Passes & Canyons Blog

I’m probably like most long-time motorcycle riders in that starting out my means of carrying things with me on the bike was kludgy at best. As soon as I bought the CB750 I bought a sissy bar with a rack behind and a pouch to stash stuff in. For years I just bunged stuff on.

Then I discovered cargo nets and thought that was beyond great. I soon learned differently. I lost a good atlas one day down by Taos when I stuffed it between the net and the rest of the stuff. I almost lost a sleeping bag, too. And I found that cargo nets, much more so than bungee cords, quickly stretch out and then never stretch back.

For a few of the early OFMC trips I just bungeed my sleeping bag to the seat behind me and strapped my tent and a gym bag of clothes on the rack behind the sissy bar. That worked and it gave me something to lean my back against. It didn’t do anything to block rain, however, so I took to putting these things in plastic bags before strapping them on. Of course then there was the constant flapping of the loose bits of bag it was impossible to completely prevent.

Eventually I found the ultimate, a set of soft sidebags that I could just throw over the bike behind me. But I didn’t feel totally secure with those. Although I could put one velcro strap under the seat to make it harder, nothing would have really stopped anyone either from taking the whole shebang or just opening them and helping themselves. I didn’t worry too much about that, and I never had any reason to as nothing has ever been stolen, but there was still always that feeling of unease in the back of my mind.

Then I got my Concours. This bike had it all. Hard bags standard, and large. And it really did do the job wonderfully. But man, unloading was not wonderful. Unlock both bags from the bike and carry them into the motel, then the helmet, jacket, tank bag, everything else. I became a big fan of those luggage carts hotels have. But it’s OK.

Until it wasn’t quite OK. We were pulling out of a parking lot in Jackson one day, backing out, and I wasn’t watching closely enough. Randy stopped and I rolled back into him. All that hit was my right side bag against his tire, so nothing at all with his bike, but this shoved my bag and the clasp that holds it to the bike all askew and it has never been the same again. More than once I have discovered that the bag is off the rail entirely, floating out over the road held on by only the clasp. That thing must be strong.

So now I wrap a strap around it and through the passenger grab handle. But that makes it a lot more inconvenient for getting into the bag. Plus I lost my first strap coming out of Canada four years ago when we stopped just past customs to get everything arranged properly. And I forgot to reconnect the strap. It occurs to me that, as it worked its way off, if it had gotten wrapped around the axle or through the wheel things might have gone badly.

OK, this has run long and I’m only about half way through so I’m going to stop here and finish this piece in my next post. Sometimes you get started and you just keep going.

Biker Quote for Today

Sorry, out to live. Be back “soon.”

ADV has an ongoing thread I like to dip into at times, asking what the most stupid question you’ve been asked while on your motorcycle. Here are a few more.

• I was once at the Slickrock trailhead in Moab & a Valley Girl asked me: “Do those dirt bikes work on the rock?”
• Again today after having ridden to work I got “Did you ride your bike today” (me with full gear on walking into the building carrying my helmet). I finally cracked and said, “Nope… I’m just REEEEEEEEEALLY careful when I drive.”
• I swear to God, I get this all the time when I pull up on my KLX covered with mud, knobbies and all: “Is that a dirt bike?”
• I stopped by a huge dealership one day to grab something on the way home, still in my one piece leathers, carrying a helmet, and some sales guy asked me if I had a bike. How do you even justify that with a response?
• Not stupid… but about five years ago my buddies and I (sportbikes, full leathers, you know the look) were having breakfast at an IHOP before going on a Sunday ride. As we were getting up to leave, a little boy, maybe about 4 years old, walks right up to one of my buds and goes, “mister, are you a Power Ranger?” I just about died laughing on that one.
• My son used to ride with me and he always wore his helmet into the store he was so pleased to be on the back of a bike. Cashier asked him if he was on a m/c. He said no, I fall down a lot. I was SO proud of him!!
• I was at a local motorcycle shop, and a prospective rider was asking about the different brands of bikes. I was looking though the tires on the rack, minding my own business, when I heard the prospective rider ask the shop employee, “KTM, hmmm, where are those made?”
  “Australia” he responded… I couldn’t take it, so I respectfully interjected:
  “Actually, they are made in Austria.”
  “Really,” the shop employee said, “I thought they were made in Europe.” He was being genuine.
  Geography, without it, you’re nowhere!
• I get to work one very cold day, a girl asks me as I walk into the office with all my gear still on,” did you ride your motorcycle today? ” I replied, no way it’s to cold, so I pushed it in!
• A couple months ago I broke my collarbone. I must have had 10 people ask me “were you wearing a helmet?”
• I get strange looks at stoplights when on my bike but I guess it’s because I have a yellow mohawk on my helmet. I had one woman roll down her window and ask why I had it. I told her that it was for safety. She gave me a strange look and I explained that since she put down her cell phone and looked at me – in disgust – that it had served its purpose. You don’t have to like it, but you do see it. Haven’t had anyone pull out in front of me while I’ve had the mohawk on. I take it off when going to see customers because I want to give a more professional appearance – as best as I can while riding an old school bright yellow superbike.

