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DK's Definitive Ride Report - Some of the Best Scenic Roads Out West - Tons of Photo'
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Day 13 Black Canyon of the Gunnison-
We stayed at the Antler Best Western in Glenwood Springs. Pic taken when leaving out this morning.
It is 53 degrees this morning, great riding weather when you have the right gear. This city is at around 5600 ft. elevation. Following Scott and Karin as we embark on another great day of riding.
Within the first 20 miles, Scott pulled over. They have an emergency back home, so they are hightailing it back, and they've given us...
...the map for where they were going to lead us today to and thru the Black Canyon.
After they took off, Mary and I talked about if we wanted to do the Black Canyon, or maybe some other route. (we were having a hard time picturing that the Black Canyon would be as spectacular as some of the other possibilities in Colorado).
In the end, we realized Scott has always led us on epic rides, and that we should trust him on this. So we punched in his written instructions into the GPS, and off we went!
From the get go, this ride has everything. Good winding roads, a stream along side the road and fantastic views!
Along the way we saw this little one lane wooden bridge over the stream, so we rode across...
...took some photo's, turned around and rode back across....
...and got back on the road to the Black Canyon...
...What a perfect day of riding this is turning into, between the views, the cool weather, the relaxing curving road. Wow!
More on Day 13 soon.
*
Kevin
We stayed at the Antler Best Western in Glenwood Springs. Pic taken when leaving out this morning.
It is 53 degrees this morning, great riding weather when you have the right gear. This city is at around 5600 ft. elevation. Following Scott and Karin as we embark on another great day of riding.
Within the first 20 miles, Scott pulled over. They have an emergency back home, so they are hightailing it back, and they've given us...
...the map for where they were going to lead us today to and thru the Black Canyon.
After they took off, Mary and I talked about if we wanted to do the Black Canyon, or maybe some other route. (we were having a hard time picturing that the Black Canyon would be as spectacular as some of the other possibilities in Colorado).
In the end, we realized Scott has always led us on epic rides, and that we should trust him on this. So we punched in his written instructions into the GPS, and off we went!
From the get go, this ride has everything. Good winding roads, a stream along side the road and fantastic views!
Along the way we saw this little one lane wooden bridge over the stream, so we rode across...
...took some photo's, turned around and rode back across....
...and got back on the road to the Black Canyon...
...What a perfect day of riding this is turning into, between the views, the cool weather, the relaxing curving road. Wow!
More on Day 13 soon.
*
Kevin
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Day 13 continued-
The views along the way toward the Black Canyon are stunning.
Cloud Pic...Some of Mary's favorite type photos.
Curve after curve of...
...amazing views!
The road is smooth, the curves just keep coming, the TG is running great, and Mary and I are just taking it all in...
...this road is so nice, not straight, but not twisty.* Winding around, a very relaxed ride, with different views around every curve.
That water is moving VERY fast, right next to the road.* We wondered if it every got so full that it overflowed onto the road.
I've gotten feedback, many of the folks in Colorado know...
...how good they have it.* The riding here is just crazy good!
We're starting a few miles of steep climbing up to the summit of Mc Clure Pass.
More on Day 13 soon.
Kevin
The views along the way toward the Black Canyon are stunning.
Cloud Pic...Some of Mary's favorite type photos.
Curve after curve of...
...amazing views!
The road is smooth, the curves just keep coming, the TG is running great, and Mary and I are just taking it all in...
...this road is so nice, not straight, but not twisty.* Winding around, a very relaxed ride, with different views around every curve.
That water is moving VERY fast, right next to the road.* We wondered if it every got so full that it overflowed onto the road.
I've gotten feedback, many of the folks in Colorado know...
...how good they have it.* The riding here is just crazy good!
We're starting a few miles of steep climbing up to the summit of Mc Clure Pass.
More on Day 13 soon.
Kevin
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It wasn't us, I promise! :laugh::laugh::laugh:
Kevin
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Day 13 continued-
Looking back as we climb to the summit...
