2012 cam1000

[Big_John]

Originally Posted by windblown101

Stumbled across a link to this thread on another website and find my interest is peaked! I have been working up a plan to ride out in CO this coming September for several weeks now. Then I saw this ride and it seems like it might be a great fit! My mothers side of the family was from the area you'll be riding. My grandfather was born in the late 1800's and called Cripple Creek, Leadville, Canon City, Colorado Springs, etc home. I rode the shelf road when I was 16 years old but haven't been back to Co since.

I was planning on driving out to CO with my KTM 525 in the back of the truck and using Colo Springs as a base point to work anyway, and this ride sounds like it might be an epic one to join. Problem is it starts a few days earlier than my anticipated arrival in CO. If I decide to go on this ADV ride (and if I'm welcomed) I may have to get the bike & gear shipped to Colo Springs and hop on a plane in order to make the start date.

Now on to the first of the many questions...

1) I ride mostly along the WV/VA border, lots of gravel roads & trails with roots, rocks, and hardpack, not much mud and very little sand. I was considering running MT-43's out west. Bad idea for this route? What tires would be recomended that are likely to survive this trip? I want the best tire for the job, it may be my only time this east coaster will get back to CO. Dont want the wrong tire making it any tougher than it needs to be.

2) Any recomendations on Motorcycle shops / contacts in Colo Springs that might accept a bike shipment from here on the east coast and help make sure it gets shipped back?

3) Typical high & low temps? (Yes, I know weather can shift 20 defrees from normal quite easily, just trying to get a fell for averages)

4) I'm sure I will need to rejet for the higher average altitudes. Might go ahead and get that done before shipping the bike. I would guess this ride will average 6000 to 10,000 ft or so?

Looking forward to hearing more about this ride to get a feel for things. Looking at larger tanks and or aux tanks/options for the KTM to give it longer legs. Will need to work on endurance training this summer to give me longer legs as well. :)

1. You know, I have never run MT-43's.....but they are the "Trial Looking Tire"....right? I am sure they would be fine. Here's the tire that I will be running.....





I will admit, though......I have done most of my dual-sport riding over the past three years on this Shinko....and they did really well, except in deep sand.






2. I'm not sure about this.... Maybe contact Apex (local dealer) or BRP (Billet Racing Products). Someone might have a better suggestion.


3. Be ready for a 20 degree night. Day time temps, depending on weather, could be in the 30's or as high as the 80's. It could also be dry or raining or snowing. I am hoping we will hit the averages all week, which will be day-time temps in the 60's and nights in the mid to high 30's. Generally fall weather is really, really nice and the first of Sept is past the Monsoon season.


4. You are correct about jetting. Our low elevation will probably be Canyon City and I think it is about 4,500 feet....and our high will be 13,000 feet. Most of the time we will be in the 7k-9k range. Definitely re-jett.....if you don't, you will fall back the first day....because your bike won't run.


Folks, I can't emphasize enough that you completely go through your bike before this trip. You need to make sure that bearings are good and bolts are tightened and you have a great chain and tires.....and that your bike is generally running great (valves within spec, etc.). I will be completely going through my bike, prepping it....as if I were about to ride the Baja1000.

We will do everything possible to help everyone finish, but if you have a breakdown that needs dealer or mechanic attention....we will help you best we can. In some cases, that may only be....getting you to the next town where you can make some calls to have your bike recovered. We will not abandon the ride because someone breaks down.



...

[ScramblerDavis]

Guys one thing you want to make sure you do is get your body in shape for 7 days of rough country riding, light eating and colol nights sleeping in a rough environment! Excercise, walk up and down stairs a lot, lose weight, tone up, ride a lot of off road trails between now and then loaded down...not barebones, and make sure your riding equipment is protective and ready for any spill. I've ridden a lot of times for a week at a time, but never this challenging, so I'm getting my beautiful body in shape now so I don't wait too late to get ready!
Besides...I'm so buff anyway it won't take much for me to get in shape!! (HA!) Oh...and bring bear bait, so we can catch one and ride it!!

[Big_John]

Originally Posted by ScramblerDavis

Guys one thing you want to make sure you do is get your body in shape for 7 days of rough country riding, light eating and colol nights sleeping in a rough environment! Excercise, walk up and down stairs a lot, lose weight, tone up, ride a lot of off road trails between now and then loaded down...not barebones, and make sure your riding equipment is protective and ready for any spill. I've ridden a lot of times for a week at a time, but never this challenging, so I'm getting my beautiful body in shape now so I don't wait too late to get ready!

Originally Posted by ScramblerDavis

Besides...I'm so buff anyway it won't take much for me to get in shape!! (HA!) Oh...and bring bear bait, so we can catch one and ride it!!

