Veteran's Day, 2014

Today is November 11, 2014 and once again the nation takes time to pause and remember its Veterans; both alive and dead, for their service and sacrifices.

To those who served and have left active duty, Martha and I extend our sincerest appreciation.

To those who still man the ramparts in our country's armed forces, we also send our thanks and wish you all Godspeed and a safe return home to your loved ones.

I rode today in what RichardM would consider a balmy 17°F (-8ºC), with a very light snow falling on us here in the Metro Denver area to Fort Logan National Cemetery this morning.

Warmly bundled up in layers and with the new Kolpin Grip Covers, I didn't feel the cold at all except when I would remove gloves to take pictures.  I was riding Scarlett, my 2014 Ural Patrol and the wet-looking streets were of no consequence.  The streets were clear, for the most part, and the snow flakes were simply blown about by the light winds across their surfaces.

Once at Fort Logan National Cemetery, I parked by Section 44 and paid a visit to SSGT Brian Joiner.  He was the son of a co-worker friend of mine.  Brian passed away while serving in the US Air Force.  Bryan is about as personal a connection I have to the thousands buried at Fort Logan.  I share, with the remainder, the satisfaction and honor to have been able to serve my country.

 In the center of the picture, Brian's tombstone.

 Part of Section 44

 At one of the small ponds within the cemetery, there were

flocks of geese both in the ponds and flying overhead this cold day

 A little bit of Fall Color hangs on...

 I think of this flag pole as the Main Post's flag pole, 

from when this cemetery was previously an active Army post.

On previous Veteran's Days there would have been more flags

lining the main avenue into the cemetery; perhaps I was just too early.

Temperatures are supposed to continue to drop for the rest of today, with the weather-guessers calling for small amounts of snow tomorrow.  

I arrived home safely, gazing in satisfaction at "the colors" that flew from my home.  Martha and I have both served with and met great leaders and great soldiers, and wish all Veterans everywhere the very best of days.

To those who remember a veteran  who gave his or her all, we share in your sorrow even as we honor their sacrifice.

Stewie Sunset

A fine clear and sunny day here in Colorado where the temperatures reached the mid-60s!  We're definitely in an Indian Summer kind of weather pattern.

I was running an errand on Stewie, Martha's Genuine Buddy 125 Scooter.  I try to exercise Stewie when the riding to be done is just local to the neighborhood.

As I left the library where I was picking up a book for Martha, the sun was setting and I headed over to a local church's parking lot that has a nice view of the mountains.

As Colorado sunsets go, it wasn't the best one I've experienced but for today, it'll do.  Hope you got some riding in!

Farkles for Scarlett

Just a posting to describe some of the recent farkling I've been doing to Scarlett, my 2014 URAL Patrol Sidecar Rig, to personalize her for me.

Oxford Heated grips, previously used on my Valencia, my 2011 URAL Patrol, transferred from her to Scarlett when I traded in Valencia.  Randy, the dealer, wanted to make Valencia as stock as possible for her eventual sale.

A Bell 300 Cyclometer, to tell me how fast I am actually going when the speedo needle on Scarlett starts doing the usual windshield wiper dance at speeds above an indicated 50MPH.  It's also got a built-in thermometer.  I had been using it on Brigitta, my '87 R80 when her original speedometer failed, but now that it's been replaced by one from a different airhead, I can re-purpose it.

As on my previous rigs, and also retrieved from Valencia, a cheapo ATV tachometer to help me somewhat know what RPMs the engine is running at.  Not exactly accurate but it works for me.

source: ebay.com
or
amazon

I replaced the stock sealed beam headlight that Scarlett came with with this one I bought on amazon for $39 including shipping.  It's got what I believe is a better reflector design inside the headlight and allows me to use replaceable H4 bulbs readily available from any auto parts store.

Source: amazon.com

Now that Winter is near, I've put on the National Cycle Plexistar Windshield to keep the cold air off me and my hands while riding.  I had bought it used for Valencia, after the Alaska trip, and through much experimentation and later actually reading the manual for it, got it mounted right.    I had, because the previous owner had, the support mounts reversed!  Oh well, live and learn.

I am expecting, a delivery in a couple of days of new ATV grip covers from Kolpin.  They will replace my aging and rather ratty looking Quadboss Grip covers that I originally bought for Maria, my 2004 BMW R1150RT and which I've used on all my motorcycles when the weather is cold enough and heated grips and heavy gloves alone don't cut it.

source: The Kolpin ATV Grip Covers

Finally, the cordura saddlebags I bought from a local purveyor of Horse Tack and Gear, is mounted fulltime on Scarlett.  I use it to carry rain pants and FroggTogg jacket on the left side bag and a camp chair and small covers on the right.  I had always resisted this before as they're not lockable but my Alaska trip and just experience has taught me that most folks don't mess with your stuff when you leave the rig parked.  Will I leave valuable stuff locked up in the trunk still?  You bet.

