#1 Thread starter
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01308.jpg)
Do you have one of those rides that you have always wanted to do but it constantly seems just out of reach? For me that has been Hwy 141, a gorgeous stretch of road that follows Unaweep Canyon, in Southern Colorado. It really is a destination as there is not much more out there. Most of my rides are day trips as I was previously married, with Kiddos, or perhaps a quick overnighter.
Well, I have since learned life can change in an instant. In lieu of my new-found time and irregular mental stability (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) it was time to get out and ride the elusive 141 once and for all. . .
I Started out in Fort Collins and made a quick hyper jump to C. Springs, to get the Freeway part out of the way. The interstate is only fun because you can really open it up South of Denver and the scenery is actually quite pretty. I think I pegged it at about 120mph for a bit and the bike did great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) It was hot in the Springs and I got my first shots of the bike after disrobing.
At the Parking lot of my friends school
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01293.jpg)
I met my friend Steve Gowing on his R100CS bright and early and we headed out for Hwy 24 through Woodland Park into the Heart of CO. We picked up Hwy 285 into Johnson's Village for our first Coffee Stop at the famous Gunsmoke Cafe/Gas Station.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01295.jpg)
It is a short jaunt to Hwy 50, which heads West over Monarch Pass. Monarch is great because the majority of the road on the way up is two lanes, and is 65 mph. You can really open it up and the scenery is gorgeous. No pics here cause I was to stoked to stop. . . but soon we were in Gunnison and hungry as ever. We ate at the Firebrand Cafe and it was fantastic!! Great sandwiches for sure.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01297.jpg)
Steve Benchin' it
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01301.jpg)
After leaving Gunnison we headed West to Montrose before turning South and heading to Ridgeway. We took the turn towards Telluride and caught just and epic view of the San Juans.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01305.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01307.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01308.jpg)
We shot past the turn off to telluride, and headed on yet another great winding road through the little town of Norwood, and landed in Naturita, and the start of 141.
Hwy 141 basically stretches from Naturita to Whitewater on hwy 50. The only respite on the ride is a little town of Gateway which is all but gone. It was really hot by now and we decided to stop for a coke and some shade after fillling up the tanks. This place look all to fitting. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01309.jpg)
Off we went. Hwy 141 maintains a very moderate temperature year round and the road is all but free of any heaves or cracks. You can see most every corner coming and therefore you can really open it up and enjoy your self. The hardest part is concentrating on the road because the environment is staggering. Beautiful view after beautiful view.
We stopped at a really neat pull out to look at these old mining Flumes. It was amazing to think of the work just to suspend this sort of thing on the side of the cliff
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01312.jpg)
and more . .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01316.jpg)
I was wearing an Olympia Phantom one piece suit and had to dis-robe at must of these stops so I didn't burst into flame inside of it. It vents really well if you are moving, but at a stand still. . . roasty baby. . .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01318.jpg)
So in the middle of 141 is Gateway. I town of nothing at all. . . except for the little oasis that was built by the cat who owns the Discovery Channel. It is a Hotel, Restaurant, and an incredible car museum. INCREDIBLE!! I saw some of the most incredible cars I have ever seen. . like this
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01326.jpg)
this. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01335.jpg)
and this. . the original Smokey and the Bandit car..
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01340.jpg)
I highly recommend this to anyone. It cost $9.00 and was worth every penny. The view outside of the Museum looks like this. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01341.jpg)
We continued on down the way the road just got better. The canyon walls just kept getting taller and the road just a bit longer with bug strung out twisties. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01324.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01325.jpg)
The day was getting the better of us and we had already logged around 600 miles. Delta was still a way off and we were tired and hungry again. Whitewater proved to be nothing so we headed East towards Delta to find dinner and a campsite. It was something like 35 miles to Delta and all of it straight and hot on Hwy 50. No bueno. We went as fast as we could but it still seemed like for ever. We found a nice Mexican joint that had hot food and cold Marg's. Just what the doctor ordered.