Biker Quote for Today

I’m not speeding, I’m qualifying.

We were up in Eagle at Willie and Jungle’s earlier this week and to our pleasure and surprise, Mario was there, too. You’ll understand what a surprise this was as I tell you Mario lives in the Yukon. He’s a long way from home.

We met Mario four years ago on a ride Judy and I did with Willie and Jungle and some others up to British Columbia, to Banff and Jasper, along the Ice Fields Parkway. Mario flew in from the Yukon to Calgary, rented a car, met us in Radium Hot Springs, then cruised with us for about five days. Super nice guy.

So among the many things we talked about, Mario told us of a road north of where he lives that had been built across the tundra. I don’t recall if he said anything about the purpose of the road or where it went to and from, but the road itself was the item of interest. First off, it’s hard to build a road across the tundra. As the soil freezes and thaws the road gets lifted, sinks, and you end up with mile after mile of some terrific whoops. Whoops are great fun for a short distance but not something you want to drive on for a couple hundred miles.

To build this road they laid down some kind of fabric as wide as the road was to be and then covered it with sand. We’re talking some honking big rolls of fabric. Let’s see: 18 feet by 150 miles . . .

You can see how this type of road could better handle the freeze and thaw and the shifting. But there was some kink that nobody had expected. In the first couple months it was open, Mario said, the EMTs had to go out something like 50 times because motorcycles had had bad crashes. And primarily these were all heavy cruisers, Harleys mainly. What the heck was going on?

Mario went out to ride the road himself on his Kawasaki KLR 650. Everything was fine at first but then it got to where he felt like he was floating. He came close to crashing but managed to ride it out. What the heck?

Riding on, more cautiously now, the same thing kept happening. He had a hunch, and he pulled over to see if he was right. This is not a busy road so he had to wait awhile but eventually another vehicle came along and he saw just what he expected to see. It was like this.

The fabric material was waterproof, and beneath it, with the sun beating down on the sand, heat permeated and melted the permafrost. This released water, which had nowhere to go so it sat there. When a vehicle would come along some of the water would get pushed along under the fabric, gradually building up to something of a wave, which would start lifting the front end of a motorcycle up–the floating feeling–until such time as the front wheel would go on over the crest of the wave and suddenly the biker was running steeply downhill ahead of the wave. Then you hit level ground at a steep downhill angle and things do not go well.

Once he had this figured out Mario pushed on, cautiously, and eventually found what seemed to be the best way to ride it. He would stand up on the pegs and lean back, like you would on sand going down a hill. Hard to do on a big Harley, but OK on a KLR. So he rode to the end of the road and then turned around and rode back. Fun in the Yukon, huh?

Biker Quote for Today

More people die in their sleep than on motorcycles, so sleep less, ride more.

I’ve been riding with the OFMC for more than 30 years and I’ve seen it grow from Bill and John and me and then shrink to just Bill and Dennis and me. All the guys who are no longer riding with us are still around, they just don’t ride anymore.

That may change soon.

