Highest point: 14, 110 Ft or 4300 Meters. (This beats out all but 8 of the mountains in the Alps) and you can ride your motorcycle all the way to the top!
Coldest point was the start of the ride with 20°F (-6°C). Heck, I saw temperatures in the mid-30s and once at 40°F (4°C) while on Pikes Peak! The sun was out in force as you'll see in the pictures and it sure had a warming effect on things.
Scarlett, my 2014 URAL Patrol Sidecar Rig and I motored out the neighborhood a bit before 8:30AM and we be at the summit of Pikes Peak by 10:30AM. Traffic was light on the I-25 super slab that we took to make good time, even while moving at URAL speed: 55-59 MPH.
belonging to the Air Force Academy
along I-25 Super Slab.
Next few pictures were taken as we descended from the summit of Pikes Peak, parking whenever there was a spot wide enough for Scarlett and not too close to the edge as I wasn't sure sometimes where rock ended and snow kept going.
The view towards the summit from the Rock Pile
Soon after the last picture, I was below the treeline and picture opportunities became rare. Got off the mountain with only a couple of slight incidents involving stupid cagers.
Oh, the iciest spot encountered? It was while exiting the fee station! The narrow corridor that serves as an exit was packed with ice and I went into it a bit too fast. The exit lane is in the shade of the fee station buildings you see, and it's hard to see until you're close.
The rig slid slightly sideways but the tires regained their grip and I managed to negotiate what had suddenly become a tight slippery turn with no problems. It did speed up my heart a little bit though.
Scarlett and I rode home basically retracing our route on the I-25 Super Slab except that when we were passing Castle Rock I could see traffic had come to a stand still on the slab. Scarlett and I quickly took the Founder's Parkway exit and meandered on Crowfoot Parkway all the way to the town of Parker.
From Parker it was usual streets to get back home. All in all, a good day's worth of riding don't you think?
Here's hoping you got some riding in this weekend!
14 comments:
Great ride with great pictures! I just went up to Pikes Peak for the first time back in October...it was amazing!
https://motoventures.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/riding-across-colorado-day-4/
Your posts always inspire me to just bundle up and get out there and ride. Thanks for being an inspiration through these colder days!
Just stunning mate.. just stunning.. shit they are great fun.Urals. saw yr pics via Greek posting..n had to ask where ?
Jecaforsyth, Jeffrey, thanks, glad you liked the pics. Saw your question on the greek URAL forum as well.
Motoventures, great posting on your part for when you did the ride up PP. Colder days just mean different riding gear....to include a different set of wheels, that's all. I just got tired of picking up my motorcycle you know?
Great pictures! This looks like a great trip. I would love to do something like this some day when I can get a little time off of work. Thanks for the post.
Thanks Remy for your comments and kind words.
Beautiful shots up there Dom. I am surprised the roads were that clear.
Thanks Trobairitz, well since it's a major tourist attraction for Colorado Springs, they do try to keep it open year round....it's a money maker.
Wonderful photos! Amazing what a bit of elevation will get you. I like the long views.
Thanks RichardM, the high ground's view is usually the best.... :)
Sometimes you get really lucky, Dom. What! A! View!
Thanks SonjaM, luck has a lot to do with it for sure.
I like the new header photo!
Thanks RichardM, was starting to wonder if anyone would notice..... :)
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