My 2015 Colorado Trip Report... Finally.

[NCGhostrider]

I finally got the trip report up and running.  I had lost my website files during a hard drive crash a few years ago.  I finally took time to recover the files and rebuild the site.  I forgot how much info I had on the domain.   Glad I don't do this for a living anymore!

There may still be some dead links or the occasional bad graphic.  I am still working on it...

But, the 2015 Colorado Trip report is here.

http://www.fenter.com/valkyrie/html/colorado_2015.html

I hope you enjoy it.  I will probably continue to modify the text until I am happy with it..


thanks..

Craig

NCGhostrider
99 I/S

[Highbinder]

Great ride report, some people have a knack for writing and you are one of them.. I have ridden a lot of the routes you spoke of and was wondering if you rode the Black Canyon of Gunnison?  I think that was the name of the road, ran down a steep grade with a lot of switchbacks to a river, where there is a power plant, cool road.. Anyway enjoyed your report, reading it brought back many good memories...

[Oss]

Thank you for writing that report of your adventure   I am almost finished reading it

Like Don said, it brought back memories and in my case a regret of a route not
taken last year from Pampa Texas when Valker could not ride with me and I
decided to try to just push on to Zion in one day almost meeting my maker at Gallup
   and I regret not finding the road down to the bottom of the Gunnison dont know how I missed it before heading east on 50

That Pagosa route will just have to wait until another day when maybe I will ride from
Santa Fe up 64 to 160     I did go from Montrose to Telluride to Delores and Cortez
back to Durango and thru Silverton back to Montrose with Bonnie and under clear skies back in 2005

That was probably one of the best days of motorcycling I will ever have and I hope all of our members get to enjoy a day like that

Anyway thanks again for posting Craig

[Gary]

Thanks for sharing your trip Craig, really enjoyed it. I could identify with the suit donning. I've wrestled roadside many a time, especially trying to remain upright while struggling with the over-the-boot portion but can't remember putting them on backwards.

I have enjoyed those same areas mentioned several times. I particularly like the overlook just before (southside) Lake City. Lake San Cristobal, although over the years the depreciating water level has been unsettling. 



Here's part of that Lake Fork Gunnison you mentioned. I would usually try to make a stop at this informal pull out also just south of Lake City proper.




Again, much appreciated you taking us along Craig and bringing back some great memories of roads traveled with my son, friends, and solo. 

[Leatherman]

Great report ! That area of southern Colorado is a favorite of mine. Have ridden it many times but never get tired of it. Like you said....ready to go again.
Thanks !

[J.Mencalice]

A great travelogue of your ride over many of the beautiful state highways that we have over on the Western Slope.  Thank you for the details and commentary.  It's spot on.

It's been a joy to ride the two lanes regularly for these 38 years.   I've been fortunate enough to live and explore this fantastic place on two wheels and two legs.  A locals tip: Next time, don't overlook the northwest and north central areas around Rangely, Meeker, Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, and Kremmling (then up over into that southern portion of Wyoming: Encampment, Saratoga, and the Medicine Bow National Forest). There are many miles of open highways up there and pretty isolated compared to the areas that are more easily accessed by the hundreds of thousands on the interstates from Ft. Collins down to Colorado Springs.   Opinion?  Stay west of the Great Divide off the interstates and you are pretty much assured of decent traffic on the state roads.  Interstate 70 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays heading up to the high country in/out of Denver is a nightmare; avoid it at all costs.                                                                                                                                       

Right now the fall foliage is peaking and the days are still warm for cruising the blacktop; bring your long-handles as the nights are getting chilly, pilgrims.

The southwestern areas around Durango, Cortez, Pagosa Springs, Wolf Creek, should be coming into peak within the next 5-10 days.

Then October and...the snow commeth!!!!

Vaya Con Dios, amigos.

[NCGhostrider]

Thanks for taking the time to read my lengthy report and commenting.   I need to explore the Gunnison area more.   I know I missed many of the side areas that would be great rides..

I am contemplating an Alaska trip for next year or the following year.   Not committed, but working thru it in my mind...

Craig

NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[Wizzard]

Thanks for the great report. I truly enjoyed reading that and I agree, you have a gift for writing.
My Daughter lives in Aurora and I have made 2 bike trips there so far and you have given me many more areas I need to visit.
Thanks