By Gary “Otto Bon” Johnson
Hello everyone! As I write this, spring has ended and we are back into winter. Ride whenever you can, 'cause bad weather seems to be the norm rather than the exception.
A few member notes: I visited Gary Haines a couple of days ago, and he seems to have improved since my visit the week before. Keep Gary in your prayers and see him when you are able. He's in RM 359 at the Sioux Falls V.A. Hospital, 2501 W. 22nd St, 57105
Also, I heard that the Auduses (Wes & Mary) have moved to Rochester, MN. Now. that doesn't mean you can skip the Wed. night suppers! You are both retired and have plenty of time to make it to the suppers.
Oh, by the way, our Martinsburg ride was well attended with people from as far away as Alaska and Norway attending!! Uff dah!! There was even a full moon that day! I think we all had enough to eat and we all had enough wind! We were able to travel some roads before they were flooded. That was a good first club ride of the new season and if winter ends maybe there will be more.
I’m kind of thinking of a New Ulm (Schells) and/or Lucan, MN (Brau Bros.) ride in the near future. Other suggestions will be welcome. My RT is running great and I’m looking forward to many great rides and stories to tell. Take care.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Martinsburg NE, Bob's Bar
Five Bikes and a “Quad” leave Sioux Falls for “Big Burgers” at Martinsburg,NE
Story by Dale Nordlie. Pictures by Brion Hase, Gary Johnson, Dale Nordlie & Mary Hawes
Larry Hawes, Bill Claussen, Gary Johnson, Dennis Erickson and Dale Nordlie put on “many layers” before heading for the “Big Burger Capital of the World”, Bob’s Bar at Martinsburg, NE. The trek is an annual “first nice Saturday in March” ride. Bob Jensen followed up in shirt sleeves in his HHR.
Gary thought that rather than setting a specific date in March for our ride to Bob's Bar this year, we should schedule it for the first nice Saturday. That turned out to be March 19th. Gary, Bill, Larry, Dennis, Bob and I took off from Grandma Max's with the temperature somewhere in the 40s. We rode back roads down to Vermillion and caught up with Gerald and a friend of his from Alaska, Jay Johnson, at the gas station on the edge of town. (See insert at right.) They hadn't ridden into Sioux Falls earlier, because of fog and crappy weather farther east. From there we crossed the bridge over the Missouri River into Nebraska.
We arrived at Bob's Bar (Home of the Big Burger) in Martinsburg around noon. Someone commented that the place looked closed and he looked into the window to see if anyone was around. Evidently the bartender/cook/waitress saw him and soon was at the window making faces and sticking out her tongue. I thought that would be a good shot for the newsletter and got my camera off the bike, AND THEN, I look up and she was mooning us. Neither Gary nor I was quick enough to get that shot - Gary's camera batteries were dead and I was just too slow. She told me that she had been wanting to do that for over two weeks (must have been a hard winter in Nebraska), and we were the "lucky" recipients. I couldn't convince her to do a repeat performance for the camera!!
We sat at a large table in the back of the bar and placed our orders. Soon Ed Hill and a friend of his from Norway and Brion and Al from Sioux City joined us. We had burgers and cheeseburgers and french fries and fried mushrooms and onion rings and cheese balls and soda and beer - all of the essential food groups. If you are not familiar with Bob’s, I should tell you that besides the burgers being big, the side orders are huge. Everyone got their fill and I think there was still some food left. Many of the world problems were discussed and solved and soon it was time to hit the road. We rode back through Vermillion and then east through Spink and Akron, Ia., and then north. This was the Autobahn Club's third annual March ride to Bob's Bar. We had 12 people in attendance, 9 bikes and 2 cars--not a bad turn out for mid-March in the midwest.
Ed writes, “Bill and his wife live in a small town in northern Norway. (He is actually an ethnic Laplander) She is a scientist, he is a carpenter, and they have three beautiful young girls. She does scientific research (molecular cell structure and deeper) and teaches at a Norwegian university. Twice the university has sent her to San Diego, CA, on a research grant. The most recent was from just before Christmas until this March. As the winter in Norway is not a great time for construction, Bill and the kids went with her. Bill home schooled their kids thru the internet with their school back home while in San Diego.
Bill likes BMW motorcycles, fast cars, old tractors (and beer). You know he has to be a great guy. Thanks to our members at Bob’s Bar in Martinsburg, he really had a good time there. He said it was the highlight of his trip. He and his family are now back home in Norway.”
