2009 Colorado Leaf Tour, Day 1

In the midst of two kiddos in College and two in High School, with all their activities and needed support, Audra and I found time to get away for some time in the Colorado Mountains. Our Annual Leaf Ride, is a time of 'Recreation', where we get to breathe 10k feet Oxygen and smell the fragrances of the mountains.

This year, we could only escape for two days. For the past four years, Audra had wished for a night at the Redstone Inn....so I based the trip around a stop in Redstone, CO.


Leaving Falcon, we rode up to Woodland Park, up to Hwy 285, over to Breckenridge, back south to Leadville, over to Aspen and loop around to Redstone.


Once leaving Falcon and getting up to the mountains, we rode up to Hwy 285 and over Kenosha Pass.

After riding west on 285, we turned north to go through the tiny Colorado community of Como and then up over Boreas Pass.

Dropping down the west side of Boreas Pass Road, we round a corner to get a full view of the Breckenridge slopes.

Lunch in Frisco was enjoyed at the Boat Yard. This little bar and restaurant is a favorite for wild game, pizza and brews.

After leaving Summit County, we bent back to the southwest toward Leadville. This required a ride over Freemont Pass.

After leaving Leadville, we continue to head west.

Twin Lakes is a beautiful area, just east of the Collegiate Range.


Independence Pass was a crispy chill, but supplied profound views of the high mountains.

Heading down to Aspen, the road narrows to a single lane in several locations.

Parking the bike in Aspen, we quickly found a Starbucks to fuel up on Caffine.

Riding up the Crystal River Canyon.

And finally, after nearly 300 miles, we arrive in Redstone and the Redstone Inn.

Homecoming at Falcon!!!!

It was a good weekend! The Varsity won their game and Tyler got a lot of time, and then the JV totally kicked tail on Saturday.

Tyler and his friends.


Tyler and Katie!!!

Up to Boulder on the New Bike to see Cass!!!

After getting the VStrom to Colorado, Bryce and I decided to ride up to Boulder (the back way through the mountains), so we could see Cassi and have lunch with her. At the last minute, my bud Norm asked to join us.

2nd XL600 Gone....New Bike Coming.....

Well, I must admit that I am a little bummed. The Lane Boys owned two outstanding Honda's that would, no doubt, run another 10 years.....but other bikes were wanted. And....I understand that. But, the classic 1980's, Honda XL600's will always be memories in our minds that were very, very good!!!!

So, upon Bryce selling his XL600, Tyler and I decided to 'test the market'. We had purchased the 600 from Arizona for an absolute steal, so we thought we might be able to gather enough cash to purchase a little better bike, in regard to highway worthyness....and Dual-Sport fun.

One of our ADV acquaintances wanted the bike, so we loaded him up and shipped him off to Denver with an outstanding bike.












So....after a lot of time on Craigslist and Ebay and CycleTrader, we think we have found the bike. I hope this is the bike!!!!

Honda only imported the NX to America for two years, 1988 and 1989. It was actually far before its time, as Dual-Sport riding was only in the minds of a few. Finding a 21 year old bike in near mint condition is totally friggin awesome!!!!

So, I have business in Utah this coming week and I will do a fly and ride again. The bike is in Salt Lake City. After two days of sales calls, I will ride the bike to Troy and Joy's in Grand Junction and then do the second day, back to the house.

Fly, Buy and Ride

As you can see from a previous post, Bryce had sold his Honda in hopes of finding a VStrom. Thanks to ADV Flea Market, we found the bike he was looking for in Houston, Texas.

After a couple of weeks of waiting, I had business in Texas and did a fly and ride to pick up the bike and conduct business. Houston in the rear view mirror.

Upon arriving at Mom's, she was more than excellent in preparing a Country Fried Steak dinner, and cobler!!!!Brownwood, TX

Hill Country Roads. Leaving Mom's, hustling the bike up to the Panhandle where I would do business for a couple of days, I enjoyed some twisties.

One of the biggest ranches in America is the Four Sixes.

Texas does the best Road Side Parks. This one was amazing.


Trains along the highway.

Texas has a corner on the market of the modern Wind Generator. These things are all over the place.

Grain Silos.

822 miles on the odometer from Houston. It is a long way across Texas!!!

Entering Colorado.


Kim, CO

Kim is a tiny little place with a single store, kitchen and gas pump... Yeah, one gas pump.

There was a good Elk Hunt Story with this one.

Heading in to Colorado Springs.

And the final odometer read....

Bryce's 19th Birthday

19 years ago, I still remember Papa Joe holding Bryce Andrew in the Alpine Hospital. That is a memory that I will never, ever forget. This year, we celebrated that birthday of our young man. Bryce had a good day. He spent the morning and early afternoon with Tyler at the Paintball course and then the evening at home, around his family.






As with every birthday, the morning tradition of a candle in a cake was honored. For Bryce, it was Blueberry Pancakes.

Two weeks ago, when I asked Bryce what he wanted for his birthday dinner.... he said, "Dad, I really want Crab Legs." Audra demanded that my shop pliars be washed before use. (Wow we need the right kitchen tools!!!)










Unfortuantely, Cassi had to work and was unable to join us for the celebration, but we had a good time. Afton, Bryce's girlfriend joined us for some sillyness and the celebration.






Blowing out 19 candles.



Enjoying his gifts. Afton gave Bryce a very nice Nikon, digital camera. Mom, Dad, brother's and sister's gave him a Yakima roof rack for the VW so that he can haul is Snowboards on winter trips to the mountains.




Finally, Bryce is totally excited about the gift he has given himself. We pick the bike up tomorrow.