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Normandog
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« on: September 06, 2009, 05:14:55 AM » |
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Originallly, the Mt Evans road was to go over the west side of the mtn to Grant CO and connect with hwy 285. It was to be the middle section of the Peak to Peak Highway from Longs Peak to Pikes Peak. Linking these three 14,000 ft peaks by roadway proved unfeasible at the time. The 28 mile segment from Idaho Springs (7,540 ft ) to just below the summit (14,130 ft.) is what remains of this ambitious project. Traveling to the summit parking lot is a lot like taking a trip through Canada to Nome Alaska. Every 1,000 ft of altitude gained in the mtns is equivalent to traveling 600 miles north in latitude. In about 45 minutes you will ride thru a landsape that reflects the upper regions of North America. Pics never do justice but this one kinda shows the lack of a shoulder in many places along the road.  This one shows the frost heave which turned a section of the road into whoops.  Sometimes you felt like if you kept going you'd ride off the edge of the earth.  I felt the effects of the altitude. Just walking around got me out of breath.  |
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Normandog
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« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2009, 05:29:02 AM » |
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Ya have to look to see them cause they blend in well with the stark surroundings.  and some big horn sheep. these are all ewes so no big curved horns on these ladies.  The bristle cone pine is a tuff tree. The trunk grows all twisted which helps against the strong winds. These trees could be thousands of years old and you can see they're not all that big.  We were told we would see thousands of antelope. That we might even have to stop and let a herd of antelope cross the road. I think those people have this little chipmunk confused with antelope. This is the only furry animal we saw thousands of. And I only saw 3 antelope and Carolyn saw none.  Lots of snow hanging around in mid august  |
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Charlie McCready
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« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2009, 05:40:21 AM » |
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Good pics Ronnie........glad you had a good trip.
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robin
Member
Posts: 2335
Get on it and RIDE!!
Hardwick NJ
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« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2009, 06:05:36 AM » |
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Hey Ron wasn't that ride awe inspiring Judy and I couldn't get over it one of the highlights of the trip  see ya'll in October.  |
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Serk
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« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2009, 08:47:33 AM » |
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That's gotta be my favorite road, ever... Can't wait 'till I can make it back there!!! I went there after I'd successfully made it 1 week without a cigarette... Figured I wouldn't WANT one at those altitudes!  The only time it wasn't raining on me on the ride up was when it was snowing on me... In July! But I loved it anyway...   These guys were NOT shy, came right up to the parking area...    As always... The Valk draws a crowd... At the summit parking lot a group of orthodox Jews from Israel timidly approached me and asked, with extremely thick accents, if they might sit on the bike for pictures...   Yeah, the sheep were NOT shy the day I was there...  *Sigh* I will be back..... Thanks for the reminder of a BEAUTIFUL area! |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Gilligan
Member
Posts: 514
Gilligan and Navigator - Wherever we ended up
Southwest Indiana
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« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2009, 08:50:04 AM » |
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Two-up Touring for 10 yrs on a 1999 Valkyrie Interstate
48 U.S. States - 5 Canadian Provinces - 1 Mexican State
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Ms Old Skool
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« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2009, 09:55:23 AM » |
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Looking at your pictures I thought back on mine and Noahs trip there in July. Your 3rd picture you posted looks just like the place where Steve had his picture taken. It's at 13,256 feet. We stopped there and took pictures and as I was standing there I could see Steve so clearly coming around the curve was his arms stretched out. We had that picture put across his headstone. I am so grateful I got to see where Steve had been and in a way I left a part of me there with him.
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Live life to the fullest because it can all change in 20 minutes
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« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2009, 10:10:49 AM » |
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Good job Ronnie. Mt. Evans is awe inspiring. Being higher than a pilot in a small plane would fly.
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thumper
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« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2009, 02:05:28 PM » |
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Amazing |
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An oak tree is nothing but an acorn that stood it's ground!
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Misfit
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« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2009, 04:57:24 PM » |
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HeyRonnie. I rode past the base of Mt Evans yesterday. Took CO 103 from Evergreen to Idaho Springs. A great road for motorcycling. I thought of you and Carolyn as I passed the entrance. Today I met Greendragon and a guy he works with in Longmont. We rode CO 7 early this morning before all of the tourists were awake. 7 is an amazing road for a motorcycle. Also did the peak to peak hiway to Nederland and over to Blackhawk and Central City. Back over to Lyons where we split up. I pulled over for fuel and they headed North. Just as I was leaving the pump two beautiful Valkyrie Tour,s rode past. I rode with them a few miles and when they stopped for fuel I stopped with them. Nice guys from Greely CO. Both are VRCC. Both had custom paint and VERY nice bikes. My photographer is at Grandma's house for the weekend so no pics. I will try and hook up with those dudes in the near future for a ride. You meet the nicest people on a Honda! |
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If you're lucky enough to ride a Valkyrie, you're lucky enough.  |
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Normandog
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« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2009, 04:58:53 PM » |
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Hey Ron wasn't that ride awe inspiring Judy and I couldn't get over it one of the highlights of the trip see ya'll in October. awe inspiring is a good choice of words Robin. Glad y'all are coming to the FCR. |
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Misfit
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« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2009, 05:00:38 PM » |
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Looking at your pictures I thought back on mine and Noahs trip there in July. Your 3rd picture you posted looks just like the place where Steve had his picture taken. It's at 13,256 feet. We stopped there and took pictures and as I was standing there I could see Steve so clearly coming around the curve was his arms stretched out. We had that picture put across his headstone. I am so grateful I got to see where Steve had been and in a way I left a part of me there with him.
Rhonda. I ride up Mnt Evans several time a year. I don't think that I will ever ride up that mountain without thinking of Steve. Good luck to you and your son. |
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If you're lucky enough to ride a Valkyrie, you're lucky enough. |
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Normandog
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« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2009, 05:08:11 PM » |
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Looking at your pictures I thought back on mine and Noahs trip there in July. Your 3rd picture you posted looks just like the place where Steve had his picture taken. It's at 13,256 feet. We stopped there and took pictures and as I was standing there I could see Steve so clearly coming around the curve was his arms stretched out. We had that picture put across his headstone. I am so grateful I got to see where Steve had been and in a way I left a part of me there with him.
I think it's cool you had that put on his headstone Rhonda. I remember the pic you're talkin' about. I think Brian has posted it before and I know I saw it somewhere at Steve's funeral. I'm glad you and Noah got to make the trip up Mt. Evans. |
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Normandog
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« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2009, 05:22:15 PM » |
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HeyRonnie. I rode past the base of Mt Evans yesterday. Took CO 103 from Evergreen to Idaho Springs. A great road for motorcycling. I thought of you and Carolyn as I passed the entrance. Today I met Greendragon and a guy he works with in Longmont. We rode CO 7 early this morning before all of the tourists were awake. 7 is an amazing road for a motorcycle. Also did the peak to peak hiway to Nederland and over to Blackhawk and Central City. Back over to Lyons where we split up. I pulled over for fuel and they headed North. Just as I was leaving the pump two beautiful Valkyrie Tour,s rode past. I rode with them a few miles and when they stopped for fuel I stopped with them. Nice guys from Greely CO. Both are VRCC. Both had custom paint and VERY nice bikes. My photographer is at Grandma's house for the weekend so no pics. I will try and hook up with those dudes in the near future for a ride. You meet the nicest people on a Honda! Glad to hear you got the "Rat Bike"  out and enjoyed some windage Damon. |
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