...another look back. Sometimes I see stuff in the mirrors and let Mary know...other times she is just checking it out herself. A lot of times the views are so different, makes you want to ride the road the other way once you're done with the first way. lol
Still climbing. This is one of the few other vehicles we saw this morning. Great cloud pic.
Crossed the summit at 60 mph...Mary snapped this photo. At 8755 feet, it's not high relative to many others we've been riding, but it was a nice ride up...now for the ride down.
Almost right away this deer ran straight across the road in front of us. We were doing 60 mph, the deer was going ??? mph. Mary got a great photo of her, both front legs off the ground, rear legs stretched out.
Clouds are great this morning. Road is fun too.
Still heading down. Winding relaxing road, constantly changing scenery.
Great cloud pic, and that looks like a "fun ahead" sign up there!
We've been following along this lake for quite a while...
...decided to pull over for a little break and a closer look.
More on Day 13 coming soon.
Kevin
Looking back as we climb to the summit...
...another look back. Sometimes I see stuff in the mirrors and let Mary know...other times she is just checking it out herself. A lot of times the views are so different, makes you want to ride the road the other way once you're done with the first way. lol
Still climbing. This is one of the few other vehicles we saw this morning. Great cloud pic.
Crossed the summit at 60 mph...Mary snapped this photo. At 8755 feet, it's not high relative to many others we've been riding, but it was a nice ride up...now for the ride down.
Almost right away this deer ran straight across the road in front of us. We were doing 60 mph, the deer was going ??? mph. Mary got a great photo of her, both front legs off the ground, rear legs stretched out.
Clouds are great this morning. Road is fun too.
Still heading down. Winding relaxing road, constantly changing scenery.
Great cloud pic, and that looks like a "fun ahead" sign up there!
We've been following along this lake for quite a while...
...decided to pull over for a little break and a closer look.
More on Day 13 coming soon.
Kevin
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Day 13 Continued-
Back rolling.* It is blowing my mind how many great roads and sights there are here in Colorado!
We're still on our way toward the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.* After turning left, we are headed toward a pretty big storm.
Rolling thru the town of Crawford, Mary got this pic of the biggest store in town.
I've been doing a good job so far of not letting us get near empty.* 80 miles til more gas, AND it looks like rain.* We have enough gas for over 140 miles.
This turn off to the Black Canyon was miles of gravel, and headed straight into the rain...we opted to stay on the asphalt.
But we are still just barely skirting the rain!
Starting to get colder and more wind as we are on the edge of the rain.* Stopped to put on our rain jackets.
Rain has been thru here earlier...road's a bit wet.* We're just getting sprinkles here and there.* Not really enough to need the rain jackets, but it's pretty cool also, so they're doing a good job at keeping the wind out.
Looking back at where we came from...it's amazing how we've been missing the rain for the last couple of hours.
Our first glimpse of part of the Black Canyon, off in the distance.
More on Day 13 to come soon.
Kevin
Back rolling.* It is blowing my mind how many great roads and sights there are here in Colorado!
We're still on our way toward the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.* After turning left, we are headed toward a pretty big storm.
Rolling thru the town of Crawford, Mary got this pic of the biggest store in town.
I've been doing a good job so far of not letting us get near empty.* 80 miles til more gas, AND it looks like rain.* We have enough gas for over 140 miles.
This turn off to the Black Canyon was miles of gravel, and headed straight into the rain...we opted to stay on the asphalt.
But we are still just barely skirting the rain!
Starting to get colder and more wind as we are on the edge of the rain.* Stopped to put on our rain jackets.
Rain has been thru here earlier...road's a bit wet.* We're just getting sprinkles here and there.* Not really enough to need the rain jackets, but it's pretty cool also, so they're doing a good job at keeping the wind out.
Looking back at where we came from...it's amazing how we've been missing the rain for the last couple of hours.
Our first glimpse of part of the Black Canyon, off in the distance.
