2016 Colorado/Western Rally

[Bonz]

I would like to get the ball rolling for next summer. I am thinking western Colorado, home-base around the Blue Mesa Reservoir, west of Gunnison on Hwy 50. A main day ride would be the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Read up!

http://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/directions.htm

[Jerry]

I've ridden the Black Canyon on Hwy 92 and it is a good ride. Few guard rails though. There are a couple of good stopping points along the way, one at the top of the canyon has rest facilities and offers a good view of the canyon and beyond. Another stop offers view into the canyon (Cross Fissure View) and more toilets.

Montrose is about 15 miles from the entrance and offers the whole range of eateries from fast food to nice sit-down places.

National Park Service link for Black Canyon is
http://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm

I've never camped at Blue Mesa but have heard good things about it.

[Bonz]

Thanks Jerry. Setting home base closer to Montrose opens up Ouray/Silverton/Telluride possibilities, closer to Gunnison gets us Crested Butte, or and Pikes Peak for another nice longer day ride in addition to the Black Canyon. Doing a couple of day rides and making it longer than a weekend makes it a really worthwhile trip for those travelling from further away. Riding Pikes Peak was a huge hit with the 2014 Rally. Can't get tired of that really!

[rdmcguy]

Count me in !!!

I will be there wherever "there" winds up being ,
I will even consider bring a couple of 11's including "El Toro " as a backup or spare Yes I did replace that ridiculous rear tire Bonz,
Fixed the rear brakes too ..no more dragging !!!

[BA80]

Haven't seen any kind of a date thrown out yet.

[Bonz]

Looking for the interest in general. Would a date at this point be helpful?

[BA80]

It could be helpful. I can say with some certainty that May is a little early for the ride from Ouray to Silverton.

[Bonz]

Yeah, what were you thinking?

The Durango Rally a few years back was 4th of July weekend, 2014 Colorado Rally was July 20-ish.

Weather-wise July is hot, but makes high elevation riding nice like when going up Pikes Peak. Precipitation is generally not a big factor overall, but can rain anytime just like we found out coming back from Pikes Peak in 2014.

I feel mid-July (any weekend after the 4th of July weekend) is the target time frame. With arrival on a Thursday for rides Friday/Saturday and Sunday as either head home or hangout, fish, etc and head out Monday. Guys can arrive when they want or need to, no hard and fast requirements in that regard. Plug into whatever is going on when they get here.

Thoughts?

[rdmcguy]

Any time is a good time

Mid July might be a little better less 4th of July traffic,
Again, all are welcome to stop by my shack on the way in or out to hang around do any repairs or do a ride or two on some of my favorite Mt twisties

[CaptonZap]

Yes I did replace that ridiculous rear tire Bonz,
Fixed the rear brakes too ..no more dragging !!!

Uuuuum, how about the muffler?

CZ

[Bonz]

He fixed the muffler "right" there on the highway with the tools he had "left" in his kit.

[rdmcguy]

What ???

Couldn't quite hear ya Cz , No, still no mufflers but if you remember I did bring them with me ....Oh and Bonz The "left " comment did not escape my attention ...lol

[BA80]

Yeah, what were you thinking?

We were thinking Durango by dark and into southern Utah/northern Arizona the next day.

But, trbig's XJ had to break at the top of the Red Mountain pass. (The pic)

[motoman]

It could be helpful. I can say with some certainty that May is a little early for the ride from Ouray to Silverton.

Yeppers.........two weeks later, and that white stuff would of been traded for green stuff and temps. to go with it.

[motoman]

Thanks Jerry. Setting home base closer to Montrose opens up Ouray/Silverton/Telluride possibilities, closer to Gunnison gets us Crested Butte, or and Pikes Peak for another nice longer day ride in addition to the Black Canyon. Doing a couple of day rides and making it longer than a weekend makes it a really worthwhile trip for those travelling from further away. Riding Pikes Peak was a huge hit with the 2014 Rally. Can't get tired of that really!

........Some good eateries for lunch at Crested Butte also. No early start needed for that either.