Story by Dale Nordlie. Pictures by Brion Hase, Gary Johnson, Dale Nordlie & Mary Hawes
Larry Hawes, Bill Claussen, Gary Johnson, Dennis Erickson and Dale Nordlie put on “many layers” before heading for the “Big Burger Capital of the World”, Bob’s Bar at Martinsburg, NE. The trek is an annual “first nice Saturday in March” ride. Bob Jensen followed up in shirt sleeves in his HHR.
Gary thought that rather than setting a specific date in March for our ride to Bob's Bar this year, we should schedule it for the first nice Saturday. That turned out to be March 19th. Gary, Bill, Larry, Dennis, Bob and I took off from Grandma Max's with the temperature somewhere in the 40s. We rode back roads down to Vermillion and caught up with Gerald and a friend of his from Alaska, Jay Johnson, at the gas station on the edge of town. (See insert at right.) They hadn't ridden into Sioux Falls earlier, because of fog and crappy weather farther east. From there we crossed the bridge over the Missouri River into Nebraska.
We arrived at Bob's Bar (Home of the Big Burger) in Martinsburg around noon. Someone commented that the place looked closed and he looked into the window to see if anyone was around. Evidently the bartender/cook/waitress saw him and soon was at the window making faces and sticking out her tongue. I thought that would be a good shot for the newsletter and got my camera off the bike, AND THEN, I look up and she was mooning us. Neither Gary nor I was quick enough to get that shot - Gary's camera batteries were dead and I was just too slow. She told me that she had been wanting to do that for over two weeks (must have been a hard winter in Nebraska), and we were the "lucky" recipients. I couldn't convince her to do a repeat performance for the camera!!
We sat at a large table in the back of the bar and placed our orders. Soon Ed Hill and a friend of his from Norway and Brion and Al from Sioux City joined us. We had burgers and cheeseburgers and french fries and fried mushrooms and onion rings and cheese balls and soda and beer - all of the essential food groups. If you are not familiar with Bob’s, I should tell you that besides the burgers being big, the side orders are huge. Everyone got their fill and I think there was still some food left. Many of the world problems were discussed and solved and soon it was time to hit the road. We rode back through Vermillion and then east through Spink and Akron, Ia., and then north. This was the Autobahn Club's third annual March ride to Bob's Bar. We had 12 people in attendance, 9 bikes and 2 cars--not a bad turn out for mid-March in the midwest.
Ed writes, “Bill and his wife live in a small town in northern Norway. (He is actually an ethnic Laplander) She is a scientist, he is a carpenter, and they have three beautiful young girls. She does scientific research (molecular cell structure and deeper) and teaches at a Norwegian university. Twice the university has sent her to San Diego, CA, on a research grant. The most recent was from just before Christmas until this March. As the winter in Norway is not a great time for construction, Bill and the kids went with her. Bill home schooled their kids thru the internet with their school back home while in San Diego.
Bill likes BMW motorcycles, fast cars, old tractors (and beer). You know he has to be a great guy. Thanks to our members at Bob’s Bar in Martinsburg, he really had a good time there. He said it was the highlight of his trip. He and his family are now back home in Norway.”
Annual Meeting Questionaire Response
Thanks to those of you who took the time to respond to the questionnaire with last month’s newsletter. There were NO complaints - unless you count the several questions, “Where was the desert?” Imagine that, someone from Autobahn, aka “WHINE and DINE club”, wanting desert???
Favorable comments were:
--Food was good and plenty of it. Liked
the menu and the buffet style.
--Enjoyed the round table set up – easy to
visit. The party room was nice size.
--The cloth tablecloths & napkins, &
glassware made it seem special.
--There was easy access to lower level
entrance from parking area which also
had plenty of parking spaces.
--Good selection of door prizes which kept
everyone’s interest.
Everyone commented on one of the questions – availability of alcohol. It was unanimous. The availability, or not, of alcohol would not be the determining factor of whether or not an Autobahner would attend the Annual Meeting. However, several said they would enjoy a beer if it was available.
Some suggestions for future meetings:
--Give out some awards – funny & serious.
--If the venue serves liquor, do not have a
bar and bartender specifically for
Autobahn. Those who prefer a drink
would not mind purchasing from the
main bar.
--Could a simple desert have been
substituted at Cherry Creek for the
second potato entrée.
Below is an unofficial report on receipts and expenses from the Annual Meeting.
Receipts:
Meals and “bonus”
door prize tickets. $890.00
Expenses:
Meals $917.32
Room Rent 75.00
Door Prizes 340.25
Total Expenses $1332.57
Favorable comments were:
--Food was good and plenty of it. Liked
the menu and the buffet style.
