Colorado Riders Thread

[MarkT]

Here's a couple of Darby in front of DSNGRR Baldwin #481.  These are half size & compressed for here, if anyone wants full rez I have them on file. Those files are about 5Mb these are about 390Kb.

[GREENDRAGON]

Had a great weekend for the most part. It did not end well though. Praying and hoping Darby pulls through this.Lupe (Turtle Dove) and I can't help thinking about how much he loves his grandson. That might be the thing that will help him through this the most. This could have been anyone of us. Be safe and don't be in to big of a hurry. He was almost home and I'm sure he was anxious to see his family. So close and yet so far. Our Prayers and thoughts go out to Darby and his family.

[DarkSideR]

A post from Dean. Update on Darby. 

Brothers and Sisters of the VRCC,

I spent most of the afternoon today with Darby riding immediately behind me as we traveled from Lake City, CO to Canon City, CO.   Just outside of Canon City traffic got heavier as everyone was returning from the Labor Day weekend.  Our group of 7 bikers got a bit jumbled - and I lost track of Darby.  We thought that perhaps he broke off to head home (he lives not too far from Canon City).  We were deeply disturbed when one of our tail guys showed up with news of Darby's crumpled bike by the side of the road - he had been air evacuated to Colorado Springs.  I just returned from Penrose Hospital where the doctors have removed his spleen and are currently working to relieve bleeding to his brain.  The doctor told his wife, Terri, that his condition was 'very serious'.   He suggested they have family gather.  She asked if it was necessary for out of state family to come. He said, 'Yes'.   That's all I've got right now.  Terri has family with her right now as she awaits news from the operating room. My wife and I prayed with her and her daughter there.  I'm sure she (and he) would appreciate all of our prayers.  I agree with Seth, in his earlier blog.  Darby is an amazingly ordinary extraordinary human being. Exactly what I appreciate about the folks at the VRCC.

[Valkorado]

 As of 11:15 ish today Darby is still fighting!  He was in intensive care.

Keep the prayer up!

Note: I had the hospital number listed but it sounds like they were getting some calls and are limited in what they can tell us.  Darby is still in intensive care this Wednesday morning.

[Misfit]

This is a text that I just received from pastor Dean.
Darby is in intensive care. Hasn't yet been conscious. Police say he was passing at about 60 mph, crossed the double yellow and totaled a van. He was heading up the hill near the royal Gorge turn off. They haven't closed his head or his abdomen yet. He may have a broken neck and has a broken ankle. I'm waiting to see him after the CT scan.

[Tailgate Tommy]

Great pics Mark. Thanks!

[MarkT]

On a happier note I'm going ahead and making some high-res pics available of the weekend.  I didn't shoot a whole lot.  I should have, I used to be a pro photog for a decade - my equipment was much better then - back in the days of film, I used mostly Hasselblads, plus Nikons and a Camerz Classic for the Chromalloy Photo Industries studio in Tucson I ran. Focus was on studio portraiture and weddings with some freelance mise-en-scene gigs. I sold all that equipment and closed my own studio in WI and moved to Colorado after I got my computer science degree via the G.I. Bill. This camera is very frustrating to me w/o professional controls - it's all automatic, what a pain.  But I found taking something other than a grabshots camera makes me focus on the shoots as work rather than just capturing the fun.  I once took a Blad up on Copper Mountain to get some great ski shots.  Yeah I got the pics - but it ruined the ski day.  Note to self - get rid of the big cameras.  Besides if you fall on a Hasselblad it will surely break all your ribs.

Most of these shots are in Silverton. Note Darby appears in several of these. My site isn't supporting thumbs to pic downloads right now so here's my workaround:  

Below is several sheets of large thumbnails.  Note the name(s) of the pics you are interested in, then go to this link, scroll down until you see the name listed, click on it and your browser should open it.  Then just use your browser to save the pic in your chosen location.  These are high-res - I compressed the file size 30% via Paint Shop Pro (in testing, 30% does not produce tokens, over 40 they start to appear) but did not reduce the pixel count.  File sizes hover around 1.2Mb.  They will blow up and crop well, native format is 14.4Mpixel.

http://www.horseapple.com/scratch/montrose/

[fudgie]

Not to highjack but...it was good meeting you greendragon, out in Wyoming a few weeks ago. Good to put another face with a handle.  Wish we coulda chatted longer. That gas station was a busy place! Plus we had to meet up with a friend in north central Nebraska. He was coming from CO via Indiana.

[Randy McKenna]

I just read about Darby.  My prayers go out to Darby and his family.  We all feel the same pain when a fellow rider goes down, I am so sorry this happened.

[MarkT]

Hey Randy missed ya Dude.  Got a Great Brisket Ride comin up - watch this space for details.  Pretty soon.

[Randy McKenna]

I had just spent a week in Ouray/Silverton/Gunnison area the last week of July so I couldn't get away again that soon.  I keep my eye on the Colorado thread.

[MarkT]

Posted here again (also under it's own heading) for those with auto-notify emails.

Sorry for the late notice.  I mentioned this last weekend but didn't know any details until now.

