Cigar Mike
Elite Member
I am still working on getting as many of Colorado's best roads in. To make good loops from home and back the mileage is increasing. This loop was about 350 miles which we could have done easily. But the idea of staying away one night was appealing. And it was another attempt at packing the bikes better.
We left the house at 6:00 am and headed for Colorado Springs to pick up the 24 west. We passed the place we spend most of our time when we are not riding. Blackstone Country Club.
We avoid the freeway as long as possible and go south on 83 until it crosses the 25. Everything is green and the weather cool and crisp. The over the shoulder shot of my riding partner and better half for the last 44 years.
I used a small sports bag to carry a few extra items this time. Some of the items I wished I had last trip. You can see how the Blaze saddlebags expand in this picture. I am surprised how much we can get into them. 21 litters each when expanded.
We stopped for fuel in Woodland Park. The tail bag on Cathy's 500 is what I have coming next week, it is one of those Home Depot bags that were on sale for $8. I could not find two at the time so ordered one for considerably more but far less that anything else I could find. Mine will be silver and should look good on the 700.
From the 24 we turn south onto the 67 to the 81 to Victor, Cripple Creek, Guffey up the 9 and then back to the 24. Here the some pictures from along the way.
This is right before the 24. We stopped here for a short rest and to watch a big rig not make a turn onto a county road. He ended up going across the 24 and to come from the other direction to make the turn.
Headed down to Buena Vista where we will stay the night. Crazy winds on the way down here. Gusts hit us from two directions a fraction of a second apart making for a scary moment for Cathy. She said it made her feel like it picked up the back tire off the ground.
Made it to the KOA where we had a one room cabin for the night. We were too early so wnet into town to eat at Jan's Family Restaurant on the recommendation posted in another report. He was right the chicken fried steak was good.
The weather forecast was for high winds and thunderstorms. We got up early the next day and made short work of the 135 miles back to home. On the way Cathy mentioned that she hoped we would never get tired of appreciating this beautify country. I hope she is right. In the past we had taken long trips seeing all of the National Parks in Utah. By the time we got to the Grand Canyon I was thinking if you have seen one hole in the ground you had seen them all.
We left the house at 6:00 am and headed for Colorado Springs to pick up the 24 west. We passed the place we spend most of our time when we are not riding. Blackstone Country Club.
We avoid the freeway as long as possible and go south on 83 until it crosses the 25. Everything is green and the weather cool and crisp. The over the shoulder shot of my riding partner and better half for the last 44 years.
I used a small sports bag to carry a few extra items this time. Some of the items I wished I had last trip. You can see how the Blaze saddlebags expand in this picture. I am surprised how much we can get into them. 21 litters each when expanded.
We stopped for fuel in Woodland Park. The tail bag on Cathy's 500 is what I have coming next week, it is one of those Home Depot bags that were on sale for $8. I could not find two at the time so ordered one for considerably more but far less that anything else I could find. Mine will be silver and should look good on the 700.
From the 24 we turn south onto the 67 to the 81 to Victor, Cripple Creek, Guffey up the 9 and then back to the 24. Here the some pictures from along the way.
This is right before the 24. We stopped here for a short rest and to watch a big rig not make a turn onto a county road. He ended up going across the 24 and to come from the other direction to make the turn.
Headed down to Buena Vista where we will stay the night. Crazy winds on the way down here. Gusts hit us from two directions a fraction of a second apart making for a scary moment for Cathy. She said it made her feel like it picked up the back tire off the ground.
Made it to the KOA where we had a one room cabin for the night. We were too early so wnet into town to eat at Jan's Family Restaurant on the recommendation posted in another report. He was right the chicken fried steak was good.
The weather forecast was for high winds and thunderstorms. We got up early the next day and made short work of the 135 miles back to home. On the way Cathy mentioned that she hoped we would never get tired of appreciating this beautify country. I hope she is right. In the past we had taken long trips seeing all of the National Parks in Utah. By the time we got to the Grand Canyon I was thinking if you have seen one hole in the ground you had seen them all.
Beautiful place either way! I'm sure you loved the ride.