--Enjoyed the round table set up – easy to
visit. The party room was nice size.
--The cloth tablecloths & napkins, &
glassware made it seem special.
--There was easy access to lower level
entrance from parking area which also
had plenty of parking spaces.
--Good selection of door prizes which kept
everyone’s interest.
Everyone commented on one of the questions – availability of alcohol. It was unanimous. The availability, or not, of alcohol would not be the determining factor of whether or not an Autobahner would attend the Annual Meeting. However, several said they would enjoy a beer if it was available.
Some suggestions for future meetings:
--Give out some awards – funny & serious.
--If the venue serves liquor, do not have a
bar and bartender specifically for
Autobahn. Those who prefer a drink
would not mind purchasing from the
main bar.
--Could a simple desert have been
substituted at Cherry Creek for the
second potato entrée.
Below is an unofficial report on receipts and expenses from the Annual Meeting.
Receipts:
Meals and “bonus”
door prize tickets. $890.00
Expenses:
Meals $917.32
Room Rent 75.00
Door Prizes 340.25
Total Expenses $1332.57
Note from Tom Meister
Happy to see that the Autobahn Society is still in good hands. You (JoAnn) and Mary do a great job on the Newsletters. I’ve been reading last year’s letters to get me through the winter. Could you put a want ad in the newsletter for me. Wanted: A 33/11 rear drive for a R90/6. Also included a joke you can use if you want to fatten up the newsletter a little.
This April I will be celebrating an anniversary of sorts. I will have owned my R90/6 for thirty-six years. It doesn’t seem possible. The price was amazing, for me at least, at that time - $3200. That got me a 1975 R90/6 with crash bars.
This sweet running boxer has taken me to a lot of rallies over the years. From Key West & back, the Three Flags Classic which took us to Tijuana and up to Vancouver, and from there to Winnipeg and then down to the Dells BMW rally. Paige Herrig also riding a R90/6 at the time was a constant riding buddy of mine.
Due to riding style changes only, I am on the third fairing, second gas tank and third set of handlebars. I think I’ll keep her a little longer. I would rather sell my grandmother into slavery than sell that bike.
This April I will be celebrating an anniversary of sorts. I will have owned my R90/6 for thirty-six years. It doesn’t seem possible. The price was amazing, for me at least, at that time - $3200. That got me a 1975 R90/6 with crash bars.
This sweet running boxer has taken me to a lot of rallies over the years. From Key West & back, the Three Flags Classic which took us to Tijuana and up to Vancouver, and from there to Winnipeg and then down to the Dells BMW rally. Paige Herrig also riding a R90/6 at the time was a constant riding buddy of mine.
Due to riding style changes only, I am on the third fairing, second gas tank and third set of handlebars. I think I’ll keep her a little longer. I would rather sell my grandmother into slavery than sell that bike.
Autobahner Profile - Gordon Courbat
Submitted by Gordon Courbat
Susan and I met about 17 years ago in Denver where she owned a photography business and I was working in the roofing industry. This is our 15th year of marriage and we have been blessed with a son, Kohl, who is 12 years old and attends Tea Intermediate School. Susan is a Coding Manager at Sanford and I work on a seasonal basis with a contractor specializing in stone coated steel roofing, windows, siding and sunrooms. I spent nearly 20 years as a commercial photographer and the past 23 years in the roofing business. We also own and manage a few rental properties which keep me in a constant state of anxiety and frustration. We moved to SD 10 years ago to be closer to family members who had major health issues and we wanted to bring up our son with family and what we thought was a better environment for him to grow up in.
A 1952 Harley Hummer was my first bike at the age of 14 and at 16 I bought a 1948 Triumph 500 Speed Twin rigid frame (picture at bottom of page) that had been built for a flat track racer in Waterloo, Ia., and converted to a street bike. A friend of mine bought a new 1957 Bonneville and it really used to irritate him that my old 500 could leave him in the dust. Why did I sell that thing? My parents sold it for me while I was away in the Marines and needed the money*#*.
As the years passed by I have owned a succession of other bikes. In the early 60's I worked for Kellogg’s Cereal in Battle Creek, Mi. and started racing flat track and TT around the midwest area. We had a group of about 6 guys that rode together year around either trail riding or traveling to the races. Lots of fun and crazy experi- ences those days.
