My first ride to Colorado from Central California

2on2off · 09-09-2009, 08:52 PM

Slowly but surely, I am checking many of the places I would like to ride to in the USA and Canada.

One of the places I have been to, but not ridden to is Colorado. I have been to Colorado Springs, Denver and Boulder but always on business and didn't go anywhere other than to meetings and the local hotel. Not a good way to see a state.

So, even though I've been to Colorado, I've never really seen all Colorado has to offer.

We left this morning at 3:00 a.m. so we could get to "the good stuff" by the end of the day and beat the heat in the desert.

I decided to ride east on highway 40, even though it is the warmest route of four possible routes, because it gets me to Colorado the fastest. I will be returning on one of the other three but haven't decided which one yet.

My riding buddy Ray and I stopped in Barstow for breakfast as the sun was just coming up and we thought eating was better than looking directly into the sun. It was 6 a.m.

We rolled through Needles, the hottest spot on the route, at 10 a.m. and it was already 97 degrees.

On to Kingman Az for gas and then we took a detour through Windslow but didn't see much.

While looking for the entrance to the Petrified Forest we found found "Mater" and "The Cars" movie props.

2on2off · 09-09-2009, 08:55 PM

The road today was long and straight but we made good time.

2on2off · 09-09-2009, 09:02 PM

We found the Petrified Forest and The Painted Desert. While there, we got drenched and saw some lighting but didn't hear any thunder. I have been watching the weather forecast for this area for a month looking for a window in the rain and thunder but couldn't find one so I just to go and see what happens. We got rained on but not bad.

Tomorrow's forecast is for more rain and lighting, but only in the afternoon.

2on2off · 09-09-2009, 09:13 PM

We rolled into Gallup N.M. at 6 p.m.

798 miles total for the day and I actually feel good.

Tomorrow we start the good stuff, although from Windslow east the views were getting better and better. I noticed when we left Arizona, the sign said "Entering Navajo Nation" and we didn't see the "Welcome to New Mexico" sign for many miles.

The ethnic mix of people is different in every state I visit which makes the trip that much more enjoyable.

2on2off · 09-09-2009, 09:17 PM

I'll try to update this 7-9 day ride nightly but internet connections are not very good so don't be surprised if there are gaps in the report.

The trip is off to a good start. Here is a map of today's route:

eye.surgeon · 09-09-2009, 09:36 PM

Wow 800 miles under your belt...nice

Way to get to the fun stuff fast. Looking forward to following along on your latest ride!

pashnit · 09-09-2009, 11:56 PM

Great photos Jim!

Love the rain shot!

ninja_o · 09-10-2009, 01:20 AM

loved the last four pics all of 'em
sooo many miles !

R5_350 · 09-10-2009, 07:07 AM

Can't wait to see more! I'll be in CO tomorrow and can't wait for that either

demenshea · 09-10-2009, 07:14 AM

Can't wait for more!!

09-09-2009, 08:52 PM	#1
2on2off Go'n some place new...... Name: Jim Location: Reedley, California Motorcycle: KTM 500EXC, Goldwing Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,775	My first ride to Colorado from Central California Slowly but surely, I am checking many of the places I would like to ride to in the USA and Canada. One of the places I have been to, but not ridden to is Colorado. I have been to Colorado Springs, Denver and Boulder but always on business and didn't go anywhere other than to meetings and the local hotel. Not a good way to see a state. So, even though I've been to Colorado, I've never really seen all Colorado has to offer. We left this morning at 3:00 a.m. so we could get to "the good stuff" by the end of the day and beat the heat in the desert. I decided to ride east on highway 40, even though it is the warmest route of four possible routes, because it gets me to Colorado the fastest. I will be returning on one of the other three but haven't decided which one yet. My riding buddy Ray and I stopped in Barstow for breakfast as the sun was just coming up and we thought eating was better than looking directly into the sun. It was 6 a.m. We rolled through Needles, the hottest spot on the route, at 10 a.m. and it was already 97 degrees. On to Kingman Az for gas and then we took a detour through Windslow but didn't see much. While looking for the entrance to the Petrified Forest we found found "Mater" and "The Cars" movie props. Attached Images __________________ I came to ride and ride and ride and ride............

