This is my last blog. So for that lone person out there who cares you will now have to find something else to read and ponder on.
This day was the eve of my 60th so I have to speed on! If only I had known there was yet another intervention on the way.
Met with the club members, Jeff the President was very hospitable and we all shared coffee. We were in Morrison, not the Red Rock Grill where we had lunch the day before but across the road outside under a verandah. There were about 20 or so members but the group I followed out of town were all dirt bikes, but no matter. We did the Peak to Peak ride stopping for a break at Netherlands...again. We were joined here briefly by other group members.
Five of us soldiered on stopping for lunch in Esters Park. We split and went with two of the guys, Monty and Greg also being keen to ride the pass and return to Denver via Winter Park. Could hardly refuse this ride as just a few days before we attempted this in inclement weather. We entered the park as a threesome, and before long were tailing another three bikes. Passing cars rather quickly in the limited passing zones kept us together. This is the go, just saying that for those who only travel in cars.
Just after the summit this proved to be a wrong decision. Monty followed the three bikes in front kept the pace up pass another car. Running out of passing lane quickly and wanting to keep together I hoofed it. There was another vehicle coming up the range but no probs I had the acceleration. We continued down the range and some distance on I noticed a Rangers car following me with Greg tailing him. I couldn't remember passing him? Before long lights flashed the now familiar colours alternating red and blue! Greg passed me and the other riders in front disappeared.
Suspicion mixed with doubt ran through my mind as I pulled over. Got off the bike and took my helmet off when an abrupt voice told me take the bike to the other side of the road in the passing lane? Well, Ok then! Did that, got off the bike and started walking towards the rangers car still not completely sure what the problem was. Abruptly was told to get back to the bike by a nervous authoritative voice! A bit weird but okay. Out steps a nervous youngish ranger, told me I was doing 31 mls over the speed limit? What, really! I was just trying to keep up with my 'new found friends'! He kept his 2m distance, it was his space and I wasn't going to encroach, his hand as Lenore noticed, was hovering around his hip. Asked to produce my licence I went for my top inside pocket which made him wide eyed. He retreated back to his car eye-balling me the entire time. Emerging he asked if I have a bike licence. Confused worried soul!
Am I carrying a firearm, drugs or alcohol? Passport was demanded. I fished in the top box of the bike, he stepped back and watched suspiciously with his hand hovering!
Back to the car, microphone in hand, writing furiously. Upon his return I stepped forward and was demanded to get back to the bike. It took me a few times to get the drift!
What a nervous bloke! A caution notice was given, thanks for my cooperation and he was off.
Shaken we remounted and headed down the range. Our new found friendship, we thought was short lived but some respectable distance later there they were waiting keen to hear the news! US bikers stick together, even at a distance!
I was asked to lead which I did with care until the others, bored riding at that pace switched places and let me chase them. No one rides to speed limits in the US but obviously there is some insider knowledge.
Coffee in a roasting shop prior to Winterpark, over the range in the wet and on highway 70, a wave goodbye and time to return the bike.
Bill Smith's Colorado tour bikes company was good, easy, with nice bikes. I would recommended him if anyone wanted to do the same. Sad to finish the ride, felt like we qualified for an Iron Butt award with doing some 3000 miles in the most diverse, fantastic scenery I have ridden yet. The USA seen has ticked all the boxes!
The rest of our trip includes celebratory dinner in the Stanley hotel, a trip over the Rocky mountain and the usual finish of holiday stuff.
I know I should have taken time to add details, burden your with statistics, times, dates and facts. But this set of stories don't need credibility cos that's the way it happened.
Declan, he got us here and now he's been delivered to CSU, and with a kiss n drop he's on his own. What with his mother's formative guidance and my looks and smarts he'll do much of what I/we have, but that's not part of this story. We will miss his humour, his fun, his hunger, his wingman ship but February and his return will come around quick.
Lenore has done us all proud as a biker sidekick, sitting still, quite as a mouse (thankfully no communication system installed) and being key accommodation and event organiser. Her GoPro antics and photography will keep us rivereted to the big screen for months, for those who want to drop in? Advanced warnings or wine for viewing required! Onya Lenore!
To share this story however has happened because Sinead has been at the epicentre of technology, receiving text and random pictures and stitching them together in a way that over here with limited internet would have failed. Let the world thank her.
So the travels have been what the Doctor would have prescribed and after all the wanderings I am posting this just after my 60th birthday having not just Givimsixty but I got to sixty!
To that, thanks for following.
I'll drink to that.
Cheers
Going into The Rocky Mountain Park later with Declan and Lenore we hesitated in an alpine pullover area and there was Mr Ranger man. I snuck a picture to include. Never make friends or trust men with a moustache!