Wingnuttz - the restaurant (with bar) in Elizabeth I told you about who will be hosting our Great Brisket Ride is the final destination of a run starting at the South Platte Bar & Grill.  Just got off the horn with Tim, owner at Wingnuttz.  He's good with anyone who wants to go directly to his restaurant, or go on the poker run, either way.

He's roasting a pig all night.  If you've ever had any of his smoked meats, they are TO DIE FOR.  OK, besides that, this shindig is sponsored by the Brotherhood of Veterans and benefits them to help the vets.  This ride in particular is a memorial to Daniel Tapp, a local soldier from Elizabeth who died in defense of our liberty. The poker run has 3 stops I'm told by Tim.  Registration at the South Platte Bar & Grill on Sante Fe in Littleton is at 9:00.  The SPB&G is at 5995 S Santa Fe, just across from Arapahoe Community College. Arriving at Wingnuttz around 2:00.  He has a local band, Scotty Brown for entertainment.  There will be an auction (don't know what).

Wingnuttz is right on Hwy 86 in Elizabeth, at the bottom of the hill just past the creek bridge on the S side.  It's NW of, and backs up to the post office strip mall.

I called SPB&G to get more info but no luck yet.  Looked for Bro of Vets online, no contact there yet but I'll keep looking and post more info as I get it.

OK lastly, for the Great Brisket Ride, Tim says 2 weeks out on Saturday (or later) would work for him.  Just a rough headsup, more as we get feedback and nail it down.

[Valkorado]

That's the reason God gave us some sharp teeth right there!  Sounds like a hoot, I hope I can make it. 

[MarkT]

Last weekend talked to Tim, owner at Wingnuttz in Elizabeth, destination of the Brotherhood of Veterans poker run, benefit for the widow and child of Daniel Tapp, Elizabeth soldier who passed in the army.  Tim is a biker, supports us, happy to host us on our run for his FANTASTIC brisket (best I've ever had).  On a Saturday, he'll smoke it up just for us - he starts it 24 hours or so before hand - super tender, smoky and with his home-brewed several flavors of BBQ sauce - I like the mustardy one the best.  The cost will be $13 / plate for the brisket and 2 sides.  Everything we've eaten here has been just superb.  And I'm picky.  Here's a shot from his facebook page of brisket.  No, there won't be that much on your plate for $13!

From https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wingnuttz-Eatery-Saloon/157208950984112?sk=photos_stream




I also talked with Damon yesterday.  We discussed the logistics, and here's what we came up with:

Since Elizabeth is pretty much in the middle of our local riders, we think it would work best to have a North ride and a South ride that converges on Elizabeth.  It will be a Saturday, either Oct 4 or Oct 11, which works with Damon's, Tim's, and my schedules.  We need a good attendance, and we need serious commits from those who want to come.  Tim is doing this just for us, so we don't want him to regret smoking his brisket all night for a weak turnout.  Please post here or send a PM or email to me (I'm coordinating this) and we will pick the Saturday that has the most riders.  Damon & I considered, since we need solid commits, about setting it up as pre-pay - but then we said we're friends here, gonna say your word is golden so if you say you'll come you will barring a major problem.  So not prepay.

Damon will host the South ride.  North riders, maybe you guys want to set up a meeting place and route.  For far-away riders, say from Gunnison, we can put up one person or couple in our guest bedroom, and another if they don't mind less private sleeping on the den (A-V room / theater / "man-cave" [don't tell June I said that] ) convertable leather couch, so you can ride in ( maybe to Damon's since on hwy 50 he is on the way ) then after the festivities, spend the night here.  That will of course include Markaritas and your choice from nearly 3000 movie titles and the hot tub and evening chow.

Time frame - thinking midafternoon, 2-3ish, of course open to suggestions if you have logistics input.

BTW - Thursday is their regular Brisket Night.  We're going tonight - LOVE that brisket!!!!

Tim & Jessica, owners, serving up the pig roast last weekend:

[DarkSideR]

The 4th or 11th works for me. I'm in. Valkorado if you want to make this ride I have a place for you to stay. I am at a great mid-way point between the lunch destination and Gunnison.

[R J]

I'm too far away to make the Brisket Run, but I'll take that Yeller Model A in the background of the PIG picture.

Looks like some time was spent on that puppy.

[DarkSideR]

I'm too far away to make the Brisket Run, but I'll take that Yeller Model A in the background of the PIG picture.

Looks like some time was spent on that puppy.

RJ I will be in Des Moines Oct. 7th-9th. I will meet up with you if you know of some good BBQ out your way.

[Valkorado]

Thanks Mark, now I'm a slobberin' and droolin' all over meself!

Appreciate the lodging offers, I might be able to pull it off that way.  32* (cursed) degrees this this morning.  Time to bust out the heated jacket and gloves!  

[MarkT]

Damon probably knows this already but this is a nice backroad rte to Wingnuttz with little traffic once you are out of town (all pavement, no dirt):

[R J]

I'm too far away to make the Brisket Run, but I'll take that Yeller Model A in the background of the PIG picture.

Looks like some time was spent on that puppy.

RJ I will be in Des Moines Oct. 7th-9th. I will meet up with you if you know of some good BBQ out your way.