09-09-2009, 08:55 PM	#2
2on2off Go'n some place new...... Name: Jim Location: Reedley, California Motorcycle: KTM 500EXC, Goldwing Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,775	Re: My first ride to Colorado from Central California The road today was long and straight but we made good time. Attached Images __________________ I came to ride and ride and ride and ride............

09-09-2009, 09:02 PM	#3
2on2off Go'n some place new...... Name: Jim Location: Reedley, California Motorcycle: KTM 500EXC, Goldwing Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,775	Re: My first ride to Colorado from Central California We found the Petrified Forest and The Painted Desert. While there, we got drenched and saw some lighting but didn't hear any thunder. I have been watching the weather forecast for this area for a month looking for a window in the rain and thunder but couldn't find one so I just to go and see what happens. We got rained on but not bad. Tomorrow's forecast is for more rain and lighting, but only in the afternoon. Attached Images __________________ I came to ride and ride and ride and ride............

09-09-2009, 09:13 PM	#4
2on2off Go'n some place new...... Name: Jim Location: Reedley, California Motorcycle: KTM 500EXC, Goldwing Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,775	Re: My first ride to Colorado from Central California We rolled into Gallup N.M. at 6 p.m. 798 miles total for the day and I actually feel good. Tomorrow we start the good stuff, although from Windslow east the views were getting better and better. I noticed when we left Arizona, the sign said "Entering Navajo Nation" and we didn't see the "Welcome to New Mexico" sign for many miles. The ethnic mix of people is different in every state I visit which makes the trip that much more enjoyable. Attached Images __________________ I came to ride and ride and ride and ride............

09-09-2009, 09:17 PM	#5
2on2off Go'n some place new...... Name: Jim Location: Reedley, California Motorcycle: KTM 500EXC, Goldwing Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,775	Re: My first ride to Colorado from Central California I'll try to update this 7-9 day ride nightly but internet connections are not very good so don't be surprised if there are gaps in the report. The trip is off to a good start. Here is a map of today's route: Attached Images __________________ I came to ride and ride and ride and ride............

09-09-2009, 09:36 PM	#6
eye.surgeon ...riding California... Name: Rod Location: Clovis, California Motorcycle: Ducati Multistrada Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,877	Re: My first ride to Colorado from Central California Wow 800 miles under your belt...nice Way to get to the fun stuff fast. Looking forward to following along on your latest ride! __________________ Ducati Multistrada 1200 Touring S BMW K1200LT

09-09-2009, 11:56 PM	#7
pashnit Yes, I'm the guy Name: Tim Location: NorCal Motorcycle: Hayabusa Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,609	Re: My first ride to Colorado from Central California Great photos Jim! Love the rain shot!

09-10-2009, 01:20 AM	#8
ninja_o I am done learning ... Name: S... Location: san jose Motorcycle: Concours 14 Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,470	Re: My first ride to Colorado from Central California loved the last four pics all of 'em sooo many miles !

09-10-2009, 07:07 AM	#9
R5_350 Georgia boy Name: Scott Location: Athens GA Motorcycle: DL 650 Wee-Strom Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 356	Re: My first ride to Colorado from Central California Can't wait to see more! I'll be in CO tomorrow and can't wait for that either __________________ "I'm so thankful to have a loving wife, a sweet little dog, a good bike, a nice home and a decent job." me

09-10-2009, 07:14 AM	#10
demenshea .5%Angel 99.5% Hooligan Name: Donna Location: Foothills of the Sierras Motorcycle: O7 Bandit 1250S Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,710	Re: My first ride to Colorado from Central California Can't wait for more!! __________________ Nobody looks back on their life and remembers the nights they got plenty of sleep... Ride Like a Girl Travel Blog for Riders

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