More on Day 13 to come soon.
Kevin
bikerbillone
3000+ Posts
Kudos to you guys. When you get the time, post how you 'punched' the route info your friends gave you into the gps. You using base camp, harley maps, curious here about that.
radismukes
2250+ Posts
It sure looks like you two are having a wonderful time! You're killing me Mary's pics are just great! It has been tooo long since we rode Black Canyon we really love Colorado!
Ride safe and may the rain gods be kind!
Robert
Ride safe and may the rain gods be kind!
Robert
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I've not used any external programs.
I use the nav system in the bike, specifically the Address. Punch that in and look and see if it is the route to the end address I want to take.
If it is not, sometimes I have to punch in the address of 1 or 2 waypoints to get it to take the route I want.
I do not need an entire address, the city and state work sufficiently well.
It sure looks like you two are having a wonderful time! You're killing me Mary's pics are just great! It has been tooo long since we rode Black Canyon we really love Colorado!
Ride safe and may the rain gods be kind!
Robert
Thank you!
Glad you're enjoying the photos...lots more to come.
Kevin
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Day 13 continued-
Now that we are running along side the Black Canyon...I am torn between how fun the road is and the views!
The road is a blast to ride...
...I really enjoy twisty roads, and when there are elevation changes in the curves, all the better!
We're still dancing with the rain, barely staying away from it.
Downhill into a sharp curve....
...and sharply uphill into some nicely cambered curves!
Starting to see more of the canyon, rolling down the road.
That's quite a view as we're rolling...
...and another one. These photo's are not conveying how large everything looks in person today. This place is HUGE!
This photo shows where we are riding just barely inside the canyon...see canyon details below.
Just looked up some specs on the canyon-
The Black Canyon is incredibly deep and sheer, with plunging cliffs, soaring buttresses and a thundering river. The following lists will help you understand the physical size of the canyon in comparison to other canyons and man-made structures.
The Black Canyon is incredibly deep and sheer, with plunging cliffs, soaring buttresses and a thundering river. The following lists will help you understand the physical size of the canyon in comparison to other canyons and man-made structures.
Greatest Depth:
Warner Point*2,722 feet (829 m)
Chasm View*1,820 feet (555 m)
Gunnison Point*1,840 feet (561 m)
Narrowest Width:At the rim (Chasm View)*1,100 feet (335 m)
At the river (The Narrows)*40 feet (12 m)
Total Length of Black Canyon:*48 miles (77 km)
Length in National Park**14 miles (22.5 km)
More in next post.
Kevin
Now that we are running along side the Black Canyon...I am torn between how fun the road is and the views!
The road is a blast to ride...
...I really enjoy twisty roads, and when there are elevation changes in the curves, all the better!
We're still dancing with the rain, barely staying away from it.
Downhill into a sharp curve....
...and sharply uphill into some nicely cambered curves!
Starting to see more of the canyon, rolling down the road.
That's quite a view as we're rolling...
...and another one. These photo's are not conveying how large everything looks in person today. This place is HUGE!
This photo shows where we are riding just barely inside the canyon...see canyon details below.
Just looked up some specs on the canyon-
The Black Canyon is incredibly deep and sheer, with plunging cliffs, soaring buttresses and a thundering river. The following lists will help you understand the physical size of the canyon in comparison to other canyons and man-made structures.
The Black Canyon is incredibly deep and sheer, with plunging cliffs, soaring buttresses and a thundering river. The following lists will help you understand the physical size of the canyon in comparison to other canyons and man-made structures.
Greatest Depth:
Warner Point*2,722 feet (829 m)
Chasm View*1,820 feet (555 m)
Gunnison Point*1,840 feet (561 m)
Narrowest Width:At the rim (Chasm View)*1,100 feet (335 m)
At the river (The Narrows)*40 feet (12 m)
Total Length of Black Canyon:*48 miles (77 km)
Length in National Park**14 miles (22.5 km)
More in next post.
