I'm finally getting around to a ride report for the ride I took in May to Colorado. I wanted to get it posted before I leave for WeSTOC, so here goes...
For the third year in a row, I decide to ride my ST1100 to a technical conference in Colorado, rather than the usual (commercial air flight + rental car = boring) approach. This year the conference was being held in Colorado Springs rather than Denver like the previous years. My previous routes were east across Washington and into Idaho to ride Highway 12 along the Lochsa River and over Lolo Pass (I love that road!), then south through Wyoming and entering Colorado from the north.
This time I decided to mix it up and check off some bucket list items. I?ve never seen the Grand Canyon, except from 30,000 feet. I?ve also seen great ride reports about Monument Valley and the Million Dollar Highway (Highway 550 from Durango to Ouray) in Colorado. Since they?re all in the same general neighborhood, the plan was to swing south through eastern Oregon and Nevada, clip the SE corner of Utah and hit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then ride east to Monument Valley to Durango, up the 550 to Montrose, then across the Rockies into Colorado Springs. Thanks to forum members Sportznut and Bakerboy for their great suggestions on the route.
Day 1 Seattle to Baker City, Oregon
The bike is packed and cleared for departure. I had heard on the news that Chinook Pass (Highway 410) would open at 10:00am that morning and it is a much more enjoyable route than Interstate 90 over the Cascades. Kick Stand Up at 9:00 would put me at the pass just after opening. I take this as a good omen for the trip. When the weather cooperates, there are great views of Mount Rainier along this route, unfortunately there are low clouds today with only teasing views of the lower slopes. I get to the pass a bit after 10 and there?s no cars, just a lonely snowplow that pulls over to let me pass. I suspect I?m the first bike over this season.
As is typical, once east of the crest the clouds thin out and it?s a mix of sun and overcast. The weather is good, the bike is purring along and my mind is slipping into touring mode. That is rudely interrupted south of Yakima due to the dreaded ?Construction Ahead, Expect Delays? sign. I had an enforced 20 minute rest from the saddle, followed by several miles of loose gravel. But it was soon over enough and I was whistling toward the Columbia River gorge and its arrays of wind power generators.
Side winds blowing up the river can be quite nasty but they are cooperative today and I cross into Oregon behind a couple of adventure bikes loaded with gear. I ride southeast to intersect Highway 26 which runs along the John Day River in eastern central Oregon. (Editor?s note: I need to get a SPOT so I don?t have to type all this route info!) I haven?t ridden here before and find lots of beautiful scenery and interesting geology.
The day ends at a motel in Baker City where I pull in to find a red ST1300 parked next to a Harley. I hope to meet the ST rider before I leave. Dinner is at a brew pub a few blocks away and the walk feels good. A good steak and a couple of excellent pints cap a great first day.
For the third year in a row, I decide to ride my ST1100 to a technical conference in Colorado, rather than the usual (commercial air flight + rental car = boring) approach. This year the conference was being held in Colorado Springs rather than Denver like the previous years. My previous routes were east across Washington and into Idaho to ride Highway 12 along the Lochsa River and over Lolo Pass (I love that road!), then south through Wyoming and entering Colorado from the north.
This time I decided to mix it up and check off some bucket list items. I?ve never seen the Grand Canyon, except from 30,000 feet. I?ve also seen great ride reports about Monument Valley and the Million Dollar Highway (Highway 550 from Durango to Ouray) in Colorado. Since they?re all in the same general neighborhood, the plan was to swing south through eastern Oregon and Nevada, clip the SE corner of Utah and hit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then ride east to Monument Valley to Durango, up the 550 to Montrose, then across the Rockies into Colorado Springs. Thanks to forum members Sportznut and Bakerboy for their great suggestions on the route.
Day 1 Seattle to Baker City, Oregon
The bike is packed and cleared for departure. I had heard on the news that Chinook Pass (Highway 410) would open at 10:00am that morning and it is a much more enjoyable route than Interstate 90 over the Cascades. Kick Stand Up at 9:00 would put me at the pass just after opening. I take this as a good omen for the trip. When the weather cooperates, there are great views of Mount Rainier along this route, unfortunately there are low clouds today with only teasing views of the lower slopes. I get to the pass a bit after 10 and there?s no cars, just a lonely snowplow that pulls over to let me pass. I suspect I?m the first bike over this season.
As is typical, once east of the crest the clouds thin out and it?s a mix of sun and overcast. The weather is good, the bike is purring along and my mind is slipping into touring mode. That is rudely interrupted south of Yakima due to the dreaded ?Construction Ahead, Expect Delays? sign. I had an enforced 20 minute rest from the saddle, followed by several miles of loose gravel. But it was soon over enough and I was whistling toward the Columbia River gorge and its arrays of wind power generators.
Side winds blowing up the river can be quite nasty but they are cooperative today and I cross into Oregon behind a couple of adventure bikes loaded with gear. I ride southeast to intersect Highway 26 which runs along the John Day River in eastern central Oregon. (Editor?s note: I need to get a SPOT so I don?t have to type all this route info!) I haven?t ridden here before and find lots of beautiful scenery and interesting geology.
The day ends at a motel in Baker City where I pull in to find a red ST1300 parked next to a Harley. I hope to meet the ST rider before I leave. Dinner is at a brew pub a few blocks away and the walk feels good. A good steak and a couple of excellent pints cap a great first day.
