3nd annual COSTOC 2013

[ChucksKLRST]

3nd annualCOSTOC
Sept 2013
--> RSVP Here <--

"We are happy to announce the
3nd annual COSTOC (Colorado ST Owners Club) gathering
for 2013.

By Popular Demand, This international event is going back to be the beautiful city of Manitou Springs, Colorado.

This quaint little city is nestled at the base of Pikes Peak and is just a few minutes
from historic ColoradoCity and also Colorado Springs. A nice 15 minute jaunt up
Ute Pass will take you to WoodlandPark and then on to numerous other fantastic
roads and destinations.

The Dates for COSTOC 2013 are
Sept 12 through Sept 14, 2013
(three nights, Thursday, Friday and Saturday).
Farewells/Departure will be Sunday, Sept15.
More information will follow as soon as the disorganizers can get their act together. Stay tuned.
Chuck and Rod, CoSTOC disorganizers"
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COSTOC 2013 Lodging Info

I know you have all been anxiously awaiting the Hotel info for CoSTOC III (2013) in beautiful Manitou Springs Colorado!!! Wait no longer.........

The event will be held at the Comfort Inn in Manitou Springs.

http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-mani...6/Hotel-Photos

This is a great facility and located right at the foot of the mountains andclose to many great attractions and scenic motorcycle roads.

We have secured a great rate of $75.65 + tax for Double Queen units ($85.65 +tax for anyone that wants/needs a Single King suite). The initial block ofrooms is for 20. As always, it's important for everyone to make theirreservations early to insure we have the opportunity to expand our block ofrooms, if needed. For the early arrivals, or the late departures, The COSTOC rate will be good from the night of Wednesday the 11^th through the night of Sunday the 15^thof Sept 2013.

Please call the Hotel direct at 719-685-5455 and mention "CoSTOC2013" (Colorado ST Owners Club) to make sure you get our special rate. If you have a room preference (ground/2nd floor with mini balcony/mountain view) let them know when you make your reservation. We have dealt directly with the owners (Zuzana Malec)(Mark Malec), and she/he have been wonderful to work with, and I do not think you will have any problem with the reservation.

Chuck and Rod, CoSTOC disorganizers

[ChucksKLRST]

COSTOC 2013 Ride Of The Month
Going to try and post some rides for COSTOC 2013. The Idea is to give the Attendees of COSTOC some ideas of where to ride while attending COSTOC.

Our fist ride is some what short in duration, however it can take all day to complete or just a couple of hours. This is left up to the riders. This ride, COSTOC ride #1, will allow you to stop and visit a couple of historic towns along the route. The route is just under 100 miles, so there will be time to take a bunch of pictures.

You start out by riding North West out of Manitou Springs through Woodland Park on Highway 24. 24 turns west at Woodland Park. Continue until you get to Hi way 67, at the little town of Divide. Make a left and head out on 67. As you climb on 67 you will be rewarded with spectacular views over your right shoulder. Take the time to stop and do the photo op thing. Continuing on you will come to an intersection. Going straight will lead you to Victor. Going right will take you directly to Cripple Creek. GO straight to Victor. This is a old mining town and has some great history of mining. One can spend a complete day exploring this town. After you have spent half your morning in Victor continue on the back way to Cripple Creek. This town was also a mining town that was dying back in the 80's. Today it is one of three places in Colorado that gambling is allowed. By now you should be ready for some liquid refreshment, as it is quite dry in the high mountain air. Stop at a casino of your choice and partake in putting a couple of quarters in the one arm bandits. Drink your drink and explore the rest of Cripple Creek. Maybe even take in Lunch at this time. Riding on from CC you will pick up Co 1 and continue north down the back side of the mountain toward the Florissant Fossil Beds. Stop in and see them. If you are into ancient history, They are quite interesting. From Florissant, back track to CO 42 for a great little twisty windy road. This will get you back on 24. Head back to Woodland Park for a mid afternoon snack and on back to the Hotel in Manitou Springs. Once back at the Hotel we will be waiting on the patio area to hear about your COSTOC ride.

STay Tuned for the Next COSTOC RIDE.

Attached Thumbnails

[Fred D]

Reservation made!

[ColoRider]

Absolutely!!! It's going to be another grand CoSTOC, just like in 2011. Lots of great sport-touring AND adventure-touring roads to satisfy everyone's riding STyle!!

STay tuned for info on our Saturday night banquet.

[roginoz]

I just made my reservation; arriving Thursday night, leaving Sunday. The guy who answered the phone was surprised at how many calls he'd received.

Manitou is a great location to ride from, and the hotel is a nice property. I'm glad we're returning next year.

[Smash]

On the calendar. Should be easy to find some stealth camping by heading west on 24 out of Manitou Springs. There's a chance we might be in PA on the bikes, or any other number of things, but this is on the radar!

[gmast1100]

Can't wait to get back in those mountains once again. Had a GREAT time at the last one and expect nothing less with this one. Couple of 'dis-organizers' that know how to put on a "Really, really Good Show". And with it being in Sept, we hope to be able to tell the stories of our M/C trip in Europe???

