ADV West Fest 2008, Day #3 (08-10-08)

Unfortunately, August 10th meant it was time to pack up and head home. Fortunately for me and a couple of others, we had the pleasure of riding a lot of dirt and mountain roads on the way home, avoiding the blacktop....unless it was twisty!!!!

Day three, Sunday morning found me terribly groggy and worn out from hard riding and tent sleeping. Certainly not the most flattering picture, but it is reality at 5:30am.


After coffee and oatmeal, I am beginning to pack up camp. I love the Givi Boxes!


Los Pinos Pass, 10,514 ft.



I will simply call this one... Lonely Road. On the way home, we ran about 60 miles of wide open, dirt road across the Colorado high country.


Marshall Pass and the Continental Divide at 10,842 ft.



Lunch in Salida at one of my favorites, Amica's.



Pulling up to the house, the odometer read 728.6 miles. All in all, a very nice weekend of riding the Rocky Mountains.








Postscript..... One of my riding friends just sent these pics over to me. These are from the ride on Saturday.

ADV West Fest 2008, Day #2 (08-09-08)

Saturday morning started out early with coffee and oatmeal at 6am. There is just something about the smell of coffee, brisk air and pines at 9k feet elevation early in the morning that is sacred to me. This day would end up being epic in the minds of all that attended West Fest, as we marveled at the remoteness of the San Juan’s.

Our day on the bikes started with a departure from Lake City, riding north to Blue Mesa Reservior.



Heading west for about 15 miles on Hwy #50, we turned south on Big Cimarron Road, where we enjoyed views of High Mesa.



Chimney Rock is just amazing.



Owl Creek Pass at 10,114 ft.



Finally we arrive in Ouray. We ate lunch and then carved the twisties up the Million Dollar highway to Ironton, where a left hand turn took us back into the heart of the San Juan's.


Looking down on Corkscrew Gulch. I have riden bikes a lot of places, but this road was about as steep as I had ever attemped, and I did it on a pair of Pressa Detour's (Round Tires, no knobbies!)



California Gulch



Hurricane Pass, 12,407 ft.



Cinnamon Pass, 12,650 ft.



Grizzly Gulch.


Whitecross Mountains in the background, down to Cleveland Gulch.




Finally back in Lake City for dinner and fun with the whole ADV Rider Gang.

ADV West Fest 2008, Day #1 (08-08-08)

Fest West 2008 was an Epic gathering of Adventure Riders from across the United States. Arriving in Lake City, Colorado, smack-dab in the middle of the "Alps of America", the San Juan's. 200+ adventure riders prepared for three days of riding challenging trails, views that few have seen, beautiful adventure motorcycles, great fun, camaraderie and new found friendship; I had an outstanding time. Arriving in mass on dual-sport, adventure bikes, riders traveled from as far away as Canada, Georgia, California, and Michigan.....not to mention the east side of Texas.



My trip to West Fest began at the house, leaving out of Colorado Springs, I headed west on Hwy 24 toward Woodland Park.



The first stop was at Cripple Creek for a little Java to help keep me 'sharp' for the next 250 miles.



Runnin the Twisties next to the Arkansas River on Highway #50 between Canyon City and Salida.



Lunch in Salida at Country Bounty. Outstandinging service and menu.



Poncha Springs, CO... The Collegiate Range in the Background.



Highway #149, headed south toward the San Juan's.



Base Camp in Lake City.