2018 Colorado Rally, July 12-16

[Bonz]

July 4th falls on a Wednesday in 2018, two weekends after that would fall on Friday July 13th thru Monday the 16th. I think that mirrors the weekend from last year and other recent Colorado Rallies. Is it appropriate to look at starting the Rally on Thursday the 12th and going through Monday the 16th, for a bit of extra time?

Just thoughts...

Sebastian, let me know how I can help with logistics, shirts or otherwise.

[Jerry]

Note on carbs:
I ran my XJ (stock carbs and intake but with Jardine "spaghetti" 4 into 2 pipes and Jardine mufflers) and had very few problems with mountain riding. Sometimes I had to roll the throttle open to get the engine started but no big deal. Yes, you won't get optimum performance but for a weekend rally with group riding stock settings should do OK even at mountain pass elevations.

Am good with July 13 -16 dates or even the following weekend or two.

Keep in mind that layered clothing is the best way to go even in July; at elevations the temps can change 20 - 40 degrees pretty quickly as you leave the campground and climb to over 10K elevation and run in and out of sunshine.

[Bonz]

When I did the reconnaissance run to ride the 2017 Rally roads, at the end of May, temps were mostly in the high 40s and a few low 50s with some precipitation and clouds but sitting behind the full-size Plexifaring 3 on the 80 SG was pretty comfortable. I had plenty of layers to use however just cutting the wind made a huge difference.

[JeffH]

CO 18' Rally

Any arrangements setup yet so we can start making plans?
I think this is the latest info? - maybe not

Date: July 12th to July 16th, 2018
Location: Chalk Creek Campground US285 Nathrop CO

https://chalkcreek-campground.com/

Any details or rates available yet for tenting or cabin?
Just don't want to get aced out by some other biker group

Last Rally that evening campfire cookout sure was great. Beats going to a restaurant.
Hope we can do that again this Rally.

Jeff

[BA80]

Any arrangements setup yet so we can start making plans?
I think this is the latest info? - maybe not

Date: July 12th to July 16th, 2018
Location: Chalk Creek Campground US285 Nathrop CO

https://chalkcreek-campground.com/

Any details or rates available yet for tenting or cabin?
Just don't want to get aced out by some other biker group

Last Rally that evening campfire cookout sure was great. Beats going to a restaurant.
Hope we can do that again this Rally.

Jeff

I'm with you on that Jeff. Except for the wind I enjoyed that.

[Bonz]

If the 12th works for guys to come on Thursday, it sure is nice to have an extra day to spend together. It seems we just start to settle in and have fun socializing after the awesome rides and then everyone is heading out the next morning.

Sebastian, you know this part of the state well. What campground are we making our play at and what to use for our hotel and motel attendees?

Let us know what you are thinking, I like the overall location a lot.

Let me know if you need some legwork on that stuff.

[Sebastian_99]

If the 12th works for guys to come on Thursday, it sure is nice to have an extra day to spend together. It seems we just start to settle in and have fun socializing after the awesome rides and then everyone is heading out the next morning.

Sebastian, you know this part of the state well. What campground are we making our play at and what to use for our hotel and motel attendees?

Let us know what you are thinking, I like the overall location a lot.

Let me know if you need some legwork on that stuff.

Bonz and all,

Ideally we are going to shoot for Chalk Lake Campground. Great place for tents, I will take a look at tent rates and making group reservations ahead of time (it's a pretty big place so we should be good). Each site can accommodate more than one tent I believe so it might make sense to have guys share a site.

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/c...O&parkId=70043

As for hotel accommodations, there are some places in Johnson Village and Buena Vista (a few miles away from Chalk Lake). Here are some links:

http://www.riversmountainmotel.com/
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-...&iata=00065402

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/bo...ogle:gmb:06164

I could use some help finding out who all plans to attend so we can get a head/tent count and then reserve the spot. This is a nice spot and reserving sites sooner rather than later will be critical because this is prime camping season.

[Sebastian_99]

Any arrangements setup yet so we can start making plans?
I think this is the latest info? - maybe not

Date: July 12th to July 16th, 2018
Location: Chalk Creek Campground US285 Nathrop CO

https://chalkcreek-campground.com/

Any details or rates available yet for tenting or cabin?
Just don't want to get aced out by some other biker group

Last Rally that evening campfire cookout sure was great. Beats going to a restaurant.
Hope we can do that again this Rally.

Jeff

Jeff,

I think each evening we could probably do a BBQ/cookout (saves a ton on money and is much more relaxed and conducive to conversation). If we can find someone who can bring a cooler and whatnot that would be excellent *hint hint Motoman and Motowoman

[Bonz]

Great campground area. I’ve camped at the Mount Princeton campground just a stones throw back to the east. Decent paved road leading all the way up to it.

