| Author | Message | ||
     Aaron |
Trail Ridge leads from Estes Park up into Rocky Mountain National Park. It's practically in my back yard. Amazing scenery. It's reached from the other side by going to Grand Lake. A person could make a nice loop, from Breckenridge to Grand Lake, through the park, down to Estes Park, peak to peak to Central City/Black Hawk, Idaho Springs, and back up to Breckenridge. Mt Evans is reached from the I-70 corridor by hanging a left at Idaho Springs. And then going uphill. The top is probably 3 hours from my place. Bring oxygen! I've had my Mikunied M2 up on Trail Ridge and it was fine. 'Course I was jetted for a here and the elevation delta is only 7000'. You folks coming from the lowlands better be prepared. Hmm, maybe I should bring spare jets to Breckenridge, I could probably get a fotune for them  Y'all are gonna miss all that horsepower they make at sea level. They're a might bit more sluggish up here. I get correction factors of 1.15 to 1.25 at 5300' depending on the weather, and Breckenridge will be a whole lot worse. | ||
| Doncasto |
Al: There are a several great routes to Silverton from Breckenridge. As I recall (subject to increasing incident of Alzheimer-like cognitive disfunction) I went via I-70, Glenwood Springs, Paonia, Crawford (lunch at Joe Cocker's Restaurant), Delta, Ouray and then Silverton. The 7 hours does not include the run from I-70 to Breckenridge but might have included a 2 hour lunch/siesta in Crawford. If my home computer hadn't crapped out I could run that route on my travel software and provide some support to my recollections. As it is the best I can offer is a foggy recollection. Hope this helps, all though I am sure it does not. Don | ||
| Blake |
Aaron: Do you know the great Pizza place in Idaho Springs? Someone (was it you?) from the BadWeB email list back in early 1998 tipped me off about it. It was great! They called their style "Rocky Mountain Pizza" I think. I don't have my old email archives in NJ, and can't recall the name of the place. It would be a great stop for lunch or dinner during a ride. All: For breakfast, go for the blueberry pancakes at the Swiss Inn in Georgetown/Silver Plume. Then, if you are into authentic narrow gauge railroading and/or silver mining, take the short yet authentic train ride and tour the mine. I highly recommend the train ride and mine tour; plus it's a sure bet to please the entire family if they are along for the trip. The train ride makes it real easy to imagine yourself back in the 1800's and travels over one of the original (rebuilt) iron bridge sites in the west. Do not rush the Trail Ridge Road tour. Linger at some of the overlooks, you will likely see Elk and Mule Deer. Mt. Evans has beautiful mountain goats (the white furry ones) and Bighorn Sheep like a Texas coyote has flees. Take the time to hike the remaining 1/4 mile to the very peak of this amazing 14,000+ FT mountain. Bring some warm clothing! Best views are at the crack of dawn and soon after before the haze accumulates. There's a nice campground at the base of the mountain (around 9,000 FT ASL). Storms regularly hit the peak just after lunchtime. Warning! The altitude can cause misery (headaches, nausea, gas...). Lowlanders can be better prepared by excersizing for at least a couple weeks prior to the trip. Jogging or biking (the pedal kind)  for 20 mintes a day will do feaking wonders for your comfort at 9,000+ FT altitudes. I once drove straight from Texas to the campground at Long's Peak in RMNP. Not a smart thing, I was mildly nauseated and you might say my breather was blowing some serious excess gas (no oil puking though for three days). Y'all have fun!!! Take lotsa pictures and post em on the web when you get home. Blake | ||
| Mikej |
Blake, Found a link to the Clear Creek County web site, but it doesn't pass the company ratings check, so I don't know if it answers your question. Then this link to a fishing store shows a picture of mainstreet and says they're right across from Beau Jo's Pizza, could that be the place? That's it, I gotta go there sometime. Now do I pack the flyrod, or the camera gear, or just bring my resume? ps, just found this link to the Idaho Springs Chamber of Commerce. Is it just me, or does Colorado seem extreamly web connected? pps, well shoot, here you go, Beau Jos. Yep, they be connected up there. | ||
| Aaron |
Yeah, it's Beau Jo's, they have most excellent pizza and I try to stop in there when I'm in that neighborhood. | ||
| Mikej |
Cold === begin quote === Mountain Temperatures How can it be 90 degrees in Denver and 40 degrees at the top of Mount Evans at the same time? Easy! For each 1,000 feet of elevation gain the temperature will drop 3 to 5 degrees. Going from Denver to the top of Mount Evans is an elevation gain of 9,000 feet thus a drop of 36 to 45 degrees. Now if you add in a wind chill factor, caused by the wind and there is almost always a wind blowing at the top of Mount Evans, it may seem to be wintertime at the top of the Mountain. It can snow at the top in both July and August! Solution: Bring a fall or winter jacket with you on your trips to the mountains. A pair of gloves might, also, be a good idea. === end quote === It never hurts to be informed. | ||
| Steveh |
Mt evens is one of the main reasons for going on the trip. cant wait! it's gonna be a fun time. blake rocky mountain pizza? are ya sure those are meatballs on there | ||
| Blake |
eeeewwwwww!!!!! Hey, as long as it's deep fried! | ||
| Doncasto |
One other suggestion for those planning a ride over Trail Ridge or up to Mt. Evans - avoid weekends and holidays. There is a substantial Winnebago parade on both routes which is substantially reduced on weekdays. Don | ||
| Iamike |
