Today we made a 150 mile loop ride around Pike's Peak. From Colorado Springs we hopped I25 for a short ride south to US 87 then CO 115. Our goal today was to enjoy the weather, the scenery, and the ride. We get a lot of our rides from Roadrunner Motorcycle magazine. I can down load the gps map from the web site and then transfer them to the gps on the bike.
115 took us to US 50 for the southern leg of the ride. Just outside Can(y)on City we diverted to Skyline Dr. for a ride across that hogback ridge up there.
View of 50 from the ridge. Duane just loved the way the road dropped off--NOT!
This ride may have been a bit nerve-wracking for Duane, but it was worth it. It is one way, so there is no problem with hogging the middle of the road.
This view shows the way we came with US 50 on the left.
Opposite view. 50 is now on the right, Canyon City is spread out on the left. We came up the right side of the hill, and will snake down the left side back to Canyon City, then complete the circle on 50. Duane and the bike are on the right in the pull-off.
A few miles down the road we diverted again to get a view of Royal Gorge. We parked and walked to the Visitor Center where we discovered that Canyon City has made this into a tourist attraction. We were unable to walk out on the bridge (on the left) to view the gorge
because we were unwilling to pay. We were directed back up through the parking lot
to this free viewing platform. This is the best view of the gorge. It goes down a lot further with the Arkansas River at the bottom.
After that disappointment we had no other plan than to enjoy the next 40 miles of scenic highways 9, 11 and 1 to Cripple Creek, and perhaps enjoy some lunch if someplace presented itself.
As I mentioned earlier, we were riding around Pikes Peak and were able to get glimpses of it from time to time as in the pic below.
The ride was wonderfully scenic and fun to ride.
Cripple Creek was another disappointment. We cruised the main drag for someplace to eat and found only large casinos. We didn't bother to look further, but kept riding.
Up we went to a view point above the town. In the distance we could see the Spanish Peaks, then the Sangre De Christo range, both of which we briefly visited last month when we were visiting New Mexico.
Next to them is the Sawach Range, seen through Pancha Pass. Millions of years ago when volcanic activity formed this area, the Arkansas and Colorado Rivers both flowed in the same direction. When the activity ceased, the Arkansas River had been diverted to run east.
At the pass is a view of (I think) Poncha Peak.
That's our road over there.
As we were approaching our turn onto CO 67 we were surprised when this mule deer suddenly jumped onto the road in front of us and ran across the road.
She went right up into the trees. Can you see her? Look between the two trees. Her head and ears are just visible.
In the town of Divide we finally stopped for a bite in this tiny little bbq place. They were out of pulled pork and their prices were dear, but we finally settled for a brisket and a chicken sandwich and a can of diet Coke--a total of $21.00! Ouch!
By this time we were only a few miles (relatively speaking) from home. In Woodland Park we had a view of Pike's Peak's north face with a bit of snow showing, and picked up US 24.
We were back in traffic again, but we enjoyed our ride through the red rock canyon between Manitou Springs and home.
Even with our minor disappointments, the ride was still beautiful and fun.
A day off tomorrow.
Louise and Duane
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