Topic: Fall is Here, Winter is Coming - Aztec, NM - Durango, CO - Silverton, CO (Read 8868 times)

DesertHOG · « **on:** October 19, 2014, 03:52:20 AM »

Took a motorcycle trip to the Durango, Co and Silverton, Co area, passed through Aztec, NM along the way. I got lucky and hit Durango at the perfect time to catch their brilliant fall colors. I also caught Silverton as they were shutting down for the coming winter.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:53:04 AM »

... Entering into Durango, CO

DesertHOG · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:54:53 AM »

' A bit of the downtown atmosphere including a little Corner Crepe shop.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:55:33 AM »

DesertHOG · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:56:09 AM »

... Looks like a party outside the Strater Hotel .. my gosh, a wedding party.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:58:19 AM »

... Let's head on out of Durango and see what we can find.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:58:54 AM »

DesertHOG · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:59:40 AM »

DesertHOG · « **Reply #8 on:** October 19, 2014, 04:00:31 AM »

DesertHOG · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2014, 04:01:56 AM »

DesertHOG · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2014, 04:02:48 AM »

DesertHOG · « **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2014, 04:03:24 AM »

DesertHOG · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2014, 04:04:49 AM »

Oh my.. getting higher in elevation, closer to Silverton and it's getting dramatically colder.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #13 on:** October 19, 2014, 04:06:25 AM »

Look down below and you can see the Historic Mining Town of Silverton nestled in between the mountains.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #14 on:** October 19, 2014, 04:08:10 AM »

Silverton Harley Boutique shop, run by a nice local gal. She tells me it's there last day and they close for the winter tomorrow. Still no discount on t-shirts. Damn.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #15 on:** October 19, 2014, 04:11:03 AM »

Your smiling host takes a vanity selfie shot on the way back into Durango. Wanted to head up to Ouray but time was running out. About 540 miles round trip. Not bad for a days riding and picture taking.

I leave you with a couple of shots of the Durango Valley Basin along the Animas River as viewed on the climb out of town heading south. Here's hoping you get to visit the area someday soon!

BALIS · « **Reply #16 on:** October 19, 2014, 05:34:43 AM »

Thanks for sharing
Great pictures like allways
Enjoy your ride

Jswerve · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2014, 08:06:21 AM »

Quote from: DesertHOG on October 19, 2014, 04:11:03 AM

Your smiling host takes a vanity selfie shot on the way back into Durango. Wanted to head up to Ouray but time was running out. About 540 miles round trip. Not bad for a days riding and picture taking.

I leave you with a couple of shots of the Durango Valley Basin along the Animas River as viewed on the climb out of town heading south. Here's hoping you get to visit the area someday soon!

Looking good Simon. Thanks for sharing. You are a lucky fellow with all that riding at your fingertips.

porthole · « **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2014, 09:16:54 AM »

So that's your longest day so far in the saddle - still loving it?

porthole · « **Reply #19 on:** October 19, 2014, 09:18:10 AM »

My old girl likes to sleep like this too - don't see how it can be comfortable

Quote from: DesertHOG on October 19, 2014, 03:54:53 AM

Twolanerider · « **Reply #20 on:** October 19, 2014, 09:56:50 AM »

Thanks for the pics and the trip Simon. Even from just the voyeur's perspective it looked fun. Gorgeous country to ride in.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #21 on:** October 19, 2014, 10:29:16 AM »

Quote from: porthole on October 19, 2014, 09:16:54 AM

So that's your longest day so far in the saddle - still loving it?

Duane, I actually switched from the HD 2up seat to the Danny Gray Airhawk Bigseat to give it a try. Two very different seats. I prefer the HD seat that comes with the bike. The Danny Gray is a lower seat, it was comfortable from a hip bone perspective but it made my rear lower than my knees and so I was using the foot pegs a lot more. Seems that extra height on the new FLTRUSE everyone is talking about comes from the seat and it's a better fit for my body.

With regard to the machine, it was excellent. I have run between Durango and Silverton on that section of the Million Dollar Highway many times and I can honestly say this was the most comfortable from a control and confidence standpoint.

Simon

sadunbar · « **Reply #22 on:** October 19, 2014, 11:40:49 AM »

One of my favorite spots on the planet is on the Million Dollar Highway about half way between Silverton and Ouray. There's a "scenic turn-off" near some old mining sites, straight east of Telluride. It is the most incredible, beautiful place I've ever seen. Red Mountain to the east, Chicago Peak to the west, Commodore Gulch and the Red Mountain Creek. Build me a retirement home right there, and I'd be a happy guy!

Jswerve · « **Reply #23 on:** October 19, 2014, 11:57:22 AM »

Quote from: sadunbar on October 19, 2014, 11:40:49 AM

One of my favorite spots on the planet is on the Million Dollar Highway about half way between Silverton and Ouray. There's a "scenic turn-off" near some old mining sites, straight east of Telluride. It is the most incredible, beautiful place I've ever seen. Red Mountain to the east, Chicago Peak to the west, Commodore Gulch and the Red Mountain Creek. Build me a retirement home right there, and I'd be a happy guy!

