Hey all. Been doing a bunch of research on a ride for next summer and have about decided on the COBDR. Thinking the 2nd, 3rd or 4th week in July. The route takes about 1 week to complete plus you have to figure time to get to the Four Corners area to start and then time to get back home from Western Wyoming. So I think 2 weeks would be a good span of time and that way one wouldn't feel they need to push to get done and maybe a rest and relax day in the middle.
Watching the video reminded me of the GDR we did the year before and saw a few of the places we saw on that trip including a water crossing that was some bigger than when we went through.
My initial plan is to take my Tenere and ride the whole trip rather than dealing with the hassle of trailering.
So, anyone else feel the need to do a trip like this next summer? All of these plans I have in my head can be flexible if others need to do it at a different time.
Sounds fun, I've ridden sections of it and it was fantastic.
Yep, after visiting with a bmw dude doing that route last year at the Clark store, its been on my list of rides to do. You planning on camping or motels?
I hope to do another two-week trip next summer. Out west somewhere, so COBDR is one I'd consider doing.
I think July might be too early for some of the passes but depends on the snow they get this winter I suppose.
I'm a bit flexible on when this goes off. I was thinking and doing some checking that most passes should be open by the third week of July. When we did part of the CDR 2 summers ago the second week of July, all the passes were open. That is however, never a guarantee.
I thought that playing this by ear ma be the best way to roll. Camp some nights and motel/cabin others. A route like this almost impossible to plan day to day where and when you will be at a specific place. Again, I'm open and flexible on this as well. Camping is always cheaper but a soft bed, hot shower, and A/C are always a great relief from the trail.
I do really want to plan for extra time on this trip. My health is not always the best so some days I move slower than others and at times, although I hope it doesn't happen, can't move at all. I also love to explore and spend time in places I've never been. I hate the thought of rolling by a place I've never been and not stopping because I have a tight deadline. I think the 2 week time frame leaves room fro rest, site seeing, and any unfortunate event that may crop up.
this was what I encountered the second week of June on about every pass:
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/blackhills_2007/Mobile%20Uploads/FE63D0AC-AA6E-4499-8C12-308D07F901BB_zpsnqx3zfdb.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/blackhills_2007/media/Mobile%20Uploads/FE63D0AC-AA6E-4499-8C12-308D07F901BB_zpsnqx3zfdb.jpg.html)
I do need to go back:
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/blackhills_2007/Mobile%20Uploads/BFF2A53B-7AE2-4884-9C84-63EAE127F0E2_zpsuygdjsis.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/blackhills_2007/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BFF2A53B-7AE2-4884-9C84-63EAE127F0E2_zpsuygdjsis.jpg.html)
Should be able to avoid this with a July date:
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/blackhills_2007/Mobile%20Uploads/409E6D35-7612-4AF1-8B73-E7BA91C3BC65_zps7m7ofjer.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/blackhills_2007/media/Mobile%20Uploads/409E6D35-7612-4AF1-8B73-E7BA91C3BC65_zps7m7ofjer.jpg.html)
And I'll skip this part next time as well:
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/blackhills_2007/Mobile%20Uploads/3BDE00C7-282F-4C7A-A132-DCE0652A25C2_zpsgsgz7r3z.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/blackhills_2007/media/Mobile%20Uploads/3BDE00C7-282F-4C7A-A132-DCE0652A25C2_zpsgsgz7r3z.jpg.html)
Fletch, what section was it where you took a nap?
Actually, now that I think about it, I don't think that was on the route. I stayed a couple days in Durango to hang out with some classmates and rode LaPlata canyon, I believe that was where the KTM got sleepy?
We did the COBDR last year and it only took 5 days and we didn't rush. We did it on our KTM640 and KTM690 bikes.
Had the wife drive us down to Four Corners and meet us every night at the Motel. Started by 8am every day and almost always done by 4pm.
Was a great time. Planning on the ID BDR next year.
I've been watching a bunch of youtube vids on the subject and may change my mind and take my KLR instead. Mind not made up yet but thinking about it.
Got some maps coming.
Riding vicariously through youtube is getting old. Come on Spring.
The Tenere is prettier, I think you should bring that.
Quote from: Bogus Jim on December 22, 2015, 08:26:07 PM
The Tenere is prettier, I think you should bring that.
Yup, I agree.
Okay, the Tenere it will be.
I have nailed down some dates.