Kevin
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Day 13 continued-
We pulled off the road to get some pics...
...this place is massive!
Mary did not even take her helmet off....she just jumped off the TG and started running around taking pics.* lol
She really likes it here.
Walking down to the edge to get some pics with my phone camera.
It really is quite a long, and steep, ways down!
Wow!
We really did not do a good job of capturing how big and magnificent this place is...but we tried.
Back rolling now, Mary gets this pic off to the side...
...Mary in the Mirror, taking a pic in front of us, right before a sharp curve to the right.
More on Day 13 coming soon.
Kevin
We pulled off the road to get some pics...
...this place is massive!
Mary did not even take her helmet off....she just jumped off the TG and started running around taking pics.* lol
She really likes it here.
Walking down to the edge to get some pics with my phone camera.
It really is quite a long, and steep, ways down!
Wow!
We really did not do a good job of capturing how big and magnificent this place is...but we tried.
Back rolling now, Mary gets this pic off to the side...
...Mary in the Mirror, taking a pic in front of us, right before a sharp curve to the right.
More on Day 13 coming soon.
Kevin
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hahaha, I feel sorry for you...Not!
Kevin
WOW! That is truly a magnificant place! Thanks for sharing your adventures through such scenic places! I look forward to your posts each day! Ride safe!
Kevin, you & Mary are telling a great story.
I'm trying to clear my schedule to go to the 4 Corners Rally in Colorado over the Labor day holiday.
I'm trying to clear my schedule to go to the 4 Corners Rally in Colorado over the Labor day holiday.
Wow, some of these pictures look like aerial shots.
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Yes, amazing! Good to read that you're enjoying!!!
Thank you.
That will be fun!!!
:laugh: Yeah, they are! Looking over the edge in some places...it's a LONG ways down!
Kevin
Fearless
Gone But Not Forgotten
Great pictures please travel safe thank you for the trip and including all of us:LooksGreat: Fred
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Day 13 continued-
We're back rolling now, enjoying some off camber, curving road as we...
...get near the end of the Black Canyon.
We're still seeing some pretty good views of it...
as we're riding along side on a really fun road.
Another really great shot as we're riding...
...and then "The End" of the Canyon.
We're now on the 50.* We traveled this same road just 3 days ago.* It takes us thru Gunnison, over Monarch Crest, over Wilkerson Summit, thru Woodland Park, and into Colorado Springs.
Some fellow riders....and some rain ahead...
...all day we've been missing the rain, just a little drizzle here and there.* Up ahead looks pretty nasty, but there is a gap.
Starting up the 7 mile climb to the summit of Monarch Pass.* It's cloudy today, and I'm not going to post a lot of pics...back on Day 10 we rode it and it was beautiful blue skies...posted a bunch of photo's from that day.
The conclusion of this incredible day coming up in the next two posts.
Kevin
We're back rolling now, enjoying some off camber, curving road as we...
...get near the end of the Black Canyon.
We're still seeing some pretty good views of it...
as we're riding along side on a really fun road.
Another really great shot as we're riding...
...and then "The End" of the Canyon.
We're now on the 50.* We traveled this same road just 3 days ago.* It takes us thru Gunnison, over Monarch Crest, over Wilkerson Summit, thru Woodland Park, and into Colorado Springs.
Some fellow riders....and some rain ahead...
...all day we've been missing the rain, just a little drizzle here and there.* Up ahead looks pretty nasty, but there is a gap.
Starting up the 7 mile climb to the summit of Monarch Pass.* It's cloudy today, and I'm not going to post a lot of pics...back on Day 10 we rode it and it was beautiful blue skies...posted a bunch of photo's from that day.
The conclusion of this incredible day coming up in the next two posts.
Kevin
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Day 13 continued-
Climbing up to Monarch Crest is two lanes the whole way. We already rode it a few days ago, so I hauled ass up it, totally enjoying how strong the TG is pulling and how well it is handling.
Fortunately everyone stayed in the right lane, and I was not slowed down by cages one time.
