| Author | Message | ||
     Maximum |
So I took a trip this past weekend to Kremmling Colorado (2 hours west of Denver) for my daughters' softball tournament. I took the slab to get there, but once I arrived I notice a bunch of mountain dirt trails all over the place, so what was I to do? Saturday morning I got up early to give it a try. I found a trail off the nearby highway that led to the trail structure and 300-500 foot cliffs that border the east side of the city. I wasn’t sure if I had made a good decision or not, as just a few minutes on the dirt road I found myself faced with a 100 foot section of rock (some loose) and hard pack dirt at an incline of maybe 35-40%. I was a little nervous, but this section of the trail was a ridge line that I felt less comfortable about the thought of trying to turn around than continuing forward. So I went for it. Although it was a little bumpy I made it up to the level section above only to see about 250-300 more feet of the same stuff. So again, I figured that I should go forward. Once I got to the top there were miles and miles of terrain that was perfect for the Uly, and man it was fun! I started off easy, but after a while I was reaching speeds up to 60 mph and doing some very subtle power slides (not at 60 mph).         It was so much fun that I decided to take my wife up there Saturday evening. Of course I forgot to mention that I found another way to get into those trails that did not require the hair raising vertical climbs, which was only a few miles further east on the main highway. So that is the way we went since I did not want to scare my wife too much! We even ran into a local father and son on dirt bikes that thought we were crazy riding the Uly in that area, but at the same time he was impressed that we were there.      After the fun in the dirt in Kremmling, I figured that I needed to find a non-slab way home. I decided to head down the county roads east to Granby, then to Fraser, then Winter Park where I would try to take Corona Pass road to Rollins Pass Road directly to hwy 119 just south of Nederland Colorado. Just as I got on the dirt road for Rollins Pass, a sign informed me that the Pass was closed in 18 miles, but of course I had to see it for myself. The road was mostly hard packed dirt, but many sections got a little rocky, and some had pretty good sized dips and holes. The Uly was really handling things very well, even on some rough sections that I was not ready for (still sitting on the seat) the 6.5 inches of travel really did an awesome job! As I ascended up to the top of the world, the Continental Divide, the views where absolutely breath taking! I stopped many times to take some pictures in an attempt to capture the beauty, but as many of you know, there is nothing like seeing things like this for yourself. About 18 miles and one hour later, right at the top of Rollins Pass, sure enough the pass was closed. So I heading back down and got to enjoy everything again from a different vantage point.          On the way down I was really hitting the bumps fast and hard, putting the shocks to the test. The shocks were great, but my Ulytility light bracket did not fair as well! Those 1 lb PIAA 510 lights are just too much for the aluminum supports. I know that I have read of others having their bracket crack when doing the off road stuff, but I figured that it would never happen to me! After a quick 10-15 minute stop to remove the lights, I was back on the way down the mountain. Since the Ulytility bracket no longer available, I guess that I will be "Aux-light-less" until I find another way to mount them.   Once back down the dirt mountain roads, I took state hwy 40 south through Berthoud Pass, which is another sweet road (paved) to be on a Buell! After reaching Interstate 70, I only stayed on the slab for a few miles to Idaho Springs where I caught another dirt/gravel mountain ascent that headed directly (except for all the switchbacks) for the Colorado Casino town of Central City. There I joined back up with hwy 119 north to hwy 72 back to Denver. Other than the few miles on I-70, this was an awesome 170 mile day filled with many of the roads for which the Uly was made!     Here is one final picture of my dirty Uly. Now I know that many of you have posted pictures of mud covered Uly’s, so this is no big deal to you guys. But this is the dirtiest my Bike has even been, and ya know what, I think she liked it!  | ||
| Orangeulius |
You've got to quit having so much fun! Great post and pics. Look forward to your next adventure. | ||
| Slowride |
Maxium, What are ya trying to do, turning the Badweb into the ADVRIDER board? Nahhhh, just joking. We need more of these ride reports in the Uly. I have two to post up from my TX to MT ride and my TX to AR. Great post and pics..... | ||
| Brad1445 |