I have set aside these dates: July 4 - 21.
-My tentative plan is to take a couple days to get packed and do any leftover bike work.
-Leave for Rapid on Thursday (7th) or Friday (8th).
-Leave from the Hills on Saturday or Sunday and make our way to Southwest Colorado.
-Start the COBDR on Monday or Tuesday.
-Take as much time on the route as we want or finish the route and do some more riding. My only limitation is to be back home by the 21st as I have to work the next night.
I have had conversations with several folks who have done the route is several different ways. A couple have done the route and taken many side trips lengthening the trip to well over a week. I have talked to people who have done the route start to finish and then toured the state for a few days on more trail and asphalt.
Not knowing what your time constraints are I`m open to anything. If you have only have a short time we can do the CODBR and and part company and I will continue to travel a bit with little to no plan.
Personally I`d rather take the time to do side trips along the way and take more time but as usual, I`m up for anything and VERY flexible between my time constraints. I just wanna get out and ride.
Your two cents, please.............. I'm open to any suggestions.
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I will se what I can do for time off, I won't be able to do the entire trip but would like to ride with you for a few days. We can discuss it on the long bus ride to Texas.
90% sure I'm in, but may not be able to make the whole two weeks. Haven't given a lot of thought yet to side trips but I'm sure we'll have no problem coming up with ideas on where to go...
As I said, I`m up for any plan. I just posted this proposal for discussion. Sounds like a ride through is in order and any time left over can be spent doing other rides for those left. I`ve got no problems with spending a few days riding by myself. I just have to weigh risk a bit different.
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Just got The Complete Guide to Motorcycling Colorado in the mail. Got lots of great rides both asphalt and of the dualsport variety.
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I have that book too, I think it's pretty good. Biased towards the pavement, but has quite a few dual sport roads/trails too.
greatbuffalo- I would love to do this ride if I could get the time off. It's probably the worst time of the year to leave work with Sept and October being the best. But if I am still alive I could mark it off now for 2017. So if in 2017 you want to do this or one of the other states the sooner you let me know the better. Harry James Potter, If I could only fly like Harry.
Was thinking if the 2017 Tour de India does not come to fruition a good contingent would be the New Mexico, Arizona and Utah BDR all or part, would be cool.
Was not able to make it out there this weekend, my wife just had knee replacement surgery, so I couldn't bail on her.
Will find another time to get together for a planning meeting in the next couple of months.
There is a chance I will be taking a different job. If so then I will probably have to drop out of the COBDR due to lack of vacation time. Maybe I can negotiate, we'll see.
I should know by 3rd week of April.
I can also find alternative plans as well. Keep me posted.
Anyone else other than Fletch given this trip a thought?
we can discuss it further on our upcoming bus ride.
We'll have plenty of time.
Quote from: greatbuffalo on March 18, 2016, 09:20:18 AM
We'll have plenty of time.
yea, probably have all the worlds problems solved by the time we get home.
What have you decided on Dan? I have the week of 11-15 off so may be able to join you for a few days?
My plan. Leave mitchell on the 8th and ride to meet who ever is riding with me where ever that may be. The ones that have expressed interest are you, Jim, and Mark. I will ride out to meet you or if mark is going to go, that depends on ranching suff, I can ride down to meet him in NE and you and/or Jim or whoever can meet us on the way. I do have a contingency plan in the event that no one else was/is able to join me.
Figured we could take saturday and sunday to get to the 4 corners and start the ride on monday and hopefully finnish on friday, thatbis unless we get sidetracked or something unplanned was to occur.
As always, im open for any changes or adjustmants a day or two either way.
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I'm still a maybe. Bike is ready, just need to throw on some knobbies.
I'll let you know as soon as I find out the vacation situation... should find out this week or next, but the job change thing has dragged on way longer than I expected.
No prob Jim. Just keep me posted.
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OK... I can finally commit. I have the 11th thru 15th off. Also taking the 8th. I'm flexible, we can leave Rapid City on Saturday morning or Friday afternoon, whatever works for you guys.
I'm not going to be able to make it. I might* make a really quick trip down mid-week and see if I can meet up with you for a day.
Sorry to hear you can't make it Mike. Keep in contact with us and we can see if we can meet up along the way.
I think Saturday am may be the best time to leave but that would depend on Brad and Mark. Will check with them when they want to leave. I am done with work on Monday, can take tuesday and Wednesday to get ready and ride out on Thursday. As always I'm pretty flexable.
