Time for a ride!
Maverick - May 24, 2010

And what a ride it was! Spring on the Front Range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains has been a slow and evolving process, not clearly distinguishable by the typical warm sunny days, between February and May, which lure motorcyclists onto the roadway. Recent snows above 5000 feet gave pause for wonder…will “beautiful Colorado,” along with it’s clear skies, dry and warm temperatures, and mountain vistas, make it to us this year?

May 23, 2010 came and went, but it was a beautiful motorcycle riding day inviting motorcyclists to get out and ride. They were out in droves!  

The sky was blue, temperature in the seventies, the air fresh, and leaves, grasses, and flowers were appearing between 5000 and 8500 feet. Above 8,500 feet, remnants of winter temperatures and storms were abundant on snow-covered peaks, dormant meadows and leafless Aspens.  

Our ride took us from just north of Denver, to Colorado Springs via Palmer Lake, on to the arid Canon City, west to Royal Gorge then north to Guffey, east to Cripple Creek, north to Divide, east to Manitou Springs, and north to Morrison before returning home to Louisville via Golden. Total trip: 350 miles. 

For anyone interested in doing this ride, the road surface is, for the most part, quite smooth and navigable by motorcyclists at any skill level. It is advisable to pack a heated liner and rain gear. Higher elevations produce cool temperatures and afternoons showers and thunderstorms are the norm in the Rockies during riding season.

Following is a brief photo essay of attractions and vistas along the way.

                                               

Vintage chopper and former auto dealership entering Palmer Lake's Main Street.