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.

Sunday, June 29 - Day 3: I See the Mountains!

Today I "slabbed it" (took the freeway/interstate) from Ogallala NE to Denver CO.  The ride was about 3 hours and 200 miles.  I usually prefer to stay off the interstates but this seemed like the best option for today because I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my cousin Bonnie and her family (husband Bill and daughter Clarissa) who I haven't seen in several years.  I was last at their house when I did my first extended motorcycle trip back in 2008!  I arrived at their house around 10:45 this morning.

During the ride I got my first glimpse of the snow topped Rocky Mountains on this trip!  I just come over a hill and poof - there they were!  How can something so large just suddenly appear?  I am so excited to be able to ride in the Rockies again on this trip.

Today was spent visiting, catching up, and doing a little hiking.  We went to the Red Rock area where you can see dinosaur bones in the rocks, we went to nature area for a short walk and then visited the burial place for Buffalo Bill.  When we returned home, we had grilled buffalo burgers for supper - thanks for the great meal Bonnie and Bill!

Tomorrow (Monday) is actually a work day for me.  As part of this trip, I worked in a visit to our distributor (they sell and service the products we make at the factory) here in the Denver area.  I have been wanting to connect with the people here about some work items and figured this was a great way to do it as I was passing through the area anyway.

Here is the route map for today.

Saturday, June 28 - Day 2: Across the Midwest

The word of the day is wind - yes - W-I-N-D - wind!  I describe wind as the force you can not see but always lets you know it is present!  Winds were moderate during the day, but I always felt it's presence.  The other invisible force that I encountered today was odor.  There were a few spots where there were some really "honey holes" - if you know what I mean!

The landscape today was divided into two parts.  East of the Missouri River, it was typical farm land.  Crops everywhere.  The crops had a lot less water standing in them and were much healthier.  The second part was west of the Missouri River where there is nothing but rolling grassland.  That is what I saw for 2/3 of the day today.  Pasture after pasture. Some had cattle grazing in them, other did not.  Al least through the Sand Hills of Nebraska, the roads have some turns and twists to make the ride a little more exciting.  At one point, I went down a 1 lane road I had mapped as part of the route.  Little did I know that after about 25 miles - the pavements ends.  I am OK driving on some gravel but 10 miles on the sands of Nebraska is no place or match for my FJR.  Time to turn around and get back on the "main" road.  It is all part of the adventure of riding.

I easily made it to Ogallala NE today which was my intent.  As I got a jump on things yesterday, it was easy today.  My plans to avoid the rain worked as well.  There was light rain went I went to bed last night and some roads were a little damp yet this morning.  Not sure how much rain there was - it didn't appear to be too much.  I didn't hear any storms, but that doesn't mean anything either!  There were a few spotty showers remaining as I rode this morning, but I was able to adjust my route slightly to miss all of it - yeah!  

Tonight will be my first night of camping.  The tent is already set up and the weather is looking good to spend a night under the stars.

Tomorrow (Sunday), I have a short drive to Denver where I will meet with my cousin Bonnie and her family for the afternoon and evening.  I haven't seen them for some time so I am really looking forward to it!

Below is the route I drove today.  Note: you can see my little "pavement ends" adventure just south of Hwy 2.

Friday, June 27 - Day 1: The Journey Has Begun!

This is the first day (short day) of my 2014 trip.  My previous plan for today was to leave after work and make it as far as my parents' house and spend the evening with them.  Well, plans changed last night when my dad was admitted to the hospital in St. Cloud.  I changed my plans and got up extra early (4:00 a.m.) and worked from home during the morning and then visited my dad in the hospital.  Hopefully things are under control again and he can go home on Saturday.

The forecast for this evening includes heavy rain, strong winds, and flash floods, I decided to make a run for the border (South Dakota) and make it far west as I can.  I made it to Madison SD (northwest of Sioux Falls).  Due to the forecast, I chose not to camp tonight, so I got a room at a Super 8.

For today's farm report: Water, water, water.  Almost everywhere along the ride today, these is evidence of the flooding that has happened.  Many fields still have standing water.  The rivers are still raging.  It's hard to believe how much rain we have gotten this year!

The plan for tomorrow is to make it across South Dakota and Nebraska.  I will have to see what the weather looks like in the morning and go from there.  If I make it to close to the Colorado border, it will leave an easy ride to make it to the Denver area by Sunday afternoon.  Hoping for the best!

Here is the map for today's ride.

The Preparations Has Started!

My motorcycle trip for 2014 is quickly approaching and final preparations are under way.  The motorcycle has a new set of tires and brakes.  A new waterproof bag has been purchased for my camping gear.  A cot to sleep on has been purchased, sleep tested, and packed.  The packing checklist is prepared and the majority of the items are put together in 1 corner of a room waiting for final packing.  Just in case you can't tell; I am very excited for this year's trip!

The trip this year is set up around visiting my daughters and some great motorcycling roads - what a great combination!  One lives in Phoenix AZ the other lives in Manhattan (Kansas - not New York!).  The planned departure data is Friday, June 27 (after work) and return on Wednesday, July 9.  Below is a map of my intended route.  Some of the planned highlights include:

•  Bryce Canyon - been there before and it is gorgeous
• Zion National Park
• Grand Canyon
• Four Corners
• Pikes Peak

I will create additional posts once the trip begins.  I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures, seeing the photos, and living vicariously through my posts!