Day 7

What happens on the road, stays on the road. Period.

We changed our itinerary and rode the Independence Pass to the Continental Divide. Independence Pass was tight, twisty and an awesome blue sky. From there we rode down highway 24 through Buena Vista and went on to Poncha Springs and turned east to highway 50. We had a picnic lunch at Gunnison and headed along the Blue Mesa Reservoir. At Montrose we turn south to the town of Ouray.

Ouray is the Switzerland of the Americas and is named after a historic Indian chief.

We had dinner at the Outlaw restaurant and bar, where John Wayne's (supposedly) 'cowboy hat' is hung at the bar.

One chic had her picture taken with John Wayne, and another chic rode helmet less down part of the Million Dollar Highway.

Today we got a lot of 'honks' from a train engineer, a Fedex truck, and a cute garbage truck guy. We encountered road construction on hwy 50, including one construction barrel in the middle of the road. We maneuvered the barrel,
but are still pondering how the cars behind us would navigate it.

After a few days now on the road we are getting to know each other

Day 6

We started out as a chilly willy day, 37 degrees at 12,930 feet, as we rode into Telluride. We had breakfest at Maggies cafe and bakery, the sweetest buns in Telluride. Telluride was beautiful, scenic and the marshalls were motorcycle friendly. Then, we headed off to Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park.
We passed the 'wild hogs', who later caught up with us after we'd finished our ride and picnic lunch. Highway 92, named the 'West Elk Trail', ran along the gunnison river, climbing and winding up the canyon, was a motorcycle, twister riding dream come true. We were all smiles when we pulled over for our picnic at the top.
At Hotchiss, we headed north on 133, then right at Carbondale, and into Aspen. 133 had speed changes every few miles, plus the heavy tourist traffic, made this part of the ride a bit tiresome.
In Aspen we had a gourmet dinner at D19. Mountain House Lodge had a deck, which one chic slept out on. The manager reprimanded this chic because the deck was not safety secured. This day was 329 miles, and 12 hours in the saddle. One chic had a close encounter with a rock, which
cracked the headlight cover.

Day 5

Today we got our groove on at 7000 feet on our way to Mesa Verde NP. Mesa Verde is a area where Ancestral Puebloans lived for a period of 700 years. Then in the late 1200's they left their homes and moved away. There are many ruins of villages scattered all over this area, it is not known if this was the center of their government or their religion.

Between tours at the geological sites, one chic used a new method to keep cool, or be cool. (see attached photo)

The afternoon was ours to relax as we wanted, some chics napped, yapped on the cell phones, checked out routes, road to Durango or enjoyed the hot tub.

We stayed in Cortez for two nites at the Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites. Accomodations were perfert for us, but if you want to relax in the jet pool you have to play Marco Polo, so you can guess it is a very family oriented place. Another cool feature of this hotel is the free bike wash! They are very motorcycle friendly here. The internet connection was the most stable we've found to date.

After the semi-religious experience of Mesa Verde, one chic headed east 26 miles on HW 120 to Durango to see the sights. Durango boasts a huge HD store, a very fun and interesting downtown (college atmosphere) with lots of stores, restaurants and of course bars. Lots of non-helmet wearing bikers cruising main street today, but all were quite friendly. There is a very cool jewelery store owned by a BMW rider named Lanka Blue Jewelery:check it out at www.lankablue.com. (Thanks Gary!)

One chic went riding around Cortez without a helmet!!!!

3 out of 5 chics want to know "How is Paris Hilton doing??"

Day 4-Four Corners

Four chics wandered for 40 miles and finally made it to Four Corners.

Day 4

*** Note, to post comments, you do not have to have a google ID. That problem was resolved, and anyone can add comments now ***

One chic is not allowed to cook anymore. Left early in the cool morning air. Winding along the Fremont river in the morning air along the cliffs of Capitol Reef, is what riding is all about.

First gas spot found us in a station carved into the rock. A wall was actually made of stone.