In 1969 I decided I wanted to be a photographer and moved to Santa Barbara, CA to attend school at Brooks's Institute of Photography. Later I had a photography business and camera store in Breckenridge, CO., and traveled for an advertising agency doing photo assignments - primarily for Eli Lily Co. in their farm products division. Later I took a job marketing stone coated steel roofing and discovered that I really enjoyed the work, the people, the outdoors and the fact I could also make use of my photo skills. So here I am still selling a product that I thoroughly believe in and getting the opportunity to meet a lot of nice people in the process. But, this weather is beginning to p_ _ _ me off!!!
I was introduced to Autobahn and BMWs by Jerry Zeeb and Gary Landeen. Last summer I bought my first BMW (89 K100RS) and a short time later sold it and purchased a 2003 F-650CS that seems to fit me much better. I have never really done any touring and am looking forward to some good rides and a little adventure with some of the great people I've met in your group. Susan is not too fond of motorcycles so I will be traveling one-up and taking lots of photos. Lately I have been trying to outfit my bike and equipment to be ready for the fun to begin! Always open to your tips and suggestions. Anyone up for the MOA Rally in Pa. this summer???
As a family we enjoy camping and bicycle riding and plan to travel to Chattanooga, TN, this summer to visit Susan's brother, Kevin Ault, and his family. From what I hear there are some pretty awesome places to ride in Tennessee. How do we fit this all in? We're going to try!!!
Susan and I met about 17 years ago in Denver where she owned a photography business and I was working in the roofing industry. This is our 15th year of marriage and we have been blessed with a son, Kohl, who is 12 years old and attends Tea Intermediate School. Susan is a Coding Manager at Sanford and I work on a seasonal basis with a contractor specializing in stone coated steel roofing, windows, siding and sunrooms. I spent nearly 20 years as a commercial photographer and the past 23 years in the roofing business. We also own and manage a few rental properties which keep me in a constant state of anxiety and frustration. We moved to SD 10 years ago to be closer to family members who had major health issues and we wanted to bring up our son with family and what we thought was a better environment for him to grow up in.
A 1952 Harley Hummer was my first bike at the age of 14 and at 16 I bought a 1948 Triumph 500 Speed Twin rigid frame (picture at bottom of page) that had been built for a flat track racer in Waterloo, Ia., and converted to a street bike. A friend of mine bought a new 1957 Bonneville and it really used to irritate him that my old 500 could leave him in the dust. Why did I sell that thing? My parents sold it for me while I was away in the Marines and needed the money*#*.
As the years passed by I have owned a succession of other bikes. In the early 60's I worked for Kellogg’s Cereal in Battle Creek, Mi. and started racing flat track and TT around the midwest area. We had a group of about 6 guys that rode together year around either trail riding or traveling to the races. Lots of fun and crazy experi- ences those days.
In 1969 I decided I wanted to be a photographer and moved to Santa Barbara, CA to attend school at Brooks's Institute of Photography. Later I had a photography business and camera store in Breckenridge, CO., and traveled for an advertising agency doing photo assignments - primarily for Eli Lily Co. in their farm products division. Later I took a job marketing stone coated steel roofing and discovered that I really enjoyed the work, the people, the outdoors and the fact I could also make use of my photo skills. So here I am still selling a product that I thoroughly believe in and getting the opportunity to meet a lot of nice people in the process. But, this weather is beginning to p_ _ _ me off!!!
I was introduced to Autobahn and BMWs by Jerry Zeeb and Gary Landeen. Last summer I bought my first BMW (89 K100RS) and a short time later sold it and purchased a 2003 F-650CS that seems to fit me much better. I have never really done any touring and am looking forward to some good rides and a little adventure with some of the great people I've met in your group. Susan is not too fond of motorcycles so I will be traveling one-up and taking lots of photos. Lately I have been trying to outfit my bike and equipment to be ready for the fun to begin! Always open to your tips and suggestions. Anyone up for the MOA Rally in Pa. this summer???