We rode right by the summit and...
...kept ripping it thru the curves down the other side...
....it was a lot of fun, got my adrenaline going a bit....then after about a mile on the downhill we ran into traffic (single lane) and took it easy the rest of the way down.
Starting up Wilkerson Pass
Getting close to Woodland Park. (I'm skipping big parts of this ride...you can see more photo's of this part of the ride on Day 10)
In the little curvy, scenic road, right....
...before Colorado Springs.
That's Colorado Springs, straight ahead.
Conclusion of this Epic Day coming next...with a ride thru The Garden of the Gods.
Kevin
Climbing up to Monarch Crest is two lanes the whole way. We already rode it a few days ago, so I hauled ass up it, totally enjoying how strong the TG is pulling and how well it is handling.
Fortunately everyone stayed in the right lane, and I was not slowed down by cages one time.
We rode right by the summit and...
...kept ripping it thru the curves down the other side...
....it was a lot of fun, got my adrenaline going a bit....then after about a mile on the downhill we ran into traffic (single lane) and took it easy the rest of the way down.
Starting up Wilkerson Pass
Getting close to Woodland Park. (I'm skipping big parts of this ride...you can see more photo's of this part of the ride on Day 10)
In the little curvy, scenic road, right....
...before Colorado Springs.
That's Colorado Springs, straight ahead.
Conclusion of this Epic Day coming next...with a ride thru The Garden of the Gods.
Kevin
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Day 13 Conclusion-
Right on the edge of Colorado Springs is a Park called Garden of the Gods...
...a look back at what we just rode thru...
...the views are astounding, the speed limit is slow, and that is good...
...no one is in a hurry. There is so much to see.
There is about 5 miles of road, all of it with view after view.
We did not stop, but we spent about an hour on those 5 miles of road!
Just amazing, if we were not near the end of an 11 hour day...
...we would park the bike and hiked around a bit.
Fantastic Place, we're gonna have to come back here and spend some time.
Off to Scott & Karin's place. Nice evening visiting. Great people!
Tomorrow we are off to Wyoming, with a stop on the way to visit Brandon at Devils Head Choppers.
Kevin
Right on the edge of Colorado Springs is a Park called Garden of the Gods...
...a look back at what we just rode thru...
...the views are astounding, the speed limit is slow, and that is good...
...no one is in a hurry. There is so much to see.
There is about 5 miles of road, all of it with view after view.
We did not stop, but we spent about an hour on those 5 miles of road!
Just amazing, if we were not near the end of an 11 hour day...
...we would park the bike and hiked around a bit.
Fantastic Place, we're gonna have to come back here and spend some time.
Off to Scott & Karin's place. Nice evening visiting. Great people!
Tomorrow we are off to Wyoming, with a stop on the way to visit Brandon at Devils Head Choppers.
Kevin
Garden of the Gods looks like an awesome place! Thanks for sharing! Amazing photographs Mary!!!
Fearless
Gone But Not Forgotten
Stunning so beautiful to see. :good: travel safe Fred
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Yes, amazing place. Thank you, and I'll pass the compliment on to Mary.
Fred, glad you're enjoying. Thank you.
Kevin
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Day 14, Part I of 2-
Leaving out of Scott and Karin's...
...headed up to Castle Rock, CO via the 83, thru the Black Forest.
After going thru the woods of the Black Forest, there is a lot of this...
...until we get to Castle Rock.
This is the reason for the name, Castle Rock.
And visiting Brandon, the owner of*Devils Head Choppers, is the reason we are in Castle Rock.
DHC is a busy shop, besides all the bikes IN the shop, there are a bunch more that won't fit, that are outside.
DHC uses a lot of DK Custom parts on their bikes...and Brandon has done a bunch of videos that are on our Youtube Channel.
After talking for a bit, he wants me to give his built Dyna a spin...
...even at 6,000 foot elevation, this thing really moves out!* Plus it has a bunch of DK Custom parts on it!