The ride on HW 95 east from Hog Springs through Fry Canyon into the Natural Bridges National Momument was breathtaking. Long sweeping curves through majestic red rock canyons. Not to be missed.

Emergency gas was obtained from a ranger at Natural Bridges State Park. We were allocated 2 gallons, 1 for each Harley. This is a little known fact, the ranger offered this after we realized that we could not view the bridge because we could not make it to the next station.

We have a new friend from France who is traveling from Costa Rica to Alaska. He was expecially charming in that he spoke no English, and we spoke no French. We felt this relationship had hope. (kidding husbands/friends!) Because we could split him 5 ways, we left him at the side of the road. Only to see him 3 more times in our travels.

Lunch was unique in a open park, wonderful bathroom with clean, full pressure, hot/cold water. We had a`picnic. Later, one hip chic had to take a picture, and became seperated from the group. This started the confusion, follow soon thereafter by a missed turn. 3 of the wandering nomad's ran across a herd of wild horses on the road. A chic quietly eased them off the road, and then another chic felt the irrestible urge to honk. At this point, one chic was worried about gas, and headed to the hotel (again) and the other chics went searching for the other wandering chic's through the desert for 40 miles.

high temperature was 107, low was 55.

-Capitol Reef Natural park
-Four Corners Monumenent
-Natural Bridges
-Jacob's chair
-Crossed Colorado River
-Cheese Box Butte

278 route milage, plus detours, u-turns and .....

Day 3

One Chic got pulled over early in the morning by the Park Ranger but lucked out and didn't get ticketed. We went on the shuttle bus to Bryce Canyon major scenic attractions, watch the park video and walked the half mile rim trail. We also watched the Ravens soar in the sky playfully. The chic's had a nice leisurely picnic lunch at Ruby Inn's patio and viewed rally bikers cruising the area. Susie had her picture taken with her Mohawk by a guy from Florida who is creating a 'travel adventure' website. (photo to be posted at www.bobclendenin.com later)

The highway through the Escalante staircase was awesome. So beautiful it was hard to keep our eyes on the road. We meet and seen alot of fellow motorcyclists, especially at gas stations. One chic is no longer allowed to have a room key, and another chic wants to go faster.

Highest temperature was 104 and lowest was 65. Dinner at Capitol Reef resturant was wonderful, and surprisingly in the middle of Nevada we listened to early BB King blues. And only a short 4 blocks from the hotel. The suite at Austin Chuckwagon in Torrey was a three bedroom apartment, with laundry, store, a nice big pool but no cell service.

Day 2

We got off to a slow start because one chic went to put air in her tire and at the Chevron but the machine wasn't working and instead let air out of the tire. But thanks to Susie who had a battery powered air pump and was able to air the tire up. Then we headed south and had to do a U-turn to go east to Warm Springs. The good news the HDs made it to Ash Springs, 171 miles thanks to the extra gas cans. ET highway was hot, long but provided a bath room stop behind the bush. Had lunch in Alamo ,NV, excellent food. On to Utah where the scenery improved dramatically especially at Cedar Breaks National Monument. The ride continued to improve with cooler temperatures and increasingly beautiful scenery to Bryce NP. The low temperature was 56 and the high was 102, we survived with our hydration vests. The highest elevation 10,750 at Cedar Breaks. We're getting along great even though it was a 12 hour day on the bikes. There was some confusion at Ruby's Inn and was lucky to get a room and a roll away bed. We had a good dinner at Ruby's Inn and are planning to hike Bryce tomorrow.

Day 1

All of us were on time and didn't have to make any U-turns. Cindy Swan of A&S BMW arrived to wish us off and take pictures, Susie's husband Jack came to also wish us off. The best road was hwy 120 out of LeeVining it was 12 miles of rolling roller coaster. The weather was great, low - 54, high - 95. The highest elevation was 8,800 feet. And there was gas between LeeVining and Tonopah in a little town of Bently, which isn't even on the map. So the two HD's lucked out and didn't have to fill up their gas cans. We should of stayed at the Clown Motel - "Motorcylist Friendly" rates $24.95. Well we off for Mexican food and margaritas, and then to the swimming pool.

