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Good November Ride Part 2

Thursday, November 5th, 2026


I bet these Colorado Dirtbike Info guys know this road.

As I left off last time I had just turned west on Tomah Road, heading back over to CO 105.

I went just a few miles and came to the side-trip I mentioned that I wanted to take. This is the Keene Ranch development, to the north of Tomah.

When I was looking at the map to plot out this ride I just happened to spot a tag on the map for something called Colorado DirtBike Info Inc. Now what the heck is that? I’ve never heard of these guys. Do I need to add them to the website? Maybe there is a blog post topic–or three–to be had here.

I figured I will get in touch with these guys sometime soon but for now I would just make it a point to ride through this area on the main road, right past the house indicated, and if perchance there were people outside with motorcycles I would just stop and say hi.

Meanwhile, I checked out their website to find out what I could. Here, in brief, is the basic info: “. . . there is a major disconnect in everyone trying to find the information needed in order to become more involved. Even veteran riders and racers were frustrated having to visit the many different web sites and/or social groups to get the vital information they needed. The Crew Racing Team and website was designed to connect the general dirt bike population to the vast amount of information, and bridge the gap between dirt bike riders, vendors, race leagues, motocross parks, trail riding areas and especially the Non-Profit groups that keep our sport alive.”

Hopefully I’ll be telling you a whole lot more a bit later.

So I cruised through this development of homes of people who, shall we just say, have a whole heck of a lot more money than me, but I did not remember the address, plus I ended up going counter-clockwise through the loop rather than clockwise as I intended, only I didn’t realize that for a long time. And I therefore did not identify the particular house and I certainly did not encounter a bunch of people outside with motorcycles. No problem. That was just in case I got lucky.

Then I was back on Tomah and it was a pretty short ride on over to CO 105. By this time it was looking very blustery, the clouds were looking a lot darker, and I turned my electric vest on about now–very glad to have it. Should I bag it, turn right, and head home? Nah. The clouds actually looked worse to the north so I continued south.

The next road criss-crossing this hilly area was Perry Park Avenue, which runs over to Larkspur. I made that turn east.

The road runs past the site of the annual Renaissance Festival, now just looking a bit forlorn and deserted with all the slots where campers park. And then on down into Larkspur. I turned left, which runs through town, knowing that to continue on past downtown means to inevitably feed directly onto I-25. That’s the only place that road goes. There were still more roads that I would include in this criss-crossing but they would have to wait for another day. I passed a sizeable flock of wild turkeys on my way out of town. They don’t care about you.

Heading north now on I-25 I had the option of staying on the highway–the most direct route home–or taking a more roundabout route that did not keep me on the slab. I turned off on Founder’s Parkway in Castle Rock, went a couple miles and turned northwest on Crowfoot Valley Road.

I’ve mentioned this road a good many times lately as I have observed its transformation. When I used to ride it up from Castle Rock to Parker it was just a little two-lane stretch through farm country. Now much of it is four lanes and there are thousands of homes sprouted and still sprouting on both sides. I got up to the intersection with Chambers Road, this stretch now open less than a year, and turned onto Chambers heading north, and on home.

It was really a good ride on a nice fall day. I rode more than three hours, with the only stops for red lights, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now they’re calling for rain tonight.

Biker Quote for Today

You might be a Yuppie biker if you think the models in the catalogs are what bikers are supposed to look like.

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Got In A Good One

Monday, November 2nd, 2026


Hey, where you guys goin’?

We’re in the time of year now when you need to jump at your chances to ride because you never know when the weather will turn on you. I told the guys Thursday night that I was hoping to get in a ride on Sunday and they said, oh, it’s supposed to rain. I said yeah, but I’ll be playing it by ear and if I can get out I will.

I did. And what a nice fall day. No rain. Not that we don’t need it. If we had a downpour now I’d be happy.

For once I had a plan as to where I wanted to go. Heading south out of town there is an area west of I-25 and east of CO 105 that is hilly and very pretty. Several roads criss-cross those hills and while I’ve been on all of them at one time or another I still didn’t feel like I really knew the area. Let’s go criss-cross those hills.

The weather looked unpredictable so I geared up. I pulled out the leather jacket, put on the electric vest, and wore my riding pants with a high-tech, extra-warm base layer on underneath. My rain suit was in the top bag. I plugged the vest in but didn’t turn it on, at least not yet.

