Monday, June 30 - Day 4: The FUN has BEGUN!

I had breakfast with my host Bonnie this morning as her husband and daughter were off to work early this morning.  After breakfast, it was a short commute (only about 20 minutes) to Cummins Rocky Mountain which is the distributor of the products we (Cummins) manufacture.  They have the large Rocky Mountain region all the way from the Canadian border to the Mexican border.  I was able to meet with a variety of people and learn some things that I will use when I get back to work.  

I left the Cummins Rocky Mountain location about 4:45 and headed to the mountains!  As I headed west out of Denver, I saw the sign for Mount Evans.  I had not ridden up there on a motorcycle yet – now was the time!  The peak of Mount Evans is 14, 270 feet which is actually taller than Pikes Peak which is ONLY 14,114. When I left Denver, the temperature was 91 degrees.  When I reached the summit of Mount Evans, the temperature was 55 degrees! 

While I was riding up the mountain, I could hear the sides so my tires saying “thank you – thank you”.  Why you ask?  Because since I left home they had pretty much been ignored (other than some areas in the Nebraska Sand Hills). The center of my tires were getting all the attention – this evening, it was time for the sides of the tires to have some fun!  The motorcyclist in the audience will know what I mean!

When I get to ride on the roads such as those in Colorado, I still play back in my mind the training I received when I took the Stayin’ Safe riding class back in 2009 in West Virginia.  The skills I learned there are the most valuable I have received when it comes to riding safe but still having a fun, spirited ride.  If anyone is interested in learning more about the training, either look it up on the web (stayinsafe.com) or let me know and I can tell you more about it.  I would highly recommend it regardless of your prior riding experience.  As I said, I still apply many of the key skills I learned.

After Mount Evans, it rode over Loveland Pass.  This pass crosses the Continental Divide at 11,990 feet.  It goes through multiple ski resort areas including Key Stone.  Once again the side of my tires were happy!

Tonight I am staying at a Holiday Inn in Frisco (company paid!) which is about 1.5 hours west of Denver (if you take the freeway).    It was about 3.5 hours when you take the “scenic” route like I did!

Tomorrow I continue west into Utah then start heading south towards Bryce Canyon.  I was at Bryce Canyon back in 2008.  I loved it so much I said I had to stop again.  For those that have not yet been there, you will know why I say that when I post some pictures.   

Here is the route map for today.