'datree Amigo's; justa Strut'n down the ROCKIES!

[FJRBandit]

Luvin' it KJ - you kinda sorta did a reverse circle of the route I took just two weeks prior. You guys were in the Badlands two days after I passed through on my homeward stretch. Then you were in the Tetons two weeks after I was there. Looking forward to your photos from Teton and especially your impressions of US 191 into Vernal. I LOVED that stretch between the Flaming Gorge Dam to Vernal! Keep'em coming!

BTW - that was one wicked looking storm - never heard of static charge from lightening taking out auto/mobile electronics like that. You must have been awfully close to being struck. That's a scary, freaking feeling to know you were that close to being fried like a piece of chicken!

Did you actually feel the electric charge the moment it happened?

 

[Top_Speed1]

Luvin' it KJ - you kinda sorta did a reverse circle of the route I took just two weeks prior. You guys were in the Badlands two days after I passed through on my homeward stretch. Then you were in the Tetons two weeks after I was there. Looking forward to your photos from Teton and especially your impressions of US 191 into Vernal. I LOVED that stretch between the Flaming Gorge Dam to Vernal! Keep'em coming!
BTW - that was one wicked looking storm - never heard of static charge from lightening taking out auto/mobile electronics like that. You must have been awfully close to being struck. That's a scary, freaking feeling to know you were that close to being fried like a piece of chicken!

Did you actually feel the electric charge the moment it happened?

191 was AWESOME!!! WE did it North to South vs. yours, onr of the best roads we took for sure.

Nope, I was close alright, like right in it but I was so being wind whipped that and visibility had me senses. The storm as almost like being in complete darkness, that made the lightening strikes that more scary and impressive.

So Rexburg to Vernal coming up next... 191 out of Vernal (so awesome) will be the following day.....

 

[Spud]

Luvin' it KJ - you kinda sorta did a reverse circle of the route I took just two weeks prior. You guys were in the Badlands two days after I passed through on my homeward stretch. Then you were in the Tetons two weeks after I was there. Looking forward to your photos from Teton and especially your impressions of US 191 into Vernal. I LOVED that stretch between the Flaming Gorge Dam to Vernal! Keep'em coming!
BTW - that was one wicked looking storm - never heard of static charge from lightening taking out auto/mobile electronics like that. You must have been awfully close to being struck. That's a scary, freaking feeling to know you were that close to being fried like a piece of chicken!

Did you actually feel the electric charge the moment it happened?

Not to hijack, but FJRBandit I just rode Vernal to Rock Springs on 191 Saturday. I've done it several times, but constantly surprises me what a perfect road it is. The awesome switchbacks up out of Vernal, up into the woods, around the twisties, then opening up on the plains with triple digit sweepers and deserted out there across the high desert. What a gem that road is!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I agree on 191 between Rock Springs and Vernal. My family enjoyed it so much in the truck that I routed my Harley riding cousin that way. He enjoyed it as well.

KJ, sadly, Pop and I cannot make EOM this year. I had plans for EOM, wanted to make EOM but then...

It is ALL hppants' fault! He made me change our minds! Myself, Pop, and hppants will be riding around New Mexico, Utah and Colorado while EOM is taking place. While I wanted to meet up with some new FJR friends I will be making memories with some old FJR friends. Perhaps I will even get to meet some other FJR peeps along the way.

 

[beemerdons]

How can if be a bad day when it ends with this?

You're getting old Niehart, it'd be a Hell of a lot better if it ended with Miss Debbie! KJ, you've had a moto adventure of a lifetime! JSNS, Righteous!

 

[Top_Speed1]

Thanks guys! I'm trying my best to get these days in, I have the Finger Lakes Rally this Labor Day Weekend starting today/thurs. (9/03), so hopefully right after, I'll finish this up!



Day 11) Tues 7/28 Rexburg ID to Vernal UT: detailed map> https://mapq.st/1GDQMhk [seat Time 438.7mi, 8hr-43min]

Destination: Vernal Super-8

Green on the below map

Rain & hail has long moved out, and, into Sturgis. The main goal today was to go up and hit the Teton's, take in Jackson Hole WY, then swing down 191 and into Vernal for our bed down, drinks and dinner.