Hey I know Rollings pass on a ULY   Here is that Yankee Doodle Lake  | ||
| Michael1 |
Nice trip. Since I've had this bike, I love exploring the little out of the way places. It realy is a lot of fun off road. Just takes some time in getting used to it. Sorry about the light bar. Mine broke in the same excat spot. Actually, both sides cracked and I had them rewelded up. It didn't last as my next off road excursion really toasted the bracket. I had to strap it to the fork leg with a 6' ultility strap from Wally World. Atleast it got me home. Yesterday, I just picked up some angle pieces (steel and aluminum). I'm going to try and get something to work for me, without breaking everytime I head off the beaten path. The cut for the front wheel is where the cracks come from. They are basically stress risers and cracks can't resist forming there. I'm trying on little design without a wheel cut out. I am also experimenting with a piece of steel sheet, plasma cut out the pattern I want, then heat and bend. Hopefully, I'll have something this weekend, as I plan on riding out to Mid-ohio Vintage Days and would love the extra light. Great ride report and hopefully the dirt bug bit you. I know it has me..though I did grow up on the dirt. | ||
| Hoon |
Maximum,nice ride report. I posted the pics below on AdvRider,it's easy enough to make your own (or have someone make it for you) especially as you have the old one to copy dimensions from (just needs to be stronger). I'm hoping mine will be up to it (especially with the 4 lights I plan to mount on it!-I worry about bulbs and vibrations).  (Not wired up yet,the bracket will be painted also)    Cheers,Hoon. | ||
| Dbahm |
Great posting, Maximum. It sure makes me miss the mountains. You should find plenty of good roads while taking folks up for HATS training. Nice bracket, Hoon. | ||
| Etennuly |
Hey Steve, Another great write up! I am amazed at you. You got it dirty! I think your bike is still cleaner than mine and I haven't been in the dirt and I just washed it. I am glad to see you enjoying your bike as much as I am mine. Permagrin rules!!!  | ||
| Aeholton |
Hey Hoon - Is that a Roof helmet? | ||
| Hoon |
No it'a Caberg Trip,flip front with internal black visor-£90 ($180). I had to make a few mods to make it perform how I wanted (visor action,de-misting) and it took a little longer to get used to (after having Arai's and a Shoei) but I'd be hard pushed to get another helmet without the internal visor now.You can ride at speeds up to 30mph comfortably with the chinbar up and still use the black visor. The actual helmet seems a little cheaply made at first (see price) but is pretty good when used to it. I'll probably splash out on a Schuberth next (if the fit is right) 'cos they do some mean looking,quality helmets with some good ,unique features. (I had one of the first Roof Boxers when they came out,a little noisy (I wear ear plugs for distance trips anyway) but excellent for local trips.I then got another (thrown in with my Uly when I bought it) newer model Boxer which was 'kin awful compared to the old one (don't know if it was a one-off problem but I gave up on it). My g/f also has a Caberg (Justisimo) and has been pleased with it. They're a good helmet overall for the money,but as the saying goes-'If you've got a £10 head,buy a £10 helmet'-you get the jist. | ||
| Maximum |
Brad1445: Did you get all the way through the pass, or did you enter Rollins Pass from the east? Pretty cool place though, huh? Hoon: That is one heavy duty bracket! Sure looks like you should have enough light to illuminate a small city. Dbahm: Your right about being able to scan the roads from the air. I saw a couple more roads today (while flying along the Front Range) that I want to try sometime. Etennuly: Sorry my bike did not get dirty enough, I was trying very hard....but I guess I'll have to work at it some more. Well, I guess that takes care of everything! I'm glad everyone is enjoying my ride reports, but I'll tell you that it is more fun actually riding it than reading about it. Let me know if anyone makes it out to Colorado, I'll personally show you some of my favorite roads!!! | ||
| Dbahm |
I should be out the first week of September. I plan to ride Stove Prairie Road and Rist Canyon among others. If I have my Uly by then, I might head up Polar Star (South of Edwards). | ||
| Brad1445 |
Maximum. Yes my shots are due to going up the east side. I got so excited when I seen your pictures. We are so blessed to be near such beauty! | ||
| Y2blade |
great pics guys | ||
| Oldnotbold |
Maximum and Brad1445, I used to do Corona every few weeks. It was my favorite place when I lived in CO. I swear that you can see for 200 miles on a clear day! It just really irks me that vandals choose to destroy something like that. Thanks for the pictures. Dennis |