Chalk Lake has good fishing as they keep it stocked throughout the summer.

Definitely get reservations in for the campsites as soon as you can, very popular camping area. Mt. Princeton Hot Springs is back to the east bit, for those that like that type of thing.

[JeffH]

I had some thoughts about cool places to do a 2018 rally in Colorado if people are interested in doing another one here. I was mainly thinking about basing it out of Nathrop (just outside of Buena Vista) because Cottonwood pass should be 100% paved by then and would be a blast to ride. We could also include rides on Independence pass and Monarch pass. People could either stay hotels in Buena Vista, Nathrop or even Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and the rest of everyone could camp at Chalk Creek campground. Thoughts?

Just read "Princeton a stone throw to the east" what? Whoa .... a trigger ..... From Creek it would be west. So location has been changed? from Chalk Creek on US285 to Chalk Lake west of Princeton. Chalk Creek had the Cabins and is private campground. Chalk Lake is a recreation.gov booking.

So I guess its Chalk Lake now for the Rally.

Was going to book at Cabin at "Creek" but maybe Hotel at BW @ Buena Vista where I've stayed before might work. Not sure I want to drag a tent & stuff from Georgia. Princeton Hot Springs big $$ for motel room. Only 10 miles between all this stuff anyways so it is not material distance wise. Would like to be a Rally HQ site. 9,000 ft burr ...... But i've never been up CO162 and i bet it is beautiful.

Jeff

[Bonz]

Bonz and all,

Ideally we are going to shoot for Chalk Lake Campground. Great place for tents, I will take a look at tent rates and making group reservations ahead of time (it's a pretty big place so we should be good). Each site can accommodate more than one tent I believe so it might make sense to have guys share a site.

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/c...O&parkId=70043

As for hotel accommodations, there are some places in Johnson Village and Buena Vista (a few miles away from Chalk Lake). Here are some links:

http://www.riversmountainmotel.com/
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-...&iata=00065402

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/bo...ogle:gmb:06164

I could use some help finding out who all plans to attend so we can get a head/tent count and then reserve the spot. This is a nice spot and reserving sites sooner rather than later will be critical because this is prime camping season.

I clicked on the link in Sebastian’s post and it takes me to Chalk Lake campground. Definitely different than Chalk Creek campground. I may have missed something however I did not see Chalk creek campground mentioned from Seb_99.

Let’s pause and be sure we are all on the same page as far as info.

[JeffH]

Post #1 on this thread dated Oct 17 said Creek. Nothing mentioned differently until Dec 4 when it says Lake.

So Lake it is. Nicer up there anyways than on the flats at US285 before the Arkansas River.
12/4 Links are clear pointed to Rally Central. 10-4 to that

Just have to rethink what I'm gonna do since no cabin option at Lake.

Jeff

[Bonz]

You are absolutely correct Jeff! I didn’t go back to the beginning I just looked back through the most recent page once he had posted links. Let’s let him confirm for sure even though the link is probably de-facto proof of what he’s thinking.

[Bonz]

A few more details that are probably going to be asked... I do not believe there are showers on site. A fellow would have to go down to the Mount Princeton Hot Springs for that from what I’m reading. That would mean a ride down on the bike.

I am reading mixed reviews on the availability of drinking water. If it is like it was in 2015, there is no electricity. This place is much more rustic than the past places we have camped.

Sebastian, have you camped there recently to confirm drinking water and possible addition of electricity?

That said, I do not want to be a wet blanket on anything however to encourage and be hospitable to the greatest number of fellows those are things to consider.

The past Colorado rallies have been gaged with amenities in mind that would appeal to all while tenting, and of course hotels nearby that encourage fellows to congregate for evenings.

Thoughts from the collective?

[3Phase]

A few more details that are probably going to be asked... I do not believe there are showers on site. A fellow would have to go down to the Mount Princeton Hot Springs for that from what I’m reading. That would mean a ride down on the bike.

I am reading mixed reviews on the availability of drinking water. If it is like it was in 2015, there is no electricity. This place is much more rustic than the past places we have camped.

Sebastian, have you camped there recently to confirm drinking water and possible addition of electricity?

That said, I do not want to be a wet blanket on anything however to encourage and be hospitable to the greatest number of fellows those are things to consider.

The past Colorado rallies have been gaged with amenities in mind that would appeal to all while tenting, and of course hotels nearby that encourage fellows to congregate for evenings.

Thoughts from the collective?

It looks like there's a babbling brook, any fish?