August 2008
Presidents Point of View
Dog Days of Summer
We canceled a few club events this summer due to a lack of interest. The club picnic, the Search For Alfred Packer (Bill Jones Memorial ride), and the Memorial Day parade in Fountain were canceled. Summer is the time for vacations, bike rallies, family visiting, and other competing activities. Not-to-worry were all having fun and will focus on club activities again soon. Hope you are all having a great summer..woof.
Norton Project
I acquired a Norton rolling chassis and have donated it to the club. It is missing the engine, tank, seat, taillight and foot pegs. It does have tranny. The serial number indicates its a 1970 vintage.
Top of the Rockies Rally
I attended the state BMW rally in Paonia in August. I rode over with my friend Mike Starr on Thursday the 14th on my old 1986 BMW R80. We had breakfast at the Smoke House in Woodland Park and set off about 0900 towards Buena Vista. Then it was north along the Arkansas River to Twin Lakes. The weather was mild and sunny and the ride up over Independence Pass was a pleasure. There were several other BMW riders up there heading for the rally as well. The ride south up over McClure pass along the Crystal River is one of the best in the state. The tent space real estate in the Paonia Park was somewhat limited and Mike and I had to pitch our tents on some uneven ground up against a fence. Weather was sunny and hot in Paonia. After setting up we met old friends and wandered around looking at all the variations of BMWs the owners had crafted up. The music Thursday night was a bluegrass trio. At dinner time food vendors were abundant and I opted for an elk bratwurst, which turned out to be a good choice. Friday morning we wanted to take advantage of the good riding roads in the area. We left early in the morning to beat the heat. Mike and I rode back north on CO 133 to the now-full Paonia reservoir. We went east over Kebler pass to Crested Butte. Its about 45 miles of gravel out a total of 65 miles but the road is decent and scenic. Mike on his GS1150 was in his element thereuntil we came upon a herd of sheepperhaps a thousand or so. They covered the road a quarter of a mile ahead and from side to side. They were being herded by a family who owned a bunch of large white dogs. The dogs seemed very diligent in moving the sheep along. They were all large white and furry who were perhaps all related. A silver SUV came up and the sheepboys cleared a path through the sheep for them using ATVs and we just followed behind. The result of the encounter was the front of our motors was all covered with fresh green sheep poo. After some good coffee in Crested Butte we rolled down a beautiful valley into Gunnison and west on US 50 to the Blue Mesa reservoir. Then the good part started the ride up to Crawford on CO 92. What a great windey road through wild mountains for about 60 miles. No traffic and beautiful weather is what its all about for us.
The rally continued with some great live music and good chow. I met an old friend from San Antonio and we made travel plans together for Bike week next year. Our ride home took us over Monarch pass and east along the Arkansas River on US 50 and through Guffey back into Teller County. Yashouldabeenthere.
Mainjet