The sun was down and we packed back up and headed east towards Montrose. After 10 miles or so we called it. . .pulled over to the side of the road. Road down an embankment and and layed down and passed out. Right there on the side of Hwy 50 in front of some ranchers house.
So I tried to sleep in my one piece and tough it out like I did when I was a young cowboy. ummm. . not so much. It was the worst night sleep ever. Since then, I have purchased a Big Agnus sleeping pad, a nice bag and I solo tent. I will travel in style. Once my Givi Luggage system shows up I'll really be set up for touring. =-)
So we woke at the ass crack of dawn, at least I did, and I think I woke Steve. We were up and in search of coffee. We found an open coffee house in Montrose.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01352.jpg)
I stepped out and caught I nice sunrise at one point. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01353.jpg)
We decided the best and most fun route would be, back towards Gunny, turning off at the Black Canyon Rim. So we headed over the pass towards Blue Mesa Reservoir. Pulled off at a cool over look for a proverbial smoke break. It was nice to chill out in the cool morning air.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01355.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01356.jpg)
The black Canyon is my favorite ride in all of Colorado. Well. . at least without the cattle drives. Thank god there was a truck waving people to slow down or Iwould have head longed into this menagerie. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01366.jpg)
The riding is superb, and because it is so. . I did not take a lot of pics. Here is one of Crystal Res.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01358.jpg)
and a nice scenic shot
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01363.jpg)
and the obligatory bike and scene shot
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01364.jpg)
Off to Paonia for Breakfast. Yummy country food. Hot, Brown and lots of it at some cool diner. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01368.jpg)
Hwy 133 is also a dream. It follows a river as well and all the corners are set at about 35mph. You can hit them and hold the throttle at 70 and really enjoy yourself. I wish I could remember the lake there or the river name for that matter. . . and then. . the great McClure Pass. Super fun!! Watch out for the disappearing road at the top which seems to fall off into the oblivion every time I ride that pass. .
Down through Redstone, and Carbondale, we hung a left and sped off towards Aspen. Here we hit the first bit of traffic and melted again in the heat. Brand new Blacktop to add insult to injury.
Independence Pass is a crazy European feeling pass as it often goes to one lane. There is also a barrage of RV's to contend with too just to make it feel like the old game Frogger. . . dodge left, move right, dodge again. . . ha ha ha. We stopped at the ghost town of Independence. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01370.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01369.jpg)
and I took a walk down to look at the old townsite. It lost to Aspen as the county seat and like most old mining towns in CO, it slowly is being reclaimed by the Earth. It is cool to see. . .
By now my ass was "Shampoo Hurt". You know how when you wash your hair once, if you wash it again, it lathers up super quick? That is what I mean. Day one on a Motorcycle, your can ride 500-600 miles and feel solid. Day two, it is just as sore after a 100 or so. . . It was time to head home.
We shot through leadville, over Fremont and down to I-70 and road it all the way home. . . . only to hit stand still traffic at Silverthorne. HOLY #$@*. I couldn't believe it. I had never seen traffic so back up. . even with Ski Traffic on a Sunday. This was a Wednesday. Needless to say, I was having non of it. I don't recommend this but we white lined it all the way up to Eisenhower Tunnel. I expected to get lots of honking horns but we encountered none. We turned a 4-5 hour wait to a 40 min climb. Another reason why motorcycling rules!! Turns out they were paving and had it down to one lane. again. . . no bueno.
I sold my 1998 VFR and was told that I would join the ranks of all those who had owned one of the 1998-01 VFR's and kick themselves for selling it, and I did. For Sure. I will say that my 86 VFR700 really took the trip well. I am happy to own it and named her Greta after this trip was over. The total miles for this trip was just over 1,100, all of it fantastic. I had finally rode Hwy 141, cleared my head a little bit from the Zen of long miles, and had a new VFR. I look forward to many more miles . . . many more. . . .- MotoMax
Do you have one of those rides that you have always wanted to do but it constantly seems just out of reach? For me that has been Hwy 141, a gorgeous stretch of road that follows Unaweep Canyon, in Southern Colorado. It really is a destination as there is not much more out there. Most of my rides are day trips as I was previously married, with Kiddos, or perhaps a quick overnighter.
