Uraling in the Ride for the Kids, 2010

Today I had the honor to ride in the 2010 Ride for the Kids event put on by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.  I had been clued in to this event by fellow Uralisti Craig and another one, Dana, met me at the event riding his GS Sidecar rig with a customized sidecar setup.  Dana rode down from Vail, through snow-covered roads to make this event!

Note: This posting is also located on examiner.com. So what's the difference? I get paid per # of hits on that site, so if you feel like helping my fuel budget, read the article there instead: LINK, Thanks!

At the top of Vail Pass

 

 As you can see, Dana didn't let a little snow in the mountains stop him from riding down from Vail
Here is GS Rig is approaching the Johnson Tunnel from Silverthorne

Dana's mean looking rig

Dana is going to ride the Trans-Labrador Highway up in Canada very soon and the above rig is the one he's going to do it in.  Looks like he's going to have a blast.

The day dawned with a light rain that would not let up really until the ride was over.  I had been thinking that it was a shame the weather was so wet, it would probably cut down on the number of motorcycle riders that would show up.  I am happy to report that I was very wrong, there were many more motorcyclists than I figured would show up, lots of Honda Goldwings, bikes of other marques and one Ural, Natasha.

At the Jefferson County Health and Human Services parking lot

I arrived shortly before 9:00, having had to turn back to get my spare helmet.  Turns out, I didn't need it, the kids who show up to ride with you bring their own!  I'll know better next time.  Natasha also experienced some "issues" with the heavy wind-driven rain I encountered but a little duct tape covering the holes in the plastic cover next to the coil solved that problem!

Here's some of the sidecar rigs that showed up for the kids to ride in.  There were also an assortment of Trikes ready to be of service as well.  The two-wheeled motorcycles rode in support of the kids, quite remarkable the numbers that turned out, given the wet and windy weather we had.

A Harley Davidson Rig in a lovely fire engine red

Another HD Rig, this one is  light tan/caramel color, very nice

This is close to the Cadillac of sidecar rigs, note the comfortable setup for the monkey!

I was just finishing registering when I heard on the loudspeaker a call for a sidecar rider.  I walked on over and was fortunate to get there first and meet James.  He'd seen the sidecars show up and he'd asked for ride in one.  The original plan was that he would ride in back of his Dad's Triumph America motorcycle but the sidecars lured him away!  : )

Here's James and his parents: Chris and Terry
photo courtesy of Terry

 James, looking ready for his first sidecar ride

photo courtesy of Terry

James is a very polite, soft spoken young man, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a golf ball at the tender age of five.  Now seven years later, treatments and such have reduced that tumor to the size of a pea.  I was very impressed with his friendly manner and outward confidence, and of course I liked his taste in motorcycles!

Jefferson County Sheriff's Finest, here to be our escort, on their day off.

Shortly before 10:00 AM, we got our rider's briefing from the PBTF Task Force Leader for Colorado, the Sergeant from the Sheriff's Department and we all went to our motorcycles to start things up.  I got James all settled in and then we waited for a few moments while final preparations were made by the PBTF organizers.

I'd like to mention how well run the event was by the PBTF and the many volunteers who showed up in the dismal wet weather we enjoyed.  This event was one of the smoother running events I've been to in my short career as a motorcyclist.   Bravo Zulu, PBTF, job well done!   (Yes, I know I'm a former Army guy but all we've got to announce a job well done is Hoooah!)

We rode off, sidecars and trikes led off, and we got on CO 93 heading north.  The Sheriff Deputies running escorts would race ahead and block intersections, allowing all of us to ride on through without stopping.  It was a quite novel feeling, crossing against a red light not once but many times.  The rain continued to pelt us as we rode along but it didn't matter since we were riding and doing something for the kids.  My compliments to the Jefferson County Sheriff Deputies that ran escort today, great job!

