Simmons1
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3 Amigos Explore NW Colorado
- Thread starter SpiritAtBay
- Start date
woodsguy
Ride Red
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- Rob
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- Vaughan
Only been to Colorado twice, never on a bike. Before I age out sure wish I could check some of it out! Minus the drop-offs, lol.
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Northwest colorado is awsome riding , the rest of colorado is traffic jam city every time you try a trail . Not my playground anymore .
Adding a few to the report.
In Steamboat Springs, this sign lured me in like a moth to a flame.
My first look at the western end of the valley.
The Green river at the Gates of Lodore.
This bike makes me feel like a 12 year old again.
It really does not get much better than this.
On the swinging bridge.
Looking downstream.
JT and Gina.
JT. Note, the custom tiger stripes on Gina's ride.
Stopped for a break in Crouse canyon.
It took us a couple of hours to negotiate the tight spots in Sears canyon. Take the steepness you see in the photo and double it. Add in all the loose rocks and you have an intermediate trail, not an easy one. Turns out, it is not the best place for a heavy adv bike. Sorry about that Gina.
Out of the canyon. Looking down into Taylor Flats.
One of my favorite views of Brown's Park.
Speaking of colorful, a spectacular sunset over the gates.
In Steamboat Springs, this sign lured me in like a moth to a flame.
My first look at the western end of the valley.
The Green river at the Gates of Lodore.
This bike makes me feel like a 12 year old again.
It really does not get much better than this.
On the swinging bridge.
Looking downstream.
JT and Gina.
JT. Note, the custom tiger stripes on Gina's ride.
Stopped for a break in Crouse canyon.
It took us a couple of hours to negotiate the tight spots in Sears canyon. Take the steepness you see in the photo and double it. Add in all the loose rocks and you have an intermediate trail, not an easy one. Turns out, it is not the best place for a heavy adv bike. Sorry about that Gina.
Out of the canyon. Looking down into Taylor Flats.
One of my favorite views of Brown's Park.
Speaking of colorful, a spectacular sunset over the gates.
woodsguy
Ride Red
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That KTM should make you feel young again! Great photos.
Great photos! Keep them coming! LolAfter leaving the canyon, we picked up a section of the "Trail of the Ancients" a scenic byway that loops through Utah and NM.
For much of the day, everywhere we went, it looked like the rain had just stopped.
Then we see this ahead of us.
Quickly turned into this.
John hit the hazards and pulled to the shoulder. The hail hitting the truck was deafening.
In just a few minutes, it was over.
Even got a rainbow for our troubles.
LicketySplit, I hope no helicopter ride on your Colorado trip this time...
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- Steve
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- Pylant
Me too, I heard that was a tough experience.
You must be referring to last year's million dollar helicopter ride.
Fortunately, there was no need for medical assistance. I did not fall once. That happens occasionally.
On the way to Echo Park, I stopped on Blue Mountain road for a photo of Dinosaur National monument.
Jack Chew's house.
Can you see the petroglyphs?
How about now?
and now?
The whispering cave.
Grommet, the fourth amigo.
Echo Park
Fortunately, there was no need for medical assistance. I did not fall once. That happens occasionally.
On the way to Echo Park, I stopped on Blue Mountain road for a photo of Dinosaur National monument.
Jack Chew's house.
Can you see the petroglyphs?
How about now?
and now?
The whispering cave.
Grommet, the fourth amigo.
Echo Park
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Looks like you got to run on a fresh graded bench road before bubba blazed it in his 4x4 right after a good rain . Thats the only way Ive ever seen it . I have been on some other good roads without 4x4 tracks . Some roads along seven mile ridge west of the little snake river were really fun when they hadn't seen any wheels other than two wheels in a few years . There were tumble weeds 3 feet across growing in one road , fun fun .
The roads were in great shape. In Brown's Park, so much so, it became a slippy hazard. I had seven mile ridge and Godiva rim on the GPS, but we did not make it that far east. I will be going up there again. The solitude is amazing...