As a family we enjoy camping and bicycle riding and plan to travel to Chattanooga, TN, this summer to visit Susan's brother, Kevin Ault, and his family. From what I hear there are some pretty awesome places to ride in Tennessee. How do we fit this all in? We're going to try!!!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Autobahn Society Annual Meeting/Party
Autobahn Annual Meeting/Party
Saturday, February 19, 2011
6:00PM Social Hour - Cash Bar
7:00PM Dinner
Business Meeting to Follow
(2011 Club Dues will be collected)
Cherry Creek Grill
3104 E. 26th St, Sioux Falls, S.D
Lower Level Party Room
Use door on N. side of building
Features “Perfect Buffet”
Chicken Breast in Cream Sauce, Roast Beef,
Salad Bar, Potatoes, Vegetable & Coffee
Cost - $20 per person (includes tip)
Please RSVP Soon
Jo Anne Zeeb,
joannzeeb@hotmail.com or 605-498-1322
or Gary Johnson,
buzzfeldspar@yahoo.com or 605-558-1008
Da Prez Sez, February 2011, by Gary Johnson
Hi everyone. Time is slipping by fast until the Annual Meeting. I hope to see lots of you there. We will have elections for the following positions; President, Sec-treasuer, and newsletter editor/publisher. Be thinking about who you would like to have in those positions. There will be door prizes, maybe a program, maybe other surprises, who knows what can happen at an Autobahn Annual Meeting?
I need to get a good number turned in to Cherry Creek so we have enough food for everyone. If you haven’t made your reservation, do so SOON.
Bob Jenson volunteered his place to anyone who wants a place to stay after the meeting. Bob is only a few blocks from Cherry Creek and he says anyone can "campout" in his basement. This is an option for anyone who doesn't want to drive home afterward or just wants to save the money they would spend on a motel room. Contact him at 605-201-4199.
Now for some personal comments, Jan & I survived a rather nasty car accident January 9th. Thanks to divine intervention, I believe, we were spared serious injuries or worse. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and other acts of kindness. We feel very blessed to have such good friends.
I hope to see all of you Feb. 19th and I sincerely hope all of us have a safe, fun, and productive rest of the year! Gary, "Das Prez" Johnson.
I need to get a good number turned in to Cherry Creek so we have enough food for everyone. If you haven’t made your reservation, do so SOON.
Bob Jenson volunteered his place to anyone who wants a place to stay after the meeting. Bob is only a few blocks from Cherry Creek and he says anyone can "campout" in his basement. This is an option for anyone who doesn't want to drive home afterward or just wants to save the money they would spend on a motel room. Contact him at 605-201-4199.
Now for some personal comments, Jan & I survived a rather nasty car accident January 9th. Thanks to divine intervention, I believe, we were spared serious injuries or worse. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and other acts of kindness. We feel very blessed to have such good friends.
I hope to see all of you Feb. 19th and I sincerely hope all of us have a safe, fun, and productive rest of the year! Gary, "Das Prez" Johnson.
Das Prez Sez, January 2011, By Gary Johnson
I hope all of you had a great Christmas and New Years. James & Linda Anderson, Dale Nordlie, the First Lady & I attended the Big Sioux Riders' Christmas party in Sioux City last month. A good time was had by all. In a sad note I want all of you to keep Randy Roos in your prayers. Randy was at the party in good spirits and a few days later was flown to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls with some serious medical issues and is still in intensive care.
Back to the point I'm trying to make; It seems whenever motorcycle riders get together, there is a comradery that's hard to beat. It can be the Wed. night suppers, Sat. AM breakfasts, rallies, Hawes Biker Days, the annual meeting or just a few riders getting together for coffee or beverages. Whatever it is, there seems to be a fun factor that makes our lives so much more enjoyable. By now, some of us are getting cabin fever or riding withdrawals. Not all of us can seek out better weather. I got a Christmas gift that is helping my fragile mental state. It's a small remote controlled helicopter called an "Air Hog" (no connection to the 2 wheeled "Hog"). I was sort of joking about wanting a toy helicopter that really flies, and my step-daughter got one for me! It's really fun, some hands-on activity that takes my mind off riding, or lack of riding. It's sort of like a giant dragon fly buzzing around the living room. Anyway, that's how I am coping with this frigid weather. Have a good New Year, see you at the Annual Meeting!
P.S. My New Year’s Resolutions are ----
RIDE MORE, RIDE MORE, & RIDE MORE!!.
Back to the point I'm trying to make; It seems whenever motorcycle riders get together, there is a comradery that's hard to beat. It can be the Wed. night suppers, Sat. AM breakfasts, rallies, Hawes Biker Days, the annual meeting or just a few riders getting together for coffee or beverages. Whatever it is, there seems to be a fun factor that makes our lives so much more enjoyable. By now, some of us are getting cabin fever or riding withdrawals. Not all of us can seek out better weather. I got a Christmas gift that is helping my fragile mental state. It's a small remote controlled helicopter called an "Air Hog" (no connection to the 2 wheeled "Hog"). I was sort of joking about wanting a toy helicopter that really flies, and my step-daughter got one for me! It's really fun, some hands-on activity that takes my mind off riding, or lack of riding. It's sort of like a giant dragon fly buzzing around the living room. Anyway, that's how I am coping with this frigid weather. Have a good New Year, see you at the Annual Meeting!
