California and Kentucky to Colorado in July

[RosevilleRod]

Road Trip!
First the Cliff Notes version.
Two of us are riding from Roseville, CA to Twin Falls, ID on Wednesday, July 9, 2008. We are meeting a friend there and riding to Westminster, CO on July 10. In Westminster we are meeting two more friends who are riding in from Nicholasville, KY. On July 11 we are riding to Glenwood Springs, CO and returning to Westminster via Aspen and Breckenridge on Saturday the 12th. On the 13th we are riding the Trail Ridge Road via Estes Park, CO and the Stanley Hotel. On the 14th we are heading home, again via Twin Falls, ID.
I am inviting any and all riders to join us for all or part of the trip!
Now the long version! But first some background.
In April, 2005, Tom Koerner and I were working in Palo Alto, CA. Since Tom lived in Ohio, he would fly in Monday and fly home Friday. He decided to stay one weekend and go for a ride in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As I already live here, I rode with him. He rented a Harley and we spent an enjoyable Saturday exploring Mosquito Ridge Road and highway 49 through Coloma. We got gassed in Cool!
The following year we were both working in Minneapolis. We discussed a similar ride and were joined by another one of our team members, Norm Pearce of Nicholasville, KY. Together, they flew into Sacramento and rented Harleys. We met Saturday Morning and again rode Mosquito Ridge road, this time getting beyond the snow plow limit and into Hell Hole Reservoir where I had the misfortune of hitting by a bear! Great ride once the basics were accounted for. Gotta do the paperwork.
Last year Norm couldn't make it, but Jeff Somerville could. Jeff is a resident of Rocklin and also a former co-worker. We rode 49 through Placerville, down to Sly Park Road and US 50 to Ice House Road. Awesome! Nice ride to Wentworth Springs and into Georgetown.
Now, we've ready for a real Road Trip!
So, the details. Jeff and I leave Roseville (Valeros gas station at Blue Oaks and Woodcreek Oaks) about 6 AM on Wednesday, July 9th. We are riding through Nevada and staying at the Hampton Inn in Twin Falls, ID that night. We calculate about 10 hours plus meals and bathroom breaks.
Thursday morning we are meeting Tom Koerner, who moved to Twin Falls from Ohio earlier this year. We are leaving about the same time, 6 AM, subject to change by popular consent, and riding to Westminster, CO. We are calculating about an 11 hour ride plus stops.
We are staying at the Hampton Inn in Westminster, CO that night (on 88th Place), meeting Norm Pearce and his brother Randy, who are completing a two day ride of their own into Westminster from Nicholasville, KY. We plan to ride to Glenwood Springs on Friday, July 11th (220 miles), again staying at the Hampton Inn there. We also plan to return to Westminster via Aspen and Breckenridge on the 12th (220 miles) and another two nights at the Hampton Inn in Westminster.
Now, a bit of further explanation. During our stay in Minneapolis, we ate regularly at the Outback Steakhouse in Roseville, MN. It was an excellent place to eat. Great food and good fellowship, enhanced by the fact that the owner and her husband also ride. That may be the epitome of confluence!
So, she is now a Regional Venture Partner with Outback in....you guessed it, Colorado! She is checking her calendar and getting ready to ride the Trail Ridge Road with us! As I said, we leave on Sunday the 13th for Estes Park and the Stanley Hotel (best known for being the inspiration for Stephen Kings "The Shining" as well as the location for some of the filming of the TV series). I've been there before and it's awesome. You may have also seen it featured as one of the locations of "Ghost Hunters" on the Discovery network. It's also seen on their "Best of" video. Actually kind of creepy, but that just adds to the one of a kind value of this trip!
So, Road Trip Time!
I also need to let any potential riders know of our rules. Not many and common sense, but forewarned is forearmed.
We don't speed. At least not on purpose. Although I expect we will not be going 65 across the Nevada desert. More like 80 or so. We are not a bunch of daredevils, but 40-55 year old experienced riders. Meaning we have grown beyond the need to demonstrate our testosterone levels by going 100 in a 55 zone. We're down to less than 70 by now....
Seriously, no visits with LEO. I broke a rib two years ago by riding "spiritedly" around a blind corner only to discover that traffic had stopped for an accident. I simply don't need to grab my chest like I'm having "the big one" every time I sneeze again. Funny in retrospect, but damn sure not funny at the time.
As you can see, we have planned all our overnights at Hampton Inns. This is because, as a working team for several years, we always stayed at a Hilton Property. Good value and affordable prices. Not an advertisement, just a reflection of the way things were back two + years ago. Our group members have all got lots of Hilton Honors Points and so Hampton Inn's don't cost us anything. There are other Hotels nearby so, if you're interested, feel free to stay wherever...
While meals haven't been discussed in detail, I'm not wealthy so I'm not planning on expensive meals. I expect anyone who joins us to pay their own way, as I will mine. I fully expect at least one meal to be eaten at the Westminster, CO Outback, but beyond that, there are no plans. Simple camaraderie indicates that we will probably eat together, but it is certainly not required. And certainly not held against anyone for going to Taco Bell instead. I may join you...
So, let me know if you plan to join us.... As a group we decided that "The more the merrier".
Rod