Mr. Blue Sky

Please tell us why you had to hide away for so long.

I stayed in bed this morning to allow my body to get some additional rest. After all I left Massachusetts on Thursday and I was now in Colorado in just a few days. I still have a few days of riding ahead of me but it should be relatively short days since I am near the West Coast now. I did some quick research regarding the latest (and greatest?) headset from Sena, the 50S. A friend had purchased it for our planned day ride and I like to keep up with the Joneses. In reality my 20S still works great but there are a couple new features that might be useful. So I called up my other friend and informed them of the impulse buy (dual pack) for us. I eventually got out of bed to pack up the few things I brought in to checkout before 1100. Also remember to put the privacy please marker or you may receive loud knocking at the door: housekeeping.

I went outside to uncover the bike so I could prepare to leave. While I was uncovering it a person with a weed whacker complimented my bike. They asked what I was doing all the way out here when they found out I was going back to California. We proceeded to talk about the storm and they mentioned on their way in from Pueblo it was very windy. Windy even for vehicles so it is a good thing I turned in to avoid the storm. They talked about how they used to ride a Harley-Davidson years ago and made a comment regarding the cost of maintenance/parts. I am curious now on how it compares to other motorcycles because this is the second person to comment on it. Before I went inside again they warned me to be vigilant around other drivers on the road.

It was still windy this morning and I had some issues packing away the cover.

I geared up, double checked the room, and grabbed my items. As I checked out the person at the counter briefly asked about the trip as well and I gave them what I hope was a succinct summary. Once I was on the bike and getting to roll out the person with the weed whacker said: take me with you! Now that I think about it I wonder if they wanted to go on the journey or to California? ¿Por qué no los dos?

If you recall my trip came to an abrupt end the night before due to weather. So I welcomed blue skies.

I set the GPS to navigate me to my friend's house and it appeared I would have enough gasoline to make it. I was on my way with a beautiful morning and great weather. There was not a lot of scenery and it reminded me of Kansas. Flat and empty for miles. I passed by the occasional buildings and construction crews. I passed through Eads, CO which is near the Sand Creek Massacre historical site.

I continued on US 287 eventually passed through Kit Carson, CO. I was going to ride through until I saw it. Another caboose. Yes, I like trains and train things.

Seriously, how do I get one?

I stopped to take a few pictures but sadly the museum was not open. I got back on the US 287 without fueling up. I was getting comfortable the closer I was to California. Surely gasoline stations are abundant in the great state of Colorado and I have nothing to worry about. There is no gas shortage here! While there is no shortage (that I am aware of) of fuel there is a shortage of stations in certain areas. At some point I checked the GPS for nearest fuel and the first option was 79 miles away. I thought it must be some mistake but I should have enough fuel to make it. So kept riding towards my destination and when I turned on CO 94 I saw a sign confirming the information from the GPS: No services next 70 miles.

The bike has a range guesstimate and it claimed I had ~102 or so miles left on the tank. I could make it if I ride conservatively maximizing my available fuel. I rode on CO 94 and it was very bumpy. Nothing jarring but it was certainly annoying for a good stretch of it. There was no one for miles at times so it was peaceful. Blue sky, (happy) clouds, open road, and music. The surrounding land was flat for miles and sometimes there would be cows. A vehicle would appear on occasion and then disappear into the distance.

Surprisingly I still had cellular service since I could see nothing for probably miles. I was so excited when I could finally see Rocky Mountains. Some terrain and change from the lack of it from the last few states I have been through. I called a friend to tell them about my excitement because we had talked about the lack of mountains earlier in my trip. I talked to them about my gas situation and anxiety with the range/distance. I thought worst case for backup I would just contact roadside assistance if I could not make it. Well while I was talking to my friend cellular service was not reliable when I was in Rush, CO so I was very concerned. Low on fuel and now no cellular service?! What have I done to myself? Cellular service came back after I passed through which was a relief until the call just dropped a few minutes later in Yoder, CO. At this point I was trying to factor in walk time because I was still about 9 miles away.

The range estimate always seems to display --- if it is less than (30) thirty miles or so remaining.

I finally made it to Ellicott, CO around 1344 and immediately went to the gasoline station. I put in 4.805 gallons of gasoline and my tank is supposedly 5 gallons. It was too close for comfort. Do not take chances in unfamiliar territories. Lesson learned, I think? Maybe I would have had better luck taking a different highway? We may never know and I am certainly not going to look it up right now.

Mountains again.

I finally made it to Colorado Springs and I was initially worried from the first vantage point there would not be a lot of things. I did pass by Curtis Rd on the way in. If I could get Curtis Rd and this sign I could add it to my walls. The GPS and visual confirmation soon alleviated my fears and it is the type of civilization I hoped for. I decided to grab lunch and I went with barbecue again. Bird Dog BBQ. As they say it though, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. I had a sandwich, meat, ribs, mac and cheese, and fries.

After I finished eating I went to my friend's residence and I found them outside. Trees had fallen likely from the storm or something. In my excitement I positioned the bike towards the curb in such a way I needed assistance being rolled out. Once we got me rolling again and in the driveway we went inside. We caught up while I was standing because I declined to sit down (I have been sitting a lot lately). After a while when I was comfortable sitting we unloaded the bike so we could continue relaxing. While relaxing we watched Bob's Burgers and I also worked on my posts (including this one). There was also delicious pizza for dinner.

Just a couple more days until I am back in (hopefully) sunny California.