a good place, will have to check it out.
It was great that you could get together with and
have pictures with your older brother....

[MarkT]

Any day rides planned for the front range this weekend?

[Misfit]

Dean and I are meeting Dick in Woodland Park at 7:30 Saturday morning. All are welcome to come but this won't be a social ride. Dean rarely gets to ride with us on the weekends because of church on Sunday and meetings on Saturday. He wants to ride some roads that he hasn't seen before. The rub is, he has a meeting at four Saturday afternoon. In order to get him down some new roads and back by four we will be rolling. Gas and go for one fuel stop. Maybe skip lunch, not sure. I know it's not the ideal day ride, but it's not going to be easy to get 300 miles of mountain riding in with our short time frame and still be able to stop and hang out at a restaurant or an overlook or so on. Route will be from WP to Pine Junction. South on 285 to Grant, over Guenella Pass to G Town. East to Idaho Springs, then south to Mount Evans. Back down and south to Evergreen, and over to Morrison. C470 to 85 into Sedalia. Drop Dick there and on to Palmer Lake. Then 105 and 83 back to c/s. Chase May or may not go. Too early for Ron. Anyone else interested?  Saturday before last Dick and I took a last minute ride over Independance Pass, north to Carbondale, then back south to Hotchkiss. Through the Black cannon into Gunnison. Over Monarch to Salida and then down to Florence for some prime rib at Quincy's. From there Dick went back to 9 and I took 115 home. That was a 500 mile mountain road day. Only stopped twice that I remember other than Quincy's. Looks like the next relaxed ride for me may be the Darby ride. After that it's looking like Dick and I might be heading to the West coast and then up to Canada. If you want to ride with us Saturday post a reply here so we don't pull out without you. 

[BeastMaster]

Ok, I'll bite.  What time are you thinking ksu from your place. I don't blame Ron . I'll see if I can drag my bones out of bed.

[Misfit]

Rolling at 7:00 unless Dean gets here a little earlier. Might be able to slow down later in the day if we can keep a good pace for the first 200 miles. Dean needs to be 20 miles east of c/s by 4:00. 

[MarkT]

OK thanks for the post.  We're gonna do something less intense with June & George. Neither of them will be up for a 3-400 miler w/o a break. I'm thinkin a front range ride of around 200 miles with a lunch.  We'll kick it around & I'll post something tomorrow.

[Misfit]

Hey Mark
Are you thinking Saturday or Sunday? I might ride with you two Sunday but don't hold off until then on my account. If you are planning on Saturday don't change the day for me. 

[MarkT]

Just checked the weather.  Sunday looks to be good.  PM Thunderstorms - get back before too late, might stay dry.  Looking at lunch in Westcliffe.  Usual path; haven't done it this year.  Do you want to start out from your place?  Don't know yet who might come.  Thinking 115 S to Florence, 67 to Wetmore, 96 to Westcliffe and eat at the restaurant at the gas station; back via 69, 50, 9 to the fuel / snack stop W of Cripple Creek; N to 24, Woodland Park, and 67 N to Deckers for those who want to continue that way; stop for Ice Cream at the renovated cafe in Deckers. Will be on George so no dirt roads; continue N to 285, get off and pass through Pleasant Park, the High Grade, Deer Creek Canyon, probably around Chatfield reservoir via Titan Rd, to Sante Fe (85).  No bags on George so no storage of gear, clothing, parts or tools. Pretty much have to wear what I might need unless June brings her luggage. George is a day-rider.  Does that well, though. You might want to check it out.

[Misfit]

I'm in. I'm sure Dick will ride also. 

[Misfit]

Dick is rideing Sunday also. What time should I tell him to be at my place? 

[MarkT]

This won't be as intense as your ride tomorrow.  So I think if we do KSU at 9:30 that will put us at Westcliffe easily at lunch time.