By popular demand Rockies-Gold is back for 2010 -- and will be held in Frisco,
Colorado so that attendees can take in some of the sights of northern Colorado.
NOTE: These events are primarily intended for members of the
GL1800riders.com forum and their friends -- the link should not be posted on
other forums.
"This trip has been one of the
most amazing experiences of my life.
The people, the ride, the places, the views, the contrasts and extremes, the
smells...
the entire experience, is indelibly engraved deep within my spirit.
Pictures and words cannot even begin to convey the powerful beauty and awe of
what I have experienced on this ride. But none the less, I humbly display here
some of the images I was able to capture with my camera.
Images that are just miniscule representations of scattered moments in time
that collectively comprise my attempt to portray to you the beauty and wonder
of my experience,
and also act as a visual reinforcement to myself of the internal memories of
this trip that will last forever."
Quote: Soloquest, after Rockies-Gold
2007
Rockies-Gold -- What Is That?
Honda
Gold Wings riding and sightseeing in the Rocky Mountains
of Colorado, that's Rockies-Gold!!! During the past several years a number of folks/friends
that hang-out on one of the major Gold Wing forums
(http://www.gl1800riders.com) have gathering at various locations around the
country to meet folks from the forum, hang-out and have a good time in the
evenings, and do some great riding in various parts of the country. From
Washington to Tennessee and Georgia, from Wisconsin to Texas, from New York to
Florida, and at locations in between, several forum members have stepped-up to
organize some great gatherings for their forum friends. Bulldog's
Cats-Cade gathering sorta topped them at
the time, but well, that's the way Bulldog does things. Since many folks
wanted to meet some of their friends in Colorado to do some riding in the Rocky
Mountains, WingNutZZ organized the first Rockies-Gold in 2007, and although it
was planned to be a one-time event, many folks could not make it in 2007 -- so
there was another Rockies-Gold in 2008. That also was to be the last
one as a new western gathering, Red Rocks Ride, was organized by jetdr in
October 2009 in Prescott, AZ (very nice time also). But quite a few folks
wanted to return to Colorado, particularly to take-in the northern part of the
state and to also do it during the fall colors (2007 was in the summer, 2008 in
late spring), so Rockies-Gold 2010 will be held in September 2010 in Frisco, CO. Let's hope for good weather for 2010 and some beautiful fall
colors.
Montrose?? Montrose, Colorado was
chosen as the location for the 2007 and 2008 events because of its great weather and
availability to a wide variety of roads and scenery. From the awesome
views and twisties of
the Million Dollar Highway to the sweeping Canyon Country of the Unaweep/Tabeguache Byway to the depths of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and
the views from Grand Mesa, no other location in Colorado can offer such variety
from one location. But for 2010 Frisco,
Colorado will be taking the place of Montrose. More great Colorado riding
should bring smiles to the faces of the attendees -- Rocky Mountain National
Park and
Trail Ridge Road, Poudre Canyon, Independence Pass, A Taste of Colorado (aka the
Butt-Kicker has it all), the 100K ride (traverse more than 100,000 feet of
elevation in one day), and a trip to America's Mountain (Pikes Peak) -- it is
all doable at Rockies-Gold 2010 if you have the time. Although it would be best if you could arrive at
Rockies-Gold on Wednesday and depart on Sunday, thus allowing three full days
for riding some of these roads, you can come for a longer or shorter time if desired --
that is up to you, but I'd recommend that you plan to be there at least Wednesday-Sunday
if possible. Colorado also offers other great roads, so plan your arrival to
and departure from Colorado to allow you to include some of those great roads
(some of which will be highlights in the Rides section).
Riding safely is always of paramount importance,
but particularly at Rockies-Gold. Group riding can be a challenge,
but particularly so in the mountains and canyons of Colorado.
You are attending Rockies-Gold on your
own, making your own reservations, deciding your own rides, and are
responsible for your own safety. If you are riding in a group and they are
riding at a pace or style that is beyond your capabilities or comfort-level,
safely drop-out of the group (let the tail-gunner know that you are not having a
problem, but are just dropping back). Before coming to Rockies-Gold please read
the safety guidelines.
For information on Rockies-Gold, click
on the appropriate link at the top of this page. And for insights on the
2007 and 2008 events, including a listing of attendees and lots of photos, go to
the appropriate
link above. If you think you might be interested in joining the group,
check it all out. If you think this is for you, then join us -- see the
links in the 2010 section
for information on lodging and to register. It should be another good
time!
A Little History
In 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 Bulldog and Meesh hosted Cats-Cade, a gathering of
members of the Gold Wing family, in the Catskill mountains near Woodbourne, NY.
No one can quite match up to the event that Bulldog pulled-off each year (most
folks don't have the tenacity and drive to pull together all of the events that
the Dawg made happen).
As a result of the success of Cats-Cade, many Gold Wing riders and members of
GL1800Riders.com
requested (actually, more like DEMANDED) that WingNutZZ organize a
Colorado-Cade, thus allowing folks to get together in the west for riding some
of the beautiful country that Colorado offers. So, in 2007 we organized
the first "Rockies-Gold" (Gold Wings riding the Rockies) for 25-29 July
2007 in Montrose, CO. Folks came from all over the country, including Bulldog and Meesh
from New York -- about 150 bikes and 250 people, just having some great fun
riding the mountains and canyons, and hanging around in the evenings getting to
know each other. A similar event (with different weather and sights for
sure) was held in early June 2008 -- awesome with the fresh snow on the San Juan
Mountains of southwestern Colorado.
The primary goals are to keep it fun, keep it interesting
(the rides will take care of that), keep it
inexpensive, keep it simple, and keep it safe. Rockies-Gold provides
the opportunity for new and old friends to gather and ride on some of the most
scenic roads in the USA. There are no vendors for Rockies-Gold (to keep it
simple) and the only "organized" events are a dinner on Thursday night and some
"hanging" and tire-kicking on Friday night at the Headquarters Motel (Black
Canyon in 2007; Red Arrow in 2008).
For 2010 we'll probably do a social event on Thursday evening and a Friday or
Saturday night dinner. The entire event will focus on some great riding and
hanging with friends!
The weather for Rockies-Gold should provide cool nights and hot days in
Montrose, while the temperatures at the
higher elevations (i.e. on the Million Dollar Highway, San Juan Skyway, and
Grand Mesa) will be cool and comfortable. Mornings will normally see clear blue
skies, comfortable temperatures, and little chance of precipitation. Afternoon
thunderstorms often occur in the mountainous areas, with a rapid drop in
temperature and precipitation possible (rain, sleet, or even a rare snow) -- one
should always carry rain-gear (hopefully it will not be needed) and dress in
layers to allow for comfortable riding in all conditions.
For Rockies-Gold 2010 the event will be an entirely different
experience. Some awesome new roads in northern Colorado will bring new
experiences to those
who attended previous event, plus some fall colors mixed in will make this an
grand experience. The weather should be good with mild days and cool
nights, little chance of rain, and lots of sunshine. There is always the
risk of a big cold front pushing down from the north -- such an event could drop
some fresh snow on the mountains and higher passes, but the sun is still strong
and if this occurs the snow will not last long! Remember, it's all part of
the experience!
So, if you are interested in hanging with great folks and riding
some great roads, you must be at Rockies-Gold. Click on the links at the
top of the page to check it out!
