Broken Shift Lever

The second week in December, we had a rare 57 degree day. The boys and I went in to town for a ride and lunch. On the way home, my shift lever.... simply broke. Good story, as I contacted VStroma and they are replacing it free of charge. Good Company to do business with.

Last 2-Up Ride of the Year

This past weekend, we experienced some amazing weather. Weather nice enough for Audra and I to ride the bike up to 10k foot, Cripple Creek for a coffee. There was a lot of snow in places, but the air was fresh and crisp and it was great to high mountain O2.

This will probably be the last, 2-up ride of the year with winter falling on us hard.

Tyler's New Ride

The deal was officially done and we have a new bike to replace the XL600. Tyler is in Hog Heaven with a bike that has electric start and a cowling to break the wind. This is a much better highway bike, but can still get to most places in the high mountains.

Fly, Buy and Ride

After some haggling on the phone, the buyer agreed to my offer and was willing to wait a couple of weeks to take payment, allowing me to get to Salt Lake City. After a couple of days of selling Instructional Software with my Utah Rep, I swung by the sellers residence, purchased the bike, packed it up and headed east.

Riding down the interstate from SLC to Spanish Fork, the snow looked ominous on the Wasatch Range. I knew I was in for some chilly riding.

Half way up the pass, it started snowing. I had to pull over three times to clean the ice and snow off my face shield, allowing me to see the road.

And finally, I reach Soldier Summit. Of course you can't read the sign.... it is snow covered.

On the east side of the Wasatch, the country is big and lonely, with long straight roads.



Finally, I arrive in Colorado.

It was getting dark as I rode up to Troy and Joy's for an overnight stay. It was great seeing them, catching up and enjoying the girls.

Leaving Grand Junction the next morning in 30 degree temps. It would not get any warmer and my gear was worth its weight in gold!





It doesn't look cold, but it was quiet chilly on top of Monarch Pass.

Running the twisties on Hwy 50 in the Arkansas River Canyon, I am nearly home. The two-day trip ended up totaling 617 miles and was another great adventure.

2009 Colorado Leaf Tour, Day 2

Day two started off in the chill of the morning, where we had to scrape the frost off the motorcycle seat and bundle-up.

In the Redstone area, there were mines that provided the basics to Pueblo for steel production. These are the Coking Ovens.

A detour through Marble was a must. This box canyon is truly beautiful.

A beaver lodge in the middle of a high mountain pond.

McClure Pass.

This is the first of many pics of the scenery and the changing colors....


















Kebler Pass

Crested Butte


Taylor Reservoir was off in the background.

Cottonwood Pass and the fall colors that exist on Tundra above 12,000 feet.

Knight-Inler State Wildlife Area and also known as Badger Flats. Looking north toward Breckenridge.

Wilkerson Pass with Pikes Peak in the background.

Starbucks in Woodland Park, just before riding the final 30 minutes to the house.

The trip ended up totaling 565 miles over two days and we were treated to some amazing sights, colors and fragrances.

2009 Colorado Leaf Tour, Day 1

In the midst of two kiddos in College and two in High School, with all their activities and needed support, Audra and I found time to get away for some time in the Colorado Mountains. Our Annual Leaf Ride, is a time of 'Recreation', where we get to breathe 10k feet Oxygen and smell the fragrances of the mountains.

This year, we could only escape for two days. For the past four years, Audra had wished for a night at the Redstone Inn....so I based the trip around a stop in Redstone, CO.


Leaving Falcon, we rode up to Woodland Park, up to Hwy 285, over to Breckenridge, back south to Leadville, over to Aspen and loop around to Redstone.


Once leaving Falcon and getting up to the mountains, we rode up to Hwy 285 and over Kenosha Pass.

After riding west on 285, we turned north to go through the tiny Colorado community of Como and then up over Boreas Pass.

Dropping down the west side of Boreas Pass Road, we round a corner to get a full view of the Breckenridge slopes.

Lunch in Frisco was enjoyed at the Boat Yard. This little bar and restaurant is a favorite for wild game, pizza and brews.

After leaving Summit County, we bent back to the southwest toward Leadville. This required a ride over Freemont Pass.

After leaving Leadville, we continue to head west.

Twin Lakes is a beautiful area, just east of the Collegiate Range.


Independence Pass was a crispy chill, but supplied profound views of the high mountains.

Heading down to Aspen, the road narrows to a single lane in several locations.

Parking the bike in Aspen, we quickly found a Starbucks to fuel up on Caffine.

Riding up the Crystal River Canyon.

And finally, after nearly 300 miles, we arrive in Redstone and the Redstone Inn.