New bike/New Life ride

dewey405 · 04-08-2012, 04:33 PM

Since I gots me a purty new riding machine I figured there is only one way to really break in a bike....a long-@ss ride! I am also currently in Flight Engineer school for the E-6B which means once I get back to the deploying fleet my days of riding per year will drop to the double digits AT MOST for the next 4-5 years so I am planning one major hurrah around August/September time after I graduate. I will start here in Moore, OK, head up to my parents in C. Springs, head SW over the Rockies camp out in Utah somewhere then head down around Kirtland AFB to either camp out or stay on base there. From there I will be heading back home. Now I have it planned as is to be 2080 miles in 4 days, I say planned because I may make it 5 days, I may change the route. And that is where you guys come in, my last ride I was given some great tips for some roads to ride and I am hoping to do the same here. After C. Springs, CO I am open to other options as long as they head west over the Rockies (30 years old from CO and never done it) and get me home in ~4-5 days.

New idea

2980 miles, 59.1 hours in the saddle, 9 days and 7 states, version 3 and pretty much the plan!

Loafer · 04-08-2012, 04:48 PM

Yeah baby! What a nice trip, hope you have a great time.

audiogooroo · 04-08-2012, 05:03 PM

Looks like fun!
Once you hit Montrose, head south on Hwy 550 to Durango. (Million Dollar Highway). You can't be that close to one of the best rides in the country and NOT take it! You won't be sorry.
Safe travels man.

Sin City Stan · 04-08-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

Looks like fun!
Once you hit Montrose, head south on Hwy 550 to Durango. (Million Dollar Highway). You can't be that close to one of the best rides in the country and NOT take it! You won't be sorry.
Safe travels man.

What he said!!

**ringadingh** · 04-08-2012, 09:07 PM

Sounds like an adventure, I'm sure you'll love the trip.

deacon1984 · 04-08-2012, 09:28 PM

That sounds like an awesome trip!

I would suggest hitting Moab on the western end of your journey. Great little town, and Arches NP is a great place to see while you're there.

chainsaw · 04-08-2012, 10:13 PM

I agree with Audio.

petenomad · 04-08-2012, 10:35 PM

500 miles a day for 4 days? You won't actually get to see anything. It's also quite a grind to try to go that far on mountain roads. If there is any way you can spread it out, I sure would. You could also stop and tour Mesa Verde (near Cortez) - Cool cliff dwellings.

**rustyford** · 04-08-2012, 10:35 PM

If you decide to alter the first part of your route and come through here, I may be tempted to ride a bit with ya. Always looking for an excuse toride.

dewey405 · 04-08-2012, 10:53 PM

Well like I said, the only given here is c. Springs. The problem is, I am about to go to a job where I am gone 220+ days a year for the next five years so while this trip is going to happen it has to fall within a time frame. The more I look at it the more I am leaning towards 5 days though.

Blown32 · 04-09-2012, 07:27 AM

What ever you do, do the trip.

I retired from the AF nearly 2 years ago and had a very long trip planned. Well, got lucky and landed a job but it started the 1st day I was available so no ride. Feel like I missed out on a rite of passage.

Do the trip and make it a few extra days if you can (add side trips/roads)

dewey405 · 04-09-2012, 08:14 AM

lol, I already told the wife I am getting a job at McDonalds or something after I retire just so I can quit, since I haven't been able to just walk out of my job for 20 years. Just to get it out of my system. I have a really cool wife who, as soon as I told her about the ride, told me to make it happen. She understands it will not be happening again until probably 2017 or so, just 1-2 day trips until then.

Loafer · 04-09-2012, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dewey405

Well like I said, the only given here is c. Springs. The problem is, I am about to go to a job where I am gone 220+ days a year for the next five years so while this trip is going to happen it has to fall within a time frame. The more I look at it the more I am leaning towards 5 days though.

I've been reminiscing a trip I took when I sold my business, 50 y.o.
I was gone for 5 days travelled 1720 miles. The highlight was a 4 hour
visit to the Heritage Museum and AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.
Dug the photos out last night, it was a great again.
Thanks for bringing that back to life.

Netnorske · 04-09-2012, 09:08 AM

Enjoy your trip...do ride the "Million Dollar Highway"....and take tons of pics. Ride safe and thanks for your service to our country...

!

waterman · 04-09-2012, 10:31 AM

I will repeat what the others have said, "Million Dollar Highway".