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Grommet
0
For me, this trip started in Sevierville, TN. My wife and I live full time in an RV, and were staying with some friends there for a few weeks. As part of the prep for the UTBDR, I went tubeless. Partially; just on the rear wheel for now, because I only needed a new rear tire, so that's the only wheel that came off the bike. (I'm not about that changing tires life on dirt bikes unless I have to; 2 BDRs on a 17 year old front tire on my KLX400 to prove this. Plenty of tread left, and it survived with no issues and not one drop on either BDR)
So anyway, back to the tubeless. I followed the thread on advrider, using 3M 4411 tape and 5200 sealant. (https://advrider.com/f/threads/3m-4411n-sealing-tape-tubeless-conversion.1147330/)
To get closer to Utah, and for other reasons, we then moved to Troy, MO. Staying with a work associate of my wife, on their 6 acres of rural countryside property. More bike prep. After many years of research and saving my pennies for the right moment, I put together an ultra-lightweight camping gear kit. Ground sheet, tent, air mattress, sleeping bag, chair, mess kit, and silverware, all together right around 8lb. (hit me up if you want the list of stuff). I had to make my own poles for the tent, and they stand up inside some pockets in the tent material. (they suggest you use your trekking poles for this, which I don't have) So I improvised with material from the tire I took off the rear of the bike.
Those knobs have been over Black Bear Pass (twice) so they are thoroughly road tested. Camp testing TBD.
More gear prep - washing. (This turned out to be of little value; after day 1 the gear looked the same again)
Getting my bike ready:
I ended up using my Tusk dry bag instead of the Mosko 22L top bag. It's a lot more versatile and easier to get into on the trail. I added the Tusk tank panniers for some easy-access storage. Mostly tools.
BTW, Gina identified this bike as a 690 earlier in this thread - it's a 500 exc-f.
Loaded and ready to roll:
Yes, that ramp was made on the spot. It was replaced on this trip with an assist from JT (Thanks, JT) But it did work. Mostly. (bike loading fail video guys missed a great opportunity. nuf said)
So anyway, back to the tubeless. I followed the thread on advrider, using 3M 4411 tape and 5200 sealant. (https://advrider.com/f/threads/3m-4411n-sealing-tape-tubeless-conversion.1147330/)
To get closer to Utah, and for other reasons, we then moved to Troy, MO. Staying with a work associate of my wife, on their 6 acres of rural countryside property. More bike prep. After many years of research and saving my pennies for the right moment, I put together an ultra-lightweight camping gear kit. Ground sheet, tent, air mattress, sleeping bag, chair, mess kit, and silverware, all together right around 8lb. (hit me up if you want the list of stuff). I had to make my own poles for the tent, and they stand up inside some pockets in the tent material. (they suggest you use your trekking poles for this, which I don't have) So I improvised with material from the tire I took off the rear of the bike.
Those knobs have been over Black Bear Pass (twice) so they are thoroughly road tested. Camp testing TBD.
More gear prep - washing. (This turned out to be of little value; after day 1 the gear looked the same again)
Getting my bike ready:
I ended up using my Tusk dry bag instead of the Mosko 22L top bag. It's a lot more versatile and easier to get into on the trail. I added the Tusk tank panniers for some easy-access storage. Mostly tools.
BTW, Gina identified this bike as a 690 earlier in this thread - it's a 500 exc-f.
Loaded and ready to roll:
Yes, that ramp was made on the spot. It was replaced on this trip with an assist from JT (Thanks, JT) But it did work. Mostly. (bike loading fail video guys missed a great opportunity. nuf said)
Grommet
0
Now for the actual trip. Trips. I met @jredford in Wichita, and we drove out to Cortez, CO. to start the UTBDR. Why Cortez? Because it's close to the UTBDR start and you can (safely) leave a vehicle parked at the Cortez Airport for free. We started out with pavement to Bluff, then down the road a bit to Valley of the Gods. I had never been through there, so I got some pics.
(now you can see why I needed the Tusk dry bag vs the 22L Mosko stinger. Neither bag complained about the different brand of the other)
The trouble started shortly after this. JRed lost the bag with all his tools in it. It was one of the lower bags in his Reckless 80 setup. We have no idea how it got out, but it was gone.
Then he did a classic loop and catapult maneuver in some talcum powder sand, resulting in a dirt nap.
Unfortunately the dirt nap turned into a long sleep. Later investigation revealed the fuel pump had been ripped from its mooring and wiring inside the tank. The bike refused to continue.
Long story short, we called it, and I took JRed back to Wichita. I hung out there for a day deciding what to do. Lickety and friends were calling from CO. My friend Mark Glorioso from Harrison, AR (I'm sure some of you know him) , was out of commission with a knee replacement. So CO won out, and I headed back west.
