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Next day was a bit of a blur, looking on the map here to try to remember where all I went cause I took very few photos. I believe from Black Canyon I headed north to Carbondale. Got some lunch at a brewpub there and then headed towards Aspen. Went through town just to say I'd been there but didn't stop anywhere. From there headed east towards Independence Pass. What a crazy road. At times the center line disappeared and things got very narrow. I felt grateful to have the opportunity to ride it while the weather permitted it cause I can easily see that road being closed for most of the year. The view from the top was incredible as well.





From there I headed north, passing through Leadville, Silverthorn, and Kremmling towards Steamboat Springs. I wanted to visit the Strawberry Hotsprings the next morning so ended up camping at a National Forest campground not too far away. Laid down a bunch of miles that day, close to 330 if I recall.
Had a very chilly morning the next day, not sure of the elevation at that campground but I believe it was around 9,000 ft. Rode towards Steamboat to fuel up and then headed towards the hot springs. This is another bucket list place if you've never been. I had been once before on Christmas Day several years ago and knew that I wanted to go back on this trip. Especially since I was still veryyyy sore from my canyon adventure. I took no photos there and it was nowhere near as memorable as my first visit, but i stole this photo off a website to give you an idea of the scene when I first went. It was actively snowing while I was there during that time as well.



The pools are terraced in a way that the higher up ones (closer to the source) are the hottest, and cool down as you move down. There is also a natural creek that runs along side the pools that you can go swim in to cool off. Felt so good switching back and forth. A very special place indeed.

After that I headed back through Steamboat on my way east towards Ft. Collins. I ran into this young man at the station, how could I have not stopped to chat??



He was taking a weekend trip and like many said he was jealous of mine. Really cool kid and we talked bikes for a minute before realizing we were both heading the same direction for a bit so off we went screaming up the mountain pass on Highway 40 east. I was holding 70 up the whole thing a bit worried that i was going to lose him but he was right on my tail the whole time, it was a blast. Particularly imagining the thought running through the heads of all the HD guys/gals we passed on our "old" Hondas.

I peeled off at Highway 14 and kept riding towards Ft Collins. As I got close to Cameron Pass (10,249 ft) the sky took on a very ominous tone. I was almost certain I was in for some weather.



Somehow I avoided any rain, one of many times on this trip that I lucked out big time. Didn't even stop at the top of the pass, just wanted to get down into the canyon before my luck ran out.

Took the Poudre Canyon all the way into Ft Collins which is a stunning road. Saw a bunch of folks rafting, a buddy of mine is a guide there and said I should have stopped and said hey, not sure how those logistics would have worked out though!



Made it into Ft Collins safe and sound where I had a bed and shower for the first time all week. Spent two nights there catching up with a friend and my sister, a good break from the road for sure.

Thank you for posting all this. Seems like quite the adventure and makes me want to sell off my girlfriend and son and hit the open road!

(09-08-2019, 06:00 AM)Bheezy27403_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Thank you for posting all this. Seems like quite the adventure and makes me want to sell off my girlfriend and son and hit the open road!

Haha, I'm not gonna say that you shouldn't!

Dbarkdoll, is this your first big tour? Would you do it again?

(09-08-2019, 06:57 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Dbarkdoll, is this your first big tour? Would you do it again?

Yes, and yes. In a heartbeat. Would love an Africa Twin or something similar for the next one.

I’ll look forward to reading your analysis of how the bike went and why you’d like an AT for the next trip.

Great report. Hey, when you hiked down to the river in Black Canyon, you didn’t happen to find. “Gorge Flyshop” ball cap, did ya? Mine blew off my head while hiking there in 2007. Let me know.

Glorious DbD.

Looks like it was an awesome trip. Very cool pics.

(09-08-2019, 07:56 AM)EmptySea_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Great report. Hey, when you hiked down to the river in Black Canyon, you didn’t happen to find. “Gorge Flyshop” ball cap, did ya? Mine blew off my head while hiking there in 2007. Let me know.

I did not, haha. I did manage to loose a pair of sunglasses as well though.
Left Ft Collins on, well, to be perfectly honest I don't remember what day I left lol. Doesn't matter. I do recall riding towards Estes Park though. I should have stopped and hung out there for a bit probably but I was eager to get into Rocky Mountain National Park before it got too crowded and before the afternoon storms started rolling through. What an incredibly beautiful and intense place.



The road in takes its time gaining elevation to where at first I was like, "is this it..?" The answer was a resounding no, this is not it. Eventually I was up above 10,000 feet and still climbing, in a completely alien and surreal world up in the clouds. 14'ers everywhere. Fast, colddd winds, especially for mid August. Well above the tree line. A totally barren and inhospitable place indeed but one filled with amazing beauty. The highest point on the road is 12,183 ft. Highest elevation I was at for the trip and my whole life I believe.









So hard to get a good picture there, the spaces are just so massive.

While I could have spent all afternoon up there the brisk winds and looming clouds convinced me otherwise so it was time to make my retreat. I had made it this far without getting caught in an alpine storm and was looking to keep that going. Rode south until I found a campground (after several failed attempts down a very long gravel road) near Lake Granby.