Pike's Peak Colorado Trip

[cherrypicker]

So it's Friday morning and I get the idea... hell it's above average temps this weekend, lets take a long sport touring trip. I've never been to the Rocky Mountains, so lets go! I take a half day off work, go home, check a map program for the best route, throw so crap into my soft luggage and hit the road.

I chose CO Springs because it's higher altitiude, it's a smaller city and I can visit Pike's Peak. A storm system is also moving through Northern Colorado, so my bests are better there.

No plans for this trip. I figured I'd find a hotel somewhere on I-70 when I couldn't ride any longer due to cold.

1st Leg (620 miles) - I left at 1:30 Friday afternoon and I made it from Keokuk, Iowa to Colby, KS (617 miles) in about 10-1/2 hours with stops. No rain. Started at 70 F and finished around 45 F.

2nd leg (550 miles) - Left Colby around 9AM. It was chilly, but OK. 80 miles later the rain started. I don't have proper rain gear and didn't plan on any rain, so I got pretty cold. Rain turned to snow and 30 mph cross winds at Laramie, CO. It's almost 5000 feet elevation and I can see the edge of the storm 5 miles to the south. I make it another 30 miles or so and stop in Calhan on Rt 24 to CO Springs.

I discover that the carbs on my 9R don't like cool moist air. I think they are icing up because it they are surging and bogging down. As I pulled into Calhan, the bike was losing power fast and struggling to make forward progress.

The weather clears off after 45 minutes or so. I warm up and have some Subway and hot cocoa. I get strange looks from the locals. I pull into CO Springs, it's sunny mid 50's and perfectly clear. You can just feel the clear mountain air.

I get to Pikes Peak. The 19 miles road is only open the first 10 miles. I'm guessing the top is snow covered. The park ranger forgets ot mention that the temperature is 40 degrees at 10,000 feet, 20mph winds and a little snow and ice on a few on the roads. Not too trecherous, but interesting none the less. I di almost dump it on some ice on a curve, and when I stopped ot take soem pictures on a snow covered shoulder. The bike works flawlessly at 10,000 feet... smooth as ever. Great twisty roads, but with 500+ foot drop offs some snow and ice, cold ties and almost no guard rails I decide it's best to take it easy and just enjoy the view.

I head off to Denver just for kicks. This ends up being a bad idea, because hte temperature plummets after dusk. I decide to take a different route and try Rt 36. Big mistake, all gas statons are closed after dark. I end up going south back ot I-70 and staying again in Colby. The last 100 miles to Colby, I had on no less than 5 layers top and bottom to keep from freezing going 70mph @ 35 F air temp. A cool evening on the High Plains.

3rd Leg (640 miles) - I leave at 9AM after is warms up a little. Kansas is better to drive though in teh dark. Wow the first 200 miles are boring. ON some long straights I get into a comfortable tuck and cruise at 130mph just to fight borebom. I make on chain adjustment along the way. Otherwise, uneventful, with a nice 10-15 mph tailwind most of the way.

Not a iron butt, but I did cover approx. 1800 miles in 54 hours. Averaged about 45 mpg cruising at 75-85 on the freeway. Typical interval was about 100-130 miles between stops. Longest continous run was 180 miles, I hit the reserve on the last 5 miles.

Enjoy some pictures of Pikes Peak.

[cherrypicker]

Me at 10,000 feet. I'll have ot come back where in the summer when the 14,400 foot summit is open. It's supposed to have that on top of the world above the clouds feel.

[cherrypicker]

more pictures.

That's the summit off in the distance behind the Park Ranger vehicle.

[alaska cajun]

Nice pics and it sounds like you enjoyed the trip.

[EX SSG on 900RR]

Man, I loved that area. I lived there for atotal of 5 years. Awesome!

[VIVID1]

Awesome and crazy trip Mike!

Pike’s Peak in November you need heated gear.

[stealthy1]

Wow! You are nutz. I love Colo springs and all, but I ain't about to roll out there this time of year. I thought I was hardcore getting up at 3:30 am for the first day of pheasant season, packing on clothes and riding halfway across the state. Temp was like 35f last Sat. You just made me feel like a fair weather rider. Glad you made it back safely, and without frostbite!

[cherrypicker]

Originally Posted by VIVID1

Awesome and crazy trip Mike!

Pike’s Peak in November you need heated gear.

I agree, heated grips and vest would have gone a long way. Although ultimately sore forearms, shoulders and butt, limited my distance. 600 miles/day on that bike is about my max. I think I need a BMW. I once rode I think and 1150 RS and really liked it. Great combo of descent wind protections, upright sitting position, torquey motor and super tall 6th gear.

Hmmm... maybe it's time to trade up soon. There's a BMW dealer not far away in Iowa City.

[VIVID1]

Originally Posted by cherrypicker

Hmmm... maybe it's time to trade up soon. There's a BMW dealer not far away in Iowa City.

As you have noticed, everyone that I know that toured on a sportbike has now upgraded to Sport Touring bike, including myself. It’s not because we got old, it’s because we want to ride further.

I did a saddle sore on the 954RR and it was challenging and fun, I’d like to do one again on that bike someday, but for touring every single weekend, I want a bike that can go the distance and provide some comfort as well.

[cherrypicker]

For me, the 9R was one step in that direction from the F4i. It has better wind protection, softer suspenions, more stable, taller gearing, suprisingly better fuel economy and well ... nothing executes a 6th gear pass as effortlessly as a liter bike, but the seat and riding position is still pretty punishing for anything over about 4 hours.