Trip Report - Its About Time Ride.

[usranger74]

Trip Report:
On 8/9 two Nomad riders left Omaha, NE and returned on 8/17. Jim on Blondie (02 Nomad) and Bill on Norma Jean (07 Nomad) enjoyed 3,400 miles of riding. Following are some of the highlights.
Ride West (slide show)
1. Norma Jean got 39.8 MPG overall. Blondie overall MPG was 44.9 MPG but on one pitch she got 57 MPG. Norma Jeans best pitch was 45 MPG
2. We put our Frog Togs on twice but did not get wet
3. The hottest temp we rode in was 98
4. The coldest temp we rode in was 28
5. We saw fresh snow on day 3
6. Eastern CO was awash with a new Sun Flower bloom
7. We did the San Juan Skyway (Million Dollar Highway) ride (my fourth time) and both felt the east side of the ride was scenic but not a good “ride”. On the west side we were able to put the hammer down and cruse big time.
8. Great coffee stop at the top of Monarch Pass.
9. The east side up to Independence Pass is fantastic. The west side sucks.
10. Highest point on the ride was 14,129 feet (Mt Evens, CO)
11. The lowest point on the ride was 1,200 feet (my drive way)
12. In Cortez, CO we went to Blondie’s for dinner - it was closed@@@
13. Staying well hydrated we both needed to visit the “boy” bush or tree more than once. However, as Jim discovered there are no trees or bushes in W. KS. So, a telephone pole sufficed.
14. On day one we visited the Geographical Center of the lower 48. It is in the middle nowhere Kansas.
15. Longest day was 450 miles
16. I took both an AirHawk and Sheepskin. I have been using an AirHawk for 3 years. However, I was really surprised at how the Sheepskin worked and used it more than the AirHawk. On the last day I put the Sheepskin on top of the AirHawk. That is the A ticket!!!
17. On day one Blondie pulled out from our dinner spot sputtered and stopped. Jim could not get her started and we pushed it into a gas station (she was not out of gas – not even close). After sitting for a while she started up and no more problems on the rest of the trip. Vapor Lock???
18. On the Million Dollar Highway we had a SUV pass us on a double yellow on a blind curve. We were in a line of cars and RVs going the speed limit. I looked for the SOB down the road and it is just as well I did not find him.
19. On the San Juan Skyway on a double yellow we had four HDs pass us on our right side. We were going the speed limit with traffic coming toward us.
20. The best ride in CO is from Dove Creek to Whitewater CO. It is 157 miles. The first third is going east in high desert with a fantastic view of the west end of the Rockies. The middle third in and out of a red rock canyon following the Dolores River. The last third is through mountain country. There is a gas stop half way through the ride. The road is good. You can curse at 60-70+ MPH. Scenic value high. And, very little traffic. The Best MC Ride in CO.
21. The most overhyped MR ride in CO -Trail Ridge. Scenic – yes but no fun to ride.
22. The most demanding ride I have ever made – Mt. Evens Road. OMG x 3!!! Will not do it again.
23. Big critters we saw in the road – 2 deer, 4 Cows and one Mountain Goat.
24. Best Mom and Pop motel we stayed in - - El Palomino Motel, Grand Junction.
25. The new “thing” I learned about my best friend for the last 37 years. He likes to get up early but that does not always translate to getting going early!!!


Day 1 (Aug 9)
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7 (Will take an afternoon trip into Rocky Mt. NP and Back to Motel)
Day 8
Day 9 - Home (Aug

[BudMan]

Sounds like you two had a good time.
Glad to hear that except for one time Blondie ran good.

[Cajunrider]

You guys had a great time! Can't beat a long ride with your buddy alongside. Hey Bill, we finally have a quarterback!!!

[usranger74]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

You guys had a great time! Can't beat a long ride with your buddy alongside. Hey Bill, we finally have a quarterback!!!

Yes you do and I think you might be able to take AL.

[Loafer]

Bill, glad you got to do this trip and that it turned out great.