HWY 50 to Denver and back

[Bokerfork]

I make an annual trek to the Denver,Colorado suburbs of Parker and Littleton to visit my Dad and my sister. I've always gone by plane but have secretly wished to make the trek via Hiway 50 just to experience the "Lonliest road in America". Well, this year I did just that, taking the FJR, a camera, a few clothes, and a Camelback full of water.

The following are just a few pics I thought I'd share.

Sorry in advance;no food ****.

Seeing no reason to bore anybody with California pics, I'll start the show just outside of Fallon, Nevada.

It seems the locals gather up rocks and bring them to these roadside berms to spell out various messages or greetings.

These went on and on for miles.

A few scenery shots of Reno John's backyard.

Small town in Central Nevada.

More scenery.

These guys haven't heard of "motor"cycles. Crazy.

Small town church in Scipio,Utah.

One picture is worth a thousand words?

Here are a bunch of pics from Central to Eastern Utah. The pictures don't even come close to doing justice to the

beauty and grandeur that is this section of Utah.

Images from a rest stop in Central Utah. The local Indians were selling their wares here.

More scenery.

Rather than taking I70 straight in to Denver I continued on 50 and found this beautiful lake just outside of Gunnison Colorado.

It stretches for miles and miles of beautiful scenery and only handfuls of campers, boaters or fishermen.

Obviously a must do on the return visit.

Who doesn't love a good tunnel?

A couple of pics of the Glenwood Canyon area of Colorado.

Not only is the natural scenery beautiful here but the design of the road gives the impression that it is just floating along the Canyon wall.

These pics don't do it justice but when I ride alone I hate to stop for much other than gas. So these were taken on the fly.

A little more scenery.

This guy was riding in Western Utah about 50 miles from the last town and 100 miles from the next.

As if that isn't crazy enough, this part of Western Utah is just about the saddest place on earth.

Oh well, to each their own.

And finally, Home sweet home.

Thanks for looking. It was a fun and scenic little trip.

If I ever do it again I'll likely go with someone else just to force myself to stop and smell the sandstone.

But all in all a nice way to take another one off the bucket list.

 

[beemerdons]

Very Nice Bokerfork, Outstanding Photography. Thank You!

 

[MEM]

That was great, Mark. Thanks!

Utah's on my bucket list

 

[wheatonFJR]

Very nice report. :clapping:

Was just recently out that away and enjoyed parts of that same road.

 

[rogdeb]

Great pics Mark :clapping:

Hardly the "lonliest" though - 1 truck, 2 cars and 3 bicycles --- at least :lol:

 

[BIODSL]

Kinda makes you wonder why you waited so long I really do love 50. Congrats on making the dream come true.

 

[cyclebabble]

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

 

[CAJW]

Mark,

Thanks for sharing, especially the thunderstorm pics and I'm guessing you got wet a few times. It's been years since I've seen the Gunnison area, need to get back there. Hopefully you got to see Black Canyon while in the area.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Nice looking ride there. Been on parts of 50 but still missing a little of it...time to change that.

Thanks for taking us along!

--G

 

[weekend rider]

Nice report I have been on 50 those places bring back good riding memories

 

[Bugnatr]

Nice pics. The FJR was made for Hwy 50.

 

[mferriter]

Very nice pix.

How far apart were gas stations? That's the one thing I always wonder about in the more sparcely populated parts of the country. You can usually find one within 300 miles even on the most desolate roads - no problem in a car since most have close to 400 mile range these days, but sucks on a 250 or so mile (with a slight downhill) range FJR.

I do carry a 30 oz MSR fuel bottle, but that's only good for about 10 or 12 miles. I've been looking at 1 gallon fuel jugs, but there not very vapor tight and really stink up the sidebag. Maybe just get a couple more MSR bottles.

 

[saxman]

Thanks for the great - on the move - pics! I've always enjoyed the lonely, out-west roads. Utah is especially beautiful and should be

on every traveler's list, bike or car.

 

[Bugnatr]

Very nice pix.

