400 miles

[Doug_imp]

Hey everyone, been a while since I did a ride report. Took a personal day from work Friday, 6/29. Kinda nice to get paid for riding my motorcycle. I did a 400 mi. ride, farthest I ever rode in one day. Had a very tired butt when I got home. Anyway, rode over Independence Pass which runs between Leadville and Aspen. First stop was for gas and a little stretch in Silverthorne along I-70 They were really proud of that gas there, looked more like California prices. Then off to the west through the haze and smoke and south on hwy 91 to Leadville. That town never seems to get any bigger, been the same as long as I can remember. There are some good fishing spots around there. Then from Leadville went down hwy, 24 to Co hwy 82 which is Independence Pass road. This road is only open in the summer. This was about .75 mi. from the top of the pass. There are great views from there, air is very thin and cold. I followed a couple on a Harley going up there and pulled off in that same spot behind them. That guy wanted to trade me for my"light" bike. That Harley going up that windy road 2 up had to be a handful. So I made my way up to the top Wanted to get a better pic in front of that sign, but there was a line forming behind me so didn't want to be rude. Made my way down the other side, stopped for a bit before getting into Aspen. Apparently this is all the pics I can put up here. Did not take that many pics anyway, too busy enjoying the ride. Anyway I did not want to go back over the pass, traffic from Aspen side was pretty heavy. So I made my way west to Glenwood Springs and blew home on I-70. Warning to anyone wanting to ride through Colorado on I 70- be careful, that road is in horrid condition. Bad ruts and potholes,. caught me by surprise a few times, wouldn't be surprised if it has caused a few wrecks.. Was a great day all around, got to see a few places I had never been before. CB never skipped a beat, turned over 16,000 mi. and averaged 55 mpg. Even rolling 80 plus, it seems to get better mileage in the mountains for some reason. Would think it would do worse. Stock seat on the CB wasn't too bad til the last 100 mi. or so then I was hurting a bit. At mile 400 which came when I pulled in my driveway I was glad to hop off the bike only to find my beer fridge was empty but I cured that in short order...Hope this all comes through OK, haven't posted on of these in a while. Later, Doug.

[Roper_imp]

Great report, Doug. Beautiful scenery. 400 miles in one day on the stock seat. You definitely need an Ironbutt award!

[max]

Nice photography Doug, that is quite the stretch on one day, i found 500km a bit far and needed a few stopoffs in the latter part but you get to see and experience some new scenery though.
Good picture from the town and the valley, gives a bit of perspective for us, did you find the altitude to make a difference to the torque or was it not noticeable when you pulled away?
Drove through the snow over the high passes in Switzerland in the summer and noticed a lack of power on the uphill.

[Rocky_imp]

Wonderful country

[Doug_imp]

Nice photography Doug, that is quite the stretch on one day, i found 500km a bit far and needed a few stopoffs in the latter part but you get to see and experience some new scenery though.
Good picture from the town and the valley, gives a bit of perspective for us, did you find the altitude to make a difference to the torque or was it not noticeable when you pulled away?
Drove through the snow over the high passes in Switzerland in the summer and noticed a lack of power on the uphill.

There is a bit of power loss at high altitude, but not all that bad, gotta love fuel injection, carburetors and timberline don't get along that well. Was surprised by the gas mileage though.

[the Ferret]

What a nice little report. Love the mountain pics. Sorta wish I lived where there were mountains, but I'm afraid they would lose their charm if I did. Looks like you had a great day on a great motorcycle.

[Cormanus]

Great report and pictures, Doug. Thanks.

[Vic_imp]

Nice trip report Doug. I love that ride over Independence Pass, those views are so big! Good to see it again!

[redbirds_imp]

Great report Doug. That area is just gorgeous.

[flynrider]

Nice photography Doug, that is quite the stretch on one day, i found 500km a bit far and needed a few stopoffs in the latter part but you get to see and experience some new scenery though.
Good picture from the town and the valley, gives a bit of perspective for us, did you find the altitude to make a difference to the torque or was it not noticeable when you pulled away?
Drove through the snow over the high passes in Switzerland in the summer and noticed a lack of power on the uphill.

There is a bit of power loss at high altitude, but not all that bad, gotta love fuel injection, carburetors and timberline don't get along that well. Was surprised by the gas mileage though.

High altitude does wonders for mileage. I got my best mileage (59 mpg) on a pass topping ride in Colorado a few years ago. Topped four passes above 10K ft. and kept waiting for the fuel gauge to start blinking. It finally did just before I rolled into the gas station.

It's 108 degrees as I type this. I really wish I was up in the Rockies right now.