The saddlebags as they were mounted on Valencia

Finally, I have Heidenau K37 Tires inbound.  I will probably mount them by the end of the year as there's still "meat" on the Duro HF 308 tires that are stock from URAL.  I am estimating maybe 2000 Km more remain on the pusher tire so must get some more riding in before then!

Bring it on Winter....bring it on!

20NOV14: Update: The Bell Cyclometer sending unit's battery couldn't take the cold temperatures sadly, a brand new battery drained down in less than three days.  Have reverted to older Vetta cyclometer with wired sensor.

Uraling along the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway

A long day in the saddle today, glorious weather mind you, but still a long day in the saddle.

The idea started out as an exploration of forest roads in the area near Red Cliff, Colorado.  Some email discussions with Dana W., a fellow Uralista who lives near Vail, CO changed the objectives for me a bit and while a new trail was explored, it was more riding on grounds I'd covered before.

I left shortly after 7:00 AM and by 8:45 Scarlett and I were crossing the Continental Divide using the Eisenhower Tunnel while slabbing it on I-70 west bound.

By 9:30AM, I had turned off I-70 and had arrived at the small mountain town of Minturn.  Shortly after leaving town, I came upon a sign showing the way to Tigiwon Road, one of the roads I'd picked for exploring and recommended as a nice ride by Dana.

Upwards Scarlett and I rode, the forest road was strewn with rocks and boulders but not the worst road I've ever ridden.  The pace was slow as I was stuck behind this pickup truck with hunters slowly making their way up the trail.

Finally, the truck keeps going up as we reach the Tigiwon Community House and I parked to check out the view of the Gore Range.

 A slightly disappointing view of the Gore Mountain Range

The view from a logging trail near the Tigiwon Community House.

I ran into more hunters at the end of this logging trail so it was time

to leave this forest road before I was mistaken for elk!

Continuing on US24 Southbound,  you climb on curvy mountain roads with some nice views of forested hillsides and mountain tops.  All the leaves on the Aspen trees are gone, leaving pale ghostly tree trunks and branches standing amid the more numerous pine trees.

Soon enough, one arrives at the bridge near the small town of Red Cliff, which spans over the Eagle River.

It is at the town of Red Cliff where one can get on the road to Shrine Pass.  I have ridden this road before and today would not ride all the way to the summit.  Instead, the idea was to see if I could get a good look at Mount Holy Cross.  This particular fourteneer was made famous by the sighting and photographing of what appeared to be a giant cross on the side of the mountain peak:

photo by L.L. McClure

source Denver Public Library

Shrine Pass Road was not as rough as the conditions on Tigiwon Road but it had it's moments.  There were long stretches of snow covered road, boulder and gravel sections and as the day warmed up, mud where there had been small amounts of snow.

I did detour down an interesting side trail where I found even more snow!  The trail led further up and up and after one sharp hairpin turn I almost tipped the rig over on its left side due to the camber of the road!  Close call but I kept my wits and got the rig stopped and back on its wheels.  This incident "took the wind out of my sails" you might say and I decided to turn around back to the main forest road.

The snow and camber of the road made things a bit dicey on the way back

to the main forest road; I had to engage 2WD to maintain a straight course.

Finally back on the main forest road, it was two turns later and I saw this great view of not only Mount Holy Cross but also other peaks which are part of the Sawatch Range of Mountains.

 Mt Holy Cross is on the right of the set of mountain peaks

 Just before the Mount of the Holy Cross Overlook parking lot.

Once I got to the overlook's parking lot, I walked for perhaps five minutes in the sometimes snow-covered walking trail and reached the wooden platform where one can observe the distant Mount of the Holy Cross.

 Some nearby pine trees frame one's view of the distant peaks.

The above picture is at 16x Zoom

Bracing the camera on the banister, I got this shot of the 

peak at 32X Zoom using digital enhancement.  Can you see 

the area where the snow might form a cross under the right conditions?

The overlook is 7.5 miles from Red Cliff and so I turned Scarlett around and headed back into town.  From there I continued on US24 and soon enough I was passing by the remnants of Camp Hale where the famed 10th Mountain Division trained during World War II.  Not much remains, except a small valley where the division was house.  More details and pics from my first visit to Camp Hale here:  LINK.

Along US 24, south of Tennessee Pass

Continuing on US24, one soon arrives near Leadville, the country's second highest incorporated municipality.  I took the turn to put me now northbound on Colorado State Road 91 and was soon approaching the large mining operation near Fremont Pass.

Just before Fremont Pass

North of Fremont pass, there's a couple of areas which are quite scenic.  The first one is a water reservoir surround by mountain peaks, one of my favorite spots to stop and take pictures when I am in the area.

Just a little bit further on, heading North on CO 91, there's this spot where one just has to stop for a quick picture:

This would be the last picture of the day, the rest of the afternoon was spent riding back towards I-70 and using it to speedily, well at URAL speed anyways, make our way back to the Denver Metro Area and home.  I made it home shortly after 5:00 PM, ten hours of mostly riding and almost 300 miles covered.  A good day of riding!