I kinda changed up the entrance to we were to have going into the Tetons. Took 26 east to 89 north. This is the Palisades Reservoir Dam along 26, Snake River below, Calamity Point ahead. We are still in Idaho here, but just barely, heading back into Wyoming for the Teets!

No introduction needed, at least here on this Forum. We stopped for some far away shots. Problem is, they're so big you basically have to be far away! (image taking elevation is already at 8-9K)...

This is the bigger Jackson Lake view. We did the Loop through and around...

Teton Park Rd. & Dam. This is what keeps Jackson Lake a Lake. Shot is looking NE, away from the Teton Mtn ridge.

Teton Park Rd traveling South

This is a shot of East Horn. It's not that it's actually in the clouds, it actually is omitting the clouds. That's right, the rock temp and air temps differentials are actually generating the top cloud cover. It's pretty neat to see it being "made" and rolling off the mountain top...

We made 5 stops within the park for pics

On this one particular stop, a bus full of Japanese tourists all pile out. They see us bikers and much of chat among within them starts up. They approach Rick and announce he's "fame-owse moohie stah!"... I was like wtf?

I spoke to one of them with (pretty much all broken English) and asked what the big adoo was about? She said "we seen awe Chaww Now-iss moo-hees!" Oh boy!, I now get it!. So, I played along, it was priceless, just too funny to stop! And, not only one person thinking he's Chuck Norris (like the norm), but now a whole friggen bus load each waiting back for their turn for a pic with 'the Movie Star' ..... Myself and Bob were LOAO!

The main reason why they were here however

Now down to Jenny Lake

And the 'prove I was there' photo's ;-)

I soon lost the rainsuit, not sure why I thought it could possibly rain? ;-)

Going down 191 (still in Wyoming), I'm scouting places for lunch. In Pindale, I spot this beauty, brake abruptly and in we are!

The 3-Amigo's, all in good spirit's!

What a cool place, highly recommend this as a stop!

Okay, I know... But whadda-bout the Food Porn!? ...I had the Southwestern lime infused Grilled Chicken Salad. Superb!!!

And upon leaving, I "had" to buy a Tee Shirt noting the 'Brewed High at an elevation of 7,175ft'

191 crossing over I80 at Rock Springs... It starts to get quite "Gorgeous!" ...suire wish I had my Camera for the in-motion images. Dang, huge f-up not having that anymore :-(

Getting close to Utah here, me and the boys are "wowed" by the stunning views...

Photo-op stops are everywhere, you wanna rip the road up cuz it's such a fun road, but at the same time you wanna see it too! I guess that's why we make these dreaded stops ;-)

<pic/post limitations>

TBC

 

[Tanker]

Oh My... What a ride!!

Chuck Norris never looked so good. LOL

 

[Top_Speed1]

Con't into Utah....

During this stop, I see bikes coming! yeah! ...and these roads were quite deselit for any kind of vehicles. These were the only bikes we came across, and one just so happened to be a fellow Sport Touring K guy.

Very friendly folks, and we find out they are going to Vernal UT as well, and we make some plans to meet up for dinner and drinks there later...

Continuing on down 191 to the Reservoir & Dam...

Now down at the bottom of the reservoir, this is the high overlook just off 191 before you dip down to the dam

Rick (aka Sir Chuck) scoping out the reservoir facts..

Dam pretty!

Now on the far Dam side...

I talk to some folks who suggest going back over the Dam, hang a right and go down the backside of the Dam... so we did!

And onward down 191 to some more great roads and scenery!

This was to be our last stop, it was defiantly Beer-30, and, Vernal was only about 25 miles away.

Vernal was not a dry town (Thank You), but within walking distance of our motel, there was only a couple of choices. We had a very grand scale Chinese Buffet. Not our first choice, and it would be the first for oriental food the whole trip. (not worthy of FP pics). Seemed like Mexican was our most popular FP spot? hmmm.

This was my motel room mural above my bed, kinda was fitting of what we drove through all day. And what a day it was! 191 is on my re-do list for sure!... especially south of Rock Springs.