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Any ideas for the route to 4 corners? Pikes Peak might be fun, I've never been up there.
On a previous trip to CO I went straight south of Edgemont, then past Fort Laramie and Grayrocks Reservoir. Nice route but a fair amount of gravel that will slow us down; probably don't want to dally too much, given the 800 mile distance.
I was looking at the maps tonight thinking about possible routes to get there. I was thinking that there aren't many alternatives between Rapid and Denver. I thought that once we get to Denver we can head up into the mountains and take ashpalt mountain roads to get to the 4 corners area.
Brad akso brought up something I had thoughtbabout before and that is to go North to South and when we reach the bottom, anyone who wanted could take a different route back up through the mountains. I do know there is another group doing the North to south option around the time we will be riding. I dont don't care either way. I think I would rather ride south to north so its shorter to get home at the end if thats what I want to do.
I really, really don't care how we do it butbif someone had a preferance I'd be game.
Still waiting to hear from Mark. Mark, are there? Any idea of tne state of affairs on the ranch?
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Yes I am watching. I have been putting off giving the I'm out as long as possible.
Things just did not come together here on the ranch as I had hoped so have fun.
Thanks for the offer to join you.
If things work out I will do a long day Monday (and Early) and try to find you Monday night or Tuesday morning. but, one never knows as my plans typically unravel.
Sorry to hear that Mark, I was really looking forward to making this trip with you.
We are planning our Colorado ride around the passes listed in this web site.
http://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/4564-list-of-the-highest-mountain-passes-in-colorado.html
Also have Butler map of Backcountry Discovery Route and will try to hit as much as possible. Highly recommend Mt. Evans on a clear day. I peddled my bike up there a couple of years ago and it was spectacular, although the down hill sucked because the pavement had so much frost heave, had to check my speed to less than 50 mph.
Hope to cross paths as we head north to south.
Safe travels-Gerry
Route update for KLR650- ND group, leaving Custer Sunday July 10. Ride is open and everybody is welcome to join in, although planning is so-so and flexible, maybe 250-300 miles a day. 10-12 days. I just started looking at my maps and books and I'm still looking for ideas and coaching. Getting to the Bighorns on the first day --- then???
Proposed route:
Heading west from Custer to Newcastle-Wright-Kaycee-then dirt road either N fork Power river or Crazy Woman canyon to the Cloud Peak scenic byway(gravel cut-off)-Ten sleep-Thermopolis-Wind River canyon-Riverton-Rawlins to the so called end of COBDR route. We will only ride the trail north to south to just past the Clark store where we will turn west to Hayden CO., south to flat tops scenic trail, down 17 to Rifle. We may take interstate west from Rifle past Grand Junction to Hwy 128 towards Moab, where we pick up the Utah Backcountry Discovery Route and ride it south thru the La Sal mountains down to Bluff Ut, then over to Four Corners where we will start riding north on the Colorado Backcounrty Discovery Route. Planning detours to also ride million dollar highway from Durango to Silverton to Ouray. I think this road is better than the Beartooth highway. COBDR route takes us back up to Steamboat Springs where we will turn east over buffalo pass to Walden, Co - Kings canyon- Laramie,WY then wide open slabs, riding on condition butts, back to Custer.
Dan we will probably be a few days behind you guys.
If any of you end up near the 3 Step Hideaway, located on the TAT south of Moab. I can recommend a stay there.
http://www.3stephideaway.com/
Jerry, send me a PM with your cell# so we can see if we can manage a meet up.
Just got a call from Brad who passed along some info from Brit Brian. There will be a Horizons Unlimited Campout on the 15th thru the 17th in Grant Colorado. This is South West of Denver on Highway 285 between Denver and Fairplay. Looks like they have several good speakers and events plans. If you register before the 8th its only 39 bucks for the weekend to camp and take in all the events. Much cheaper than the KTM event.
Just thought I'd put this out there if those that are in Colorado for one of our DDSR rides, or, for others that want to ride out for this event. This is the organization that provides resources for anyone planning overland adventures.
Here is he link: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/colorado-2016
Hey Gerry. The mexican restaurant in Hayden CO is pretty good. West side of town on highway 40.
(http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww158/billz410/Heart%20of%20the%20West/20150802_120014_zpsjtfxeo7h.jpg)
I'm hungry for Mexican, thanks Jim - great picture.