Well, I have since learned life can change in an instant. In lieu of my new-found time and irregular mental stability (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) it was time to get out and ride the elusive 141 once and for all. . .
I Started out in Fort Collins and made a quick hyper jump to C. Springs, to get the Freeway part out of the way. The interstate is only fun because you can really open it up South of Denver and the scenery is actually quite pretty. I think I pegged it at about 120mph for a bit and the bike did great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) It was hot in the Springs and I got my first shots of the bike after disrobing.
At the Parking lot of my friends school
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01293.jpg)
I met my friend Steve Gowing on his R100CS bright and early and we headed out for Hwy 24 through Woodland Park into the Heart of CO. We picked up Hwy 285 into Johnson's Village for our first Coffee Stop at the famous Gunsmoke Cafe/Gas Station.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01295.jpg)
It is a short jaunt to Hwy 50, which heads West over Monarch Pass. Monarch is great because the majority of the road on the way up is two lanes, and is 65 mph. You can really open it up and the scenery is gorgeous. No pics here cause I was to stoked to stop. . . but soon we were in Gunnison and hungry as ever. We ate at the Firebrand Cafe and it was fantastic!! Great sandwiches for sure.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01297.jpg)
Steve Benchin' it
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01301.jpg)
After leaving Gunnison we headed West to Montrose before turning South and heading to Ridgeway. We took the turn towards Telluride and caught just and epic view of the San Juans.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01305.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01307.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01308.jpg)
We shot past the turn off to telluride, and headed on yet another great winding road through the little town of Norwood, and landed in Naturita, and the start of 141.
Hwy 141 basically stretches from Naturita to Whitewater on hwy 50. The only respite on the ride is a little town of Gateway which is all but gone. It was really hot by now and we decided to stop for a coke and some shade after fillling up the tanks. This place look all to fitting. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01309.jpg)
Off we went. Hwy 141 maintains a very moderate temperature year round and the road is all but free of any heaves or cracks. You can see most every corner coming and therefore you can really open it up and enjoy your self. The hardest part is concentrating on the road because the environment is staggering. Beautiful view after beautiful view.
We stopped at a really neat pull out to look at these old mining Flumes. It was amazing to think of the work just to suspend this sort of thing on the side of the cliff
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01312.jpg)
and more . .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01316.jpg)
I was wearing an Olympia Phantom one piece suit and had to dis-robe at must of these stops so I didn't burst into flame inside of it. It vents really well if you are moving, but at a stand still. . . roasty baby. . .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01318.jpg)
So in the middle of 141 is Gateway. I town of nothing at all. . . except for the little oasis that was built by the cat who owns the Discovery Channel. It is a Hotel, Restaurant, and an incredible car museum. INCREDIBLE!! I saw some of the most incredible cars I have ever seen. . like this
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01326.jpg)
this. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01335.jpg)
and this. . the original Smokey and the Bandit car..
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01340.jpg)
I highly recommend this to anyone. It cost $9.00 and was worth every penny. The view outside of the Museum looks like this. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01341.jpg)
We continued on down the way the road just got better. The canyon walls just kept getting taller and the road just a bit longer with bug strung out twisties. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01324.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01325.jpg)
The day was getting the better of us and we had already logged around 600 miles. Delta was still a way off and we were tired and hungry again. Whitewater proved to be nothing so we headed East towards Delta to find dinner and a campsite. It was something like 35 miles to Delta and all of it straight and hot on Hwy 50. No bueno. We went as fast as we could but it still seemed like for ever. We found a nice Mexican joint that had hot food and cold Marg's. Just what the doctor ordered.
