Reading all the posts regarding the Dragon makes me dream of the trip I really want to take in 2009 - Colorado. I am in the early planning stages. I am considering doing the trip in July (departing 7/11?) and being gone for a week. Leaving from home in Coppell and trailering to Alamosa, CO, parking the truck and making a big loop from there - with stops in Gunnison, Leadville, Denver, Grand Lake, Durango and more. Riding for 6 days at a medium pace (about 250 miles/day) ending up back in Alamosa on 7/17 and head home on 7/18. Staying in motels (inexpensive variety) each night. A group of 3 or 4 riders would be perfect.
Anybody interested?
Jeff Atkins
jgalaw@flash.net
Jeff, that is an appealing prospect. If, from Grand Lake, we take Trail Ridge Drive over to Estes Park, I have a good friend who lives and works there. He sold his MC a few years ago, but still has a scooter. I am certain he would enjoy joining us for lunch, and could point out where the best lodging deals in the area might be.
July is a good month weatherwise (probably not much snow) but is the peak of the season when prices are highest...
Colorado in July is vacation time for everyone and hotel rooms could be booked full everywhere you go. Be prepared to camp in cold nights.
I would be interested in doing this. Keep us updated.
Colorado 2009 update. This is the tentative plan:
Depart Sat., July 18, 2009 trailering to Alamosa. From there start a counter clockwise loop around the state with stops in Durango, Gunnison, Montrose, Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs, Grand Lake and Estes Park, ending up in/near Dillon (which is near Breckenridge) on Thursday, July 23. The Valkyrie Riders Cruisers Club has their annual gathering headquartered there starting on this date. I plan on spending 7/23 and 7/24 at this event, which will probably involve some day trips. I may ride into Denver on the evening of 7/24 to catch a Rockies game at Coors Field. On 7/25 I will return to Alamosa via Leadville and Salida. After spending the night in Alamosa I will make the return trip to Dallas on 7/26. Back to work on 7/27.
I hope to ride at a leisurly pace, covering 200 miles or so per day. The plan is to have at least a couple of hours each day to take in the sites in the city where I will be staying. I am hoping to stay in inexpensive motels.
If anybody is interested let me know. I would love to have a group of 4-5 guys.
Jeff Atkins
MOOT #21
jgalaw@flash.net
Well rats!!!!!! Cuts me out.. Kristi wants to go to Chicago that time period.
I was hoping a bit later.. OH WELL next time.
I will check out the dates. Of course, you may get a bit tired of me -- I would have to stop at the honey farm in Monte Vista, spend at least one night with my sister in Montrose, lobby to go through Orchard City, Cedar Edge and Mesa from Delta to Grand Junction, spend at least a day or two with a friend in Estes Park, wet a few flies in the Big Thompson near Loveland, etc. etc. -- But I would love the trip. :cool:
Lawrence, I hope the dates work out for you. We wouldn't have to spend all day/every day together, if you wanted to spend some time with family/friends. Plus, I know a rain drop or two won't ruin your day.
I would love to have you along.
Keep me posted.
Jeff Atkins
MOOT #21
jgalaw@flash.net
972-768-8165
I have a brother that lives just on the other side of the state line in Arizona. On the 22 or 23 I may break away and go see him for those last 3 days when you are at your event. Then meet you back at Alamos on the 25th.
Jeff are you planning on attending INZANE (VRCC yearly ride-in)? I'm seriously thinking about it because I simply LOVE Colorado. I went to INZANE in Frisco, CO a few years ago and I'd like to do it again. Maybe I'll see you there.
Curtis
Yes Curtis, I plan on being at InZane 9, at least for a couple of days - probably Thursday and Friday. The tentative plan is to tour the state from 7/19-22, spend 2 days at InZane 9 and head back to Alamosa on Sat. (7/25), spend the night and drive back home (trailering my bike) on Sunday. But with no wife in tow all plans remain flexible. Jim Tindall and Lawrence Ragan have expressed some interest, but I don't think anybody (except me) has firmly committed. Other than generally riding 20-30 mph faster than I care to, you would make a perfect companion. Let's go!