Yeah, I was speaking with the organizer of the Colorado 500.....a Recreation Enduro Ride in Colorado that has been going on for the past 20+ years.

Twice.....a couple of overweight, out-of-shape executives joined the ride and had heart attacks at high elevation.

If you have health risks because of poor condition or risky life style.....get a doctors appt and release before you come.

[BigDogAdventures.com]

Talking about health and conditioning---------------------dealing with altitude and the sickness is a real thing to be concerned with. I've been bit by that twice.

People that ride elevations in places like Colorado have learned this the hard way.
I constantly drink water whether I'm thirsty or not---that is the key to not getting sick.

BigDog

[ScramblerDavis]

Here's a few tips and advice...pack LIGHT and TIGHT! Pack everything you think you'll need, load your bike, go for a ride on a rough trail or road, and see if you need to reload for better balance. Make sure your strapping is strong enough and will not loosen...don't want to lose a sleeping bag or tent! Small squared containers take up less space and stack easier than rounded ones. Use clear as much as possible to see what you have without having to open the wrong ones. The large plastic coffee cans make a great carrier for small stoves, cooking utensils, fire starter, etc., and are very durable. Make sure your personal essentials, medical, and extra clothes are watertight and pack a lightweight rain suit cause it does rain almost daily in the mountains. Rain X for your goggles and glasses helps and maybe anti-fog stuff. Set your tent up and hose it down strongly to check for leaks. A tent repair kit is handy. How tight can you roll your sleeping bag and will it keep you warm down to 10 degrees? A sleeping bag liner such as silk or cotton will add warmth and are light. Underclothes should be silk, wool, or polyester, as cotton will make you sweat but will get you cold when wet,(great for summer, but not cool weather riding). Second hand stores are a great place to find inexpensive bags to pack stuff in, a cosmetic bag makes a great tool/spare parts bag. John introduced me to the "Platypus" brand of liquid carriers that are light, extremely durable, and come in various sizes for carrying extra liquids.
Oh....and be sure to bring nose plugs....we don't want the bears to think it's mating season!!!

[Big_John]

Alright....I gotta do some research. While flying over Grand Mesa yesterday on my way to LAX..... I saw this road, twisting up on Grand Mesa.

Somehow....I think this road will be a part of our route!!!!

[ricker]

Looks like Landsend Road.

[Mac]

Originally Posted by ricker

Looks like Landsend Road.

Yep, it looks like it's already on the draft route at the end of Day #4.

N39 00.326 W108 14.266

[Big_John]

The INTERESTED LIST......

Big_John
ScramblerDavis
Mac
Dawgtracker
modette
LarkBRP
The Rizz
Gehtlos
TomInKC
bogus
RImikebike
ICBiker
mikeegee
Christeon
janliness
kickstand
BigDogAdventures.com
D K
Gehtlos
jared1843
windblown101

[BigDogAdventures.com]

BigJohn,

I rode Hagerman 2 years ago alone on my 950-------really nice ride-----easy but challenging for a dirt bike----quite a bit harder on my 950---but I had no falls. It would be an excellent route into Leadville----and shouldn't pose any problems for anybody---super beautiful and definitely not boring-------at first it seemed I was riding on a railroad bed---but then turned to a steep jeep road with rocks of course.
I have a track log thru there if you need it---------just e-mail me.
bigdogadventures@gmail.com




I did run into this just past the pass---but still no problem.
This was the last week of June.

[seasider]

Originally Posted by Big_John

The INTERESTED LIST......

Big_John
ScramblerDavis
Mac
Dawgtracker
modette
LarkBRP
The Rizz
Gehtlos
TomInKC
bogus
RImikebike
ICBiker
mikeegee
Christeon
janliness
kickstand
BigDogAdventures.com
D K
Gehtlos
jared1843
windblown101

I would like to add myself and buddy to the ride list. Seasider and Crazy Mac.
If this is not the appropriate way to do this please set us straight.

[Big_John]

The INTERESTED LIST...... (23)

Big_John
ScramblerDavis
Mac
Dawgtracker
modette
LarkBRP
The Rizz
Gehtlos
TomInKC
bogus
RImikebike
ICBiker
mikeegee
Christeon
janliness
kickstand
BigDogAdventures.com
D K
jared1843
windblown101
Seasider
Crazy Mac
Cannonshot

[Dr.Z]

There may be a few flatlanders joining you for this ride.

[BgDadddy]

Originally Posted by Dr.Z

There may be a few flatlanders joining you for this ride.

Yeah, right.

We can't even get you to come for a weekend ride an hour away from you...

[Dr.Z]

Originally Posted by BgDadddy

Yeah, right.

We can't even get you to come for a weekend ride an hour away from you...

At my advanced age, I have to be selective of the rides I do!