P.S. My New Year’s Resolutions are ----
RIDE MORE, RIDE MORE, & RIDE MORE!!.
The Autobahn in Colorado, by Rich Crawford
Reba and I lived in Iowa for over 41 years, the last 11 in the tri-state area surrounding Sioux Falls, SD. We’ve always enjoyed the orderliness of the gently rolling hills and square sections of land surrounded by gravel or paved roads, always well maintained. Motorcycle riding amidst Iowa farmland is fairly predictable, and you always know where you are or how far you are from the next intersection – there’s one every mile. Many riders follow the river valleys (Big Sioux, Little Sioux, Rock, etc) to escape the monotony of roads that always run straight north-south or east-west. We search for sweeping curves and hills that allow us to appreciate the great engineering of our Beemers, Harleys or Rice Burners.
Moving to Colorado during the spring of 2010 allowed us to experience those sweeping curves and hills (mountains) on an everyday basis. In fact, we first tested those hills in August, 2009. After linking up with son Tony in Milwaukee, who was relocating from Bronx, NY, to the Denver area on his 1980’s vintage K75 via a 6-week route, we rode together across WI and IA to Larchwood (elev. 1440). A few weeks later we saddled up once again for a 2-day ride to Golden, CO, by way of the Black Hills. Immediately upon arriving at Tony’s sister’s place in Golden, we were informed the plan for the next day was a ride up “the highest continuous hard surface highway in the continental U.S.” . The whole family gathered at Katix’s place (she lives in a motor home in Golden) to welcome Tony to his new state, and to celebrate with a family ride up Mount Evans. By noon we had traversed some of the most interesting sweeping curves and mountain roads (most without side rails) to reach the summit at 14,246’ above sea level.
Now remember, two days earlier Tony and I were at Larchwood, with an elevation just over one tenth that of Mount Evans. By the time we reached the summit, we were both light-headed. I felt very unsteady at the helm of my R1100RT. My stomach was upset, and I had no stamina. I suggested to my 15-yr old passenger that he might want to ride back down the hill with his Dad on his Honda for safety’s sake. Seeing the increasing blue-green color of my complexion, he quickly agreed. By the time we took a rest break at around 10,000 feet I felt much better. If you like challenging hills, sweeping curves and breathtaking views, I recommend the trip up Mount Evans, just west of Denver and Golden. Just don’t do it your first day in Colorado !
This July, after living in our rural Colorado Springs home (elev 7,350) for 5 months, Reba and I agreed that the ride up Pike’s Peak was well overdue. We can appreciate the view of the Peak from our family room (as can most of the folks living in the SE quarter of the state) but we’d never challenged the hill. I was committed to hiking up Pike’s Peak on Saturday with a group of young men from church, and felt it would be a great idea for Reba & I to motor to the top in advance to get a feel for the hill. We rode 40 miles southwest from home, and reached the base of the mountain by 10AM. Before noon we’d conquered it on the RT, learning that the peak was at 14,115’ elevation, and that the route is still not all blacktop. They’re improving the highway each year, but there are still over 3 miles of gravel somewhere near the tree line. Yes, we both still experienced a bit of that light-headed feeling at the peak, but not nearly as acutely as before we had become acclimated to the thin air. It’s another of those rides I recommend to each of you.
There are two caveats I’ll pass on to you about riding in Colorado. First, there are few level parking lots. If you’re accustomed to bringing your RT to a stop and putting both feet on the ground at the same time, get ready for a change. My favorite passenger and I were coasting to a stop at the visitor’s center at the U.S. Air Force Academy, looking for a safe place to park out of traffic. In a moment of inattention, I was shocked to find that while my left boot hit the pavement as planned my right boot was still perhaps 6” from terra firma. As you may be aware, this can result in an embarrassing fall to the right and an upset passenger. Fortunately she was wearing her helmet, and suffered only a bruise on the leg. And the RT?? - a busted right mirror glass once again ($88). The biggest embarrassment was the need to accept the assistance of a young AF cadet in righting the bike.