Across Belleview and then south on Santa Fe, which is US 85, and out of town, down to Sedalia, where I turned west to pick up CO 105. On the way down to Sedalia I noticed, perhaps for the first time, a frontage road of sorts that runs down on the west side of the highway most of the way down. Interesting, I thought. Maybe I should ride that some day and check it out. Get off this busy highway. And just then I saw a biker headed north on that road, which pretty much cemented it in my mind that this is something I will do.

I got to Sedalia, made the turn, crossed the river and then made the turn south. I had Tomah Road in mind because I had a side trip off Tomah also in mind, but I hadn’t thought about Wolfensberger Road. I said I’m not totally familiar with all these roads.

Wolfensberger climbs up and over, coming down into Castle Rock on the other side. I knew this. Fine, I’ll get to Tomah from the east rather than the west.

Coming down into Castle Rock I came to Plum Creek Parkway, which I knew I wanted to take because I didn’t want to actually go into Castle Rock and Plum Creek runs south skirting around the town.

At this time I was in grope mode. That is to say, I had a good idea where I wanted to get to but was not entirely sure how to get there. I would just grope my way along.

As I found myself approaching I-25 I presumed I would need to take the west frontage road down and meet up with Tomah Road along there somewhere. I turned onto the frontage road but very soon saw signs saying there was construction on this road and to get to Tomah I should get on I-25. I rode it all the way to where, sure enough, the road was completely blocked (you never know; it was Sunday, I may have been able to get through the construction zone.) So I turned around and got on I-25 headed south. I was pretty sure there was an exit up ahead for Tomah, and there was. Meanwhile, I poked along in the far right lane going only 80 while all the other traffic blasted past me on my left.

Sure enough, there was the Tomah Road exit and I took it. I immediately took a hard right and was heading right back up where I had just come from, only this time I was on the frontage road. There was actually a traffic signal there at the Tomah Road intersection, although I couldn’t have gone further because of the construction blockage, and there was no oncoming traffic for the same reason. But I stopped for the red anyway. Took the left and now I was finally on Tomah Road.

And this is getting long-winded so I’m going to break it into two and will complete the ride in my next post.

Biker Quote for Today

100 reasons not to date a biker: 26. The sound of a bike starting up is your morning alarm clock.

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Posted in Colorado motorcycle rides, Suggested Rides | No Comments »

Utah Ride In May

Monday, April 20th, 2026


The OFMC going down a canyon in Utah.

Riding season is getting into full swing–are you ready for your first long ride of the year?

I am. I’ll be joining other members of the Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Riders Club (RMMRC) in late May for what the organizer, Tom, has dubbed the Utah Scenic Ride. You’re welcome to join us and I hope you do. Here’s the itinerary.

We’ll be leaving on Tuesday, May 26, from the Phillips 66 station at Morrison at 9 a.m. That’s kick stands up at 9 a.m. In this group we really do leave at the appointed time.

The first day is going to be the longest ride, 343 miles, to Green River, Utah, but that’s all interstate so it’s totally doable without too much stress. I know I hate really long days, but this is a ride I’ve done several times.

While as far as interstate goes, there’s not much nicer slab than going through Colorado, but the fun really starts on the second day. We’ll take Utah 24 down through Hanksville, to Torrey, passing through Capitol Reef National Park. Then down Utah 12 to Escalante and through Bryce Canyon National Park to US 89, then up to Panguitch.

On Thursday we’ll take 89 north to Utah 62 to Loa, then to I-70 and east to US 191, and south to Moab. The next day will be further south on 191, to La Sal Junction, then east on Utah 46/Colorado 90 to Ridgway, US 550 north to Delta, east on Colorado 133 over McClure Pass and on to Carbondale.

The final day will be Colorado 82 over Independence Pass to Buena Vista, then home on US 285. A total of approximately 1,318 miles arriving home on Saturday, May 30.

Should be a really good ride. Utah in May is great. I’m ready.

Biker Quote for Today

Speeding along an open road on my motorcycle, flanked by the great outdoors, the engine hums and the noise in my mind disappears. — Judith Roberts

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Posted in motorcycle touring, Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Riders Club, Suggested Rides | No Comments »

Skyline Drive Photo Makes EagleRider Finals — Please Vote

Thursday, May 31st, 2012
motorcycles on Skyline Drive in Colorado

The OFMC rides Skyline Drive.

I mentioned recently that I had entered the photo above in a contest EagleRider is having and now, of the 63 photos entered, they have selected 20 for the run-off. My photo is one of those 20 and I would appreciate your votes.

Here’s the scoop. EagleRider, the groundbreaking company that opened up the concept of motorcycle rentals, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. They ran this contest asking people to offer photos for their 20 Years on the Highway contest, with the winner to receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to Los Angeles for the celebration.

