Colorado Exploring 2017

eemsreno

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I need to get this ride report going before I forget what all we seen.
We just got back last weekend and rode just over 3,500 miles.
We stay off interstates and just ride 2 lanes so we can see the country.
On the way out we wanted to ride highway 30 the Lincoln Highway, so we picked it up at near Omaha.
We stayed with it for a while but it was junk! nothing to see and to much traffic.
So we jumped down to Nebraska 23, Michelle really liked this road and actually wanted to ride it again on the way back home but it didn't work out.

Sod House


First night camp in Colorado.


We rode highway 14 west out of Ft. Collins, Michelle really liked this road.


Off on some forest side roads.

And we seen three young moose up in here.


Guanella Pass is all paved now and it is one of Colorado's best paved Passes.
With 15 corners marked 10 MPH and 7 marked 15MPH it's a very good ride.




You do need to pay attention.


We camped that night back at Four Mile campground.


Went for a nice hike.
 

eemsreno

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The next day we rode to Buena Vista to find the Midland Tunnels.




Then over Monarch Pass.


Then over a mild jeep road called Cumberland Pass, It was about all I wanted to do with this big of load on.






Down to Taylor Park.


And camped that night at Ouray and left the tent there for three nights to ride without gear.
 

eemsreno

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To Silverton, Durango, Creede, and Lake City was our first days loop.
We seen our first Super Tenere on the Million Dollar Highway, a 2012 Black.


We did some exploring off the Million Dollar Highway.
The Ghost Town of Ironton.




The National Belle Mine.




We seen our second and last Super Tenere in Pagosa Springs, a 2014 Gray ES.
Above Wolf Creek Pass.


Creede has a lot to see.






Spring Creek Pass, then back to camp.
 

eemsreno

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Second loop day would be up Dolores Canyon, John Brown Canyon, and a road we had never been on that was just fantastic!, Lands End Road.

Above Dolores Canyon.


Uranium Mine.












Then up John Brown Canyon and actually into Utah.




Then we just happened to take a road called Lands End, and it was one of my favorite roads. It's between highway 50 and 65 just south east of Grand Junction. It is half gravel but a good road.
It really climbs up the side of the mountain and the views are Grand!




 

eemsreno

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The next morning we loaded back up and headed for Victor, Colorado.
We rode the Shelf Road from Canon City to Cripple Creek on our honeymoon years ago. It's still a favorite.




Then it started to rain with a lot of lightning, so I parked and we climbed up into a rock out crop.




We camped in the woods near Cripple Creek.


That night we rode around the mining camps some.


The next morning was still exploring the mining camps.


The Independence Mine of Winfield Scott Stratton of 1891, he sold out for $11,000,000.


The Ajax Mine,


The Newmont Mining CC&V Mine
5.5 million ounces of gold since 1995.


Big Dump Truck bed.


Then on the way out of the mountains we rode through the Big Thompson Canyon.


On the way home we stayed on 136 in Nebraska and highway 2 in Iowa.


Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
 

snakebitten

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Yaw are amazing.
Poster Child(ren) for the Super Tenere!

We were pretty close to each other when you were in the Delores Canyon. I'd have treated yaw to some outstanding Mexican food. Just saying, my friend. :)
 

eemsreno

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I was looking for you while we went through Durango, I knew you was in the area. Some day I'll get a phone so I can keep in touch , Not.
 

patrickg450

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eemsreno said:
I was looking for you while we went through Durango, I knew you was in the area. Some day I'll get a phone so I can keep in touch , Not.
you could have borrowed one................
 

snakebitten

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patrickg450 said:
you could have borrowed one................
Patrick, he doesn't miss me THAT bad. 8)

Last year you hunted me down without a call. In fact, it was about 20 miles from here.
 

eemsreno

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patrickg450 said:
you could have borrowed one................
Then I would have to learn how to use it.
I've never made a call on one, I have talked on one before, :-\

Michelle has one so I don't need to know how. I don't even try to answer it when it rings.
 

TacoPapa

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Steve, really enjoyed yer pics. We live in Longmont so I've ridden a lot of the places you saw, but never all at once! Great tour; good to hear about it.

--Mike
 

Fatallybitten

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Steve, thanks for posting the ride report. You are a lucky man to have a wife who will do two up riding and camping with you. What a great way to spend time together! Enjoy the rest of the riding season and safe travels.
 

twodogs

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What can I say..... as always a great report with great photos...

Thanks for taking the time to do a report.
 

holligl

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Great report Steve! Nice setup on the new bike! Would love to get your GPS track. HaHa!
 
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