Due to the wet weather conditions, the original route which involved mountains was scrubbed and a new route was planned and executed.  We rode on CO93 to CO128, turning east at that point until we reached Indiana Avenue.  We took Indiana south, along rolling hills and plains.  The rain clouds formed a foggy top cover to the ridges to either side of us as we rode along, quite scenic.  No chance to stop for pics of course, we were in convoy!

Eventually, we turned west onto CO72 and headed back towards CO93.  Turning south on CO93 we soon came to our starting point and regretfully the end of the ride.  James and I shook hands after I parked Natasha, he was all smiles and I am told enjoyed the ride very much.  

We all then got a sack lunch courtesy of one of the ride sponsors: Jim and Nick's BBQ, it was delicious.  As we ate, the PBTF folks told us about the efforts of the foundation, introduced us to some of the top fund-raisers both private and companies and finally to the kids who were the object of today's ride.  James and five other youngsters sat at the stage and were given a chance to say a few words.  One of the kids even rode his own motorcycle for this event, the organizer seemed to think this was a first!

The kids we rode for today

photo courtesy of Terry

I am happy to report, even with the lower than expected turnout due to the weather, this event raised $46,801!  Outstanding.  There was a drawing at the end for some sponsor-donated prizes.  The winner of the grand prize, a Honda Rebel 250 Motorcycle is pictured below:

The happy grand prize winner

The formal part of the event over, everyone pitched in to help fold up and put away the gear/chairs that had been set out.  Afterward, as the kids and top ranking donors were having their pictures taken, I took this shot of Terry's Triumph America motorcycle, his wife Chris rides a Harley Davidson somewhat to his chagrin but it's all good.  

Chris watches Terry pack stuff away on his Triumph

Chris and Terry are James' parents.

You might remember this hardcore rider, he'd been one of the riders on the Elephant Ride.

Note his license plate.

People started leaving at this point as you can see above and I made sure to get a group picture of James and his parents:

Chris, James and Terry - originally from Australia, they been all over the world.  I believe Bulgaria was their previous home prior to moving to Colorado.  Terry works in the gold mining industry as a consulting geologist and he goes where the work is.

I said my goodbyes and left the event with hopes of riding with James again next year at the 2011 iteration of this Ride for the Kids.  I gave Terry my card and will try and keep in touch with them till then. Who knows, perhaps I can talk James into joining the Uralisti on rides whenever my own sons elect not to come along.

A great ride, if a bit soggy.  I rode home using the C-470/E-470 slabs as I wanted to make good time and didn't want to make too many stops on the way home.  The sight of the cloud covered ridges along C-470 just south of Golden though, made me stop for this picture.

That's Dinosaur Ridge on the right, with the foothills stretching out to the horizon

I made it home in good time with no incident, Natasha did great today despite the initial issues with rain getting to her ignition coil.  My riding gear kept me mostly dry, have to work on that.  I am glad I brought the ATV grip covers today, though they got water soaked, they kept the wind off my hands and I was able ride with just summer gloves on.  I don't think the temperature got above 50°F, that and the rain and wind, speaks volumes of my fellow motorcyclists who showed up to participate and support this Ride for the Kids, a tip of the helmet to all who showed up!

Uraling to the Vintage Aero Flying Museum's Open House

Saturday brought us a solid overcast cover of gray clouds from which rain fell all day and temperatures in the low to mid 40s.  Perfect weather for riding a Russian Ural Sidecar Rig to see vintage aircraft, military vehicles, and WWI and WWII memorabilia at the Vintage Aero Flying Museum, near Hudson, Colorado.

Note: This posting is also located on examiner.com. So what's the difference? I get paid per # of hits on that site, so if you feel like helping my fuel budget, read the article there instead: LINK, Thanks!  

Natasha and I left around 9:30 AM and we were there by 11:30 AM.  Took a couple of side detours after getting "mis-oriented" on Colorado Highway 52.  Still, no harm done except more time on mud than I expected.  You do have to negotiate packed dirt trails to get to the Platte River Valley Air Park where the Lafayette Foundation's museum is located, that was fun with water turning everything quite muddy for Natasha and I.

