| Author | Message | ||
     Sfarson |
Was able to sneak a ride over North America's highest continuously paved road a couple of days ago. Entered the park shortly before noon. Later that afternoon a snowstorm closed it down. Perhaps the images and video below recall your own traverse, or, you just want to come along for the ride! Here's a 4:50 highlight movie (Click the "Change Quality icon after the video starts for HD). The wind was fierce up high, overwhelming the mic/audio, soooooo, a couple of tunes from the Jeremiah Johnson movie soundtrack accompany. The words at around 3:10 of the vid are quite appropriate for us who ride. http://youtu.be/7lhUrOBxJdg Shortly after entering the park from U.S. 36 on the east...  As altitude is gained, from the video...  There's a wide spot in the road, so an image with the bike. Oh yeah.  Looking back, that's famous Long's Peak (14,255ft. elev.) on the left with the block-like summit. One could play a football game on its summit!  Passed by elk five different times in the park. From the video...  It took three years to build Trail Ridge Road up to the Fall River Pass location, then another six years to complete it in 1938 all the way to Grand Lake. Here's a 1939 pic, the first year one could drive Trail Ridge all the way through the park...  And from the helmet cam this week...  Starting the descent on the west side...  And finally one more. On the horizon is the Never Summer Range. And it didn't feel much like summer on this ride! Actually, it rarely ever does! Ahhhh, but totally worth it.  | ||
| Arry |
Looks like a great ride. Thanks for the tour! | ||
| Crusty |
I have to get back out to Colorado. It's been too long. Thanks for the pictures. They really stir up memories and make me long for the mountains. | ||
| Geedee |
Great choice of music for that clip. Thanks. | ||
| Schwiggy |
Really great pics/video. I love your scenic shots. I was out in CO last summer without a bike and ever since I've been trying to figure out how I'm going to get back out there with a bike. | ||
| 1bigeasy |
Steve, Yer killin me. I just bought your Colorado book and am plotting my June vacation. The book is awesome, overwhelming amount of detail. I can't fathom how you kept a job and put it together, the time must have been nuts. I'm not a huge planner type so the plan is to head west to CO then check the weather. I'm sure that your book will have the options needed to help me fill my days. | ||
| Buellerxt |
GREAT job, Steve! You are GOOD, Man!  You have brought so many beautiful, and cool, pictures, videos, and historical comparisons to this forum! Thank you. Rocky Mountain National Park is a favorite of ours and we thoroughly enjoyed your great presentation. Thanks. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Stunning photos; thanks for sharing. --Doc | ||
| Motorbike |
Thanks for the great pics! I have ridden on the same road several years ago on my (new at the time) 86 Gold Wing while it was snowing. It was just warm enough that the snow was melting as it hit the road so we were able to keep going. Would love to go back out there with the XT. Thank you very much for posting the cool pics! Yours are the best! | ||
| Motorfish |
Niiiice! I was out there in `94 on my FXR. That is a MUST for every motorcyclist! I was there in October, and had to turn around on one road because it had an inch of snow on it. I`d love to get there again, earlier in the year on the Uly. Great post! | ||
| Rcf2 |
Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing, specially on a Friday, will have my Uly on the road tomorrow for sure!  | ||
| Sfarson |
Kind and gracious thoughts all. Another great ride delivered by a great bike. 1bigeasy... It was a BIG project. I was OUT there all the time collecting all the content, then I was IN there all the time researching and writing. Ha! And the Buell was a workhorse for notable chunks of the book. If I can shamelessly and blatantly note it everyone, in case any interest, just search my name, or "The Complete Guide to Motorcycling Colorado" at Amazon for more info, previews, etc. Here's to the BMC product! | ||
| 4_pete_sake |
 Steve - great photo's as always... passed through there last year on opening weekend.... the only noticeable difference is snow pack.... so much more last year and of course it opened weeks earlier this year.... Where locally can I pick up your book Steve (Denver area)??? Of course we could meet up for a ride some time and I bet I could get it from the source ...hint hint Cheers-"pete" | ||
| Tootal |
Once again, great stuff! I was just out there a couple of weeks ago with my riding buddy. We visited friends in Holyoke, near the Nebraska border. While there a cold front came through and it was snowing in the mountains. My friend, who's having balance issues, is relegated to a trike now and he's not happy!! The thought of the cold and fighting the trike through the twisties made us turn around and go home. He'll be 80 in August and is really missing his two wheeler. I guess we will all get to that point someday. Anyway, thanks again Steve for the teaser. I should be heading back in August by myself and on the Buell. As the time gets closer I'd like to meet you and some of the other folks lucky enough to live in Colorado! |