[ChucksKLRST]

Haven't had much discussion of CoSTOC 2013 lately. Though I would ad a ride route that I posted last time for CoSTOC 2011 and bump this up into the fore-front. Remember to book your reservations early as bookings go fast in this part of the country.

COSTOC 2013 Ride of the Month.
This Ride is for those that want to just ride and take in the scenery.
This route will start out and head over to I-25 for a short jaunt north to Monument. But be for you leave Colorado Springs, make sure that you stop off on Bott Street and visit the German Bakery (Wimbergers) for your German Bread, Brochen, and Pretzels. Great for a take along snack.

As you head north about 25 miles to Monument you will pass the Air force Academy on your left. If you look close you will be able to see the spirals of the famous Air Force Academy’s all denominational Chapel. This is worth a visit if you find the time. Continuing past the AFA you will want to get off the Freeway at exit 161. And turn left at the intersection onto HI way 105. Continue to bare right after you get on 105 and follow the road to Palmer Lake. Here is where the [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY_1x3xCb0o"]105 route really begins . This is a wonderful road that meanders north along the base of Rampart Range for about 25 miles. Along the way you will pass through beautiful horse country, with multiple horse stables. You might even have a photo op of some horses being curious as to who is riding in their territory. HI way 105 is a favorite motorcycle road of the locals. As you approach the intersection of 105 and 67 you will be able to get some wonderful glimpses of the snowcapped, high country mountain peaks in the distance. These vistas are really beautiful in the early morning sun.
At the intersection a right turn will take you to Sedalia, where gas is available if needed. Here you will make a Left turn on to 67, headed west. This will lead you up and over Rampart Range. Rampart is a well know area for riding dirt trails. There are literally miles and miles of trails to follow. Not necessarily where you want to take a ST, but a small 250 dirt bike would be in its element there. As you approach the summit of about 7600 feet the road has a few tight turns in it and then turns into some great twisties on down to Spruce Wood. Here is a small rustic bar and grill. They serve a pretty good burger and chips, and the beverage of your choice. Most of the time there will be a few dirt bikes parked out front, as the Rampart dirt trails will lead them down to Spruce Wood.
At the Spruce Wood Bar and Grill the road forks and we want to take the RIGHT fork. County Road 40. Up to this point the ride has been relaxing and the road has been all paved. The route that we are taking, takes us down to the South Platte River, and runs along the river for about 10 miles to Deckers. However we are going to need to traverse three (3 ) miles of dirt road. Not to worry, the road is hard packed dirt with a small bit of gravel on it. I have taken my ST and my Wee along this route many times had have seen mutable types of bikes on this stretch of road. Typically the road is so hard packed there is no dust. There is how ever a 25% grade downhill for about ½ mile. While on this stretch, 1st and 2nd gear is the recommended gear to be in. Also you will want to stay to the right of the road as much as you can, due to blind corners and oncoming traffic. It sounds worse than it really is and the reward for navigating this 4 miles is well worth the apprehension. Just take it easy.


Once down the hill, County road 40 and 97 intersect. You will be glad to know that county road 97 is a paved road going in the southern direction. Here is where you make a left and meander along the South Platte River for ten miles. This is a very scenic route with the Fly Fisherman doting the river as it flows North, trying to find the lower planes of Eastern Colorado and Western Nebraska. As you head south along the river the road has lovely turns and twists . You will be tempted to wick it up a bit. It is better to subdue that impulse and just mossy along and enjoy the scenery. It is beautiful..

After about 10 miles you will roll into Deckers. This is a popular stopping point to visit the country store or stop at the Deckers Café and grab a bit to eat or drink. Talk with the locals or just sit out under the porch and watch nature at her best. At this point HI way 67 and county road 97 come together. Turning North will take you to up through some more twistys on to Buffalo Creek and Pine, and then on to Colorado 285. We ho ever are going to turn south and take 67 on back to Woodland Park. Here the road starts a gradual climb on its way to Woodland Park. This is a great road with some tight turns and some High Speed sweepers and some great straight a ways, along the way. From Woodland Park you will take Colorado 24, south back to Manitou Springs. It is now time to open up that pretzel bag that you bought at Wimbergers Bakery . Open a beer and have pretzels and beer out on the hotel patio, trading ride stories with your fellow COSTOC attendees.

[gmast1100]

Well, crappola, just found out that we'll have to cancel out CoSTOC this year. We were going to do our Edelweiss High Alpine Tour in the Alps in July but the price of flights are outta this world. So we are changing our tour to Sept, during CoSTOC of course. Flights are 1 grand cheaper then so it's a 'No Brainer' for us. We are going to miss all of you but put yourselves in our shoes. Would you rather ride the Alps or go to CoSTOC??? OK OK-I know your answers!!!! Maybe we'll stop off and see some of Team Colorado on our way to WeSTOC???

[roginoz]

Would be rather ride the Alps or go to CoSTOC???

The pie was pretty good in '11...