Speaking frankly, I’ve wondered for some time how much longer John will be with us. He has a list of health issues so long I won’t even begin to list it all.

So it was a surprise a couple weeks ago to get a text from Bill about his brother Friggs. Friggs was one of the first additions to the OFMC and was with us for many years. Finally, about four years ago, he went down in a mysterious crash that he still can’t understand. That shook him up enough that once we got home from that trip he sold the bike and that was it.

Anyway, the text from Bill was passing along a text from his niece, Friggs’s daughter, telling the family about the latest news on her dad’s cancer. This was the first the rest of us had heard about it. The cancer was found in his colon, his liver, and in his lymph nodes. From what I have heard about lymph nodes especially, that seems to be a death sentence.

Friggs has been a snow bird for some years now, living with a daughter and her family in Florida in the winter and coming to Colorado in the summer. He was in Denver this past weekend so several of us got together. I went wondering if this would be the last time I would ever see him.

If Friggs thinks he’s facing a death sentence he sure doesn’t show it. He’s getting chemo every two weeks now so that allows him to run out here for a few days. He talked about how the chemo messes with the nerves in his finger tips so when he touches something cold it’s like he has touched a burning coal. Other than that, you’d never know there was a thing wrong.

Maybe it’s just early days but one thing he was doing while here is getting his condo ready to sell because he is planning on buying a house in Florida. Who looks death in the face by buying a house, for pete’s sake!

He had surgery and the doctors say the cancer was caught fairly early so maybe I’m being alarmist here. But as I say, lymph nodes. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you buddy. I’m not looking forward to putting a black border around any OFMC member’s photo on the website.

Biker Quote for Today

100 reasons not to date a biker: 7. It’s perfectly natural to have a motorcycle parked in the living room.

I admit that I’m sitting here today needing to get a Thursday post up but I have no ideas. So this will be a bit of a re-hash but I hope you don’t mind. I’ve been putting out blog posts regularly for more than 10 years and almost from the very beginning I have included a Biker Quote for Today. Here are some all time goodies.

The only thing better than a motorcycle is two motorcycles.

Happiness isn’t around the corner, it is the corner.

“I don’t feel like going for a ride today.” — said no motorcycle rider ever

Dirt bikes are not for wimps. They are, however, quite suitable for the clinically insane.

Helmet not wore when go ride, and no damaging so far brain yet!

The shortest distance between two points is for people who can’t ride.

“But officer, bikes fall over if they aren’t going fast.”

Love is the feeling you get when you like something as much as your motorcycle. Have you ever been in love?

To ride or not to ride? That is a stupid question.

People tell me I have a motorcycle problem. I tell them, I may have problems, but motorcycles are the solution.

Must work to afford Bikethings.

Don’t stop riding until you get to the crash; you might save it!

Adventure is what happens when you thought you were going to have a good time.

I have no idea where we are, but at least it’s getting dark.

It’s our job. Burnin’ gasoline, killin’ bugs, and wearing out tires!

I don’t ride because I have a death wish, I ride because I wish to live.

MOTORCYCLES: created to keep us from choking the idiots around us.

Don’t let my motorcycle ride interfere with the safety of your phone call.

Time spent on a motorcycle is not deducted from your lifespan.

OK. I hope you got a grin or two out of that. Now here’s the latest one for today.

Biker Quote for Today

You might be a Yuppie biker if you stop 30 miles from Sturgis to unload your bike so you can ride in.

Stump, the legislative liaison for ABATE of Colorado, continues sending updates on legislation at the capitol and he has sent out an alert about the pending distracted driving bill. This bill would make it illegal to use a cellphone while driving except in hands-off mode. It has been brought up repeatedly over the past few years and each year it gets further in the process.

Here’s the latest:

SB22-175 is scheduled to be presented to the House Transportation & Local Gov’t Committee next Tues or Wed (April 26/27). Committee member info is below. Please reach out to these legislators to request their support. Thank you for your continuing support on trying to make Colorado roads safer for everyone.