[END of TUESDAY JULY 28th 2015]

 

[Steel_Gin]

So did Mr. Norris have to Judo chop anyone to keep the crowd under control or did his posse take care of that??

 

[Top_Speed1]

So did Mr. Norris have to Judo chop anyone to keep the crowd under control or did his posse take care of that??

He takes anger management classes now, pretty reserved, so I guess I'm now the hot head of the bunch

 

[Niehart]

Flaming Gorge is awesome unless a Ranger stops you to discus your speed.

Great road show. Enjoying the prose and pictures.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Looks to me like Tuesday July 28th was a good day!

Thanks for the pics KJ...I now need to revisit Flaming Gorge.

--G

 

[Top_Speed1]

Day 12) Weds 7/29 Vernal UT to Colorado Springs CO (detailed map): https://mapq.st/13DODEr

Seat time 405.9mi, 9hr-15min

Destination: Travelodge, Col Spgs

Yellow on Map below

Radar was showing another glorious day ....Me being the leader (some in the group may say 'slave driver' lol) I have the boys up and on the road again at sun-up, here we are leaving Vernal UT....

Just getting into Colorado on 64 (just south of Rte 40 & the town of Dinosaur) we started seeing mega road-kill, actually it was keeping me active just swerving around all dem-dare flatten'd critters! (I never seen anything like it!).

I was looking down at the time at my iPad kind of planning/scoping possible towns for an upcoming gas stop. Suddenly, out of the culvert pops a deer right in front of me. I nailed it but near it's backside as it passed in front of me. I heard and felt the "thunk". Kinda was like hitting a big pothole. At this moment you get the big F bomb, slap on your blinker for your mates behind you and proceed to pull over for the damage report. Personally, I though the worse but was hoping it wouldn't be something terminal.

After dismounting, Rick who was immediately in back of me rushes up to the front of my bike with me. We look, we gaze, we stare. Nothing! Wow, I couldn't believe it! (very very relieved at the moment as you can imagine). Rick goes on to say he saw the deer flop over with his rear leg buckled in half. Apparently most of my "hit" was with the front tire, but, the deer did hit the front Tupperware as I had deer hair embedded into the paint. No serious, I have heard of the embedded in the paint stories before, I now have it to show as a remembrance (later, it took a light rubbing compound to remove, and it was friggen in there!).

So at this 'deer stop', Rick goes on to say he's taken down a rabbit already, Bob also reports he took one out also. I knew this road was animal road kill central, but this was getting a little ridiculous, but we proceed of course... with as much caution, I now have **** canned the idea of trying to look down at the map however.

I have no more Camera for in-action shots as per about 2 days back, so I now rely entirely on my smartphone (still) shots. Booo! Sucks! and, who's the dumb ass who tried to take pics in the middle of a lightening strike anyways?

Here we are on CO82, rambling through Snowmass and the Mountains thereof (went through Aspen which was a pretty cool looking town btw)

1 more stop prior to climbing up Independence Pass

Apagee, and, what a great way to get conditioned for what was to come!

Someday, I wanna ride the entire Divide all the way up through Alaska. Yupp, Bike-it-list material

Anyone that has done the altitude stuff knows, it doesn't take much to get you huffing and puffing up here.

Rick (Pure Vida)

Roads were very smooth. With a little SEO humor here... I will say Flat and boring!, as well ;-)

The helpie slefie shameless mandatory pic

Mountain Puzzles! We try to put the pieces together!

Upon leaving to head down Independence pass, the boys stomach's are rumbling (hard to believe!) ;-). But, I'm not thinking we'll find much out here? hmmm?

Passing by the famous "Twin Peaks" (sure wish I had my in-motion camera) we descend down towards Everett CO and views of La Platta Peak. We come across a raggity old sign saying something about BBQ... (amazing how just the 3 letters grab a hungry mans attention!). Well, this was no 5 star restaurant, that's fer dang sure!

Hey!, I always try to keep my guys happy, and, food is probably my biggest helper!

Funny how it's 35F up on top and 90F down below (pic's here) and it takes less that 30 minutes for this temp change to take place. I kind of like it however and it sure keeps you active in the clothing dept.

And I got in some good feels! ....like what normal guy doesn't like to feel ****s?! And, these were quite firm at that!

