Colorado Vacation *PICS*

m1marty

m1marty

Joined
Sep 5, 2004
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Just got back from a very fun 10 day vacation visiting my family in Colorado Springs. As this has been the first vacation I've had in over 2 years- I was very much looking forward to what we had planned. Several days of running the mountains on dirt bikes (logged near 800 miles) followed by heading back to the house and loading up the four wheelers for some camping.
I have a LOT more pictures (including getting a four wheeler stuck in a deep mud hole) but here are the starters.
Garden of the Gods, C. Springs
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Heading up HW 24 into the mountains
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Alpine meadow at over 10,000 feet
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Shortly before the meadow, decided to take a smoke break at this nice secluded spot
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It was hard for my sea level butt to breathe at this altitude. There were people RUNNING the entire trail up here. Thats 12.6 miles starting at around 9,000 feet and ending at 14,110. Waaaaay too healthy for me. I rode my brothers ex-Pikes Peak hill climb racer. It started life as an XR600R and now displaces 702cc. A TON of work has been done to this bike and thanks to Colorados lax laws, it is street legal. It's the bike in the front of this picture.
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We did a lot more riding all over the mountains in the days following this- I have to wait for the pictures from my brother.
Here's loaded up on the way to the campsite. More pics as I get them uploaded.
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The people who were running are acclimated to the altitude (as I am). They're not necessarily in better shape than you.

I love Colorado at this time of year. It's one of the big reasons why I live here.
 
Samael said:
The people who were running are acclimated to the altitude (as I am). They're not necessarily in better shape than you.

I love Colorado at this time of year. It's one of the big reasons why I live here.
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Yup, my family is all very active. Lifting and lots of running. I used to live there before I joined the Army and I remember how much better I felt after I had been there a few weeks.
I had a hard time getting my smokes to burn up there at that altitude.:D
The Springs is a great place. 80s-90s the whole time with a scattered shower or two to cool things off in the afternoon. Huge change from Tacoma. Flying in today the clouds started at Mt. Rainier and stretched as far as the eye could see out west. Gotta love this over cast weather.:rolleyes:
 
m1marty said:
Flying in today the clouds started at Mt. Rainier and stretched as far as the eye could see out west. Gotta love this over cast weather.:rolleyes:
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But remember it is still green here, and you love the moss in the lawn! Now keep repeating this every half hour until you believe it, or winter gets here, which ever comes first. :D
 
Looks like a great trip Aaron:thumbup:, especially the ridin' part!!:D

Take care buddy,
Jonny
 
Samael said:
The people who were running are acclimated to the altitude (as I am). They're not necessarily in better shape than you.

I love Colorado at this time of year. It's one of the big reasons why I live here.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of track teams here in the L.A. basin that will take trips to higher elevations to train in. It is a common practice among runners. They are a special breed. I have not smoked a cigarette in 5 yrs. now, but I still get winded easily when I visit 8k elevation or more. Great pictures Aaron! I am envious. I was talking to one of my boys today that we needed to go camp.
 
Great pics. Thats beautiful country.

I had to laugh about keeping the smokes burning. For those of us that smoke that is a consideration. :D

Did you have any problems with the bikes running at that altitude, or are they fuel injected ? I've been out of the bike loop for a few years :D
 
For the record, my smokes burn just fine. Getting them lit in the first place is a whole 'nother story, though. Lighters don't work so well at altitude.
 
Damn what a nice place to get out and be one with your surroundings.

Thank you for taking the time to share.
 
338375 said:
Did you have any problems with the bikes running at that altitude, or are they fuel injected ? I've been out of the bike loop for a few years :D
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Bikes ran pretty well all the way up past 14,000. I could feel the lack of power though- there's roughly 43% less oxygen that high up. Bikes are both carb models, jetted for 6k feet.
 
Mo' pictures
Even the sucky parts were fun....

Doesn't look that deep?
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But it is (Honda Rincon)
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Gettin hooked up
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The tow rig, Polaris 500 FI HO
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Gettin moving
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Hey look....tires.
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And out. No ill effects, the Honda fired right off and we continued the day. Yes, I know that there's a perfectly good bridge right there. What can I say- I'm hard headed sometimes.
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You were in my old stomping grounds. I miss that place.
I climbed at the Garden of the Gods for many years. That sandstone was the bane of granite climbers and the local SAR could only get to three of the thirteen rescue rings... dangerous stuff. If you were a good climber in the Garden of the Gods you were a good climber anywhere.
Spent tons of time on Pikes Peak, too.
Nice photos, thanks for the homesick pangs.
 
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