Official 2017 SW-FOG meet-up, Aug 3-6, Loveland, CO

[pegscraper]

Got a couple of mistakes in my post above (#127). Both in the directions for the Mt. Evans ride. I mention when leaving the Mt. Evans entrance gate to head back to Idaho Springs taking 103 to the east and down to 151. I rode up that way today and 151 is dirt, so continue on down 103 to the town of Evergreen and turn left on Evergreen Parkway (Hwy 74). Then a left on CR 65 and back to the interstate where you can get on I70 West to Idaho Springs, or the road to Central City and Blackhawk. After riding this today I would recommend maybe just returning to Idaho Springs via 103 west, backtracking the way we will ride up. The run on 103 to Evergreen isn't bad but takes us way out of the way for the return trip. Decision for later...
Then on the way back across the Peak to Peak Hwy, I mentioned dropping down Left Hand Cyn as an alternative route back. That's still good but I said to use the town of Gold Hill as a waypoint to find the turnoff. Not sure what I was thinking, but the town you want is Ward. Gold Hill is a cool place but it's in the wrong spot to help find Left hand Cyn, plus all roads leading in are dirt.

Sorry bout that...

And a further suggestion for the Mt. Evans ride. I mention eating in Idaho Springs which is fine, but I neglected to suggest that you wait till you come back down from Mt. Evans. You really should do that. The weather at altitude can be quite nasty and its recommended to be off that mountain in the afternoon. If you wait until after stopping for lunch there's just a bigger chance of running into heavy rain and lightning. Bring a snack on the bike to munch on and eat lunch later.

I got the Walden Loop ride penciled in but I'm not sure about the Mt Evans now, therefore you must lead that one since you know it so well now.

Does that mean you might not go on the Mt. Evans ride?

To the contrary, I am all for the Mt Evans ride. I was just hoping that since you are so familiar with the best route, you might take the lead. If not, maybe blufjr would lead that one too.

I plan to be there, I didn't go to the top yesterday and could use some clean thin air.

I checked with the entrance gate yesterday. Entrance cost is $3.00 or National Park Senior, and all park passes will work. The guy at the gate said that if a pass is used, it will get in the pass owner and 3 more people, even if they are on separate bikes. Pretty cool, so all you old farts with passes get em out!

I have my so called senior pass but age is a relative number that I am able to take advantage of. I'm sure there are senior NP pass holders in the group, so it could be free entrance for all.

 

[pegscraper]

Got a couple of mistakes in my post above (#127). Both in the directions for the Mt. Evans ride. I mention when leaving the Mt. Evans entrance gate to head back to Idaho Springs taking 103 to the east and down to 151. I rode up that way today and 151 is dirt, so continue on down 103 to the town of Evergreen and turn left on Evergreen Parkway (Hwy 74). Then a left on CR 65 and back to the interstate where you can get on I70 West to Idaho Springs, or the road to Central City and Blackhawk. After riding this today I would recommend maybe just returning to Idaho Springs via 103 west, backtracking the way we will ride up. The run on 103 to Evergreen isn't bad but takes us way out of the way for the return trip. Decision for later...
Then on the way back across the Peak to Peak Hwy, I mentioned dropping down Left Hand Cyn as an alternative route back. That's still good but I said to use the town of Gold Hill as a waypoint to find the turnoff. Not sure what I was thinking, but the town you want is Ward. Gold Hill is a cool place but it's in the wrong spot to help find Left hand Cyn, plus all roads leading in are dirt.

Sorry bout that...

And a further suggestion for the Mt. Evans ride. I mention eating in Idaho Springs which is fine, but I neglected to suggest that you wait till you come back down from Mt. Evans. You really should do that. The weather at altitude can be quite nasty and its recommended to be off that mountain in the afternoon. If you wait until after stopping for lunch there's just a bigger chance of running into heavy rain and lightning. Bring a snack on the bike to munch on and eat lunch later.

I could not agree more with you about having lunch on the way down from Mt. Evans. The map I printed out on Google maps indicates from Loveland to Mt. Evans it is 3.2 hrs, so if we leave the hotel 7:30-7:45ish it will put us at the top of Mt. Evans by noon. Take a few pics and grab some fresh (thin) air and head down for lunch should work out perfect.

 

[blufjr]

I put this together, just in case someone needs to lead. I like to lead by giving out "the ride guide", just in case some want to go at a little different pace. Allow all to meet up at certain points. Here is what I put together for the Mt. Evans Ride:

6:00 AM 0 Depart Fairfield Inn-Loveland

6:01 AM 0 Turn LEFT (East) onto US-34

6:02 AM 1 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-25

06:14 AM 17 At exit 243, RIGHT onto CO-66

6:31 AM 28 Turn LEFT (S) onto US-36

6:37 AM 34 RIGHT (W) CR-94, Lefthand Canyon Dr

7:01 AM 48 Rest break (15 mins)

7:29 AM 51 LEFT (S) CO-72 [Peak To Peak Hwy]

8:15 AM 82 Bear LEFT (S) Central City Pkwy

8:17 AM 83 Rest break (15 mins)

8:42 AM 90 Take Ramp (RT) onto I-70 [uS-40]

8:45 AM 94 At exit 240, turn Left on CO-103

9:12 AM 107 Arrive Mt. Evans gate. 1 HR 30 MIN.

10:42 AM 136 Depart Mt. Evans on CO-103 (East)

11:20 AM 154 LEFT (N) onto CO-74 [Evergreen Pkwy]

11:21 AM 154 Turn LEFT (W) onto CR-65, County Rd.