Last time I was in CO on a street bike was about 1980. Other than the fantastic roads and scenery one of the most satisfying things was passing the long lines of vehicles following some motorhome going uphill at 35mph. Just drop down a couple of gears and bang - you're past them. I can't wait to see if the FI works better than my old carbed Honda 750 did. Still looking for any midwesterners who might want to ride out together. I have one potential from my area. We hadn't decided whether to camp yet or not. IA Mike | ||
| Mikej |
IA Mike, What day were you planning on heading to Colorado? And how long were you planning on taking to get there? And if you are leaving Wednesday morning, would there be a place around there in IA for someone to pitch a tent very late Tuesday night? MikeJ (thinking it's time to put in my vacation request) | ||
| Iamike |
We live in Waverly, on Hwy.3 & 218. The other guy is 20mi. south in Waterloo. I was thinking of Wednesday, but am flexible. Camping is no problem, or stay in the basement too. Have shower, toilet and all the things. We had over 30 camp in our yard during a Ragbrai overnight 2 years ago. My daughter is thinking of driving out with the trailer so we'd have support if we wanted. Where are you coming from (you guys not putting this info. on your profiles, boy, I don't know)and I can help on the route you choose. If I get some people committed then I would definitely have to follow through. IA Mike | ||
| Mikej |
Mike, I'm about 20 miles west of Milwaukee, currently about 75% certain I'm going for at least a few days in Colorado, depends on a few loose ends around here. I was thinking of heading out Tuesday night after work passing thru Madison around 6pm or so, then seeing how far I got before I needed to find a place to sleep. I'm not quite an IronButt yet, so don't know if I'm up for a non-stop Milwaukee-Breckenridge run. I'm planning on a "dry-run" before then probably up to Duluth and back in a day or two to verify and sort out my gear. Anyway, that's getting off the topic some, sorry. I'm thinking I'll be stopping either in Iowa or Nebraska someplace, unless taking I-90 across south Minnesota is faster than diagonalling down to pick up I-80. I figure I've got a month before I need to lock in any schedule from work, and a little longer than that to figure out route options, then last minute adjustments for weather patterns (I won't mind a 200 mile detour to route around a stormfront, saw enough of that relocating here while going thru Wyoming and Nebraska.). Anyway, RAGBRAI eh? So you're a cyclist too, neat. MikeJ, near Milwaukee, getting anxious to ride the Rockies. Should be fun. | ||
| Iamike |
MikeJ.- I think that we are about 7 to 8 1/2 hrs. from Milwaukee. Hwy 3 from Dubuque West for about 20 mi. is pretty good riding. After that it just becomes regular 2-lane. Hwy 20 West is 65mph (actually about 72mph)through Waterloo. If you're hurting for time that's the way to go. As the date gets closer we can decide when to meet up and where, you are still welcome here anytime. Keep in touch. IA Mike | ||
| Mikej |
Thanks, will do, I checked mapquest and it said a little over 6 hours from here which would be about ideal if I figure right. | ||
| Kim |
Hi all, This is my first post. I have been reading this site for almost two years and probably should have started posting sooner but being somewhat of a profesional lurker (this is my first post on any site). I have just sat back and listened to the ramblings of others. See personal quote,I don't remember where I fisrt heard it, but it has always stayed with me. I would like to thank Blake for this site as there are many of us who get lots of advice without ever having to ask a question. Also thanks for first mentioning a Colorado rally. I did not expect it to get as big as it seems to have gotten when I sent the first short e-mail to Court. Its going to be a lot of fun for everyone involved. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask away. For those of you who have not burned your June issue of Motorcyclist magazine check out the page 36 article on Johnny B. Good's Diner. My wife and I ate there last week and met Mike Diemer. The food was great so this will be our lunch stop on the two days we ride through Steamboat Springs. Mike has offered to give us a discount on food and drinks, he also offered to keep his parking area motorcycle only on those two days. Kim Thunder In The Mountians (Breckenridge) RKYMTNHI/ATC (Silverton) | ||
| Aaron |
Wow, I never thought I'd see the day when Kim would post to Badweb! Kuell! I'll be in touch soon, to get my room. See ya, AW | ||
| Kim |
Hi Aaron, I don't take any reservations. Check the ATC site (whats new page) for reservation info. I will get Cheryle to put info on this page tonight. I'm wondering. Just how much the cost of smaller main jets go's up for each 1,000 ft. of elevation. This could be profitable . | ||
| Court |
Real Things that Real People need to know...... To those of you who were not aware...Kim, along with wife Cheryle, have been the workhorses in making this event what promises to be a huge success. From the moment we talked about an "Elf-Fest" in a location where lots of the faithful could gather, Kim's hand went up and he and Cheryle have done a stellar job. No sooner had the fun begun than Jay Halwey called to visit about the Annual ATC shindig RKYMTHI that goes off in about the same time-frame. Before you know it ATC's Phil Poindexter and Kim and Cheryle are hard at work planning a marvy gig. For details, etc. check out RKYMTHI Warm thanks to Kim, Cheryle and Phil from ALL the Buell community. I can't wait! Court | ||
| Tripper |
Main jets are $6.75 each at 1086' MSL altitude (Kansas). I have a 175 & 180 that I'll hand to anyone who is coming across I-70 that wants to meet me at Topeka HD for BBQ and viewing of the new museum. See Court's TwinCushman, the predecessor of the TwinBlast! |
