American SW Part II - Finally here!

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BeastieGirl

Well-known member
The bikes loaded and just waiting for me to get home. Slept for about 4 hours last night - you'd think by now I wouldn't still get that pre-trip adrenaline rush - but I was stoked. Making a run for the border right after work, so I can get the border crossing over with and then tomorrow I can just get up and go. Hamilton to the Sarnia border crossing isn't really far and there's tons of daylight right now.

Because I'm a little short on time, I decided no camping this time. My roughed out itinerary is close to 9,000 kms in 12 days (some of these are optional side trips though) and I'm staying at a couple of KOA cabins in Colorado and New Mexico - the one in Ouray should be great - how can even KOA ruin that?

Just had a full service (including the valves) done on the Beast and it flies!! The old girl has some life in her yet. Can't wait to hit the highway.

Looking at the long range forecast, I think I'm going to change plans in midstream though and head back through the northern states rather than the south. Don't have to decide until next Thursday.
 
I have a tough time sleeping the night before a big trip too. Just like a 7 year old on Christmas eve. Sounds like a great adventure. I haven't ridden to that area yet yest but it's in the plans for next year. I'm looking at slabbing it to Colorado, a couple of days in the mountains and head to Salt Lake City for the WSBK race (Memorial day weekend), then back up through Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota. I'd be interested to see your route and comments.
 
Keep us posted and have a safe trip.
I'll grab whatever info i can from you when you get back for my trip end of July. :)
 
Have fun and be safe. Don't rush around too much. Try to stop and smell the roses or it will all be a blur. Please post pictures upon your return.
 
kiley said:
Keep us posted and have a safe trip.
I'll grab whatever info i can from you when you get back for my trip end of July. :)
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I rode up Mount Evans today - holy crap :-( Coming up on some of those switchbacks you see nothing but air. Views are spectacular but don't look over the side too long. As usual on twisty roads the problems are more from oncoming "hotdogs" crossing over the median into your lane trying to prove they can go faster than anybody else. BTW don't overlook the highway running from Idaho Springs to the Mount Evans highway. Its quite beautiful and quite twisty and really to get the best views run it both ways.

I have some pictures but there aren't many safe places to pull over on a bike. Also Highway 70 running into Glenwood Springs is incredible. I'm staying in Glenwood Springs tonite but I will do that stretcch hagain heading east tomorrow when I go to Independence pass. Maybe this time i canget pix - I'm beat - 2975 kms since I left Wednesday night in90 plus heat is draining.
 
Wadadli said:
Have the fires in Colorado affect your trip in any way?
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They hven't affected my trip but I've seen (or smelt) evidence of them. Heading from Vail to Leadville it smelled like a big campfire and today when I went south to Mesa Verde I passed a site where they were dropping the water by helicopter. They post signs on the highways asking people not to stop in the fire areas. Its sad - so much parched and yellow where you usually see green.
 
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