Is it 31A on the map?

ultra98 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:27:02 PM »

:2vrolijk_21:Fantastic i hope i will drive on these roads some day

JCZ · « **Reply #25 on:** October 19, 2014, 05:16:06 PM »

Great pics Simon.....thanks for posting.

Were you up there working on next year's GTG or just a ride?

aclass · « **Reply #26 on:** October 19, 2014, 05:26:25 PM »

Nicely done Simon, Jock is going to have some competition.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #27 on:** October 19, 2014, 06:48:52 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on October 19, 2014, 05:16:06 PM

Great pics Simon.....thanks for posting.

Were you up there working on next year's GTG or just a ride?

Just a ride JCZ .. I had to get the new bike broke in. Now it's time for the 1k service.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #28 on:** October 19, 2014, 06:51:06 PM »

Quote from: aclass on October 19, 2014, 05:26:25 PM

Nicely done Simon, Jock is going to have some competition.

Nah.. Jock is a master. I'm just a tadpole trying to grow into a frog.

sadunbar · « **Reply #29 on:** October 19, 2014, 07:07:46 PM »

Quote from: Jswerve on October 19, 2014, 11:57:22 AM

Is it 31A on the map?

Anywhere in that general area is simply fantastic. Views that take your breathe away...

Jswerve · « **Reply #30 on:** October 19, 2014, 07:12:04 PM »

Quote from: sadunbar on October 19, 2014, 07:07:46 PM

Anywhere in that general area is simply fantastic. Views that take your breathe away...

Right on!

smkymtnboy · « **Reply #31 on:** October 19, 2014, 10:51:31 PM »

very very nice!! thanks for sharing!! love the mountains!!

Buy early · « **Reply #32 on:** October 21, 2014, 11:10:54 AM »

Beautiful photos brought back some great memories of riding those roads. Thanks for sharing!

D-N-D · « **Reply #33 on:** October 21, 2014, 12:04:14 PM »

Great Pictures !!!! Thanks Simon.

lowflight · « **Reply #34 on:** October 21, 2014, 02:12:03 PM »

Great pics! Nice way to wet our appetite for the GTG.

Thanks for posting, lets me go along with the virtual thing as I sit here very impatiently waiting for my back to heal.

ultrarider123 · « **Reply #35 on:** October 21, 2014, 02:34:52 PM »

Great pics as always, Simon. I'll say it again....what a beautiful part of this great country. Love the valley scenes with the snow covered peaks in the background.

Got one question...is the Silverton HD boutique the "Worlds Highest HD Shop" because of elevation or because of some recent CO law changes.......

JCZ · « **Reply #36 on:** October 21, 2014, 06:35:07 PM »

Quote from: sadunbar on October 19, 2014, 11:40:49 AM

One of my favorite spots on the planet is on the Million Dollar Highway about half way between Silverton and Ouray. There's a "scenic turn-off" near some old mining sites, straight east of Telluride. It is the most incredible, beautiful place I've ever seen. Red Mountain to the east, Chicago Peak to the west, Commodore Gulch and the Red Mountain Creek. Build me a retirement home right there, and I'd be a happy guy!

Also one of my all time favorite locations. While I posted a number of photos from various ride reports of the Ouray and Million $ Hwy. area, I believe if you click on this link and scroll down to the photos from about number 12 to about 15 or 16......it's the area that you're referring to. Geographically, it's straight over the mountain from Telluride. There's also a serious 4x4 trail up over this mountain to Telluride but it's not recommended especially for the inexperienced. Of course that just makes me want to do it. (NOTE: these photos were taken in Nov. of last year so this isn't what it'll look like during the GTG).

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=90300.msg1193387#msg1193387

And leading off of Haird's question......if I buy my pot in Colo. is it still leagal when I get it back to Calif.

Jock · « **Reply #37 on:** October 21, 2014, 07:51:37 PM »

Quote from: DesertHOG on October 19, 2014, 04:11:03 AM

Your smiling host takes a vanity selfie shot on the way back into Durango. Wanted to head up to Ouray but time was running out. About 540 miles round trip. Not bad for a days riding and picture taking.

Atta Boy!

Looks like you had a good time and covered quite the space! Glad you are enjoying the new ride.

Love that area.

Craigisdad · « **Reply #38 on:** December 01, 2014, 08:49:03 PM »

Thanks for the pictures Simon. Looking at them from the frozen upper Midwest makes it seem like forever till we will be riding again. Thanks again and ride safe!!!

Author Topic: Fall is Here, Winter is Coming - Aztec, NM - Durango, CO - Silverton, CO (Read 8868 times)

ultrarider123