The sun was down and we packed back up and headed east towards Montrose. After 10 miles or so we called it. . .pulled over to the side of the road. Road down an embankment and and layed down and passed out. Right there on the side of Hwy 50 in front of some ranchers house.
So I tried to sleep in my one piece and tough it out like I did when I was a young cowboy. ummm. . not so much. It was the worst night sleep ever. Since then, I have purchased a Big Agnus sleeping pad, a nice bag and I solo tent. I will travel in style. Once my Givi Luggage system shows up I'll really be set up for touring. =-)
So we woke at the ass crack of dawn, at least I did, and I think I woke Steve. We were up and in search of coffee. We found an open coffee house in Montrose.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01352.jpg)
I stepped out and caught I nice sunrise at one point. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01353.jpg)
We decided the best and most fun route would be, back towards Gunny, turning off at the Black Canyon Rim. So we headed over the pass towards Blue Mesa Reservoir. Pulled off at a cool over look for a proverbial smoke break. It was nice to chill out in the cool morning air.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01355.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01356.jpg)
The black Canyon is my favorite ride in all of Colorado. Well. . at least without the cattle drives. Thank god there was a truck waving people to slow down or Iwould have head longed into this menagerie. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01366.jpg)
The riding is superb, and because it is so. . I did not take a lot of pics. Here is one of Crystal Res.
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01358.jpg)
and a nice scenic shot
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01363.jpg)
and the obligatory bike and scene shot
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01364.jpg)
Off to Paonia for Breakfast. Yummy country food. Hot, Brown and lots of it at some cool diner. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01368.jpg)
Hwy 133 is also a dream. It follows a river as well and all the corners are set at about 35mph. You can hit them and hold the throttle at 70 and really enjoy yourself. I wish I could remember the lake there or the river name for that matter. . . and then. . the great McClure Pass. Super fun!! Watch out for the disappearing road at the top which seems to fall off into the oblivion every time I ride that pass. .
Down through Redstone, and Carbondale, we hung a left and sped off towards Aspen. Here we hit the first bit of traffic and melted again in the heat. Brand new Blacktop to add insult to injury.
Independence Pass is a crazy European feeling pass as it often goes to one lane. There is also a barrage of RV's to contend with too just to make it feel like the old game Frogger. . . dodge left, move right, dodge again. . . ha ha ha. We stopped at the ghost town of Independence. .
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01370.jpg)
(IMG:http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t105/Motohaus1/VFR%20Ride%202008/DSC01369.jpg)
and I took a walk down to look at the old townsite. It lost to Aspen as the county seat and like most old mining towns in CO, it slowly is being reclaimed by the Earth. It is cool to see. . .
By now my ass was "Shampoo Hurt". You know how when you wash your hair once, if you wash it again, it lathers up super quick? That is what I mean. Day one on a Motorcycle, your can ride 500-600 miles and feel solid. Day two, it is just as sore after a 100 or so. . . It was time to head home.
We shot through leadville, over Fremont and down to I-70 and road it all the way home. . . . only to hit stand still traffic at Silverthorne. HOLY #$@*. I couldn't believe it. I had never seen traffic so back up. . even with Ski Traffic on a Sunday. This was a Wednesday. Needless to say, I was having non of it. I don't recommend this but we white lined it all the way up to Eisenhower Tunnel. I expected to get lots of honking horns but we encountered none. We turned a 4-5 hour wait to a 40 min climb. Another reason why motorcycling rules!! Turns out they were paving and had it down to one lane. again. . . no bueno.
I sold my 1998 VFR and was told that I would join the ranks of all those who had owned one of the 1998-01 VFR's and kick themselves for selling it, and I did. For Sure. I will say that my 86 VFR700 really took the trip well. I am happy to own it and named her Greta after this trip was over. The total miles for this trip was just over 1,100, all of it fantastic. I had finally rode Hwy 141, cleared my head a little bit from the Zen of long miles, and had a new VFR. I look forward to many more miles . . . many more. . . .- MotoMax