Snowy Range Road

[LongRanger_imp]

Just returned from a 520-mile ride to Wyoming on the RT. My objective was to ride WY130, also known as Snowy Range Road, while there was still some summer left (the road will close for the winter in about eight weeks). It's very scenic and I highly recommend it if you're ever traveling through northern Colorado / southern Wyoming. Much of the forest has been devastated by beetles but the peaks are still dramatic and imposing, and it's a great road if you like curves. The road tops out at 10,847'. Medicine Bow Peak, in the photo, is 12,018'.

Medicine Bow Peak on Snowy Range Rd:




I used to ride this loop in one day, but I got a late start yesterday and didn't have it in me to knock out miles in the dark, so I stopped for the night in Laramie, WY. The start and finish is the red circle on the route map. On the way north, I crossed 11,306' Berthoud Pass and 9,659' Willow Creek Pass, both on the Continental Divide. On the way home today, I crossed 10,276' Cameron Pass on the way into Ft. Collins, CO. Very little traffic, temps in the high 70's, and not a cloud in the sky. Good stuff.

With nothing to do in Laramie last night, I went into town and bought a ticket to the new Tom Cruise movie, "Mission Impossible: Fall Out." Great action-packed flick if you like motorcycle and helicopter chase scenes. I absolutely could not follow the story line.



In October 1955, United flight #409 from Denver to Salt Lake City was lost when it hit Medicine Bow Peak. All sixty-six people on board were killed. Many pieces of the wreckage still litter the base of the peak today.



So it's perhaps fitting that I brought home a souvenir:

[the Ferret]

Very cool LR. Looks/sounds like a great ride. I remember Berthoud pass.. 40 right? Great road.

So how is the Beemer?

[LongRanger_imp]

Yep, US40 goes over Berthoud Pass. Good memory!

The RT is a lot of fun. I bought the BMW high comfort seat and lowered the pegs, gearshift, and brake lever, so ergonomically it's all-day comfortable for me. The adjustable windscreen helps, too. The engine thrums right along at speed and the bike handles better than its weight would suggest, but it's a bit of a handful in traffic (I'm simply not accustomed to a top-heavy bike) and the folks who designed the gearbox could learn a thing or three from Honda. Shifting through the gears is uncharacteristically clunky and agricultural. I've peeled off 300 miles without refueling, so it does have some range. It's a nice bike for the open road and plenty roomy for two-up; not so much for local riding. Fits my needs well.

[the Ferret]

Sounds like it should serve you well

[Offroad]

Great ride report!

I can't wait to get out west again.....I'm going to have to make plans to get there next summer!

Empty Sea can you get off for a week or 2 or 3? Ferret? Stichill?

[Cormanus]

Looks just beautiful, LR. The beemer looks pretty good too.

[Offroad]

Glad you're enjoying your RT!

I'm sure enjoying my K bike....we need to get together next summer.

Here's mine on the Dragon....pure joy!

[Cormanus]

I wish people would wear gloves.

[Offroad]

I really liked those touch screen aerostich gloves.but the little threads started fraying after that one trip....Had to return them.

[redbirds_imp]

Great report. Love that area but never had the pleasure of riding there.