Not A Smooth Launch On California Trip
The usual starting point in Morrison.
By the time we were taking off on this RMMRC California trip our numbers had risen to six, though two were only along for the first few days. Bruce would be with us just until St. George, Utah, while Paul was coming as far as Las Vegas, where he has family. The rest included me, Dave, Alan, and Gene.
I got to the meeting spot early so that Alan and I could pair up my new Cardo communicator with the group but despite everything we tried we could not get it done. For this day at least I would just not be connected.
Kickstands up (KSU) was set for 10 a.m. but come that hour we were lacking one person: Paul. At 10 after Alan gave him a call and he said he was at Hampden and University, on his way. That’s 20 minutes away. Not appreciated. He did get there and we did get off but not together. Paul got himself separated and we went of figuring we’d see him later. There’s more to this story and I’ll fill in the details later.
From the Phillips 66 in Morrison we generally go into town but then take the right fork that runs up Hog Back Road past Red Rocks and pick up I-70 at the top of the hill. We did that with no sight of Paul so by the time we got to Idaho Springs Alan decided to pull off and give him another call. We pulled into a parking lot, with me pulling in behind Alan.
Alan got Paul on the phone and he was in Evergreen. OK. We’ll just meet you in Eagle for lunch. Talking with the others via the Cardos, Alan was apparently unaware I was behind him and as I frantically tried to roll out of his way he backed into me. My bike went down, but no damage done. Alan helped me up and we were rolling again.
This first day had always been the one most likely to be a problem, what with changeable weather in later April. We got lucky and had a good day and while it was darn cold going up through the tunnel and then over Vail Pass, the roads were clear and dry. I was just glad to have all my electrics on.
At Eagle we went to this restaurant that, while easily visible, can be hard to find just how to get to it. We had all been there before but Paul had not so of course it was 10 minutes after we saw him before he came walking in. At least we got reconnected.
Then, leaving, we went across the street to get gas. Dave filled his tank and then rolled his bike forward so Gene could use the pump. And Dave’s bike went crashing to the ground. Seems he had unknowingly knocked his kickstand out of position rolling the bike forward so when he let go there was nothing to stop it. Again, no damage and there were people there to help him get it back up. As I said, things were not exactly going smoothly.
The rest of the ride was smooth, though. Leaving Eagle we were into summer and layers were coming off. And it continued to be a beautiful day. We were headed for Fruita and getting there was uneventful. Great. What time should we meet for dinner and where should we eat?
Oh, and after dinner we again tried to get me paired up with the other Cardos and this time it worked. Now I would be connected for tomorrow’s ride.
Biker Quote for Today
Motorcycle rides, ice cream, and beach sunsets . . . it must be summer.