As you might suspect, the rainy weather produced a very light turnout for the museum's open house even though admission was free for the day.  Still, there was a decent amount of visitors perusing the equipment brought out by the WWI and WWII re-enactors, the three vintage planes safely out of the rain in the museum's hangar, the military truck and Stuart Tank and of course the offerings inside the nice, dry museum itself.

A panoramic shot of the aircraft hangar and militaria display area

The M3 Stuart Tank

I went inside the museum after taking the above shots, having downed a cup of hot coffee and still feeling a bit cold from having ridden in solid rain the whole way up to the museum.

Housed in a large adjoining hangar to the one housing their display planes, the museum is lined with display cases, showcasing the airmen on both sides of the conflicts.

Though primarily oriented towards memorabilia from the First World War, there's also stuff from the Second World War as well.

This autographed cigarette case drew my eye of course because of the BMW Roundel

There's several scale models hung off the ceiling of the museum

This great diorama shows the huge bombers from WWI, huge and yet carrying small bomb loads when compared to the stuff that followed in WWII and beyond

A model of a Fokker Tri-Wing Fighter Plane (I think)

This one, I am sure of, the American P-51 Mustang

After touring the display cases full of uniforms, weapons, photos, medals and badges and documents (all fully described of course!), I made my way back outside.  I ran into Andy, who's the president of the Vintage Aero Flying Museum and luckily he remembered me.  I've been there before with my Russian friend Andrey, seeing the "working" part of the museum where they're working to restore aircraft. 

After exchanging pleasantries, I asked Andy if it'd be OK for me ride Natasha over near the Stuart Tank on display for pictures.  He said it was and went ahead to clear the way for me.  I went to the parking lot, got my helmet on, rode Natasha slowly over to the tank.

Natasha and the Stuart Light Tank, that's Andy in the driver's compartment of the tank

As Andy was getting instruction from the tank's owner on how to drive the tank, it started raining again, and soon it was hailing on us!  Pea-sized hail, which drove everyone but me under cover of the airplane hangar.  Andy and the tank owner were of course just fine inside the tank!  Andy backed the tank, leaving wide furrows with its tracks, the tank then slowly rolled towards the parking lot.  The rain apparently got to heavy to leave the hatches open though, the "crew" bailed and ran for the hangar!

I rode Natasha over to the tank, it's still raining pretty hard mind you and got this shot, those white objects are the hail I mentioned before.

One last show of Natasha and her buddy, being hailed on.

I left soon after this, having seen most all of the stuff on display.  The ride home was in rain, of course, most of the way.  It finally stopped and things cleared up a bit about a half hour from the house.  Made it home with no incident though I've now discovered that rain makes Natasha's old drum brakes even less efficient than when they're dry.  Oh well!  Still a good day's worth of riding, Natasha handled the rain and wind with what's becoming her usual aplomb.

Uraling on Mammoth Gulch Road, after first trying Rollins Pass Road

Today four of five rigs of the Denver Area Uralisti (DAU) met at John's house for a quick breakfast  and coffee and then ride forth to try and see how far we could go up Rollins Pass Road before being either stopped by the collapsed tunnel near the top or snow which was rumored still blocking the road in the shady areas.

Note: This posting is also located on examiner.com. So what's the difference? I get paid per # of hits on that site, so if you feel like helping my fuel budget, read the article there instead: LINK, Thanks! 

"Rollins Pass was the primary travel route west from Denver until an easier road over Berthoud Pass was constructed".  There's lots more information here: LINK along with pictures of scenic spots along the road.  Rollins Pass Road has held a long standing fascination for me as I'd spied its rocky terrain or snow covered road twice in my motorcycle travels.  Both times I was stopped by either the deep snow when on the Ural and by myself or by the long deep ruts in evidence from the entrance near the East portal of the Moffat Railway Tunnel.