Tony Exum, Committee Chair
tony.exum.house@state.co.us
303-866-3069

Meg Froelich, Committee Vice Chair
meg.froelich.house@state.co.us
303-866-2921

Andrew Boesenecker
andrew.boesenecker.house@state.co.us
303-866-2917

Marc Catlin
marc.catlin.house@state.co.us
303-866-2955

Matt Gray
matt@matthewgray.us
303-866-4667

Edie Hooton
edie.hooton.house@state.co.us
303-866-2915

Mandy Lindsay
mandy.lindsay.house@state.co.us
303-866-3911

Andres Pico
andres.pico.house@state.co.us
303-866-2937

Janice Rich
janice.rich.house@state.co.us
303-866-3068

Tom Sullivan
tom.sullivan.house@state.co.us
303-866-5510

Donald Valdez
donald.valdez.house@state.co.us
303-866-2916

Tonya Van Beber
Tonya.Van.Beber.house@state.co.us
303-866-2943

Kevin Van Winkle
kevin.vanwinkle.house@state.co.us
303-866-2936

In an earlier update Stump also noted that “Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Holbert, gave a very ‘persuasive’ argument in support of the bill at 2nd reading, citing how his personal distracted driving experiences have changed his view to supporting a bill which he had opposed in the past.”

That is why this bill keeps gaining support. Maybe this year we can get it passed.

Biker Quote for Today

What do you get when you mix a motorcycle with a joke? A Yamahaha.

It’s already April 21 and I still hadn’t ridden the V-Strom this month so that was a sure bet for today with an RMMRC ride planned. This was going to be a little different; we were just heading up to Black Hawk for lunch at one of the casinos. That’s actually more like an OFMC outing than the RMMRC.

My first order of business when I got to the gas station in Morrison where we meet was to get gas. And, I believe, for the first time in my life I paid more than $4 per gallon for gas. $4.05.9 to be exact. Yow! But you know, I’d happily pay more if that meant that Russian oil was unwanted and that would help stop Russian aggression in Ukraine.

I know some people claim Joe Biden is responsible for the hike in gas prices, not Vladimir Putin, but I call BS on that. I’m a registered Independent voter, not a Republican or a Democrat, so I call BS on anyone who deserves it. If gas prices were stable around the world but soaring in the U.S. that would be one thing, but they’re not. They’re up everywhere. Is Joe responsible for higher gas prices in Australia? In France? In Japan? OK, that’s way more politics than I normally get into here.

So there were only five of us riding this day. Bob was leading and he said he would figure out some side roads to take. I had some thoughts about his route but he proved me completely wrong. We headed up Bear Creek to Kittredge and took Kerr Gulch over to meet up with Evergreen Parkway just on the south side of I-70, cut across the highway and then followed old U.S. 40 on up Floyd Hill and down to where we hit U.S. 6 heading down Clear Creek Canyon. Then we caught the Peak to Peak Highway to Black Hawk.

Bob’s plan was the buffet at this casino but when we saw that it cost $20 there were three of us who demurred. I personally never like buffets because as a fairly small person I can usually fill up easily at any restaurant for far less than the buffet cost. Plus, I really wasn’t hungry. So I went and played some slot machines while Roy and Bruce went to the casino’s other eatery and Bob and Maynard did the buffet. Yes I gave the casino the same $20 I would have paid for the buffet but at least I had the chance to go home with more than I came with and besides, I wasn’t hungry.

The predicted high for today was in the high 70s but I had been cautious and had worn a sweatshirt and my electric vest. I had been glad to have them on the ride up as it was still cool in the morning. Leaving Black Hawk I was thinking more about getting back into town and it being hot, so I just put on the vest but stashed the sweatshirt. That proved a wise move, as even later in the day it was still darn chilly up on the Peak to Peak and even coming down Golden Gate Canyon.

When we reached the flatlands, however, it was definitely warm and I was really glad not to be wearing the sweatshirt.

Anyway, it was a beautiful day for a ride and we were all glad we had taken advantage of it. In a perfectly fitting coincidence, as I made my way home across Hampden I found myself behind a car with a sticker on the back that read “Never let a nice day go to waste.” Perfect. We didn’t.

Biker Quote for Today

You know you’re a biker when you use your dishwasher to clean bike parts.