There was a lot of this:
(now you can see why I needed the Tusk dry bag vs the 22L Mosko stinger. Neither bag complained about the different brand of the other)
The trouble started shortly after this. JRed lost the bag with all his tools in it. It was one of the lower bags in his Reckless 80 setup. We have no idea how it got out, but it was gone.
Then he did a classic loop and catapult maneuver in some talcum powder sand, resulting in a dirt nap.
Unfortunately the dirt nap turned into a long sleep. Later investigation revealed the fuel pump had been ripped from its mooring and wiring inside the tank. The bike refused to continue.
Long story short, we called it, and I took JRed back to Wichita. I hung out there for a day deciding what to do. Lickety and friends were calling from CO. My friend Mark Glorioso from Harrison, AR (I'm sure some of you know him) , was out of commission with a knee replacement. So CO won out, and I headed back west.
There was a lot of this:
Grommet
0
Made it to Gates of Lodore Campground and met up with Lickety, JT, and Gina. Great people. First day was the day they struggled out on the trail. I got in after they left, so I set up camp. Found I had no cell service, so I rode back toward Maybell to let my wife know I'd be offline for a few days.
The camping gear worked well.
Next day, we went to Dutch John in the morning for supplies, then did a ride in the afternoon.
Store in Dutch John through my rose colored glasses:
The ride that afternoon was pretty low key. JT got a flat, and completed the fastest and most efficient tube change I've ever seen out on the trail. Well done, JT.
Couple of pics from late in the day:
Lickety and JT are great riding partners.
The camping gear worked well.
Next day, we went to Dutch John in the morning for supplies, then did a ride in the afternoon.
Store in Dutch John through my rose colored glasses:
The ride that afternoon was pretty low key. JT got a flat, and completed the fastest and most efficient tube change I've ever seen out on the trail. Well done, JT.
Couple of pics from late in the day:
Lickety and JT are great riding partners.
Grommet
0
Next day, we relocated to Green River Campground. Nice drive through Dutch John and the Flaming Gorge area, then down to Vernal.
Sunrise pics at Gates of Lodore campground:
Flaming Gorge, near the bridge:
Later that day, we toured the Dinosaur NP visitor center and quarry wall. Lots of dinosaur bones. Pretty cool. I'd never been there. It's worth a stop.
There are hundreds of fossilized dinosaur bones in that wall.
Sunrise pics at Gates of Lodore campground:
Flaming Gorge, near the bridge:
Later that day, we toured the Dinosaur NP visitor center and quarry wall. Lots of dinosaur bones. Pretty cool. I'd never been there. It's worth a stop.
There are hundreds of fossilized dinosaur bones in that wall.
Grommet
0
Next day Lickety and I did the Yampa Bench Road. Great riding, and some cool stuff to see on the way. If you want to practice backing it in and power sliding through a corner, there are many opportunities for that on this road.
Look closely for the petroglyphs:
This cave is naturally air-conditioned. It's amazing in there.
Echo Park: (yes, it echoes)
Lots of great views along this road:
Look closely for the petroglyphs:
This cave is naturally air-conditioned. It's amazing in there.
Echo Park: (yes, it echoes)
Lots of great views along this road:
Attachments
Grommet
0
Then it was time to go. Over 1100 miles to get back to Troy. I gave myself 2 days to do it, and got back around noon the second day.
epilog: JT, I found this when I got back home. I think you can get them on Amazon:
It ended up being a long trip (almost 4000 miles of driving) but good times and good riding were had. It was great to meet Gina and JT - they are good people. Hope to see you again.
epilog: JT, I found this when I got back home. I think you can get them on Amazon:
It ended up being a long trip (almost 4000 miles of driving) but good times and good riding were had. It was great to meet Gina and JT - they are good people. Hope to see you again.
GrapeApe
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Count me inI'll probably come with yall. Will start looking for a goldwing.
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The enthusiasm displayed by these two is palpable. 
Just when I thought the report was coming to an end, Grommet steps forward with another complete set of pictures. Good job, Grommet.
Just when I thought the report was coming to an end, Grommet steps forward with another complete set of pictures. Good job, Grommet.
woodsguy
Ride Red
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@SpiritAtBay , where's your pictures????