Today though, the weather was warm, the sun was out and we were four Ural sidecar rigs strong, energized by Cookie's cooking and John's coffee.  An attempt would be made!  We headed out of the Denver Metro area using US6 out of Golden, twisting and turning our way past its massive rocky canyon walls and a raging creek swollen with the springtime melt of snow.  I can't believe there were folks out there in there kayaks, getting ready to get into that boiling fast water!

We continued riding on CO119 until we were in the vicinity of its junction with Golden Gate Canyon Road.  Just before though, John who was in the lead sidecar rig, spotted a Harley Davidson rider working on his bike on the side of CO119.  John signals and pulls over so of course we all did.  I wonder what ran through that rider's mind the first couple of seconds of spotting four Ural rigs coming to a stop on the side of the road near him?  : )

The Harley guy turned out to be a local resident and was just working on an electrical issue and told John he was good to go.  So we all rode on a bit further to a nearby housing area where we stopped at a new fellow Uralisti house who lives in the mountains south of Rollinsville.  His sidecar rig was sidelined due to power issues so he joined us instead on his Yamaha XT Dual Sport motorcycle.  Natasha's ignition module got a little overheated once we arrived at Dan's house but a few sprays of water on it got her going again.  I would from that point on develop the habit of hosing the ignition module down every time we stopped!  (Did I mention it was a warm day?)

Now five vehicles strong, we headed off  on CO119 towards Rollinsville where we turned west onto Tolland Road and headed for Rollins Pass Road.  Tolland Road is packed dirt but pretty smooth, you follow the railroad line which goes into the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel.

 Riding along Tolland Road, check out the swift waters of the spring snow melt

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay

 Nearing the old rail station of Tolland

 photo courtesy of Deana and Jay 

Less than a mile before the tunnel, you turn a sharp right onto Rollins Pass Rd and it's all steep inclines from there.

 At the beginning of Rollings Pass Road

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay 

I'd thought I'd seen rough and rocky road conditions on my brief stint on the Alpine Loop Road in Southwestern Colorado, boy was I wrong!  The Alpine Loop was a walk in the park compared to damn near all of the first four kilometers or so of Rollins Pass Road!  Rocks of all sizes and shapes, large sunken sections of roads and ruts and sand.  Oh and did I mention the plethora of rocks?  We were all bouncing quite well along the road as our rigs slowly made their way up the rocky trail that is Rollins Pass Road.

A view of the Tolland Valley

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay 

This shot should give you an idea of the rocky road conditions

  photo courtesy of Deana and Jay 

Going up Rollins Pass Road

video courtesy of Deana and Jay 

 

I tried standing on the pegs during the rougher portions but when the rougher portions didn't seem to run out, my knees gave up and I bounced along on the seat.  About maybe 5 Km into the trail, we all stopped at a bend in the road after being filmed riding by John.  We waited a couple of minutes and noticed Jay and Deana were no longer bringing up the rear.   Hmmmm.  I had been ahead of them so I felt a bit guilty at not having noticed their being gone so I turned Natasha around and rode perhaps 1 Km back downhill until I spotted them.

Jay and Deana's rig had lost all forward power, even though the engine ran and idled well but the rig would not go forward up the incline it was on!  I thought it was the air filter and advised Jay to check it out.  By the time he'd verified the filter seemed OK, I had been joined by Dan on his Yamaha motorcycle and soon afterward the rest of the Uralisti.

Here we are, trying to diagnose Jay's rig's engine before the rest of the Uralisti showed up

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay 

Natasha rests under the shade of a tree while we resolve Jay's Rig's issue

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay 

John walked up and after hearing of our actions so far, said the symptoms smacked of a "smoked clutch disk".  Apparently Jay had been working the clutch a lot on the way up and it had overheated and no longer disengaged to allow the drive train to work.  No worries, we all parked our rigs and chatted for a bit while we waited for the clutch disk to cool off so it would work again.