In my book I know of a run of the mill Bubba Que joint, but a whole lot of people think it is great.      He has won more tophies for his food than you can shake a stick at.

Let me know your details and we will try to put something together.

I'm free the 7th & 8th, BUT the 9th I wouldn't be in too good of spirits.

I get my eyeballs expanded by the eye Dr.      It don't hurt, but damn any bright light almost kills ya.    After I get out of there, I usually want to come home and go to bed.     That way, I can shut me eyeballs and keep da light out.    LOL.

Send me a PM and I'll shoot you my phone #'s.

[MarkT]

Speakin of maps, here's my local map linked in the footer on most of my pages.  Elizabeth is just off the map, bottom right. So we're about 5 miles from Wingnuttz.

[Misfit]

I'm in. Either weekend. I am sure that Ron will come along also. Chase says he is in. I will check with Pastor Dean. I hope some of the northerners will come down. Tom, Phil, Dave, Dave, ?? Dick is always up for a ride but he can't eat red meat. Maybe Tim will have some chicken that Dead Pan Dick can chew on. 

[Tailgate Tommy]

I'm in as long as the weather isn't like today!

[MarkT]

I'm in. Either weekend. I am sure that Ron will come along also. Chase says he is in. I will check with Pastor Dean. I hope some of the northerners will come down. Tom, Phil, Dave, Dave, ?? Dick is always up for a ride but he can't eat red meat. Maybe Tim will have some chicken that Dead Pan Dick can chew on. 

Tim has the best wings I've had as well.  Not to mention Oysters, can he eat those?  He gets them from Bruce's in Severence and they are just as good.  His fried cat is also outstanding.  The man is just one helluva cook.

[deadpan]

I'll be there just for the ride and the sides. 

deadpan  ???    

[Misfit]

It's good to see that Tom and Deadpan are in. McKenna is on the fence. I'm thinking that as we get closer she will be in. 

[Tailgate Tommy]

Haven't heard from Phil and Lupe...

[Misfit]

I will see them tomorrow at Darby's funeral. Will check with them then.

[Misfit]

Pastor Dean is in. 

[f6gal]

So what's the freaking date?  We could maybe make the 11th... no way for the 4th.

[Misfit]

Not sure of the date yet but I've known you two to travel about twice as far as this place for some good. brisket. I'm pullin for the 11th.   

[DarkSideR]

11th works best for me as well.

[Misfit]

After talking to most of the group at the funeral today the consensus is the 11th works the best. So for now we have a tentative date of Oct 11th. Mark is going to make sure that the 11th is a good date with The BBQ place. If so it's game on. 

[Tailgate Tommy]

Yummmmmm

[MarkT]

This evening I went to Wingnuttz for some nuttz (from Bruce's in Severence), a couple brews and a meet with Tim on my Great Brisket Ride.  



He has a Yak Festival going on 10/11.  But that's in the evening - since we plan to arrive around 2-ish, we won't be dividing his staff from the YF shindig.  After I told him, we even have a rider coming in all the way from PHOENIX - that's 900 miles per Mapsource - He said then we HAVE to do it.  Oops, F6Gal, now you HAVE to come.  No MAYBEs about it.   He said, he might even have some Yak Brisket if anyone wants to check it out.  I said Hmmm.  Maybe a taste...  

So it's on for around 2 on 10/11, with rain day the following Sat 10/18.  If rain - do we want a rain day, or arrive in cages, or just man up and wear the rain gear?  This IS a RIDE after all.  But it could also SNOW and that means cages or go to the 18th.  I told Tim, we are thinking rainday on the 18th and decide from the weather forecast by Tues 10/7.

[f6gal]

SNOW??  Is that that funky cold white crap?  Yikes!!

[Misfit]

The mountains were white yesterday all the way down to town. Chase Dean and I rode through snow flurries yesterday to attend Darby's funeral. It's soft and fluffy. It won't hurt ya. 

[R J]

Connie, what is fun when it is snowing is to stick your tongue out and try to catch a snow flake on your tongue.

[MarkT]

Collecting RSVPs here and some verbally, I have confirmed riding to the Great Brisket Ride on 10/11 (using road names) so far:

MarkT & Junebug
Misfit & Chase
Joshcornkid
Valkorado & Cheeto
Valk303 (deadpan)
Tkylli
Greendragon & Lupe
Pastor Dean
Polky47


F6Gal - hope she can make it.  That's HUGE - 900 miles exactly from Surprise to Wingnuttz per Mapsource.

Haven't heard from a few locals yet but there's time... Like to get the count near 20.

Damon - who'd I miss - any verbal or PM RSVPs so far?

I'm sure we can add (and hopefully not subtract) to the riders through the weekend before the ride.

[Misfit]

Ron (Polky47) is in. McKenna (Disket) and Dave (Brewer) might show. I know Dave and Robin are always up for a gathering if they can make it work. I talked to a new member yesterday by the name of Kent Dix. He may show to meet the group. Dean will more than likely bring Kris or Jessie along. It's possible that Chase could bring his girlfriend if she is not scheduled to work. It would be really cool if I could shame Whooray into flying in and eating with us.