Maggy

I had the luxury of having two days off before we left. But as usual I tried to do everything; and I also overpacked; but I need to be prepared for any adventure that we should encounter. Unfortunately, my windshield didn't come in, so I will be braving the bugs, wind, rain, and crickets??. I've been drooling over the maps and so ready to ride my new motorcycle on all those scenic, twisty, curvy roads.
But mostly the camaraderie of 5 women who share the passion of riding motorcycles.

Susie

I am so excited about this trip. For weeks I have worried
about everything. The heat, my tires, a duffel bag, a tank
bag, break downs, my back, my neck, my legs, etc. I even went to the Chiropractor 3 times and had a massage to tune up my back, and had a pedicure for my feet. I am done worrying now and just plain excited. I have had my bike loaded for 4 days and keep going back and forth taking things out and adding things. Still I have way more than I need, but, I am a former Girl Scout and Be Prepared is my motto. So tomorrow morning I will be ready and waiting at 7:00 a.m. in El Dorado Hills for the rest of you. Clutches out at 7:30, I have to worry about that now because my FJR has no clutch.

Jeanie

Motorcycle Mental Trip Preparation Emotions:
Excitement-Getting to know these 4 other women better; exploring 7 national park sites; getting on the road and being "out there"!
Anxiety-What if we get lost and are wandering around for 40 days?
Happiness-So many positive comments from friends about the trip and how interesting it will be; a chance to see some of this beautiful country!
Stress-Packing for 10 days; I have piles of clothes all over the house and list everywhere.
Appreciation-for my husband who feeds Homer(the dog)and fend for himself for 10 days; for the ability to take time off work; for friends who have gifted me with advice and support; grace.
Yippee--Lets ride; it's almost time to leave!!

Karey

I''m so thrilled to be going along on this trip. It was an act of fate (thanks Susie) that I get to go!! I've been trying very hard to be correctly prepared, and still packed light. I've focused on warm clothes as primary goal, and no frills in any category. Deodorant is a frill item (sorry girls, I'm packing light!!)

Linda

Getting ready for this trip was lots of fun. Each trip seems to require new equipment like a sheep skin seat cover to keep me comfy, or the new "summer" gloves to keep my hands cool and safe at the same time. I keep taking more stuff out of my T-bag so that I'll have room for my for the gas can on the days we need the extra fuel. Hopefully the new camelbac will keep me hydrated, I think I was the only one who didn't have one. Harley just got his 25,000 mile check up, a new front tire and a new battery. Oils checked as well as the air in the tires. I'll really excited to start out in the morning.

5 Hip Chics

5 Hips Chics embarking on an adventurous 10 day motorcycle trip. We'll be leaving ElDorado Hills, CA on Wed, June 20, 2007

We are:
Susie - 2006 Yamaha FJR 1300A
Karey - 2003 Harley Davidson Sportster Hugger
Linda - 2001 1200 Custom Harley Davidson Sportster
Jeanie - 2004 BMW R1150RS
Maggy - 2007 BMW R1200R

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 -Sacramento, CA to Tonopah, NV = 329 miles

Day 2- Tonopah, NV to Bryce NP, UT = 377 miles

Day 3-Bryce NP, UT to Torrey, UT = 163 miles

Day 4-Torrey, UT to Cortez, CO = 278 miles

Day 5-Tour Mesa Verde NP, CO

Day 6-Durango, CO to Aspen, CO = 330 miles

Day 7-Aspen, CO to Pagosa Springs, CO = 400 miles

Day 8-Pagosa Springs, CO to Moab, UT = 302 miles

Day 9-Moab, UT to Ely, NV = 403 miles

Day 10-Ely, NV to Rocklin, CA = 444 miles

Total miles - 3071