Pikes Peak ride, July 25, 2005

This report was originated on KLR650.net. It is imported here with minor editing for structure and flow (due to the import process).  Martin is the originator of the report.

-----

What a great day this was. Yard Dog Ken and Too Tall Larry met near my place and I joined them for a brief run through Garden of the Gods and then on up the Peak. It was warm lower, and refreshingly cool at the top. The clouds had a separation right at the top of the Peak which was visually interesting. Just a little windy, not too much.


 

The tourist traffic was surprisingly high. We found ourselves crawling on the road behind a lot of mini vans (too many of which had Missouri plates...). I yelled out at a batch of cog train riders to wave if they were famous (one lady waved). I then yelled out for them to wave if they were rich. More waved, but I couldn't pick out all the single women in that group so it was a wasted effort.


 

We stopped for pics on the way down, and here are a few shots. Photos don't ever do justice to the actual scene, of course. The lens is just too limiting. Ken and Larry took photos, and will post some here later. They went onward to more Colorado riding after we parted. Good guys.

This was the view at a pull over on the descent.




Some people stepped over the stone fence and dared the loose rock footing. Saw some bighorn sheep that the tourists were gawking at, but didn't stop for pics. Lots of marmots and pikas.




Here's Ken and Larry with my blue KLR, Larry's Wee-Strom, and Ken's green KLR. It started getting blustery as the afternoon wore on. Was mostly sunny on the ascent, mostly cloudy going down.




Looking down at some of the twisties. Found out that the entire road will be paved by 2012, and saw a lot of pre-paving work, such as drainage ditches being put in concrete.




Most of the roads above tree line looked like this. Some were steeper, especially the zig-zags.




A view down at the road and the Glen Cove rest area (to the left). They were doing brake checks on cars, and telling some people to pull over to let their brakes cool down.


 

Although I was still stiff, sore, and a tad gimpy from my crash last Thursday, I'm glad I kept to the plan to meet Ken and Larry and do the Peak. I'll probably do it every year with others or alone. Just 'cause it's there.

The cafeteria at the top was a nice stop for coffee or hot chocolate, and they were re-stocked with "I rode the Peak" patches with the motorcycle image embroidered. Saw lots of bicyclists who rode to the top, and some who hiked up.

It started raining lightly before we made it to the bottom, but even that was refreshing to me, since it's been over 100 degrees here for the last week and more. Didn't rain enough to help the farmers, but enough that we stopped and geared up just in case.

What a great way to spend a day off. Ken and Larry, I hope the rest of your riding goes well. I may call on you guys when I decide to go see Missouri from the KLR's seat. Take care.