Down but not out, Deana and Jay wave at passing dualsport riders

photo courtesy Cookie and John

After some discussion, we decided to not overstress Jay's rig's clutch much more and try for Rollins Pass another day.  We would instead go up nearby Mammoth Gulch Road that Dan knew about and had ridden before.  We got ourselves turned around and slowly made our way back down towards Tolland Road.

 Craig and Julie riding down Rollins Pass Road

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay

Truly some beautiful sights of the mountains beyond and the valley below

Look closely, you can see a train making its way towards the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel

Four rigs and one motorcycle went up, same number came back.

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay 

 Yours truly on Tolland Road

 photo courtesy Cookie and John

We rode east on Tolland Road and found the Mammoth Gulch Road turnoff soon enough. Compared to Rollins Pass Road, Mammoth Gulch Road was a piece of cake!  Still steep mind you, still had its fair share of rocks and depressions and such but after Rollins Pass Road, it seemed easier.

Dan was leading the way on his Yamaha XT and we rattled along behind him.  The road actually got a bit smoother a couple of kilometers in and it was pretty easy going for the most part.  We were soon at the snowline and the melting snow provided some relief in holding down the dust from the trail.

We came to a turnout where we could fit all the rigs with a great view of nearby James Peak, it's not quite high enough to be one of the Fourteeners of Colorado but it was pretty impressive looking.

Taking a break with a view of James Peak

 Our heroic couple strike a pose

photo courtesy of Cooke and John

Jay points the way forward (heroically of course)

After we'd rested for a bit at the turnout above, we continued on, making our way the now gentle incline to the topmost portion of Mammoth Gulch Road where we stopped for another break and pictures.

Near the summit of Mammoth Gulch Road

Shortly after the above picture, we came upon one more low point in the road where snow melting had created about a four foot wide creek across the road.  The words "River Crossing" popped into my head and once Jay and Deana were through the creek, it was my turn.  I admit I gunned it a bit as I rode down the road and hit the water.  Big splash but the water felt good on me.  Did it mention it was a warm day?

Listen closely near the end of the clip as I ride by Jay and Deana, you can hear me laughing maniacally

video courtesy of Deana and Jay

After a few minutes break while Jay's rig's clutch once again cooled off a bit, we went over came the last incline and then began our descent down a pretty smooth portion of Mammoth Gulch Road, eventually turning right onto Apex Valley Road which led us down, eventually, back onto CO 119, just north of the city limits of Blackhawk, CO.

 Look how smooth Apex Valley Road is!

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay 

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay  

We briefly stopped to chat with two fellows who were working on stuff at a collection of trailers on Apex Valley Rd.  Note the above bike's rear tire, they were apparently snow riding enthusiasts as there were several snowmobiles parked around the area.  I even saw some kind of military truck with snow chains on it.

 Uralisti on the march

Photo courtesy Cookie and John

Deana and Jay with yours truly behind them

Striking a "heroic" pose near the end of the ride

photo courtesy of Deana and Jay

Saying our goodbyes

Dan said his goodbyes at this point as he was headed back up to his house in the mountains.  Jay and Deana headed up the road for a late lunch and the rest of us headed on back towards our respective homes in the Denver Metro area.  Natasha and I covered about 235 Km today with very little issue, she did great offroad on what was the toughest road I'd been on with her.

As I approached Golden on CO119 on the way home, I saw out of the corner of my eye what looked like a small bird coming at me from the right.  Before I could reach, whatever it was had hit my right mirror and then the left side of my helmet's visor was covered in yellow sticky goo.  It must have been some huge bug based on the remains on my helmet!  Wiping at it only served to get yellow goo on my left glove and really smeared vision.  Luckily, I had my water bottle sprayer handy, and sprayed my visor while at a traffic light....good enough to get me home.

Another great and fun ride with the Denver Area Uralisti, all we got to do now is get Dan's Ural working again and then it'll be six rigs out looking for "interesting" trails to blaze.