11:26 AM 157 Turn LEFT (W) onto US-40

11:28 AM 158 Merge onto I-70

11:32 AM 161 Exit 243, turn RT on Central City Pkwy

11:42 AM 169 Rest break (15 mins)

12:02 PM 170 Arrive Central City, 45 MIN.

12:47 PM 170 Depart Central City

12:53 PM 171 Turn LEFT (NW) onto CO-119 / 72

1:20 PM 190 Roundabout, Nederland, FOURTH exit staying on CO-72 Peak to Peak Hwy.

1:48 PM 211 Rest break (15 mins)

2:04 PM 212 Keep STRAIGHT onto CO-7

2:08 PM 214 Turn RT (S) onto CR-103 [Riverside Dr]

2:27 PM 226 Bear RIGHT (E) onto US-36 [CO-66]

2:30 PM 228 Keep STRAIGHT onto CO-66 [ute Hwy]

2:38 PM 235 Turn LEFT (N) onto US-287 [Main St]

2:54 PM 251 RIGHT (E) onto US-34

3:00 PM 255 Arrive Fairfield Inn-Loveland

Did one for RMNP-Walden too.

 

[philellis123]

That's all well and good, BLUFJR, except that I'm pretty sure 6am isn't even a real time, at least not in my world

 

[pegscraper]

That's all well and good, BLUFJR, except that I'm pretty sure 6am isn't even a real time, at least not in my world

Phil, I couldn't agree more about KSU at 6am being overly ambitious.

Breakfast (a must) is served at 6am at the hotel and by the time the troops are rallied, KSU by 7:30 is more reasonable.

I'm sticking with it.

 

[Laverdaguy]

Anybody in town yet?

 

[Linc]

We are going to run over to the hotel and say hi in about 15 minutes. Hope to see some of y'all!

 

[FJRfarrier]

I'm in Georgetown tonight... I'll be pulling in sometime tomorrow afternoon. woo hoo!!

 

[Laverdaguy]

We are going to run over to the hotel and say hi in about 15 minutes. Hope to see some of y'all!

Getting late but I've nothing going on so I'm heading over too...

 

[philellis123]

Back home safe. THANKS to everybody for a GREAT weekend !!!! Well, all except Julie, Darkside traitor

 

[Omnimo]

I made it home about 45 minutes ago. Thanks to everyone for a great time in Colorado. I hope to see you all again soon.

Cheers,

John Dough

 

[phroenips]

COSFJR (Shaun) and I (Scott) made it home safely after a long and arduous journey all the way to the south Denver metro area. It took us a whole hour!

Also, I took a rare photo of motorcyclists standing around, bullshitting, and drinking beer after a day of riding:



There was also a big red fire truck in Glen Haven. Disappointing though, it had rain spots on it

Here's the rest of my photos, mostly of Rocky Mountain National Park: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm6a5YC2

P.S. Omnimo, you lied to me. You said you had three posts. You have nine now!

P.P.S. Digital cameras are better than film. Taken at ISO 1 Billion (ok, "only" 51200):

 

[zzzzip]

Nice looking BMW in that bunch of bikes.

 

[pegscraper]

If you all want a blow by blow of Julie's RR, head over to there and look under "Here I go again." Yes, SW-FOG is included.

I must give special thanks to Laverdaguy (Ed) and blufjr (Ken) for their mapping out some of the rides. For Ed being a local does help and scouting out the rides just ahead of the rally is over the top. His extended knowledge of anything racing related, cameras, computers (IT) and places you haven't been to and always wanted to is exhausting.

Skip and John, you guys would make for a great comedy act (who's on first comes to mind). You guys are a riot. Who brings a fishing pole on a rally anyway? And yes, catches them. Kudos for catching and releasing.

Abraham (Mr. car tire speed demon) & Rachel (Mrs JC). You two ride as a tight unit and have no fear. That tire still amazes me. God must be looking over you.

A big thanks to all who made it to the SW-FOG rally and sharing in the awesome scenic rides and comradeship.

 

[FJRfarrier]

Photo dump....
Just people pictures. All the other scenery and riding pics from the area are in my RideReport. Though I didn't ride with anyone else... so that doesn't really matter. Lol

Following pics are from PegScraper. Just helping with the uploading...

Group shots from Saturday night turned out well.

 

[blufjr]

Made it home today around 12:30pm. Had a great trip and I thought the gather was great too. Till next time, everyone, have a great year and safe riding. See you in 2018.

Ken

 

[Laverdaguy]

COSFJR (Shaun) and I (Scott) made it home safely after a long and arduous journey all the way to the south Denver metro area. It took us a whole hour!
.....

P.P.S. Digital cameras are better than film. Taken at ISO 1 Billion (ok, "only" 51200):

Yeah, whatever...

Next time you guys are up this way let me know, and we can go out shooting. I'll put a real camera in your hands, with some real black and white film, so you can channel your inner Ansel Adams.

Was good meeting all you FJR folk, glad you could get out and enjoy some of our roads. I enjoyed riding with you guys (or at least watching from the rear as you disappeared

). We'll have to do it again some time!

 

[Tango Sierra]

Photos from the chase car driver.

Where did I put that key?

The founder of all that are FJR rallies. Pegscraper.

Great brisket sandwich.

On the mountainside above Smokin Yard's BBQ there were some big horn sheep. The lens I had on the camera wasn't very long so you have to look hard for the sheep in the middle of the image.

Enjoying some Mexican food Saturday night.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Dang Tango Sierra, lots of nice pictures of some of my favorite FJR people. Your really making me mad that my sister and mother decided to fly home at the most inopportune week causing me to miss this event.

 

[Tango Sierra]

Kevin, it was odd not seeing you there as I think you are the most common fixture at these events. I don't attend all the events but you are normally at every one I do show up at.