Day 10 - July 6th

Today, we leave Denver and start our ride home. We rode north through Fort Collins, CO toward Wyoming.

Since we didn't get a picture of the Colorado sign when we came into the state, we took a picture as we were leaving...



and another picture of us entering Wyoming...



This was a long day, 400+ miles to our destination (Sturgis, SD). We skirted rain all morning and finally, in the early afternoon, we rode through a small storm. It cleared off and looked like it was going to be nice...



We stopped in Lusk, WY for gas and food. The truck stop diner, The Outpost, was the best diner in 50 miles (since in was the only diner in 50 miles). We had a paddy melt, fries and, of course, a milk shake... not. The Outpost doesn't make milk shakes so I had to settle for a piece of homemade chocolate peanut butter pie. When we went outside, after our meal, things did not look very good. Black clouds to the west and north meant we were going to ride through another storm. The road from Lusk, WY to Sturgis, SD was a great ride but the weather was very trying. Rain, wind and dark clouds met us about 10 miles out of Lusk and stayed with us till Newcastle, WY. We arrived at the South Dakota line just before dusk, still about 70 miles from Sturgis, SD.




We rode on into Sturgis and arrived about 10pm. Wet, worn and weary but excited about the experiences we were enjoying.

Day 9 - July 5th

We chose the "Estes Park Ride" today. The ride started out on the interstate...



After getting off the interstate and going north, the scenery was magnificent...



We stopped at Berthoud Pass. The temperature was dropping quickly as we went higher into the mountains...



Blue skies and beautiful roads...





We stopped at Grand City for lunch. By the time we finished the weather was turning. The skies were gray and rain was rolling in.



After we entered Estes Park and climbed to the summit, the drizzle was coming down harder and colder...



but the views were still spectacular.











We rode out of the park and started back to the hotel (90 miles away). A storm came up and rain, sleet, small hail and wind were with us for about 30 miles. We finally stopped at a roadside diner and drank coffee until the storm let up.

A great ride and made more memorable by the weather.

Day 8 - July 4th

It's Independence Day, and we chose to go on the "Canyons and Curves" Ride.
The ride started at 8:00am...



The ride went through some nice canyons and, of course, had a few curves, too.







After a few hours on the ride, Ron and I decided to visit his nephew in Eagle, CO. I think both of us wanted some semblance of family on this holiday. Ron's nephew and his nephew's wife were very hospitable, and made us feel welcome and at home. We left Eagle and stopped at the Eagle Diner for burgers and shakes before our 120 mile ride back to the hotel.

Day 7 - July 3rd

Today was the first day of organized rides by the Colorado VTX Riders. We chose to go on the Mt. Evans Ride, over 200 miles and to the top of Mt. Evans (over 14,000 feet above sea level).

We started out at 8:00am...




There's always something to see in Colorado. This is near Red Rock, on the way to Mt. Evans.



This lake is at the Visitor's Center at the foot of Mt. Evans (the visitor's center is at 10,000 ft.)



Here we are at the top. Yep, we rode the motorcycles all the way to 14,000 ft above sea level.



The amazing thing was that there were many bicyclists pedaling to the top.

Day 6 - July 2

(posted July 7th)

Today was a "regrouping" day. We are in Denver for the next five days. Washed clothes, bought some sun block and after sun lotion (much needed).

I thought I'd share some video of roads we have experienced.

You may want mute your sound...
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Arkansas - Rt. 412...


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New Mexico - Rt. 104
(where "No Country for Old Men" was filmed)...


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Las Vegas, NM to Taos, NM...


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Bridge over the Rio Grande River Gorge, Taos, NM


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The Rainbow on the Santa Fe Trail
(between Taos, NM and Trinidad, CO


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To the Top of Mt. Evans (14,100 ft)...