The winner will be decided by votes. The way I see it, at this point it becomes a matter of who can work their social network the best. Each person can vote once a day, every day from now until midnight on June 29. To see the finalist photos, go here and scroll through the entries. Whichever one you like the most, click the “Like” link. Of course, I’d be very pleased if you vote for my photo but if you like something else better you really should vote for it.

Then, bookmark the link and go back every day until June 29 and vote again. Please be advised that the page loads a bit slowly, so be patient. Thanks.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Call made to push Congress on motorcycle-only stops

Biker Quote for Today

You know you’re becoming addicted to riding when you almost crash your car in a turn because you were trying to counter-steer and lean rather than turn the wheel.

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Posted in Colorado motorcycle rides, Day Rides, Miscellaneous, Suggested Rides | 1 Comment »

Still Some Riding To Do This Year

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

starting point for Last Brass Monkey Run

It’s almost December but that doesn’t mean the organized motorcycle rides are over for the year. There are at least three that I know of and I’m definitely not all-knowing.

Two of these are toy runs, to collect gifts for kids who otherwise wouldn’t have much of a Christmas. The other is ABATE’s Last Brass Monkey Run.

This Sunday coming right up is when Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson will be sponsoring its 26th Annual Toy Run, which collects gifts for kids at Children’s Hospital. The ride starts out in Aurora, at Aurora Sports Park, 18601 Sports Park Drive. Registration is one new, unwrapped toy.

Then, two Sundays later, the Sleigh Riders Motorcycle Toy Run will be held to benefit the Santa Cops program of Weld County. Again, registration is one new, unwrapped toy. The gathering place is in Greeley, at Maui Wowi of Greeley, 2939 65th Ave.

ABATE of Colorado’s Last Brass Monkey Run is scheduled each year to be the last ride of the year. Thanks to the calendar, this year’s run will actually be on Dec. 31, a Saturday. There are two starting points, on the west side and the east side of the metro area, with the destination being the Grizzly Rose, at 58th and I-25. West siders will be gathering at Wrigley’s, in Golden, at 18200 W. Colfax. On the east side, the Pioneer Club is the spot, 18881 E. Colfax. The event offers food, games, a chili cook-off, door prizes, and live music. Riders will start leaving at 10 a.m. and the party gears up at the Grizzly Rose at noon.

So don’t even think about putting that bike away for the winter. There’s plenty of good riding to be done in the next few months.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Helmet cams let you relive the ride

Biker Quote for Today

My goal is to see how many gallons of dead dinosaurs I can send through my bike.

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Posted in ABATE, Colorado motorcycle rides, Day Rides, Rides and Rallies, Suggested Rides | 3 Comments »

Riding On The Plains

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Riding motorcycles on the prairie

It has gotten cool and we’ve had snow in Denver now. I know they’ve gotten a lot more snow in the mountains. I probably won’t be riding up in the hills any more any time soon.

That doesn’t mean I won’t be riding, though. It’s just time to change direction. In fact, I already took my first ride on the prairie this past weekend. Guess what? It’s really nice out there.

In the cooler parts of the year I like to ride around the outskirts of Denver and explore the new construction going on out there. If there’s road that is newly paved, I want to see where it goes. I find myself wandering around out there and sometimes getting lost but how lost can you get on Colorado’s eastern plains? The mountains are to the west.

Of course every time I do this it blows my mind how much construction and new development there is. We have friends who moved from west Denver a few years ago to Watkins and I used to think they were a long way out there. Have you wandered around out there recently? The city is not that far any more. It will probably swallow them in 10 years.

As it is now, houses go on beyond where Smoky Hill Road ends, and of course that road is four lanes almost to the very end. Heck, I remember when it was just two lanes, and I’m not even sure it was paved back when I’m thinking about. But I’ve taken rides out there with some frequency and watched the transformation. For years I looked at these mostly large houses and wondered where in the world all these people got all this money. Of course, now we know many of them never had that money and now I wonder how many of these places are sitting empty. That may buy our friends in Bennett another 5 years before the city gets there.

My point, of course, has nothing to do with houses or the economy. My point is just that even when the mountain roads are snowy there is still a lot of good riding to be done at the lower elevations. I don’t ever put my bikes away for the winter. How about you? Maybe I’ll see you out on the road sometime in January.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Only a biker knows . . .: Motorcycle wit and wisdom #19

Biker Quote for Today

I wonder where that road goes?

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Posted in Colorado motorcycle rides, Day Rides, Suggested Rides | 2 Comments »

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