Ride These Roads With Your Eyes

sfarson · 02-05-2010, 01:53 AM

Perhaps if in the clutches of winter, and/or have a moment to take a few virtual rides, follow what you can see, even what you can't, and escape.

I'm in the home stretch of delivering a book on motorcycling Colorado. Due date to the publisher is 3/1. Will be at Amazon, dealers, etc. in the autumn. An expansive and comprehensive thing... 170+ chapters, 250 roads/rides, 1,000 images, 100 historical images, 200+ vids, etc.... written with the p-o-v the road and ride is the destination. Companion web site will turned on later this year. Anyway, snagged ten of the book's pics. Good riding everyone, in 2010!

sfarson · 02-05-2010, 01:55 AM

One of many historical comparisons where I find the location of an old photo and capture an image near where the photographer stood. Many Colorado roads are built on old train beds. This is Marshall Pass discovered by Army Lieutenant William Marshall who was rushing to get back to Denver after mapping the San Juan Range for the Wheeler Survey in 1873. He had a raging toothache and declined offers from the camp blacksmith to take care of it with his tongs. Instead of following the month long SW Colorado - Denver path over Cochetopa Pass (Another chapter in the book), he left to find a short cut, bringing his packer and leaving the others on the traditional route. Spotting a low rise the two hacked for three days through timber, fallen trees, and rocks to make it to the pass summit. Despite the agony of clenched jaws and only able to sip broth for food, Lt. Marshall and the packer stayed to map and survey the pass area before making it to the dentist in Denver, six days before the rest of his survey camp arrive. Just noting all this in case you're asked someday on a game show.

40-50 of the chapters are off road...

ANORXIC'51 · 02-05-2010, 03:05 AM

My profession as an over the road semi truck driver has me traveling this nations' backroad highways almost as frequently as in interstate system. When encountering roads put together such as the ones pictured above, I used to think to myself 'how awesome would this be to do this route in a capable car (always used my previous '86 Porsche 944 Turbo as that reference car).

Now, after the hobby of motorcycling has me firmly in its grasp, I find myself seeing these same roads (as well as the ones I can't use due to weight/ size/ length restrictions) as pieces of Heaven that God has decided to place on Earth.

Best wishes with the upcoming release of your book. Looks amazing.

-Christian

Chip G · 02-05-2010, 07:40 AM

Very nice

Scott_0 · 02-05-2010, 07:44 AM

oh sweet jesus!

NattyDrez · 02-05-2010, 10:10 AM

That first picture is fuckin sick.

Id rip the shit outta those corners!!

NattyDrez · 02-05-2010, 10:11 AM

By the way, keep us updated on the book. Id love to get it once it comes out, even though Im nowhere close to CO, it would be cool to have.

TheTon · 02-05-2010, 02:29 PM

I wish our roads looked like that.

Shazzbot112 · 02-05-2010, 02:43 PM

Road Porn!!!! I Love It

ScreaminKaw · 02-05-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NattyDrez

By the way, keep us updated on the book. Id love to get it once it comes out, even though Im nowhere close to CO, it would be cool to have.

+1

My thoughts exactly. I'm a good 15 hours from Colorado (been there plenty of times for skiing vacations), but you can bet I'll be on board for a book purchase.

hondajunkie · 02-05-2010, 03:13 PM

Wow,nice project!
Looking forward to the release date in the Fall!

SmoothSimpson · 02-05-2010, 03:21 PM

Great pics!

arcticamt6 · 02-05-2010, 03:55 PM

What road is that first picture from? I think I've seen it before. Thanks for the road porn and good luck with your book.

sfarson · 02-05-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANORXIC'51

...
Now, after the hobby of motorcycling has me firmly in its grasp, I find myself seeing these same roads (as well as the ones I can't use due to weight/ size/ length restrictions) as pieces of Heaven that God has decided to place on Earth.
Best wishes with the upcoming release of your book. Looks amazing.

-Christian

Very well described Christian.

Thanks all. Will note here when the book is available and the web site turned on. And nice recollection articam! Awhile back I happened to place another image of the same Lookout Mountain Road. This time I caught the sun's rays kissing it with a motorcyclist on the far left. There's much more to this pretzeled piece of tarmac, and it is one of the 170 chapters.

Here's how it looked 80 years ago. Scroll back and forth and compare. I'm thinking the road designer must must have had an old Harley or Indian in his garage!

I also cover tracks in the state. Here's two pics from the High Plains Raceway chapter. The onboard vid of a lap will be at the companion web site as well vids for every other road, on and off...

scythe08 · 02-05-2010, 10:26 PM

I can't wait for this book!!! And Christian, as a fellow Driver myself(now local) I am with you! When I retire(If

) I want to go on the road for a year(or 2 or 3 or 4) and just go down every road that I couldn't go with my Truck! Dammit, now I want to go back to Colorado