As the day for our departure on the RMMRC’s Great River Road ride I’ve been hearing from Roy, who is the group’s mother hen. Come over and get this packet of information he called me twice to request. So I did.

I’m not exactly new to long motorcycle trips, having been doing them every year with the OFMC for more than 30 years. But this will be my first long trip with the RMMRC. So this is the first time I’ve seen this sheet.

Roy gave me this legal-size page with a lot of info on it, including the names and cellphone numbers of everyone going. Good to have. It also has “The 12 Commandments of Group Riding” and information on all our motels along the way. And then there’s “The RMMRC Emergency Road Pack.” This list, divided into “must,” “should,” and “handy for emergencies,” has about anything you could think of, and maybe some you wouldn’t think of. I’m just going to give you the list, rearranged into the three groupings.

Must

• Copy of M.C. registration and proof of insurance in Ziploc bag: Keep on bike.
• Waterproof list of emergency contact numbers: Also cell #s of group riding.
• Tire gauge: Check tires before riding and needed for other list items.
• Valve core cap that can remove the core: Needed for other list items.
• Cellphone with 12V and 120V chargers: Will need in emergency.
• Spare ignition key hidden on bike–don’t forget where: a must.
• Camping tie-down straps: Long straps from BMW dealer or camping stores.
• Pressured tire sealer–Slime: Carry both for different conditions.
• Tubeless tire plug kit–mushroom type is best: Follow instructions closely.
• 12V air pump with correct plug or alligator clips: Test connectors.
• Side stand foot pad with cord for soft ground or asphalt. Use cord on handlebar.
• Water bottle: A must for long hot days!

OK, that group is definitely looking at emergency needs. I personally carry six of those items normally. I’ll think about some of the others.

Should

• Hand sanitizer and hand towels: Need for tire repair.
• Flashlight with fresh batteries–LED lasts longer: Test before long trip.
• Bike cover and old T-shirt: Pull T-shirt over windshield to protect.
• Zip ties various sizes long and short: Have gotten many riders home.
• Stainless steel zip ties long–Harbor Freight: Great for broken mounts/brackets.
• Duct tape, gorilla tape: A small amount of each.
• Baling wire or hanger wire: Around a tool or in a bag.
• Pliers with side cutters and/or vise grips: A must for working with the wire.
• Inner tire patch kit with glue: In case of a larger tear in the tire wall.
• Short tire irons (2) and extension tube tubular socket or short pipe with irons.
• Used inner tube from dealer for emergencies: Dealers throw away old inner tubes.
• Combination cable lock–no keys: Secure your jacket and helmet when parked.
• Windscreen cleaner and polish and cloth.
• First-aid kit–small: Basic kit, carry in tank bag or handy spot.
• Leaf bags large–2: Cheap, compact and have many uses.

And again, I normally carry six of those things. Truth be told, if I had a flat I would not know how to fix it so I’ve never bothered with these things. And the one time I did have a flat the tire was beyond repair, even for a short distance.

Handy for Emergencies

• MOA Anonymous Book: Worth the membership and lots of helpful folks. (OK, this is a BMW-specific thing here.)
• Small metric socket set: Handle and only sizes for your MC.
• Home-made jumper cables with alligator clips 8 to 10 feet long: Cheap to make.
• Small siphon pump with pump: Cheap at Walmart and worth it.

The only thing in that list I carry is the wrenches. But I do carry a length of tubing on all my bikes in case transferring of fuel is needed. Does that siphon pump come with a long hose? If not you’d better add that. Maybe that was supposed to read “Small siphon pump with hose.” And by the way, I’ve never had to pull out my tubes. We just make sure not to run out of gas.

As I say, this is not my first long trip but I will think about adding at least a few of the many items I don’t currently carry. Of course, the good thing about traveling with a good-sized group is that if you don’t have an item there’s a good chance someone else does. I don’t think we all need to carry every one of these items. Looking forward to this trip.

Biker Quote for Today

You might be a Yuppie biker if the last time you went to the Harley dealer you came home with golf balls and a toilet seat.