While Reba limped toward the Visitor’s Center I searched for a safe parking place and chose a small spot near the curb at the opposite end of the parking lot, safe from four-wheeled demons. I parked the RT on the side stand, realizing this spot sloped to the right too much for the center stand. Well, you know what happened after our tour of the Visitor’s Center and lunch. We donned our jackets, helmets and gloves, and I suggested to Reba that she mount the bike before I did (she finds that easier to do when we have both the trunk and side bags installed.) Since I underestimated the grade of the parking lot, the left handlebar simply escaped my hand as she mounted, pulling the bike to the curb on the right side again. This time it broke the whole mirror assembly ($278 or something like that). I won’t even mention that Reba took a much harder fall this time, hitting her helmeted head on the concrete curb. And yes, since it was parent’s weekend, there was another strapping young cadet quick to impress his folks with his ability to assist an old soldier in making his bike vertical again.
I promised you two caveats. First, no level parking lots. Second, they won’t take your check in Colorado. At least not without your driver’s license, birth certificate and certified letter of credit from your bank. I took the RT to the local Colorado Springs BMW dealer for a tire replacement. One thing led to another and soon we have a $918 total bill for two tires, complete 18,000 mile servicing, and a few other extras. Just before closing time service manager phoned to say the bike is done, so I pulled Reba off the lawn mower to accompany me to the shop. In our rush, neither of us thought to bring a billfold or purse, credit card or driver’s license. As we finished going over the service ticket and trying to figure out how a tire or two resulted in a $918 tally, I gave up and wrote out the check. “We’ll need to see your Colorado driver’s license.” Well, no, it’s in the office. “Your wife’s?” No, it’s in her car at home. Gave him my social security number (against my better judgment) and he tried running my check through his machine. No, the machine refused it. Gotta’ be your Colorado driver’s license. By this time a mechanic started wheeling my Beemer back inside the shop, so the fact that I had the ignition key in my little hand did not mean a thing. We had to make a second trip to the city the next day to redeem the RT. In SD you can write a check for your gas or groceries or bike service any day. On a recent visit to Aberdeen the supermarket clerk even offered to accept my out-of-state check in exchange for cash to give me some walking-around money. But in Colorado, bring your credit or debit card…..and your driver’s license. “In God we trust; for all others it’s cash or VISA”.
In closing, just let me state how much fun it is to ride the RT on Colorado’s sweeping blacktop mountain curves and high speed interstates. One August Saturday when cruising toward my son’s new home in surburban Denver, I noted that the speed of traffic in left lane of 8-lane Interstate 25 within the city limits was 90 MPH by my speedometer. In Wyoming when cruising I-25 north of Cheyenne toward Spearfish, I found myself easily cruising 100 to 110. In Wyoming , they don’t care, and there do not seem to be any state patrol cars. However, I was shocked when a friend pointed out to me that I had been lax on my attention to tire maintenance. Steel belts were showing all along the middle of my rear tire. And that’s what led to the $918 invoice---and now you know the rest of the story.
Moving to Colorado during the spring of 2010 allowed us to experience those sweeping curves and hills (mountains) on an everyday basis. In fact, we first tested those hills in August, 2009. After linking up with son Tony in Milwaukee, who was relocating from Bronx, NY, to the Denver area on his 1980’s vintage K75 via a 6-week route, we rode together across WI and IA to Larchwood (elev. 1440). A few weeks later we saddled up once again for a 2-day ride to Golden, CO, by way of the Black Hills. Immediately upon arriving at Tony’s sister’s place in Golden, we were informed the plan for the next day was a ride up “the highest continuous hard surface highway in the continental U.S.” . The whole family gathered at Katix’s place (she lives in a motor home in Golden) to welcome Tony to his new state, and to celebrate with a family ride up Mount Evans. By noon we had traversed some of the most interesting sweeping curves and mountain roads (most without side rails) to reach the summit at 14,246’ above sea level.
Now remember, two days earlier Tony and I were at Larchwood, with an elevation just over one tenth that of Mount Evans. By the time we reached the summit, we were both light-headed. I felt very unsteady at the helm of my R1100RT. My stomach was upset, and I had no stamina. I suggested to my 15-yr old passenger that he might want to ride back down the hill with his Dad on his Honda for safety’s sake. Seeing the increasing blue-green color of my complexion, he quickly agreed. By the time we took a rest break at around 10,000 feet I felt much better. If you like challenging hills, sweeping curves and breathtaking views, I recommend the trip up Mount Evans, just west of Denver and Golden. Just don’t do it your first day in Colorado !