Jeff
Quote from: jgalaw on February 14, 2009, 11:01:54 AM
The tentative plan is to tour the state from 7/19-22
That's a great way to do it. I zigged and zagged across Colorado several times on the way to the Frisco Inzane a few years ago. I crossed the Great Divide about 4 or 5 times and lost count of the high passes. Once I got to Frisco, I joined up with folks at Inzane for some day rides, but the rest of the time I was solo and loving it.
I always stop in Colorado Springs where my best friend from high school lives. He turned me on to some white water action while I was there:
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res184gd/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/duckie_1_1.jpg)
I love Colorado, especially camping there.
Curtis
I think I can do this. My wife is having foot surgery on 1 May, and, if all goes well, again 8 weeks later. If this schedule holds up, she should be back on both feet before the 18th.
Let's talk logistics. If you have a trailer that has room for another bike, I would like to hitch a ride for me and Maggie. I would share in gas, and, if you want, in driving. I would come to Bedford the day before so we could leave at dawn thirty -- it is a long drive to Alamosa. I presume you chose Alamosa for staging because you know a way to secure the cages and trailers there?
Long ago in a galaxy far, far away, I would camp from the old Harley in the high Sierras. While I can picture carrying a sleeping bag and maybe a small tent, carrying food, cooking equipment, etc. is a little more vexing. I presume at least some of the nights we would stay in motels with a soft warm bed and a hot shower? :mrgreen: I note that you proposed motels, it was Curtis that is into camping. Perhaps they will let him pitch a tent in the parking lot :lol: Are you planning to make reservations for motels early, or try to catch a bed "on the fly"? It has been noted that motel rooms may be difficult to come by in the summer in Colorado, although this summer may be different -- very different. They may kiss our feet when we walk through the lobby door, similar to the response the wife and I elicited in San Antonio in January 2002, when we were practically the only tourists on the river. But I wouldn't count on it.
Perhaps Jim and I could visit in Montrose and eastern Arizona on the same schedule, and meet up with you and Curtis after you "Valkanize" Dillon or Denver, or wherever?
In any case, it sounds like a terrific trip, and I will figure a way to carry the necessary camping gear if need be.
i am definitely interested in going. My wife has given the OK and I have talked with my brother. I just need to know also how many nights hotel camping and what to bring. I can also be in Bedford early to pack up.
Will share in gas, and will drive if needed.
I will also figure a way to carry what I needed.
Lawrence & Jim & Curtis:
Guys, shoot me an email at jgalaw@flash.net. I'll respond via email so we can take this discussion off line. While Curtis has expressed encouragement, I don't think he is seriously thinking about the trip. Curtis, if I'm wrong please let me know.
Jeff Atkins
jgalaw@flash.net
972 768-8165 cell
I envy everyone of you guys. I have never been to colorado, would love to go some year. Maybe before I die... :lol:
Quote from: jgalaw on February 20, 2009, 01:14:21 PM
While Curtis has expressed encouragement, I don't think he is seriously thinking about the trip. Curtis, if I'm wrong please let me know.
Jeff in a way you're right. I am seriously thinking about the trip, but not in the same way everyone else is I think. What I had in mind for me personally is to do my own thing on the way and then meet up with everyone for some day trips once we all get there. Besides, it sounds as if most everyone prefers to trailer up there and stay in motels. I'd prefer to do the same as I did last time and ride up, camping as much as possible. I only did the motel thing one night on that trip and that was after being rained on most of the day on high mountain passes. You can't blame a guy for wanting a hot shower and a bed after that. Also, I'll probably stay a couple of nights in Colorado Springs with my friend and his wife. If I'm lucky he'll take me kayaking or rock climbing. I'll shoot you an email because I want to keep up with enough of the group's plans to rendezvous.
Curtis