That’s a great scenic shot of I-70 and the mountains, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be great if there were also about 50 motorcycles cruising in formation up that road toward you? That’s the shot I didn’t get the other day. I’m so annoyed.
I had plans to ride out to meet the Ride With The Forty group that was coming in on Thursday on their way to Shanksville, PA. Alan Baumbach was with some Rocky Mountain HOG members who had gone to Green River, UT, to meet them and escort them through Colorado. I had asked Alan to call me to let me know when to expect them at Georgetown. Unfortunately, the day proved a bit chaotic on their end and Alan never had a chance to call.
I was sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring and when it started getting late I started getting antsy. I called Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson to see if they had already arrived or when they were expected. I was told the folks there were looking for them to arrive around 4 or 4:30. If that were the case, they should be reaching Georgetown around 3 or 3:30, and looking at the time I saw that to meet them there at that time I should be leaving right now. So I did.
My route was up I-25 to 6th Avenue and out that way. Unfortunately, there was an accident on I-25 at about Alameda that backed traffic up all the way to University. I lost a lot of time there and was starting to worry that I would miss them. As I cruised up I-70 finally I was constantly looking to see them coming the other way. My original plan was to reach Georgetown before them, get pictures of them coming into Georgetown, getting gas, and then run ahead to the Buffalo Herd overlook and shoot them again. And then follow them to the dealership for more pictures and interviews.
Presumably running late as I was I was undecided about going to Georgetown. What I wanted most was the shots from the overlook. If I passed them going the other way between Georgetown and Idaho Springs I’d never get back to the overlook before them. So I rode only as far as Idaho Springs and then turned back to the overlook. And then I waited. And waited. And waited.
I had intended to bring a book to read but had forgotten in my haste. So just sitting and waiting was incredibly boring. Plus, the later it grew the more convinced I became that my delay on I-25 had caused me to miss them. I figured while I was sitting up at the overlook, they were probably already at Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson. This wouldn’t have been a problem for most people. Most people would have called the dealership and asked if they had arrived. But I don’t have a cell phone. Really. I’m one of those throwbacks who just doesn’t feel a desire to always be connected. But I sure wished I had one with me at that point.
Finally at 4:30 I gave it up. The boredom was too great, plus, I figured they must surely be at the dealership by now. So I headed on down there as well. But when I got there they had not arrived. And about 10 minutes later they did arrive. Considering that I had ridden pretty fast, while they were riding rather slowly, I figure that if I had waited another 5 minutes, probably 7 minutes tops, I would have been there when they came by and I would have gotten my picture. Rats! Maybe I could Photoshop about 50 motorcycles into that picture above. Rats. Rats! RATS!!
Or maybe I’ll think once more about (gasp!) getting a cell phone. Nah, that would be too easy. Just call me the neanderthal.
Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Ride With The Forty continues to Shanksville
Biker Quote for Today
Always aim where you want it to go and never at people.
Motorcycles are like the untamed beasts of the modern day, at least when compared to more comfort-oriented vehicles such as passenger cars and crossover SUVs. You may be the kind of motorcycling enthusiast who shuns the traditional comforts of the car in favor of the open air and rugged feeling you get from riding a motorbike, but sometimes that changes on long travels. If you’re going to be riding on your bike for hours or even for days across the country, you may need some subtle upgrades that can improve your enjoyment of the experience without taking away from what makes your bike what it is in the first place. Below, we’ll break down several elements of motorcycle travel to consider, and what upgrades can help you avert displeasure (or disaster) on the open road.