Brandon is a chopper guy...getting him on the Trike was nothing he was interested in doing, but, maybe his curiosity was there a little.* lol
More in next post.
Kevin
Leaving out of Scott and Karin's...
...headed up to Castle Rock, CO via the 83, thru the Black Forest.
After going thru the woods of the Black Forest, there is a lot of this...
...until we get to Castle Rock.
This is the reason for the name, Castle Rock.
And visiting Brandon, the owner of*Devils Head Choppers, is the reason we are in Castle Rock.
DHC is a busy shop, besides all the bikes IN the shop, there are a bunch more that won't fit, that are outside.
DHC uses a lot of DK Custom parts on their bikes...and Brandon has done a bunch of videos that are on our Youtube Channel.
After talking for a bit, he wants me to give his built Dyna a spin...
...even at 6,000 foot elevation, this thing really moves out!* Plus it has a bunch of DK Custom parts on it!
Brandon is a chopper guy...getting him on the Trike was nothing he was interested in doing, but, maybe his curiosity was there a little.* lol
More in next post.
Kevin
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Day 14 Concluded-
Coming back from his ride on the TG, can't tell if that is a smile or a smirk.* lol* I think he realized they could be a bit of fun, but his days for a trike are decades in the future...his Dyna is his plush ride, his real love is Ruby, his hardtail.
A look at just a couple of the 10+ bikes that are in the shop-
We've been working with Brandon for quite a few years...he provides quality work and parts, and because of that, his business has grown substantially since we first met him.* Good people!
We enjoyed the hour or so we spent there.
Back on the road, our goal is to get to Laramie, WY today.* We took the toll road around Denver, avoiding a lot of traffic, and now we're on the 25, headed straight north.
Montana is "Big Sky" country, but even here in Colorado...
...there's some big sky, and it's a great day for cloud pics.
This road is long, straight and it's hot.* Got the cruise set on 78 mph and the longest I went without touching the handlebars was 4/10ths of a mile.* Most of the time it was just a couple of fingers on one of the grips to keep it between the lines.
Crossing into Wyoming...
...mostly straight, there are a few curves, but we are climbing some.**
The best views are the big sky and clouds!
Back a few hours ago Mary put on her cool vest.* Now that we have climbed up to 8640 elevation, it has cooled down.* We stopped here so she could take it off.
Home away from home.* Super-8, in Laramie, WY.* This is our stop for tonight.
Today was an easy day of 260 miles.* Tomorrow we head toward Yellowstone.
Kevin
Coming back from his ride on the TG, can't tell if that is a smile or a smirk.* lol* I think he realized they could be a bit of fun, but his days for a trike are decades in the future...his Dyna is his plush ride, his real love is Ruby, his hardtail.
A look at just a couple of the 10+ bikes that are in the shop-
We've been working with Brandon for quite a few years...he provides quality work and parts, and because of that, his business has grown substantially since we first met him.* Good people!
We enjoyed the hour or so we spent there.
Back on the road, our goal is to get to Laramie, WY today.* We took the toll road around Denver, avoiding a lot of traffic, and now we're on the 25, headed straight north.
Montana is "Big Sky" country, but even here in Colorado...
...there's some big sky, and it's a great day for cloud pics.
This road is long, straight and it's hot.* Got the cruise set on 78 mph and the longest I went without touching the handlebars was 4/10ths of a mile.* Most of the time it was just a couple of fingers on one of the grips to keep it between the lines.
Crossing into Wyoming...
...mostly straight, there are a few curves, but we are climbing some.**
The best views are the big sky and clouds!
Back a few hours ago Mary put on her cool vest.* Now that we have climbed up to 8640 elevation, it has cooled down.* We stopped here so she could take it off.
Home away from home.* Super-8, in Laramie, WY.* This is our stop for tonight.
Today was an easy day of 260 miles.* Tomorrow we head toward Yellowstone.
Kevin
Jack Klarich
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You look good on that Dyna
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