Made it back, with some unexpected excitement on the ride.
Left Friday evening right after work, made it 200 miles right across the Canada border to Port Huron, MI to beat the long weekend border traffic. Saturday did about 700 miles of straight interstate to just west of Des Moines, camped at a KOA.
Sunday was another 700 miles of straight interstate to Estes Park at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park, camped at Mary's Lake campground (I would recommend). Thankfully weather was decent that day, and just started to drizzle as I got to the campground. Noticed my Shinko 705 was wearing at an alarming rate half way through Sunday, about 1400 miles into the trip. Had 900 miles on it before I left and was about half way worn. I had worn through 2 705's before this one and hadn't seen wear like this, normally get 5-6k miles on a rear. Started freaking out and doing mental math where I would have to try and find a back tire along the route, convince myself to keep the speed to 75mph to preserve the tire.
Monday woke up to cold weather and a heavy drizzle. Checked the weather for Trail Ridge Rd and Mount Evans Rd, both were around freezing with consistent rain and a chance of snow. The bad weather and the rear tire situation wrecked my spirits for the day, doubled back to Loveland where it was warmer and a lot drier. Ended up doing a lazy day, rode south on 25 to outside Boulder and headed west into the mountains. More rain in the mountains. Once I got on I70 outside Denver the weather cleared and warmed up. Had a really nice ride on I70 to Glenwood Springs, before heading South East towards Independence Pass. Rain started to pop up in the distance. Stayed at the very nice Westin Resort in Snowmass Village (thanks Priceline). Started pouring just as I pulled up
Tuesday did Independence Pass which was beautiful, stopped a few times to take it in. Followed that by Monarch Pass, which I could have skipped. Didn't find it all that scenic and basically just blew through it. Finally did 550/Million Dollar Highway between Montrose and Durango. Weather turned on 550 and was pouring half the way before clearing by Durango. Checked the map and figured northern New Mexico wasn't doable timewise so turned eastward back home. Rain in the distance along the Contintental Divide. Got to Alamosa, CO by nightfall without rain and stayed at another KOA. Once again I'm worried about the back tire, the 705 starts at about 12mm of tread, was down to about 3mm at Alamosa with another 1700 miles to go or so. Highway 10 through eastern Colorado, incredibly remote and empty, only the odd ranch here and there, makes you think of a different kind of life. Ended the day in Concordia, MO.
Thursday was supposed to be 900 miles home. Rear tire is at 1-2mm so I'm starting to think it may actually make it. Got about 200 miles into the day, stop to fill up and notice the kick stand goes down unbelievably smooth, as if it was a brand new bike. Somethings's not right. Look down and I notice oil pooling below the sprocket cover and spray on the swing arm. Take off the sprocket cover and there's definite oil coming from somewhere, I try to convince myself that it's just chain lube liquifying from the heat in the mid 90's. Clean the residue, ride it 20 miles and it's a definite oil leak, I suspect from the countershaft oil seal. Call a few shops along the route and no one has the seal, I decide to gamble and ride it. Stop periodically to check it and it's getting worse and worse, starting to coat the rear tire. I keep the speed between 60-70 and contort my body to keep the bike upright at any curve in the road. Worrying about the oil leak and trying not to potentially crash is really wearing on my physically and mentally. Stop 125 miles from home to get a tow which is the limit with CAA (Canadian AAA). Tow is of course delayed, end up getting home at 4am, was originally planning to be home by 10pm.
Could have done without the bad weather, a few people mentioned it was typical of September not August. Ironic, as the last time I was in Colorado was in September and was near 100% dry the whole time. The bike issues were a pain. Any time on the bike and not at work is good though, some nice scenery in Colorado was a bonus.
Here's the approximate route I ended up taking, https://goo.gl/maps/Dz6fgegFC7K2
Anywhere in Nebraska
Starting to dry off in Colorado
Along I70
Obligatory bike shot
Is that rain the distance? ...
Yup, it's rain
Along Independence Pass
Twin Lakes along Independance Pass
Going to Monarch Pass, I see rain...
Going to Alamosa, more rain in the distance
Highway 10, makes me think of the wild west
Don't know what these things were, but they flew only a foot off the ground and were full of bug juice
Uh oh
By the end of the day
Trip stats (about 125 miles added on the back of a tow truck)
Left Friday evening right after work, made it 200 miles right across the Canada border to Port Huron, MI to beat the long weekend border traffic. Saturday did about 700 miles of straight interstate to just west of Des Moines, camped at a KOA.