How far apart were gas stations? That's the one thing I always wonder about in the more sparcely populated parts of the country. You can usually find one within 300 miles even on the most desolate roads - no problem in a car since most have close to 400 mile range these days, but sucks on a 250 or so mile (with a slight downhill) range FJR.

I do carry a 30 oz MSR fuel bottle, but that's only good for about 10 or 12 miles. I've been looking at 1 gallon fuel jugs, but there not very vapor tight and really stink up the sidebag. Maybe just get a couple more MSR bottles.

Gas is rarely more than 80 - 100 miles apart. I've ridden all over the western deserts etc. and never had a worry with the Feejeers 240 mile range. Now on my FZ1 I have to watch the gas much closer.

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

Mark, Nice ride report and pics. I do have one question. What was your speedo showing at its highest point on that highway? After all, with straight aways that go for 40 miles and virtually no local or state interference, it would be a good place to see just what the FJR can do...

Eureka! Nev, great place to eat at the hotel!

FWFE

 

[wheatonFJR]

...with straight aways that go for 40 miles and virtually no local or state interference, it would be a good place to see just what the FJR can do...

Eureka! Nev, great place to eat at the hotel!

FWFE

You can see the redline in top gear if you wish...

However, with the scale of all that is around you, that does not seem very fast. I get more kicks out of riding Skaggs or Hwy 36 BY FAR...not even close.

 

[IBF2]

Did you happen to see the ghost of a white Challenger??? Calling Kowalski!!!!

:yahoo: :yahoo:

Great report and pics. Brought back alot of memories of rides on those roads.

 

[BwanaDik]

Very nice pix.

How far apart were gas stations? That's the one thing I always wonder about in the more sparcely populated parts of the country. You can usually find one within 300 miles even on the most desolate roads - no problem in a car since most have close to 400 mile range these days, but sucks on a 250 or so mile (with a slight downhill) range FJR.

I do carry a 30 oz MSR fuel bottle, but that's only good for about 10 or 12 miles. I've been looking at 1 gallon fuel jugs, but there not very vapor tight and really stink up the sidebag. Maybe just get a couple more MSR bottles.

Gas is rarely more than 80 - 100 miles apart. I've ridden all over the western deserts etc. and never had a worry with the Feejeers 240 mile range. Now on my FZ1 I have to watch the gas much closer.

However, it does pay to plan ahead and be prudent. For example, I'm pretty sure there is no gas between Marsing, ID and Elko, NV which is a distance of 246 miles via 78/51/225. Right on fumes at that point. Why go that way? Humbolt Nat'l Forrest and some of those Western scenic vistas. Looks like a cool road between Mountain City and Wild Horse Reservoir.

Edit: Great pics BTW. You've reminded me of Rt 50 back across the West. We'll probably drop down 395 and pick it up in Reno or our way back from the PNW this Fall. Thanks!!

 

[Bokerfork]

Thanks to all for the kind words. Yes, gas is relatively abundant, the only worry being that a lot of the small towns out there roll up their sidewalks kinda early. Just plan ahead for that.

Regarding pushing the speed limits of the Feej, BTDT. I kept it at a respectable 75-80 most of the time although it did creep up a bit once or twice. I just wasn't in a hurry. I lucked out and had a moderate tail wind both directions. From what I hear the opposite would have been just as likely.

On a side note, I left Cali with a set of PR2's that, while still in good shape, left me wondering if they'd make the full round trip. On the way back I kept noticing the grooves on the rear tire retreating further and further toward the sidewall. Not having run a PR2 that far, I checked and rechecked it at every gas stop. After awhile the grooves stopped receding, giving me a false sense of security. I milked that tire all the way home and upon inspection the following morning I wondered just how much further she would have gone. I'm sure Michelin would seriously discourage riding it that far past the wear bars, but I also suspect the wear bars are artificially high due to the lawyers.

Anyway, in retrospect I'm glad I pushed it. It gave me insight and appreciation for just how far these tires can go