Our next visual and destination goal was Pikes Peak. Going through Buena Vista, then up 285, over to 24 east which takes us right to the Peak.

Climbing Pike's, about 1/4 the way up, we have H2O. Guess who gets this supply doesn't haven't to worry about water pressure!

Prior, I heard all the stories of over-heating etc. Also, many of great RR's (like Redfish Hunters) prior, also gave me some really much needed heads-up. But, actually being there and climbing this one in person? Holy breathtaking! and, probably was the best (Mtn climbing wise) of the trip, even surpassing the Bear Tooth ...which was awesome in it's own right, but this clearly was the King!

Climbing.....

Here we stop cuz we got behind a few cars who simply "Stopped" on the switchback turns. I mean stopped, sat there and looked around the curve for what seemed like 5 minutes! (probably was only 30-45 secs at each switchback. BUT!! This was enough (with no air flow into the radiator) to kick on the elec fan, heat the crap out of our legs, then, rise the temps up till both Rick and my dash starting reading "Red" and flashing. I pull over with Rick, wait for the auto-gimps to get it on (and I knew this would not be quickly). So I get to get in another image... and, still another 5 of so switchbacks till the top!

Pikes Peak and Day 12...

CON'T

 

[Top_Speed1]

Day 12 and Pikes Peak Con't...

Something about when you get above the cloud line, everything gets very quiet, very cold, and very surreal.

Upon climbing again, we had no problems with engine temps once we got some air flowing into the machines. We saw a few bikes who were stopped with over-heating problems. I felt like I should stop and tell them that they need to keep rolling, and if there is stopped/stopping traffic, wait for them to get space, like we did!. But.... I didn't stop and advise ;-( I wasn't sure how Harley guys would take the advice anyways, so we rolled by and on to the Summit.... (Related stuff to come)

The Summit is flat, cold, very little oxygen and from past RR's I remember the "Breath!, even if you don't think you have to, just breath baby!"

For the one's who have not been following right along...

Bob - Rick - KJ

Summit Views (most sides were cloudy) :-(

And being the big kid I am, I have to test out the edge for a reverse-back pic

Upon starting to mount up and head back down, we have the Harley's pull up in back of us (yepper, the same one's I was thinking about giving some verbal advice to as-per/about their over-heating). So this guy walks up to me very abruptly, I kinda was like "HS!, is he pissed we passed him coming up when his radiator was boiling over?" Nope, he see's my NY plate and asks where I'm from. Once he hear's, he spills out that he grew up in Sodus Point! ...which is home-turf, about 35 miles north of me on Lake Ontario. We chat, I find out he now lives in Arizona and works on Harley's for a living. Pretty nice guy, we exchanged numbers so I may have a new HD riding buddy when he visits back home in upstate NY.

All 3-Amigo's are quite impressed with this elevation, and, all 3 of us being newb's, we decide to take at least 2 more stops on the way down. We also felt 'going down' a tad would get us under some cloud cover and it would make for better pics.

No matter the brand or model, you sure can get a different twist way up here

Going down a tad more....

Our last stop before we 'get low'

Living in NY, I see enough of this crap, so no, I didn't have the slightest urge to go pack a snow ball like these Rookies! (prob tourists from 'Zona lol)

Our motel was right in Old Colorado Springs, which suburbs Col Sprngs. We showered and walked 2 blocks to town. Roaming the beautiful streets, I see some very friendly places. Well, more friendly to some than others I guess ;-) We also drove by some "warehouses" as well selling Herb. Basically the big Green plus (+) is the sign of choice recognizing these establishments. Business suits coming in and out seems to be more the norm that the hippie or ripped jean-short surfer dude types. Hmmm?

We must of walked for close to an hour before agreeing on an Italian restaurant right in the town square. I went with one of the specials, it was a Chicken Parm base accompanied by a garlic and herb (hehe) wine sauce. After it was served to me, I must of cracked the waitress when I asked for a cup of Red sauce on the side. Within a minute it arrives, delivered by the owner in a suit, asking me why I'm putting tomato sauce on his chef's special. Well, it was very delish!, but the part of Italian in me just wanted Red sauce. I explained to the owner that I'm a Foodie (aka: Food Network freak and amateur critique) as I go on to explain 'the only way to judge any Italian restaurant... "it all starts with the Marinara!". He then happily agree's and gives up the bowl of Marinara (man!, that was like pulling teeth!).