04-08-2012, 04:33 PM	#1
dewey405 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Moore, OK Posts: 384	New bike/New Life ride Since I gots me a purty new riding machine I figured there is only one way to really break in a bike....a long-@ss ride! I am also currently in Flight Engineer school for the E-6B which means once I get back to the deploying fleet my days of riding per year will drop to the double digits AT MOST for the next 4-5 years so I am planning one major hurrah around August/September time after I graduate. I will start here in Moore, OK, head up to my parents in C. Springs, head SW over the Rockies camp out in Utah somewhere then head down around Kirtland AFB to either camp out or stay on base there. From there I will be heading back home. Now I have it planned as is to be 2080 miles in 4 days, I say planned because I may make it 5 days, I may change the route. And that is where you guys come in, my last ride I was given some great tips for some roads to ride and I am hoping to do the same here. After C. Springs, CO I am open to other options as long as they head west over the Rockies (30 years old from CO and never done it) and get me home in ~4-5 days. New idea 2980 miles, 59.1 hours in the saddle, 9 days and 7 states, version 3 and pretty much the plan! __________________ 2012 Nomad 1700 VBA #02021 VROC #34848 Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by dewey405; 06-10-2012 at 11:22 PM.
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04-08-2012, 04:48 PM	#2
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	Yeah baby! What a nice trip, hope you have a great time. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
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04-08-2012, 05:03 PM	#3
audiogooroo Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado/Las Vegas, NV Posts: 3,390	Looks like fun! Once you hit Montrose, head south on Hwy 550 to Durango. (Million Dollar Highway). You can't be that close to one of the best rides in the country and NOT take it! You won't be sorry. Safe travels man. __________________ Audiogooroo - Daryl Porter Colorado Springs, CO VBA #248 VROC #17261 1999 Grn/Grn Nomad
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04-08-2012, 09:07 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Sounds like an adventure, I'm sure you'll love the trip. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-08-2012, 09:28 PM	#6
deacon1984 Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 133	That sounds like an awesome trip! I would suggest hitting Moab on the western end of your journey. Great little town, and Arches NP is a great place to see while you're there. __________________ John VBA #1753 2008 Nomad
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04-08-2012, 10:13 PM	#7
chainsaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,732	I agree with Audio.
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04-08-2012, 10:35 PM	#8
petenomad Sr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 1,135	500 miles a day for 4 days? You won't actually get to see anything. It's also quite a grind to try to go that far on mountain roads. If there is any way you can spread it out, I sure would. You could also stop and tour Mesa Verde (near Cortez) - Cool cliff dwellings. __________________ Glenn petenomad Peterman 2016 BMW R1200RT 2012 Candy Arabian Red Concours - Traded at 23000 miles 2008 Red/Black Nomad - Traded at 29500 miles
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04-08-2012, 10:35 PM	#9
rustyford Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NW Oklahoma Posts: 105	If you decide to alter the first part of your route and come through here, I may be tempted to ride a bit with ya. Always looking for an excuse toride.
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04-08-2012, 10:53 PM	#10
dewey405 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Moore, OK Posts: 384	Well like I said, the only given here is c. Springs. The problem is, I am about to go to a job where I am gone 220+ days a year for the next five years so while this trip is going to happen it has to fall within a time frame. The more I look at it the more I am leaning towards 5 days though. __________________ 2012 Nomad 1700 VBA #02021 VROC #34848
	0

04-09-2012, 07:27 AM	#11
Blown32 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 63	What ever you do, do the trip. I retired from the AF nearly 2 years ago and had a very long trip planned. Well, got lucky and landed a job but it started the 1st day I was available so no ride. Feel like I missed out on a rite of passage. Do the trip and make it a few extra days if you can (add side trips/roads) __________________ 2010 Voyager: Vance & Hines Pro Pipe with Supertrapp meg can, Thunder Air kit, Corbin heated seat, Fuel cap mod (close w/o key), I-Pod, Thermometer, mounted dual heat-troller, rear speakers, rear rack, bag liners, Dobeck's Gen 3, grips, backrest, removable coffee holder, 1500 kick-stand, marbled, air horn, adjustable windshield (8"-12.5"), Race Tech Gold Valve Cartridge Fork Emulator & springs, Küryakyn floorboard mount Hwy pegs, etc... Other rides: 2003 ZRX1200r (X2) 2006 ZX14
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04-09-2012, 08:14 AM	#12
dewey405 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Moore, OK Posts: 384	lol, I already told the wife I am getting a job at McDonalds or something after I retire just so I can quit, since I haven't been able to just walk out of my job for 20 years. Just to get it out of my system. I have a really cool wife who, as soon as I told her about the ride, told me to make it happen. She understands it will not be happening again until probably 2017 or so, just 1-2 day trips until then. __________________ 2012 Nomad 1700 VBA #02021 VROC #34848
	0

04-09-2012, 09:08 AM	#14
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	Enjoy your trip...do ride the "Million Dollar Highway"....and take tons of pics. Ride safe and thanks for your service to our country...! __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016
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04-09-2012, 10:31 AM	#15
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	I will repeat what the others have said, "Million Dollar Highway". __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
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