Romp in the Rocky Mountains 2021

[storm 64]

New tires, check
Oils changed, check
Chassis lubed, check
Air Filter cleaned, check
Coolant checked, check
This only means one thing, it's time to hit the road!

After the Brown County Rally, I'm heading west. Sunday and Monday will be more just getting there. I plan on taking route50 across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas into Salida Colorado.

From Salida, I'll be heading north. I'd like to check out some of the ski resorts(Vail, Steamboat Springs)... Then to my main destination of Cody Wyoming. I'll be basing out of Cody for four days. I'll be doing a couple of day rides into Montana and checking out Yellowstone National Park and the Tetons, love them Tetons.

Then I'll be going back to Colorado to visit my brother and his family for a day or two.
Working my way home, I'll be heading south, touching New Mexico before riding into Texas. I got to stop at the Big Texas Steakhouse in Amarillo!
I'll shoot across Oklahoma to Memphis, got to pay tribute to the King.
I'll work my way north. I have to visit my Kentucky wild cat in Florence. Maybe we'll do another distillery tour...

I have 20 days before I have to be back to work. I have to make the best of it. I'm really looking forward to taking in some sunsets and sunrises oh and the Tetons.

 

[alke46]

Sounds like one heck of a trip Norm. Good luck and hope you enjoy it. The Rockies are beautiful.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Wow, I’m jealous. Have a great trip Norm! And post pics when you can.

 

[Sandy]

Going to be a great trip Norm. Hope the weather cooperates, it's been crap up here last few days but should smarten up by next week. Are you going to try Beartooth Pass or is it even open yet?

 

[Redman]

. . . . . . .

route50 across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas into Salida Colorado.

From Salida, I'll be heading north.



................o Texas. I got to stop at the Big Texas Steakhouse in Amarillo!....
...
...

Sounds exciting Norm!
Also sounds like what I should be doing more of.

THe route 50 is what I did on my ride-RT-home-from-SanDiego (2019).
In Kansas is wide open, 50 pretty much bypass what small towwns are along the way, or can elect to go into/thru the small town for a stop or a diversion without addding much time/distance.

50 West of Salida is the contential divide at high elevation, that I would recommend, was funn to ride along right next to skiiers, and I saw moose. . . . . but is also under construction now and closed for hours at a time. Perhpas you knew that.

Texas, was gonna mention catching the Hill Country, but that would be another days ride just to get there from your route thru Amarillo up in the panhandle.

See ya in a few days.

 

[bwringer]

I wanna be Norm when I grow up.

 

[storm 64]

After leaving the Rally Sunday morning I left heading west on Rt50 to St. Louis. The road is not to bad except for about 50 miles in Illinois. It was bump bump--- bump bunmp---- bump bump for 50+ miles.
Yesterday I started in Kansas city with the goal of making it to Pueblo Colorado. It was Hot, but on interstate 70 I was able to make some time. Getting off the interstate traveling southwest on two lane road towards Pueblo. With long straight roads I was able to crank it up to 75-80. Way out in the distance I see a car approaching. As we were getting ready to cross paths, it was a COP! He hit his lights! However he didn't pull me over. I guess it was just a polite way of saying slow it down a little bit fellow.
Today will be a fun day. I have to be in Steamboat Springs Colorado and have all day to get there.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Good to hear Norm, I was wondering how you were doing.

 

[Redman]

After leaving the Rally Sunday morning .
.
.

Good to hear from You.
Keep the updates coming.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Some friends of mine and I, back in my FZ1 days, used to ride up to Durango and then Telluride every year. What a great trip you are on, Norm! I LOVE the Rockies!!!

 

[storm 64]

After leaving Pueblo, I had a great day riding north to Steamboat Springs Colorado. I rode up rt9 out of Canyon City. It was warm, but not hot. I stopped in the ski town of Breckenridge. A quaint little town, but bring your wallet! $30 for a beer, sandwich and tip! But the views are gorgeous. I made it to Steamboat Springs.

Steamboat Springs, another quaint village. You can see the ski trails cut out on the mountain. Now I've done a little snow skiing in the past, but I don't think I could manage these ski slopes! I was asking folks where are the beginners slopes? All is they would do is laugh.

Yesterday was moving day. 450 miles to my main destination of Cody Wyoming. I left Steamboat Springs with 51? temperatures, five hours later it was 100?. I ran into some heavy road construction. About 5 miles of one way traffic on a dirt road! You see, there are no detors around the construction out here in the west. A detor would take you 100 miles out of your way!

Today will be a fun day. First thing is to wash the motorcycle! It is just covered with bugs and road grime. Then I'm not sure what direction I'll go. I know one thing for sure, it sure is beautiful here in Wyoming.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Safe travels, Norm. Can't wait to see the pics.

 

[storm 64]

What a fun day! I took Depep's advice and rode the Chief Joseph highway. Actually I wanted to check it out ever since he posted a picture of it a year ago. Then I ran up through Bears tooth pass. At a elevation of10,900 it was a cold 51? and windy!