A California Pinot Noir accompanied my dish, perfecto@! and complimented very well!. I would say the best food porn of the entire trip!... YES! I love Italian especially when it's all fresh from scratch and not frozen Sisco stuff.

[END DAY 12]

 

[Top_Speed1]

Going to finish this up with a condensed version, leave out many of pics as this clearly has lost interest among the natives here.

It could be useful for some or even myself in the future however?.... oh the memories!

Day 13) Thurs 7/30 Colorado Springs to North Platte NE

[seat Time: 499.5mi, 8hr-33min]

Destination Knights Inn, N Platte

Blue on the map below

We had a lot of great twisties on 67 & S. Platte River Rd, some brand new paved stretches on 67 also (just North or Col Springs), it went to dirt as well for about 3 miles with "their Westerly" strip-down road construction. We had a really great morning ride aggressively speaking, and, on some very fun non-busy (like almost zero traffic) backwoods roads.

Here we are up to 40, ready to cut up and into/towards the Rocky Mtns Natl Park.

Estes Park was a pretty neat town and area. We took CO-34 down and out of the Rocky Natl Park. Winding around a raging river made it pretty neat and special. We finally got into some traffic on the backside of the Rocky Natl Park, not real bad however, and... nothing a little right wrist twist didn't easily remedy.

We had lunch at a large sports bar in Loveland CO. Normal pub-grub, not worthy of FP pics, but later that night/dinner, hopefully would provide some!?

Strolling into N. Platte Nebraska sometime mid-afternoon-ish, made for some pre-dinner sight seeing and a happy hour at the motel. Love the cheap convenience store beers during your shower and waiting for your group to assemble. Keyword was "cheap" ;-) vs. the restaurant bought ones.

Dang these things are small! Guess the early settlers packed way more efficiently than us ST bikers.

Since I came almost face to face with one of these back in Yellowstone (early on on 212), I had to hang a pic with Mr. Bill. The real one however was much more intimidating!... ya think!?

We had good choices for food and drinks. We got lucky most of this trip actually, always finding some good FP and within walking distances of our motel/hotels. For tonight, we chose... (wondering if the name "Whiskey" had anything to do with it?)

I had the Wood Fired 1/2 Rack-O-Ribbbs. Oh so friggen yummy!, and quite worthy of FP pics too!...

I had a few more "tall" beers with the boyz, shared some great stories about what we just did and went thru. We all agreed it wouldn't sink in till later. While walking back to our motel, this just seem to sum up the great day...

Day 14) Fri 7/31 North Platte NE to Iowa City IA: https://mapq.st/1BSuybd

[seat Time: 525.7mi, 7hr-57min]

Destination: Travelodge Iowa City

Not having as much on our road agenda today, plus going slab on the way home thru the plains... I gave the fellas a break... we didn't get on the road till 9am! (dang, half the days gone already!) ;-) ....here leaving N. Platte

Arriving in Iowa City from N. Platte, nothing but boring slab :-( ..so we'll refrain on those thoughts and more importantly images thereof. We did meet up with a large group of Canadian Harley Riders, all on there way to Sturgis for the big Rally. They were pretty down to Earth, we actually had some beers with them while in the parking lot.

We found a nice restaurant right around the corner, I had SEVERAL Smithwick beers (pic'd right), they just went down so easily! A personal pan pizza absorbed some of them, but I finally had a "buzz"... the real first one of the trip! (it helps knowing you have a lighter slab day ahead vs. the real technical stuff we more-so desire. But, this was nearing the end of a truly great trip, so, it was time to celebrate some!

Day 15) Sat 8/1 Iowa City IA to Elyria OH:

[seat Time: 527.4mi, 9hr-20min]

Destination: Elyria OH Ramada

Great weather, that is all I can actually say as it was a 'stab-the-slab' kinda day.