Has anybody in the group rode the Engineer pass in SW CO.? How would you rate it in downhill ski terms (black - need race bike with knobbies, blue- maybe should not take loaded KLR650 but empty could work, Green - made for KLR650 and even KTM's and Triumphs). Thanks
Haven't ridden it, but Charles Wells rates Engineer Pass as moderate. "Most of the route is easy, but there are still a few steep, narrow places on the west side of the pass that will get your attention".
He also rates Cinnamon Pass (which is on the COBDR) as moderate.
I have looked at many videos of Engineer Pass and it looks like one 1/4 section that although not particularly difficult is quite exposed and some broken ledge. I was trying to put that pass in our route but as of yet, haven't committed. It all depends on time constraints and the will of our little group. That is on the Alpine Loop and it is ridden by loaded BMW GS's all the time. I underdtand that a few off the zwitchbacks on Ophur and Corkscrew passes will give a rider more of a challenge. I think the exposure is what puts most riders off.
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Jim, I think we will try to leave Rapid Friday afternoon like you mentioned and try to get to Glendo Sate Park in WY, as suggested buy Brad. I am planning on riding out Thursday midday. Would it be possible to meet Thursday evening to finalize a plan and route? I will be staying at Brad's.
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Sounds good, I'll send you my cell #.
Glendo might be full on a Friday night but worth a shot.
We can always find a place to Wild camp.
Greyrocks reservoir is another close option but that's likely full too. Those Wyom-ians love their weekend boating.
Damned wyominians
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Guernsey has small park by a creek and Oregon trail ruts are worth looking at.
I hope you guys have a fun and SAFE trip! I wish I could tag along!
Here's my SPOT page if anybody wants to follow. Probably not leaving until 3-4 pm Friday.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0z738kkaOKQN1UbyM4rCXqIN4Nxnx1T8A (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0z738kkaOKQN1UbyM4rCXqIN4Nxnx1T8A)
We met tonight and came up with an interesting route I think... sort of a figure 8, instead of straight to Four Corners and then north. Still have to cross eastern Wyoming though... blah.
Jim
Consider using Spotwalla for trip viewing. Beside being free, it will store your trips forever, even if you change devices/plans they will be available.
That is great Jim! I'm going to try to track you down Tuesday.. hope to see you then.
We made it as far as Gurnsey WY today. We made about 200 miles. So far so good.
From here we head for Wheatland, Laramie, and ultimately Walden CO and beyound.
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This photo says it all... the trip sucked. ;D
(http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx177/photoquark/COBDR%202016/P1000509_zpsnk3gk6kn.jpg)
Lake by the campground, the last night we camped together.
(http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx177/photoquark/COBDR%202016/P1000532_zpsfhwp2xjv.jpg)
I ended up with 2,300 on the odo. Awesome trip - nobody crashed, nobody injured, no gumbo mud.
I returned home yeasterday after doing just shy of 3000 miles in 9 days. Some 500 of those was gravel, offroad, two track and gnarly mountain passes.
The ride home was one of the worst trips across the state I've ever had. The wind was blowing out of the south southeast at 35 mph sustained and gusts in excess of 45. My head was being wipped around like a bobblehead doll in a baja buggy. I ended up having to take off my glasses cause the movement of my helmet was bending the frames and causing me to look through my lower bifocal.
The ride east was a small price to pay for a great trip with great company. I thunk we bagged 15 passes, 7 water crossings, 1 deep sand section, 2.7 million rocks, 13.3 billion dust particles, 1 dead roadbiker and more great memories than I could ever fit in my panniers.
We had a general plan going into this trip but each evening we would pull out the maps and plan the next day. Even after that the plan could change. The organic and everchanging plan made for some great unplanned discoveries. The best one being Lands End on Grand Mesa. An amazing view and a awesome ride down.
I'm sure those of you attending the fall rally will hear many stories from the trip. There are many but not sure if I could really put them in words here.
Thank you Jim, Brad and Mike, in no particular order, for an amazing experience. I will ride with you guys anytime.
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Sounds like you had a great trip! ..but 1 dead road biker?
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The moral of the story is "don't zone out, pass out, or wipe out when riding near Dan ....... Or you might wake up to find his lips pressed against yours!"
and then again, hopefully, you do wake up.
It was a rough story for a group of 5