Glacier - Day 2

Day 2…

The day started with a small wrenching party on mine and Jason’s bikes. Over the course of the conversations with Kevin over the roadside repairs on Jason’s bike we thought new battery and plugs would be in order. As well on my bike, the new Walmart driving lights that I just installed specifically for this trip, decided they did not want shine together and one gave out before we got to Colorado. So I replaced a light while Jason replaced his battery and plugs.

However we had beautiful sights while we worked as there was a Hot Air Balloon gathering in town that lifted off from memorial park and floated down to Kevin’s house allowing us some great photo opportunities.

And it was a great day to be riding... look at that clear blue sky. Colorado is a great place to ride.

But enough of that, let’s get on the road. By 9AM we were headed to Deckers Country Store on I24 and then highway 67, where we had coffee and breakfast. From there we took off on through the east side of the Rockies through Empire and Winterpark. I'm not sure exactly how we go there, I just followed Kevin... when i could see him.

Kevin offered that I could ride tail position and that if I wanted to stop and take a picture to just honk and flash my lights and we’d pull over. We hadn’t gotten too far when I realized the batteries on the camera were almost dead. So, as suggested I honked my little horn and flashed my little light… and would you believe they weren’t even paying attention. They were so focused on the roads and the turns that I was totally invisible to them. So I just pulled over anyways thinking they’d miss me eventually when they got to a long straightaway and could not see me off in the distance. Finally they showed up and we got a couple of pics and promises that they’d try to pay more attention in the future.

It was a great ride through the mountains and it was very popular for sport bikes. In fact two Ducatis squeezed between me and Jason and I noticed they had very large rear tires and could handle the turns very handily. I too have a very wide rear tire and thought I could do same…not. After scraping my highway peg on the asphalt I had to keep repeating to myself, the ‘Valk is not a sport bike, the Valk is not a sport bike’.

At Winter Park we took a small break and took the another photo opportunity.

Jason at Winter park taking a break.

Kevin at Winter Park taking a break.

We then headed over to Granby where we stopped for some lunch at Mad Munchies. It was either that or Fat Boys Bar and Grill and only one of us fit that description (see picture above). Sorry, no pic of the restaurant. Once again on the road, Kevin takes me into the dirt, I keep reminding him that I have a street bike but he can’t seem to remember. This won’t be our last time on the dirt this trip.

Bikes in the Dirt

Jason taking a pic of Kevin in the the middle of the road.

Kevin in the Middle of the road...

Why he wanted a picture of this I'll never know...

Mounting up from this photo op. we headed for Walden where we stopped for gas and Ice cream at the same place we stopped at 2 years ago. Place is still there… here’s the bikes taking a breather.

It’s amazing that riding in Colorado the temperature can change 20º in a span of 2 miles. Then you get to the flat open country and there is nothing out there. I stopped to take couple of pics and the boys just keep on going… so much for that promise from earlier in the day. This pretty much represents my view from the trip... watching the two of them up ahead.

We stop to catch some pictures at this incredible rolling wheat field. But the camera can’t seem to catch the subtleness of the rolls of wheat and the different height levels. It was so much more incredible in person.

Crossing into Wyoming we get the obligatory state sign pic.



Then we're high tailing it to Rawlins where we plan to spend the night. All the while Jason is keeping a keen eye out for wildlife hoping to catch a glimpse of some.





Well, we make it all the way in to Rawlins and the only wildlife we've seen are the bugs splattered on our windshields.
Arriving in town we decided to cruise through to see what our hotel options are. About halfway through we realize we lose Jason. Turning around and retracing our path we find him in the middle of the street pointing to a house. As we approach, sure enough he's finally spotted some wildlife. Deer in their natural habitat.
Yep, right in the backyard munching on the owners delectable garden in downtown Rawlins.

Behind us we see a rainbow straining to form on the horizon. Must take quite a bit of effort to get a rainbow on fairly clear day with no rain.

We finally settle on the posh accommodations at the local Quality Inn and then head out to clean up the bikes before putting them down for the night...







Jason tries out mine and Kevin's bikes to see how they fit... look at the smile, which one do you think he likes the best?

Jason on the V-Strom

Jason on the Valkyrie... pretty easy to tell which one he likes the best.

We head down to the bar and grill and review the days trip and make Jason's plans for heading back to Colorado Springs in the morning. In order for him to make it back to Lubbock by Thursday this is as far north as he's able to go on this trip. We head toward Boise in the morning and better get rested up as we've got a long road ahead of us. We just completed about 360 miles of Highway and twisties. Had great weather and no rain on this leg so that makes it a great day. Thanks to Jason for the company on this leg.