After this 100% cruise control kinda day, the desired thing on my mind was some drinks! Since I heavily sipped down the 'Smit-ticks' the prior day, I switched it up to a more girlie drink, but!, in a manly portion. ...Frozen Pineapple-Bannana Rum Martini. It was $12 btw w 3 shots in it, one being 151 rum. I just stuck the 20 there for size comparison to mark it as no little Martini glass.

Being that we never had seafood the entire trip!?, so it went down! ...for once anyways. I had this nice sampler platter. True those Lobster tails ain't no "Maine Lobstah's" (and we were in Nebraska after-all), but still, mighty delish!...

Day 16) Sun 8/2 Ride home routes from Elyria OH to Home

Actually, this was to be a Surf-n-Turf Day! Meaning... I would ride home (the turf part) for about 5.5hrs on my bike, switch gears and pick-up Debbie and go Boating (the surf part) on Seneca Lake. Weather worked out perfect, Debbie mugged me when I got home at just about high Noon. She made a bunch of appetizers to go out on the boat with us. Upon rafting up at boaters beach... She asks "Did you eat anything on your trip? You're eating like you're starved! hushhhhh! ;-)

LMAO... I never fessed-up and told her we ate and drank like pigs. I gained 7 lbs on this trip. Mostly b/c I'm use to working it off, and, pigging-out and going directly to sleep for our early morning take-off's?.... bad! but, actually pretty good I guess

It was an epic trip, an over used term I know. To recap some Highs and Low's...

Let's start out with some of the High's

The Weather! Generally awesome. Thank you Weather Gods!

The Scenery! All of what I expected and even more.

The Routes! Perfect, we had a great mix of everything, and, the things we liked more? we had more of!.

The Company! Yes, I was a slave driver and admit it. We had a very challenging schedule most days, the guys NEVER complained once!

The Mechanicals & Safety! Zero issues with any of the 3 bikes, not even a direct deer strike gave any damage. Thank You Lord for looking over us!

The Rally! As always, the MOA was conducted like poetry in motion. Awesome peeps, can't wait for next years!

The Locals! ...I ask a lot of touristy Q's to get the "in" opinion on Food places etc. Everyone went way over and above to share with me (us).

The Lows

My Camera! ...**** the bed 3/4 into the trip (my fault). That meant no more in-motion shots. Bummer the stuff I missed.

Hitting a Deer! ...but in the end with no damage?... you could put this in the High's category.

The Slab! We wanted to get to-and-from "the Good Stuff" efficiently, not waste our vaca time in doing so, we knew the consequences.

Western Gas Prices! Much higher than our EC prices. WFT! We were expecting lower, guess that's our dumb-ass fault for figuring.

Old Faithful Traffic! You get in quickly, you get out at a snails pace (note: avoid anything mid-day like 11am-4pm)

Elyria OH! Construction all over the place, good thing it was our last night; as we saved the worst for last.

Mucho Thanks goes out to Rick and Bob!. It was a trip that I personally will remember forever, enjoying it with your company made it that much better. Cheers guys, and till next time!

-KJ

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Excellent!!!

Thanks for your time to sharing this great RR and pictures with us!!!

 

[FJRBandit]

Thanks for taking the time to do the write up KJ! I enjoyed it immensely and especially enjoyed the pics. That sux about your camera, but I'd take losing the camera and surviving the deer strike, especially with zero damage, as a very positive trade off.

Since your camera wasn't operational for the return trip home I thought I'd recap your ride through Nebraska and Iowa for you.

 

[Niehart]

Love this picture:

Thanks for taking the time to report your Road Show. I know it's lots of work, but trust me, we appreciate it and will use some of it for our runs.

 

[Steel_Gin]

Dude I can't imagine anyone losing interest in your RR, I certainly didn't!! Outstanding write up!! The amount of planning you put in to this clearly paid off and made for a great trip!! I hope to go on a similar trip in the not too distant future.

Once you decide to retire you can be a motorcycle America tour guide...... and have Debbie lead a woman's group. I'd be more than will to help out if needed.....I'm sure the ladies will need back rubs after a long day in the saddle.

 

[TomInPA]

KJ, amazing trip report and I know how much work you put into it. The hardest part of a great trip is trying to document it in a coherent fashion when the excitement of the trip is done. Thanks for sharing!