The day dawned crisp and clear and with watering eyes from the cold I waved goodbye to my cabin, The Mangy Moose Bar and The Bear Trap Cafe in Riverside and rode south for the Summit area of Colorado.
I grabbed breakfast in Walden, the “Moose Viewing Capitol” and enjoyed the sunny day as I motored on.
I have two things against Colorado by the way
First, there are no shoulders on the roads so I miss a lot of great photos because I cant pull off the edge.
Second, is that every car has a roof rack which at distance looks just like a cop car :D
I’d lived in Steamboat Springs for a while and the terrain from Walden south was familiar territory, bringing back memories and feelings of missing the area. I could see the “Rabbit Ears” high atop a hill, signaling Rabbit Ears Pass over and into Steamboat to my right.
The fields were thick with fresh cut hay with rolled bales everywhere, stored up for the long winter ahead.
As I continued south for Granby, I could see threatening skies and rain ahead
Further south nearing the Summit area, the dark clouds that were ahead finally engulfed me in rain and chilly temps. I stopped briefly in a sporting goods outlet for a set of waterproof gloves, as mine had been lost somewhere along the way. I ended up with some "Jamaica Mon snowboard gloves which felt pretty darn good. The clerks were engrossed in the concept of my riding the bike from Texas to Canada solo and the fact the rain and temps - 40’s at the time - didn’t stop me. I neglected to tell them it was hot as hell in Montana and returning through cold rainy weather, it wasn’t like I had a choice, continuing to let them stroke my ego.
From Silverthorne, the rains continued as I headed for Leadville to see a friend from college who was working at the mining museum there for the summer.
I arrived just in time for a 3 day festival apparently and while having coffee with my friend was warned in a loudspeaker announcement by the local police that any cars on the street would be towed. I tossed the coffee and went outside to see my bike, one of the last vehicles on the street. We walked up the street, said goodbyes with hugs then I geared up and headed out just as the rain hit again.
From Leadville south, the rain continued, the dark boiling clouds covering the entire sky. I noticed as I rode in the heavy rain, that I got flashed a couple of times by other drivers. My headlights were on, or so I thought, until I stopped briefly to find out only the parking lamp was on. I’d been riding in heavy rain with no lights for oncoming traffic to see.
I messed with the switch and found out the lights were not coming on until finally I got the brights to light up, so I left the switch on high-beams for the remainder of the ride. At Westcliffe, I stopped for gas and suddenly the tornado sirens came on. Behind me it was black and dark and I was very glad I’d come through it.
It was chilly and wet and of the 7 hours I’d ridden, 5 had been in rain. Water had leaked into my crotch and puddled in my sleeves from my riding gear having failed on this trip.
By the time I made I-25 at Walsenburg, I was glad there was only an hour ride left to get to Raton, New Mexico, my goal for the night. Unfortunately, the rain intensified and by the time I hit Raton Pass it was the worst of the day. As the elevation rose it became much worse and I hit a cloud bank at the top. My visor was covered in rain and the interior fogged so badly I could barely see. The last 15 miles were the longest I think I’ve ever ridden and in the blinding rain I prayed not to hit puddles and hydroplane.
Luckily the last 5 miles the rain diminished to sprinkles and by the time I found a room, I was beat physically and mentally. One of my side cases leaked and I ended up having to drag everything off the bike and litter the room with wet gear and clothes. I spent much time wiping water off gear and tools that evening.
What a day.