Woke early and rode Scarlett, my 2014 URAL Patrol Sidecar Rig to the area near the Aurora Reservoir.
Got to the spot somewhere in between the civil and nautical twilights, temperatures were a bit brisk at around 9°F(-12.7°C). I think the battery in my onboard thermometer was being affected by the cold (must be getting weak, usually it has no issues with cold) as it sometimes flickered down to around 0°F(-17.7°C)!
I made too much of a good time, and found myself trying to keep my hands and feet warm. I even kept Scarlett's engine running so I could warm my gloved hands on the muffler and left jug.
2015's first dawn was rather mellow as you can see below:
Taken during the Civil Twilight
As I waited for the actual Sunrise, I motored about a mile or two east and got this picture of excess natural gases being burned off at a newly constructed natural gas well:
All I could think of at this point was how much warmer
it had to be right at the base of those two large flames!
The sun started peeking out over the horizon as I rushed back to the original spot on the road to the Aurora reservoir.
Sunrise, 2015
There's more riding to be done today of course, there's a RTE (Ride To Eat) in the town of Morrison, CO. It's a planned gathering by the Colorado Chapter of the Airheads MC of which I am a member. Photos will be added later to this posting.
Update: 4:00 PM.
Rode to the RTE gathering (Ride to Eat) and met up with Dick Paschen and a small group of riders at the Red Rock Grill in Morrison. I was the only one to show up on a motorcycle (big surprise) since three wheels allow one to escape snow/icebound neighborhoods that trap two-wheeled motorcycles. Near the end of the lunch though, one hardy fellow showed up on a R100GS, kudos!
After I said goodbye to the group, I rode Scarlett over to nearby Red Rocks Park to play briefly in the snow and to take pictures. Today was the first time this winter that I've had to engage 2WD to make progress on snow. It's time to put on new tires I think.
Exiting the park, I headed west on Bear Creek Canyon Road through Idledale, and upon reach Kittredge I turned south towards Indian Hills and Parmalee. The roads were quite treacherous in spots though so no really safe spots to park and take pictures. Not that there was a lot of scenic views to start with, I guess there's a reason I don't ride this road that much.
Update: 4:00 PM.
Rode to the RTE gathering (Ride to Eat) and met up with Dick Paschen and a small group of riders at the Red Rock Grill in Morrison. I was the only one to show up on a motorcycle (big surprise) since three wheels allow one to escape snow/icebound neighborhoods that trap two-wheeled motorcycles. Near the end of the lunch though, one hardy fellow showed up on a R100GS, kudos!
The two motorcycles that showed up.
After I said goodbye to the group, I rode Scarlett over to nearby Red Rocks Park to play briefly in the snow and to take pictures. Today was the first time this winter that I've had to engage 2WD to make progress on snow. It's time to put on new tires I think.
Ship Rock
North End Parking Lot
Creation Rock (I think)
Exiting the park, I headed west on Bear Creek Canyon Road through Idledale, and upon reach Kittredge I turned south towards Indian Hills and Parmalee. The roads were quite treacherous in spots though so no really safe spots to park and take pictures. Not that there was a lot of scenic views to start with, I guess there's a reason I don't ride this road that much.
Along Bear Creek Canyon Road
Once I got to the junction with US285, I slabbed it all the way back to the Metro Denver area. It started snow on me as I approached the I-25/I-225 interchange and it would snow pretty heavily all the rest of the way home. It made for interesting visibility and traction conditions at times so I was glad to get home with no issues.
I'd say that's a good start to the new year in terms of riding, eh?
Previously: Happy New Year and 2014 Year in Pics
12 comments:
Catching the last sundays of 2014, and rinding out again to catch the first ones in 2015... you likely have a serious addiction ;-)
Sunrise, that is early ... anxious for that first ride of 2015 were you? Well done.
SonjaM, I admit the addiction...isn't that step one of the healing process? :P
VStar Lady....not quite anxious, I just wake up early sometimes. Thanks.
Wow, that's way too cold for me to even consider being out on 2 - 3 wheels. But I love the morning twilight picture so I guess I'm glad it's not too cold for you.
Happy New Year!
SonjaM and VStar Lady, I forgot to mention, I added pics from later riding in the day.
Canajun, I will admit it was a tad "brisk" waiting for the sun to come up....Happy New Year to you and yours as well.
Nice twilight and sunrise photos. No Airhead photos?
Thanks RichardM, the one Airhead Beemer that did show I failed to get a pic of it.
Again, you have me an awe with regards to the later pics. If I were to live near your place, I would get you into taking me along (and you would get me into buying my own hack... I know...)
Beautiful photos as always. You aren't concerned if the bike breaks down and there's no one around being that cold?
I guess you can always use the cellphone.
Happy New Year
SonjaM, you'd be bored just being the monkey....you'd love your own hack I am sure!
George F. The possibility of a breakdown always looms, but yeah, I have a cellphone, tools and such and the places I was taking these pictures had easily accessed homes with just a short walk.
Going through this post I could not help but feel a sense of triumph -- over the elements and the mental challenges that I have when venturing out in the cold. I believe most riders think of riding as a soaring, flying experience. But for those riding in winter it's an entirely different experience more akin to plodding, trodding and lugging. At least for me.
And your photographs are great. Sunrise and sunset, especially in the snow, can make for some ethereal images.
Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks
Steve, thank you, your words mean so much more since you are a recognized master at this....
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