Aug. 20 - Day 6

Ride Day!
Everyone came out to the parking lot of the Dillon Inn for a parking lot breakfast. Excellent! Though the potatoes had a bit of a different spice, what a great way to bring everyone together before a great day of riding. One by one, two by two they all arrived and parked in the perfect area for staging the bikes. More and more, they just kept coming. Though we had a count of 61 for the registration the final number of VFR's was 46. All lined up in a row with a beautiful mountain backdrop.

A quick briefing and we left the parking lot at 9:10, all on different routes. We had 7 different ride groups to keep the number of riders to a good level.

Our first stop en route was the top of Loveland Pass. Taking us through Keystone and some nice switchbacks, we climbed quite quickly from 9111 feet to over 11,000. Everyone was feeling the affects of high alltitude with shortness of breat and tight throates. Even the bikes were running leaner with low idle speads.

I was with the intermediate / photo tour headed towards Central City. A quaint little town that was taken over by gambling. 20 mph through the streets and then back to the mountain climb up to Estes Park the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Okay, I took one for the team. Coming around a corner, we were stuck behind a semi and a truck doing 25 in a 45 zone. After a few minutes our ride leader decided to pass. The 'Safe to Pass' signal came for every following rider and as I was sweeper (the last position to ensure everyone comes through) I was the last to come through. I had one quick moment of hesitation then proceeded to follow.

Just as I cleared the semi cab I glanced up to see a car coming in the distance. A State Patrol Car.
As he went by, the lights came on. I knew it would really suck if everyone got pulled over so I proceeded to slow and pull over at the first safe spot. The officer approached and said "I need to issue you a citation for passing on a double yellow. By the way do you know those other guys?" Then asked, "How is your trip from Canada?". A quick little chit chat and he went back to the car to write me up. 15 minutes later I was off and caught up with the group. Everyone came and asked, but I was not interested in talking about it at that time. Later, at lunch I let them in on the $113 fine - no later everyone pitched in money so it only cost me $20. Money order mailed and all is fine.

When we finished in Estes we headed for the park. What an incredible climb. One quick section was a 1000' drop on both sides for about 100 yards, with nothing but long distance views in each direction. Continuing the climb we passed tons of spectators looking at the herd of elk. Quite incredible.

It was a long day and dealing with the high altitude and a cold, I just wanted (needed) to get home. Arriving back at the Dillon Inn at 5:30, I had just enough time to shower, gather together the prizes and get down to the pub for the dinner.

Most everyone was on the same schedule, but even with the hustle, we were there and eating at 7:00. A great meal and tons of discussion, laughs, day stories and the like. Door prized drawn and a surprise for me. Derek & Tammy from Vancouver, whom rode down the whole way with us an helped with various little details (sign up board, organizing people, my laundry) presented me with a T-shirt signed by everyone at the meet. What an incredible touch.

All in all, it was a great day and everyone agreed it was a wonderful event.
Now, I get Friday off and so much more to come