On the other side of the mountain, what I thought were clouds was actually smoke! Smoke from a forest fire. I watched the helicopters fill their buckets with water then fly away. It didn't look like much of a fire till I rode to the other side of the mountain, fire and smoke everywhere. Crazy, I only seen things like that on the news!

I did make it to Red Lodge Montana for lunch. Lots of them GS BMW's out there, with big aluminum cases. I was talking to a guy, he said "a guy just pulled out of here on a GS". For a second I thought a GS Suzuki? Noooo

I did take a lot of pictures, about 5 rolls worth... I'm having problems with my phone. I can get a internet connection, but I can't call or text anyone... Maybe when I get home, I'll ride over to see Rich. He can help me set up a account and post pictures....
Tomorrow, I'm heading to Yellowstone. I'll be heading out early early. I talked to some folks today, they said the crowd is not to bad... We'll see

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Welcome any time Norm!

 

[storm 64]

Today was moving day. Cody Wyoming to Fort Collins Colorado. Pretty much uneventful.

Yesterday was Awesome! I rode around Yellowstone National Park. I covered maybe 1/10 of the park but what I saw was amazing. I saw Buffalo (I think they're tamed) posing for the tourist for pictures... I did see one younger Buffalo run across a field and right across the road in front of me. No safety factor, I saw the little fellow running from a distance.

I saw some amazing waterfalls. Watching the one waterfall, I said out loud "Who wants to go rafting"! Most said no way, one kid said he'd do it!

There were a lot of family vacationers at the park. It reminded me of when I was a kid and our family vacations.
It started to get crowded at around noon. I wanted to see Old Faithful, but the stop and go traffic to get a parking space was to much, I turned around.
By the time I got back to the hotel room, I was tired. I relaxed a bit. Then I went back to Casey's Steakhouse to say goodbye to my barmaid friends.

Tomorrow I'm going to visit my brother. I'm not sure what he has planned. I think we're going to work on his GS's. Yes he has a couple of them too!

 

[storm 64]

It was great visiting my brother and his family in Divide Colorado. However he put me to work. We installed his GS 1000 engine in his Suzuki. He is in the process of rebuilding two of his GS's. His "L" model and his drag bike! I was also able to remove my front wheel and have it properly balanced, so much better.

I left his house this morning. Taking the back way to interstate 25. It was a beautiful ride with temperatures in the 60's-70's.
I decided to take the southern route home. Amarillo Texas, then across Oklahoma to Memphis. I'm in Amarillo now.
I'm getting ready to go to the Big Texas Steakhouse! No, I'm not going to attempt to eat the 72oz steak. If you can eat it all it's FREE!

I'm missing the Rocky Mountains, however I'm not missing the thin air! My brothers house is at 9,300 feet! I would huff and puff just going up the stairs!

Tomorrow will be another moving day. I'd like to make it to Memphis (got to pay tribute to the King). If not Memphis at least to Little Rock Arkansas, then to Memphis.

 

[Burque73]

It was great visiting my brother and his family in Divide Colorado. However he put me to work. We installed his GS 1000 engine in his Suzuki. He is in the process of rebuilding two of his GS's. His "L" model and his drag bike! I was also able to remove my front wheel and have it properly balanced, so much better.

I left his house this morning. Taking the back way to interstate 25. It was a beautiful ride with temperatures in the 60's-70's.
I decided to take the southern route home. Amarillo Texas, then across Oklahoma to Memphis. I'm in Amarillo now.
I'm getting ready to go to the Big Texas Steakhouse! No, I'm not going to attempt to eat the 72oz steak. If you can eat it all it's FREE!

I'm missing the Rocky Mountains, however I'm not missing the thin air! My brothers house is at 9,300 feet! I would huff and puff just going up the stairs!

Tomorrow will be another moving day. I'd like to make it to Memphis (got to pay tribute to the King). If not Memphis at least to Little Rock Arkansas, then to Memphis. 

Been following along here, Norm. Sounds like a great ride.

Enjoy the Big Texan. We ate there on our way home recently, chicken fried steak and ribeyes. Someone was attempting the big 72oz challenge. How awkward that must be. An elevated table in the center of the dining room and camera filming you from the ceiling. Folks walked around the table recording these two guys eating. One reached out and moved a glass on the table to get a good shot of the steak. Kinda surprized thay didn't get stuck with a steak knife. When we left they were still working on it. I'll bet I could eat that thing. Just not on stage...

Check out the portraits on the wall heading to the restrooms. Creepy!

 

[1978GS750E]

"However he put me to work."

Hey Norm, if you're coming through Lexington, I've got a GS1100E that needs rings, a valve job, tires, tank de-rusted, etc!

Just kidding, but let me know if you are coming through Lexington after working hours and want to stop by.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

And if your coming north through central PA, you’ve got a place to stay. My bike doesn’t need anything, finally.

 

[alke46]

Norm, So I guess this means we won't be having breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. I was going to tell you also that if coming this way, I have a spare room for you especially since all the hotels are filled up now with the College World Series going on and the Olympic swim trials just ended yesterday I believe so some of those fans might be sticking around for the baseball also.

Anyway, ride safe the rest of your journey and enjoy it all.