Day 6, Lead SD  (Total miles logged 3,256)

Wednesday was a special day in my 2024 journey. I spent Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning catching up with special friends, Cathy and Mike Campbell and Cathy’s mom, Ruby Nell Kitterman. 

We had a wonderful visit over homemade dinner and breakfast and chatted into the evening.

I am obvious in highly favored with the Campbell’s, as Mike moved his truck out of the garage for me to park my motorcycle. He also took time this morning to clean the bug splatters and road grime from it this morning before I left.

Riding the flat plains of Colorado and Wyoming I didn’t have to worry about riding in any cold temperatures this morning. It was also nice the states removed all the trees and mountains so I could see for miles, and miles and miles. For the record, if you took away the Rocky Mountains and Continental Divide, Colorado and Wyoming would be as flat as western Kansas.

The wheat harvest is still underway in Colorado and Wyoming as I encountered a few harvester crews repositioning equipment north along Highway 85. Fortunately, no major delays getting around them, as traffic was relatively light.

As if by cue, the clouds gathered and temperatures cooled as I came into the Black Hills region and progressed toward my hotel destination in the city of Lead, SD. The ride into the Black Hills area was further enhanced as I rode along a crystal clear mountain stream, complete with beautiful wild flowers, and small waterfalls.

At my hotel, I have an added bonus of indoor parking so, should it rain during the nights, the shine on my motorcycle Mike worked hard to produce this morning will be preserved. 

I did ride through Sturgis Main Street as they were preparing for the official start of the rally this Friday.  I even collected my mandatory rally pin and patch, so I’m all set for souvenirs.

Tomorrow I will be riding local routes will include Custer State Park, Iron Mountain Highway and possibly Needles Highway. Getting here before the rally means the roads will not be too crowded.

Mileage through day 6 is 3,256

 Day 5, Denver CO (Miles logged 2805)

After an early breakfast, I said farewell to Jeff Whisler, my personal police escort riding partner for Sunday and Monday.  We had a fun two days of adventure together getting to know each other better and sharing stories during good meals.

I rode out solo once again for a day of riding several Colorado mountain passes. My decision to don full leather gear at the start of the morning was a wise decision as I quickly rode into 40 degree temperature heading into the Gunnison Canyon area.   

The chipmunks and ground squirrels on the winding Highway 92 were out in force on the roadway playing their version of chicken, as they held their ground for my approaching motorcycle or darted away at the last second.  It felt like I was playing the part of a bull running the streets of Paploma Spain with the chipmunk playing the part of brave mozos trying to not get trampled.  I am happy to report the dozens of “mini mozos“ were unharmed.

The day was stuffed full of gorgeous scenery no camera could begin to capture to do justice. Colorado is truly best experienced in person. The countless rivers, streams, lakes and woodlands were spectacular. The majestic spruce and pine trees along the valleys and gorges stood firm and proud while the aspen groves framed the mountainside like formidable white and black picket fences or soldiers dressed for battle.  While their Fall yellow leaves are always striking, the summer glisten of light and dark green against the white bark was just as soothing.

I traversed  Independence Pass, the third highest pass at 12,095, along with  Hardscrabble Pass, Hoosier Pass, and Berthod Pass to make a day.

I finished the day riding Highway 6 through the canyon and Golden CO on my way to spend the evening with good friends Mike and Cathy Campbell. in Denver.

The cumulative mileage through five days now stands at 2,805 miles.

 Day 4, Montrose CO (Miles logged 2294)

Jeff Whisler and I left the hotel in Kanab, UT at 6:30 this morning to get a jump on what we knew would be a long day of riding with frequent stops for photos and to enjoy the scenery. Apparently, we were oblivious to the 4+ magnitude earthquake in the Kanab area yesterday evening. 

The day required multiple changes in riding gear,  as temperatures ranged from the upper 40s to over 110 degrees.

Our route took us by Bryce Canyon, the Grand Staircase, Glenn Canyon and Capitol Reef, UT, and Telluride CO. Each area had spectacular views and fun technical riding. I'm sharing just a few of the pictures below, but as you know, pictures hardly do the scenery justice!

We did have a little excitement with a couple of cows while riding through an open range area when a young calf decided to dart in front of Jeff as we were riding by them. Jeff’s keen riding expertise helped avoid what could have been a disaster. It was definitely enjoyable riding with Jeff and sharing the day together.

Finished day 4 with just under 2,300 miles.

I will say farewell to my friend Jeff tomorrow as he heads back toward Phoenix and I head to see friends in Denver area. Looks like another good day of riding for both of us.

I captured some beautiful pictures from the Capitol Reef Park and Glenn Canyon, Utah. The first one is "The Grand Staircase."  

The next few photos are from the Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. A bit of information about the area follows the photos.

