Sgt Blco's USA Coast to Coast 2017

Just caught up with this Chris, reminds me of riding 2000 on the west coast a few years ago, 6 of us.... planning a return next year on the east coast. So following your route with interest....:bow:clap:thumby:

Ride safe ye all :beerjug:
 
More please, soon Chris but we will never forget👍
 
So jealous.
I enjoyed Pikes Peak back in 2012. On 4 wheels though.
Twice.
Once solo.
Once with my good lady before we went in opposite directions at Denver airport.
She returned to UK while I headed to Alaska for work.
It's quite some road.
I've still got the mug & T shirt from the cafe at the top of the hill.
 
Salida

Salida, a great little town that seemed very relaxed with its self. The swimming pool was gone but the new owners of the Circle R are promising some
upgrades, not everyones top choice but still fond memories none the less. Two nights here so a nice day in town and on the river before we head on again.
Just gets better all the time.
 

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:beerjug: Great write up, would be good to see how it ended up, thanks for posting ;)
 
Right, it's about time I finished this so here we go:

Salida is a fantastic little Colorado town and I've stopped there many times. It's a great place just to have a day off and relax.

Murdochs is the ultimate store for just about anything and they will even sell a single nut or bolt. Plenty of choices of jeans and boots as well.

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Everyone needs a new gun for Independence Day

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A few pics from the town

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A lovely 60's Cadillac which has been in teh guys family from new.

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After a great day off we head across the Rockies for some excellent riding and scenery.

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Breakfast first at a fantastic little cafe in Gunnison. It's one of my favourite eateries and again been here many times.

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Everyone looks hungry and ready to tuck into the best corned beef hash in the area. Veggies and keep fit fanatics look away now.

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A couple of pics of previous residents of the area

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After digesting this mighty breakfast we head west on Hwy 50 then right onto a fantastic road called Hwy 92. I stumbled across this magnificent road a couple of years ago and couldn't wait to ride it again.

In short, it's about 30 miles of perfect windy tarmac through some of the best scenery you will find anywhere and almost zero traffic. The hardest part is wondering whether you should concentrate on the magnificent road or look around at the spectacular mountains and views. Think of teh best road you've ever ridden and then double the happiness.

The worst part about this road is I decided to go back down it to get to the National Park on the other side of the Canyon. This tour leader stuff can be a very tough gig at times......:cool:

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The Black Canyon is a very small NP and none the worse for that. Some of the more famous NP's can be a little over powering but this canyon is a little belter and as spectacular as anything else. It's the first National Parks of the trip so we bought our passes at the gate. $80 gives you 12 months access to all NP's and covers 2 bikes so if you are visiting a few NP's this is a no brainer as most parks now are around $20 a pop. It also comes with a nice picture.

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The park has a nice but very steep winding road down into the conyon and sectacular views all around.
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Apologies for the blob on my camera but it seems I damaged the lens some how and never noticed as I don't download every day. Other pics are with an i phone.

From the Canyon we had a nice ride across to Ouray and onto teh fantastic Hwy 550 or Million Dollar Highway. Excellent road which winds it's way up to around 11,000ft and on a fine traffic free and sunny day, there is no finer place to be on 2 wheels. On a trip a couple of years ago, one chap told me he had ridden this on one of Nick Sanders manic trips but had to do it in the dark. FFS why would anyone want to miss this glorious experience.

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A quick breather to enjoy the views.

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Richard's rather good and underestimated S10 taking a break.

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Come on, get it ridden......

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And then into beautiful town of Silverton which has to be one of the most spectacular towns in the area. It's also a stop on the TAT if anyone is doing that and teh area is surrounded by 13,000 ft peaks and passes.

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So after a few beers in lovely Silverton it was up early and away. Anyone on my trips knows there is no such thing as a lie in as I like to get up and get going. Many small towns in the USA shut down early so it's best to get off early and finish early. It also gives us plenty of time in the eveningto relax but I digress.

The light early on high up in the mountains is beautiful and as we are at about 9000ft it makes the scenery even more spectacular:

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Absolutely stunning no matter how many times you see it

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Smile for the smudged camera

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And we are off again on the Million Dollar Highway and you can see it snaking away through the Rockies

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And if the start of the day couldn't get better, we met the Durango to Silverton Steam trail coming out of Durango and Richard, being a train buff, was thrilled. All part of the service......!

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As we go through Durango, a big fire is blazing away and it's been a common sight this year.

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Before heading across some very flat and hot New Mexico countryside

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Our Glorious Leader.......

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And his merry gang hit it across the desert.

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And then after a quick stop for fuel in Kayenta, the massive Buttes Monument Valley hove into sight

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For some reason they won't let bikes ride round the the dirt road anymore and each time I go they give me a different reason. I suspect they just want you to pay for a guided tour which I can't blame them for. It's not a NP and is owned by the Navajo. Given teh shit they have had to put up with over the last 200 years (and still do) they have to get as much coming in as possible. The view from teh vistor centre is excellent though and although spectacular, there are better places to see in my opinion of course. The visitor centre is a good place to spend and hour though and learn about Navajo history.

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So we head north out of the Valley and some iconic views on the way. Everyone stops here as it's where that classic scene in Forrest Gump was filmed and it it a great view.

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Any of you guys have a horse trailer? Check this baby out..........!!

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Great updates Chris :thumb

While the Million Dollar Highway is a cracking road the 141 up to Gateway & back down is still one of my all-time favourite rides. Even on a GoldWing....

And Monument Valley, despite having seen it in numerous movies over the years, was just stunning

Keep 'em coming :bounce1
 
Nice little dinner in the Swinging Steak bar in Mexican hat. It ain't cheap but the beer is cold and those steaks are delicious, served with beans and texas toast. :thumb2 :beer:

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Today is probably one of my favourite riding days. I've been lucky enough to ride some of the best places in North America and I have to say I look forward to this day more than any other. Luckily enough, I do it on a couple of trips so I ride it every 2 or 3 years. It all starts with an early start in the lovely cool morning as we head up to the Moki Dugway past the Valley of the Gods.

The light at this time of day is superb and it's just a wee bit chliiy as we approach the sharp climb onto the plateau.

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For those that don't know, the Moki Dugway climbs steeply out of the valley in short order and on gravel but easily do able on any bike and even the Crosstourer can do it!!

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Richard on his S10 cruises up the hill:

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The views are staggering and this is only the start of the day:

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Moki dugway

Not only can the Crosstourer do it, it can do it with a terrified wife
on the back.

Bl@@dy marvellous trip

Cheers Chris

Andy 9
 
Not only can the Crosstourer do it, it can do it with a terrified wife
on the back.

Bl@@dy marvellous trip

Cheers Chris

Andy 9

Yes Andrew it was a great trip and you can't blame me for a terrified wife :D
 


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