Off to High Country and Ducati gathering

[rickmillertx]

Early this May as the temperature started bumping up to the high 90s I decided it was time to plan a trip to a cooler climate. I noticed on http://www.ducati.ms that there was a Ducati gathering being held in Ouray, Colorado in the middle of August. Year before last I rode to Deals Gap, North Carolina for the East Coast Gathering of Ducatis and had a great time. So maybe this bunch meeting in Colorado might be just as much fun but a lot cooler.
So I planned the trip and the launch time arrived last week. Due to the excessive heat in Texas, I decided to bypass riding the hot Texas miles and trailer my bike to my sister's home in Canyon, Texas.

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After visiting for a couple of days I hopped on the bike and began the fun part of the ride. I still had to go about 60 miles on the interstate to San Jon, New Mexico then the back road riding began with Highway 39. My goal was to ride to Chama and find a motel. The temperature was in the low 80s now and I dodged thunderstorms. Something I haven't seen in months.

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At one stretch of lonely road I was clicking along at 75 and I saw a truck gaining on me. So I sped up to 80 but the truck kept closing the gap. I decided to let him pass and then I would follow him because I didn't want to get a speeding ticket. Good decision. As the truck passed I saw that it was a state trooper Tahoe pulling a trailer. He had to be going 85, so I followed him for several miles before I had to stop for gas.

Chama didn't have a room available that was nice, so I pushed on to Pagosa Springs. A 500 mile day and I was tired.
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I got a good night's sleep and then rode over to Durango for lunch.

This was my Ducati snob lunch.

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Now it was time to enjoy the million dollar highway to Durango. At Silverton I fell into a group of 3 Ducatis so I rode into Ouray with them. It was a family (Father, Mother, and Son) riding Ducatis to the gathering. They were from Albuquerque.

There was a good turnout for the gathering. Looked like around 70 to 90 bikes total. This group is different from the East Coast group. Differences are: nearly 10 of the riders were women, (0 women at Deals Gap)

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Saturday day was the day to go on rides so I chose to ride to Crawford, Colorado.
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Had lunch with 3 Norton riders

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This was one of the recommended routes to enjoy lots of curves and scenery. I went on my own, because I don't care for riding in groups. Groups of cruisers is not a problem, because they, well cruise. But groups of Ducati riders ride to enjoy a spirited pace to enjoy the canyon carving. In a group like that you tend to ride to the speed of the fastest rider rather than your pace. Therefore, I go on my own so that I ride at my pace and stop when I want to stop. I'm glad to say no one crashed on this gathering.

I was returning from Crawford when I came up on a state trooper. He was driving about 60 miles an hour and I thought it was a 60 mph zone so I slowly passed him. Mistake. He turned on the lights and pulled me over.

He said it was a 55 zone and then began to dress me down regarding speeding and aggressive riding by Ducati riders. Apparently many locals had been complaining about aggressive riding. Colorado has a phone number to call and report bad drivers/riders. So I was polite and said I thought it was a 60 zone and I was riding alone. I also showed my CHL and said I wasn't carrying. He gave me a warning and let me go.

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Sunday, I rode over to Silverton and rented a Kawasaki Mule to do some off road riding.

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All day for 150.00. I spent all day going over the mountain passes and it was so much fun. Such a beautiful state.

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Monday I began my ride home. I went a long way so that I could do some more mountain riding.

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Highway 149 from near Gunnison down to South Fork is a great road. About 15 miles out of Lake City I passed a BMW and rider standing at a road side park. I waved and the rider returned the wave. About 10 miles later I see the BMW coming and then it passed me. I noticed it had Texas tags. A couple of miles later I come up to the bike again at a single lane flagger stop. I pull up next to it and ask “Are you from Texas?” Surprise, The helmet shield opens and it is a woman in her 50s. She said she is from Livingston, Texas, but spending the summer in Colorado. I'm glad to see the influx of women in motorcycling. It is a great sport for all.

Highway 160 from South Fork to highway 12 is pretty boring, but 12 is great. It goes south and west over to Trinidad. Really pretty riding.
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Tuesday I finish the ride from Clayton on in to Canyon. Between Raton and Clayton the temperature goes from 80 to high 90s. Finally I stop in Canyon and it is 100. Welcome back to Texas.

[DuckMan]

Wow! Your photos from the trip are awesome!

I wish we could have done the Mule trip with you.

[sfarson]

Many, many great images Rick. Several had some very special cooperation from the sun and clouds.

[va duc]

As always, incredible pictures Rick! I am going to show those to the wife.

You must have taken your good camera. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

[rapete]

simply beautiful pics. your bike looks like being made for that type of trip. why is it you exchanged your reviewing mirrors?

[rickmillertx]

Va Duc: Yes, I took the Nikon SLR on this trip. With the filters available, it sure makes landscapes come to life.

Rapete: The mirror story. I had my left mirror knocked off at the East Coast Ducati gathering 2 years ago. I replaced it with a used (scratched mirror). But, I have always been disappointed with the viewing of my elbows with the stock mirrors. So I tried the bar end mirrors and love them. Better rear visibility than with the stock. I removed the stock so that I would break the habit of using them.

Some days I think it looks good the way it is then other days I think it looks wrong.

[bebopdontstop]

Nice write up and pics Rick. So, out of the 11 women you met, you had to get lucky with one. That's the story we all want to hear, come on out with it, you can delete the post after we all read the wild side of Rick.
So who was more fun, us East Coasters or the cowboys and indians.

[DuckMan]

Originally Posted by bebopdontstop

Nice write up and pics Rick. So, out of the 11 women you met, you had to get lucky with one. That's the story we all want to hear, come on out with it, you can delete the post after we all read the wild side of Rick.
So who was more fun, us East Coasters or the cowboys and indians.

Those Colorado dudes are a bunch of cute little ..........................

[rickmillertx]

Bebop. Don't you remember what I look like? The only hope I have of getting any action would be at a visually impaired convention.

As far as comparing groups. Duckman tells me last year's East Coast was much wilder than the first year. The Rockies group looks like a party bunch. The only problem was that there was just one night when everyone was in town. Us Texans didn't really know anyone and didn't have time to form drinking contests.

I agree with Duckman on the riding. Colorado is hands down more beautiful than Deals Gap. But, the twisties and road quality is best in NC.

I'm thinking pure riding thrills I would rate my trips as. NC has the best, Arkansas a close second, then Colorado. All three are much better than Texas riding.

By the way, what is with you riding a Benelli?

[DuckMan]

Originally Posted by rickmillertx

Bebop. Don't you remember what I look like? The only hope I have of getting any action would be at a visually impaired convention.

As far as comparing groups. Duckman tells me last year's East Coast was much wilder than the first year. The Rockies group looks like a party bunch. The only problem was that there was just one night when everyone was in town. Us Texans didn't really know anyone and didn't have time to form drinking contests.

I agree with Duckman on the riding. Colorado is hands down more beautiful than Deals Gap. But, the twisties and road quality is best in NC.

I'm thinking pure riding thrills I would rate my trips as. NC has the best, Arkansas a close second, then Colorado. All three are much better than Texas riding.

By the way, what is with you riding a Benelli?

Damn Rick! Is Arkansas really that good?