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Last Update:  04/29/2012

Rockies-Gold 2008

A great time was had by all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4-8 June 2008 -- Montrose, Colorado

 

Gold Wings at Dallas Divide, Rockies-Gold 2008

Loose group, loose rules, loose expectations!  Fun Time!!

Sightseeing in the Colorado Rockies!

Well, it seems that most folks really enjoyed Rockies-Gold 2007 and several have asked WingNutZZ to do this one more time;  plus several folks that could not attend in 2007 would like to try and make it in 2008.  So, the event will be held ONE more time.  So, make your plans to join other members of GL1800Riders.com as we gather to ride the Rocky Mountains and the Canyon Country of western Colorado.  As in 2007, with no vendors and no organized events (well, there will be a group dinner on Thursday at the Fiesta Guadalajara, plus a "Hanging at the Red Arrow" on Friday night, with some snack foods and soft drinks), this will be a gathering (not a rally) for hanging-out and riding with friends in some of the most beautiful country in the USA.

 

"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

Special Thanks to the following individuals for significant contributions to Rockies-Gold 2008:
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All of the Rockies-Gold 2007 attendees for being such a great group of folks and making that event a breeze during the actual event, and for also giving such great feedback on the event, thus allowing us to keep 2008 simple, but somewhat improved

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WingNutZZ, for facilitating most of the event, building large portions of the web, etc

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GJwing, for building the "registration" and "attendees" forms, and giving good web advice to WingNutZZ (goodness knows he needs serious help; plus, he takes great photos)

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Shelly at the Best Western Red Arrow in Montrose for providing us with a great, friendly establishment to be our HQ for Rockies-Gold 2008

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Fernando at the Fiesta Guadalajara for hosting our Thursday night dinners

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And the many members of the GL1800riders.com forum for providing advice, feedback, and basically telling WingNutZZ what he needs to do!!!!

Please note on the dates:  WingNutZZ contacted Bulldog and he confirmed that there would definitely not be a Cats-Cade in 2008.  We had hoped to have this event in mid-June, but those weekends are already pretty booked in Montrose.  So, we decided to go with the first weekend in June (sorry for those of you who are teachers or who have kids still in school at that time).  The weather and scenery will be much different than in late July, when we had the event in 2007.  The high mountain passes that are closed for the winter (ie Independence Pass and Trail Ridge Road) will have just opened around Memorial Day Weekend, and you should find all of the roads clear but LOTS of snow remaining on the sides and on the mountaintops, and many of the alpine lakes will still have ice and snow on them.  It is a beautiful time of the year.  We do run a slight risk of a late snow at the higher elevations, but if it comes it will not last long -- so you'd just ride the lower elevation rides on that day.  It should be lots of fun and exciting.  Also, there should be less chance of afternoon thunderstorms since this is before the start of the monsoonal flow from the Gulf.

Million Dollar Highway - Ouray - Silverton - Durango - San Juan Skyway - Telluride - Dallas Divide - Unaweep/Tabeguache Byway -- Delores River Canyon - Gateway and the Auto Museum - Colorado National Monument - Grand Mesa - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - West Elk Loop (North Rim of the Black Canyon) - and even more depending upon how much you want to ride in one day.  Montrose serves as the hub for some of the most diverse riding in the USA.  We will be updating the GPS routes for 2008 to allow for easy routing on the loops in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

In response to questions on "what goes on"?  This gathering is hanging and riding....hanging and riding....hanging and riding.  All informal and everything organized by those who attend, done on-the-fly.

Loose group, loose rules, loose expectations!  Fun Time!!

 

Other Photos From the Rides Are Included on the "Montrose Rides" Pages

The only requirement is to ride safe and have fun!!!

For those spouses who wish to attend but who do not want to made a cross-country trip on the back of the bike to get to Montrose, there are  several options for flying-in -- check the flights to Montrose.  Montrose has a nice, small airport with several flights each day via United Express and other "express" airlines.  We received very good feedback from those that flew directly into Montrose for the 2007 gathering.  Denver and Colorado Springs are also options, but those are 4+ hours from Montrose, so that does complicate things somewhat.

Altitude -- Don't Let It Become An Issue (click here)

Most of Colorado is at an altitude above 5,000 feet and your travels to do Rockies-Gold may include riding some passes that may be as high as 12,000 feet, and if you include Pikes Peak or Mt. Evans you would be riding to an elevation of just over 14,000 feet.  Such elevations can have negative effects on many folks that are traveling here from lower elevations.  Click on the above link for additional information on altitude sickness, its symptoms, and some possible remedies.  Probably one of the most important things is to remember to drink water, drink water, and drink water.  It is very easy to get dehydrated at the higher elevations and in the dry Colorado climate, so force yourself to drink plenty of water.   If you experience symptoms, it is also advisable to avoid alcoholic beverages.

Davis Service Center

2380 East Main
  Montrose, CO 81401
  (970) 249-8161
  (800) 551-1107
  FAX (970) 249-8430
E-mail:  Davis Service Center

Davis Service Center in Montrose (about one mile east on US-50 from the Black Canyon and Red Arrow Motels) is an outstanding motorcycle dealership, selling and servicing Honda and other motorcycles.  During previous motorcycle events Davis Service Center has gone out-of-their way to assist motorcyclists visiting Montrose.  WingNutZZ has been in touch with the dealership and Davis Service Center and they welcome you to stop by and see them during Rockies-Gold -- for parts or service, or just to stop-by and say Hello.  They will also try to accommodate any and all of our needs during Rockies-Gold.  Tires, if needed, will be available at a discount (varies by type of tire) from MSRP. 

If you believe that  you will need tires installed or other service during Rockies-Gold, please contact them in advance, if possible, so that they can ensure that they have the item(s) that you need and also get you scheduled.