2012 WestFest, July 27-29

[Jettn Jim]

OK I'm in....and will be Tent'n it. I'll get some money sent in asap!
See ya in July...

Edit: PAID

[rallybug]

Is the original list on p1 going to be updated? Sent my money, but was expecting to see a 'T' by my name, etc

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by rallybug

Is the original list on p1 going to be updated? Sent my money, but was expecting to see a 'T' by my name, etc

Yep, soon. I've been out of town all week. I have a lot to catch up on, but I hope to update the list tonight.

[EDIT] done

[Jettn Jim]

Glad ya brought up the IN list... I see I spaced the Tent and Meal fee's... now there paid!

[Pablo83]

The first ride I've put together is about 180 miles round trip (including the Pikes Peak Summit option, but not the Rampart Range Rd option). Long sections of dirt, but mostly paved unless you take the Rampart Range option (the north-most dirt section).

What type of bike would be good on this ride?
Any dual sport will work as long as it's comfortable at highway speeds. Any mid sized street bike would do as well. You might not want something with a sport bike stance or something stupid-heavy like a Goldwing, but outside of that, any bike would make this trip in comfort. If you want to stick to pavement, make the journey to the top of the Peak and leave out the rest of the loop.

On the map, pink is pavement and brown is dirt. Camp is at the NW corner of the map.


Pikes Peak Highway (link) – $10 per person, pay at the gate. Drive to the summit of the famous 14,110’ mountain, see a bunch of states, learn about "America the Beautiful", and eat some doughnuts. This is the same road that the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb takes place on.





As of this year, the mountain is fully paved. There is a café at the Summit House, try their famous doughnuts. Dress warm, it will be very cold at the top. There's a lot less oxygen at the summit, see if you can jog around the parking lot without fainting. Gates open at 9:00 am. If you get there right when they open then there won't be any cars coming down the mountain so it will be very easy to pass slow cars going up; this makes the ride a real blast. I suggest riding all the way up non-stop for a really fun ride. Then on the way down you can stop at the various pull-offs. You can get to the gates from camp in about 45 minutes.



There’s an option for Upper Gold camp Rd and Cheyenne Cayon – fun twisty roads.

Lower Gold Camp Rd – Long windy dirt road. This is an old railroad grade, so it is very flat and easy to ride.



Altman – This spur is free and a must-see. Stop at the large road crossing until one of those behemoth mining dump trucks drives by, it’s worth the wait.

Victor – Old mining town. WATCH YOUR SPEED! Speed limit in town is 20 MPH, but it’s not well marked.

Cripple Creek – Old mining town turned casino town. There's also a narrow-gauge steam train (link) you can ride.

[SteveO]

Originally Posted by pablo83

The first ride I've put together is about 180 miles round trip (including the Pikes Peak Summit option, but not the Rampart Range Rd option). Long sections of dirt, but mostly paved unless you take the Rampart Range option.

Does this 180 mile loop include a gas stop along the way?

For those of us who have smaller tanks this is a bit of a stretch.....

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by SteveO

Does this 180 mile loop include a gas stop along the way?

For those of us who have smaller tanks this is a bit of a stretch.....

Yes, if you do the Pike's Peak Summit option you'll want to gas up before the ride, gas up in the Springs, and gas up again in Cripple Creek. I've got gas stops listed in the GPS tracks.

Can anyone tell me how to attach tracks to the post?

[SteveO]

Originally Posted by pablo83

Yes, if you do the Pike's Peak Summit option you'll want to gas up before the ride, gas up in the Springs, and gas up again in Cripple Creek. I've got gas stops listed in the GPS tracks.

Can anyone tell me how to attach tracks to the post?

You can upload your tracks to DualSportMaps.com.
Then you can even attach photos and Waypoints into the tracks and maps.

Then you can embed the maps here......

it all works very well..

[Badjuju]

Easy Pikes Peak Loop--sounds like a Wee with Shinko 705s would work. How nasty/slippery do the dirt sections get with some rain?

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by Badjuju

Easy Pikes Peak Loop--sounds like a Wee with Shinko 705s would work. How nasty/slippery do the dirt sections get with some rain?

Not bad. Pikes Peak is made of particularly weak pink granite. It breaks down easily into very fine gravel which drains quickly. I think I was posting earlier that a number of locals prefer to ride dirt in the rain because the dust is down and the traction is better.

A Wee with 705's would be right at home on this ride, any dual sport would be fine on this one as long as it's comfortable at highway speeds. Any mid sized street bike would do as well. You might not want something with a sport bike stance or something stupid-heavy like a Goldwing, but outside of that, any bike would make this trip in comfort. As you can see in the picture, my father-in-law and I made it to Pike's Peak Summit on a CB750 and an ST1300 and that was before it was all paved.

[Katoom119]

Just paid up! Looking forward to this.

[Pablo83]

Just an FYI, there is only one more RV site available at the M Lazy C for WF weekend.

[BgDadddy]

Does anyone have any extra room in their cabin, room or whatever and want to split the cost with me?

I plan on traveling somewhat light this year so not having to bring camping gear would make life much easier for me.

You can always PM me if you'd like.

Thanks.

[Big_John]

Originally Posted by pablo83

Just an FYI, there is only one more RV site available at the M Lazy C for WF weekend.

Just so you know..... I plan to participate, but will be a "Day Camper" since I live local and since I have so much prep to do, before The RMAR Rendezvous. Also depends upon my schedule to see if I can bail and ride on Friday. I am "in" for sure on Saturday.....and my posse will be joining me (at least 4 other single track riders). We will hang out with the group on Saturday night.

John

[bitwrench]

I'm in, assuming my bike is still in one piece by then. Tenting it, riding in.
Bitwrench
TE610 Fully Farkled