 

Capitol Reef National Park lies in Utah’s south-central desert, an oasis of colorful sandstone cliffs and impressive domes. This area is referred to the area as the “land of the sleeping rainbow” because of its beautiful contrasts: multi-colored sandstone. The photos below are from Glen Canyon, Utah.

Day 3, Kanab UT (Miles logged 1712)

The ride from Phoenix AZ to Kanab UT was enjoyable, even with heavy, weekend traffic in the Sedona area. For days three and four I will have Jeff Whisler, retired Topeka police officer, motorcycle division, riding with me.

Leaving Phoenix we quickly left the heat of the desert floor as we wound our way into the mountains through Yarnell,  Prescott, Jerome and Sedona.  We then made our way around the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon and along the north rim.

The mountain vistas were stunning in the morning sunshine. The majesty of natural formations and the cutting erosion of the Colorado River sure makes one feel small.  It’s truly awesome to think God spoke such massive beauty into existence.

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Ending mileage for Day 3 was 1711.9

We have an even greater experience in store for tomorrow. I can’t wait!

Day 2, Phoenix AZ (Miles logged 1320)

Day two started with a scenic drive along the Rio Grande River gorge south of Taos, NM. The pleasant morning temperatures gave way to scorching heat of the desert floor as I made my way through Albuquerque. That New Mexico heat was just a warmup to what awaited me in Phoenix as I ended my day. 

The lava flows of El Malpais and the majestic sandstone cliffs along Highway 117 southeast of Grant, NM were equally stunning.

I  hope you enjoy the pictures below from Day 2 of my ride. Many of you are in my thoughts and prayers I travel these roads each day. 

Riding this road south was definitely more relaxing than my trip through here riding in the opposite direction in 2020. It was quite an experience.  At that time, there was a two-inch layer of crushed road rock spread across the roadway the entire route. 

I was holding up fine during the ride, but the same cannot be said for my riding gear. Just before crossing from New Mexico into Arizona, I discovered half of the sole of my left boot had separated, which required a detour to a local Ace Hardware store for some shoe glue. However, my attempted repair was not very successful so I ended up stopping at a local Harley Davidson dealership in Phoenix to purchase new boots because, for the first time, I only packed one pair of riding boots. (Lesson learned) Lucky for me, I found a pair in my size on clearance at 75% off. God was definitely watching over me during this ride. 

Day 2 ended with 1,320 cumulative miles. 

Sunday and Monday I’ll be joined by Jeff Whisler, a retired Topeka officer from the motorcycle division, who now lives in the Phoenix area. Nothing like having a personal police escort to keep me in line. The journey should be more pleasant as we head into the mountains of Arizona, Utah and Colorado.

Day 1, Taos NM (Miles logged 733)

After attending breakfast with the Friday morning men’s group at Wanamaker Woods, I headed West by Southwest.

The morning was pleasant, however, temperatures rose as I headed past the many fields and grain elevators. Oil wells also dotted the landscape like ants on a picnic table. As I progressed West, meeting the never-ending parade of trucks, it dawned on me, if I had an $1 for every cattle hauler, grain truck or tanker I met, we could probably fund the children’s ministry for about three years. 

I stopped in Jetmore, Kansas, for lunch at a very tiny “hidden gem” called Judy’s Cafe. Had a fresh, ground beef burger with hand-cut fries.  

The smell of money (cattle pens) in western Kansas and eastern Colorado gave way to the more pleasant aroma of sage and pine through the rocky mountains in Colorado and New Mexico.

I also got my first traffic delay coming across the foothills of eastern Colorado as well as my first downpour of rain west of Walsenburg, CO. 

My riding gear protected me from the heat as well as the stinging rain. The associated cloud cover from the earlier rainstorm provided a pleasant last two hours of riding into Taos, NM.  

Miles completed today: 732.8

The 2024 Challenge Ride is Set

 

I have decided not to let my recent cancer diagnosis keep me down in helping raise funds for the Children's ministries department at Wanamaker Woods Church. After taking the last couple of summers off, I will be undertaking a fundraiser ride July 26 through August 6, between my scheduled immunotherapy sessions. 

This much needed "wind therapy" on Dr. Harley Davidson will cover over 4,000 miles throughout eight states, encompassing the Rock Mountains, Southwest ranges and Black Hills. 

Should you choose to pledge funds, I thank you in advance for your generous support of the children's ministries. As with all previous challenge rides, 100% of all contributions will go directly to the church. You can pledge a set dollar amount or an amount per mile ridden. I will be posting my cumulative mileage and images on this blog while on the road. 

Once the event starts, you will be able to track me live throughout the trip using the link to my personal US Fleet tracking device. Below is an general overview of my planned route.