Sunday was another 700 miles of straight interstate to Estes Park at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park, camped at Mary's Lake campground (I would recommend). Thankfully weather was decent that day, and just started to drizzle as I got to the campground. Noticed my Shinko 705 was wearing at an alarming rate half way through Sunday, about 1400 miles into the trip. Had 900 miles on it before I left and was about half way worn. I had worn through 2 705's before this one and hadn't seen wear like this, normally get 5-6k miles on a rear. Started freaking out and doing mental math where I would have to try and find a back tire along the route, convince myself to keep the speed to 75mph to preserve the tire.
Monday woke up to cold weather and a heavy drizzle. Checked the weather for Trail Ridge Rd and Mount Evans Rd, both were around freezing with consistent rain and a chance of snow. The bad weather and the rear tire situation wrecked my spirits for the day, doubled back to Loveland where it was warmer and a lot drier. Ended up doing a lazy day, rode south on 25 to outside Boulder and headed west into the mountains. More rain in the mountains. Once I got on I70 outside Denver the weather cleared and warmed up. Had a really nice ride on I70 to Glenwood Springs, before heading South East towards Independence Pass. Rain started to pop up in the distance. Stayed at the very nice Westin Resort in Snowmass Village (thanks Priceline). Started pouring just as I pulled up
Tuesday did Independence Pass which was beautiful, stopped a few times to take it in. Followed that by Monarch Pass, which I could have skipped. Didn't find it all that scenic and basically just blew through it. Finally did 550/Million Dollar Highway between Montrose and Durango. Weather turned on 550 and was pouring half the way before clearing by Durango. Checked the map and figured northern New Mexico wasn't doable timewise so turned eastward back home. Rain in the distance along the Contintental Divide. Got to Alamosa, CO by nightfall without rain and stayed at another KOA. Once again I'm worried about the back tire, the 705 starts at about 12mm of tread, was down to about 3mm at Alamosa with another 1700 miles to go or so. Highway 10 through eastern Colorado, incredibly remote and empty, only the odd ranch here and there, makes you think of a different kind of life. Ended the day in Concordia, MO.
Thursday was supposed to be 900 miles home. Rear tire is at 1-2mm so I'm starting to think it may actually make it. Got about 200 miles into the day, stop to fill up and notice the kick stand goes down unbelievably smooth, as if it was a brand new bike. Somethings's not right. Look down and I notice oil pooling below the sprocket cover and spray on the swing arm. Take off the sprocket cover and there's definite oil coming from somewhere, I try to convince myself that it's just chain lube liquifying from the heat in the mid 90's. Clean the residue, ride it 20 miles and it's a definite oil leak, I suspect from the countershaft oil seal. Call a few shops along the route and no one has the seal, I decide to gamble and ride it. Stop periodically to check it and it's getting worse and worse, starting to coat the rear tire. I keep the speed between 60-70 and contort my body to keep the bike upright at any curve in the road. Worrying about the oil leak and trying not to potentially crash is really wearing on my physically and mentally. Stop 125 miles from home to get a tow which is the limit with CAA (Canadian AAA). Tow is of course delayed, end up getting home at 4am, was originally planning to be home by 10pm.
Could have done without the bad weather, a few people mentioned it was typical of September not August. Ironic, as the last time I was in Colorado was in September and was near 100% dry the whole time. The bike issues were a pain. Any time on the bike and not at work is good though, some nice scenery in Colorado was a bonus.
Here's the approximate route I ended up taking, https://goo.gl/maps/Dz6fgegFC7K2
Anywhere in Nebraska
Starting to dry off in Colorado
Along I70
Obligatory bike shot
Is that rain the distance? ...
Yup, it's rain
Along Independence Pass
Twin Lakes along Independance Pass
Going to Monarch Pass, I see rain...
Going to Alamosa, more rain in the distance
Highway 10, makes me think of the wild west
Don't know what these things were, but they flew only a foot off the ground and were full of bug juice
Uh oh
By the end of the day
Trip stats (about 125 miles added on the back of a tow truck)
It's incredibly fortuitous as I am currently planning to head that way in about a week.
Thanks again.
