Forth and back-TOR '16

[RBMann]

Day 7-East to Keyhole Res. State park near Moorcroft,WY 312 miles

Ralfie starting the day multi-tasking. We had plenty of time, why be on the phone while filling up with gas? Oh right, using a gas mileage app. We both know who wins that contest-



'Go West young Man', now he is modeling coon-skin caps-



No pictures worth posting but Hwy 14A over the Big Horn Mts. is a little know gem. We ripped the downhill on the east side. Probably the most enjoyable section of road to drive on the whole trip.

Almost ran out of gas in Spotted Horse, WY then made it to the campground in late afternoon. The heavens opened just we checked-in and were paying our fee. Couldn't believe the amount of rain, wind and hail we had while trying to stay in the shelter of the guard shack. Stood there for two hours in our helmets and riding suits while everything got wet. Seemed like it would never end-





On the plus side when it ended we were treated to a beautiful sunset-

[RBMann]

Day 8-Onward to Scottsbluff, NE 386 miles

The day started the same as yesterday ended, we had a beautiful sunrise-



We rode by Devil's Tower Nat. Mon. but the cloud cover and lighting made it unimpressive-



We did manage to find a nice little road to take us into the Black Hills of South Dakota-



While I think Mt. Rushmore itself is cool, any time I have to be in eight lanes of cars, six deep just to pay for parking then it is probably a place I don't want to be-





I guess in this picture Ralf would be Lincoln and I would be Washington-



I liked this view-



We drove the Needles Hwy. but again too many people for me. There was a spot with a tour bus in a tunnel where I almost wanted to jump off a cliff to end the misery. We then spent an enjoyable part of the afternoon at Wind Cave Nat. Park where is was 56F. inside verse 99F. out-



We kept driving late into the evening as the temperature was cooling and it felt nice. Don't know how my phone managed to have such a tight depth of field-



Arrived at a campground after sunset but it was so buggy that we took a motel. Used the GPS to find the Capri Hotel which sounds very 60s and rhythms with crappy so we thought it might be reasonable. All our expectations were met. Ralfonis the German God-of-Lite or is that Lights then appeared in the room-

[SeabeckS]

Originally Posted by signit98

The "ads" happen without my consent...

You must have one them thar fully automatic cameras. Turns itself on, aims, focuses, and clicks away!!!

[ckcarr]

Sorry I missed you guys this year!

Great pictures though, keep them coming!!

[signit98]

Originally Posted by SeabeckS

You must have one them thar fully automatic cameras. Turns itself on, aims, focuses, and clicks away!!!

I am not the one taking the pictures... nor am I the one posting them.

[SeabeckS]

Originally Posted by signit98

I am not the one taking the pictures... nor am I the one posting them.

So...you're just the poser?

Whatever, sure looks like you gents are having a blast!

[signit98]

Indeed... on both accounts!

It is "were" having a blast, btw. That trip was in July.

[SeabeckS]

Okay, I've been had! Shoulda noticed the dates...looks like a most excellent adventure.

[RBMann]

Day 9-Looping south to Georgetown, CO 396 miles

At this point I was 500 miles from Kansas City but it would end up taking three days to get there from TOR. What can I say, western Nebraska and eastern Colorado are uninspiring. I saw 102.4F. and felt pretty wiped out by the time we got to Fort Collins-



We drove through Estes Park and it rained along the foothills. Our goal was Mt. Evans the highest paved road in the USA at 14,130 feet. This day had the lowest and highest temperatures for the whole trip from 42.8-102.4F. The rain stopped for the ride up but started again around 7PM as the clouds and darkness limited visibility. The first mile of descent was hairy as we could only see about 50'-











All the motels were full in Idaho Springs so we ended up in Georgetown. We got a room at a motel with a pizza restaurant in the parking lot, score! This provides another local color moment. Need a hook in your TV? Just drive a nail into the case, what could go wrong-

[RBMann]

Day 10-TOR at last 210 miles

We rode over Independence Pass but didn't stop for pictures. Here is Ralf a few miles from Paonia and just moments before scaring the wits out of a couple of really slow riders. More on that later-



The city park and sadly the only Pelicans at the scoreboard this year-





For me it was a new record, 10 days and 2950 miles to TOR.

[wswartzwel]

Hey.. someone is sleeping in my bed!

[buzzerbee]

I believe I saw ole Davey Crockett in one of the pics! Nice photos of a great motorcycle adventure. I have attended the Paonia Rally and ridden through many of the places you visited. Thx for posting.

[ckcarr]

And now a word from our sponsor...

[signit98]

That took you quite a while....

[wswartzwel]

Where is that cliff Rick was talking about...

[RBMann]

Day 11-Nice to have a day off the bike and walk around.



Normal people camp under the trees but Pelicans are tough and setup in the sun. Well, maybe just anti-social-



Fun to look at what other equipment riders use-



Found the people Ralf passed just outside Paonia. Now I understand why they go so slow through corners-

[signit98]

Should have shown the whole bike... at least he didn't have to worry about driving at night!

[RBMann]

Day 12-Over Grand Mesa down Lands End and back to TOR 140 miles

Nice and cool up on the mesa-



I like the view from Lands End and the road down toward Grand Junction-





Back in town for the closing ceremony-







This year had a low pelican attendance. Bill Mundis camped in the shade as always, Keith(Jarheadrider) stopped for an afternoon and dinner since he was camping nearby on his travels then Ralf and I were it. One of the hi-lights of the rally for me was pissing off Ralf by winning a door prize in each on the three drawing on Friday. I enjoy the rally location, weather and how the whole town makes everyone feel welcome. I also like that they use the rally as an educational tool for the young people engaging them in the food prep and service. Always kind of sad when it draws to an end and friends head their separate ways for the journey home.

[scottamann]

Wow!
Incredible scenery.
Great pics.
We may be kin somewhere down the line...
Scott Mann

[SergioK]

Interesting placement for that fuel canister.