This July, after living in our rural Colorado Springs home (elev 7,350) for 5 months, Reba and I agreed that the ride up Pike’s Peak was well overdue. We can appreciate the view of the Peak from our family room (as can most of the folks living in the SE quarter of the state) but we’d never challenged the hill. I was committed to hiking up Pike’s Peak on Saturday with a group of young men from church, and felt it would be a great idea for Reba & I to motor to the top in advance to get a feel for the hill. We rode 40 miles southwest from home, and reached the base of the mountain by 10AM. Before noon we’d conquered it on the RT, learning that the peak was at 14,115’ elevation, and that the route is still not all blacktop. They’re improving the highway each year, but there are still over 3 miles of gravel somewhere near the tree line. Yes, we both still experienced a bit of that light-headed feeling at the peak, but not nearly as acutely as before we had become acclimated to the thin air. It’s another of those rides I recommend to each of you.
There are two caveats I’ll pass on to you about riding in Colorado. First, there are few level parking lots. If you’re accustomed to bringing your RT to a stop and putting both feet on the ground at the same time, get ready for a change. My favorite passenger and I were coasting to a stop at the visitor’s center at the U.S. Air Force Academy, looking for a safe place to park out of traffic. In a moment of inattention, I was shocked to find that while my left boot hit the pavement as planned my right boot was still perhaps 6” from terra firma. As you may be aware, this can result in an embarrassing fall to the right and an upset passenger. Fortunately she was wearing her helmet, and suffered only a bruise on the leg. And the RT?? - a busted right mirror glass once again ($88). The biggest embarrassment was the need to accept the assistance of a young AF cadet in righting the bike.
While Reba limped toward the Visitor’s Center I searched for a safe parking place and chose a small spot near the curb at the opposite end of the parking lot, safe from four-wheeled demons. I parked the RT on the side stand, realizing this spot sloped to the right too much for the center stand. Well, you know what happened after our tour of the Visitor’s Center and lunch. We donned our jackets, helmets and gloves, and I suggested to Reba that she mount the bike before I did (she finds that easier to do when we have both the trunk and side bags installed.) Since I underestimated the grade of the parking lot, the left handlebar simply escaped my hand as she mounted, pulling the bike to the curb on the right side again. This time it broke the whole mirror assembly ($278 or something like that). I won’t even mention that Reba took a much harder fall this time, hitting her helmeted head on the concrete curb. And yes, since it was parent’s weekend, there was another strapping young cadet quick to impress his folks with his ability to assist an old soldier in making his bike vertical again.
I promised you two caveats. First, no level parking lots. Second, they won’t take your check in Colorado. At least not without your driver’s license, birth certificate and certified letter of credit from your bank. I took the RT to the local Colorado Springs BMW dealer for a tire replacement. One thing led to another and soon we have a $918 total bill for two tires, complete 18,000 mile servicing, and a few other extras. Just before closing time service manager phoned to say the bike is done, so I pulled Reba off the lawn mower to accompany me to the shop. In our rush, neither of us thought to bring a billfold or purse, credit card or driver’s license. As we finished going over the service ticket and trying to figure out how a tire or two resulted in a $918 tally, I gave up and wrote out the check. “We’ll need to see your Colorado driver’s license.” Well, no, it’s in the office. “Your wife’s?” No, it’s in her car at home. Gave him my social security number (against my better judgment) and he tried running my check through his machine. No, the machine refused it. Gotta’ be your Colorado driver’s license. By this time a mechanic started wheeling my Beemer back inside the shop, so the fact that I had the ignition key in my little hand did not mean a thing. We had to make a second trip to the city the next day to redeem the RT. In SD you can write a check for your gas or groceries or bike service any day. On a recent visit to Aberdeen the supermarket clerk even offered to accept my out-of-state check in exchange for cash to give me some walking-around money. But in Colorado, bring your credit or debit card…..and your driver’s license. “In God we trust; for all others it’s cash or VISA”.
In closing, just let me state how much fun it is to ride the RT on Colorado’s sweeping blacktop mountain curves and high speed interstates. One August Saturday when cruising toward my son’s new home in surburban Denver, I noted that the speed of traffic in left lane of 8-lane Interstate 25 within the city limits was 90 MPH by my speedometer. In Wyoming when cruising I-25 north of Cheyenne toward Spearfish, I found myself easily cruising 100 to 110. In Wyoming , they don’t care, and there do not seem to be any state patrol cars. However, I was shocked when a friend pointed out to me that I had been lax on my attention to tire maintenance. Steel belts were showing all along the middle of my rear tire. And that’s what led to the $918 invoice---and now you know the rest of the story.
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