We can do that....

Here are some 54" Aeros we rolled for our friends over at Rocky Mountain High Wheels, to give you an idea of how big these are, they are pictured with a 700c Deep V. Also pictured is our trusty high-low Allis.

Jack’s Gulch Campground, Colorado

Jack’s Gulch Campground is located just a bit over 6 miles from highway 14 on the dirt road called Pingree Park. By the time we got there, the rain had stopped. It was definitely cooler up here, the campground sits at 8,100 feet in elevation. The camping fee for a non-electric site was $18.

All the roads through the campground were dirt. We choose campsite #43 in the Yarrow loop. You could almost see the top of the nearby mountain from behind the trees from this camp site. The vault toilet was just two campsites away, and there was only a few other campers in the Yarrow Loop, but all of them were far away, so we couldn’t even see them. The camp sites here are spaced far apart, which is very nice.



Jack’s Gulch Campground, site #43





Restroom

Neither one of us had a pen to register the campsite, but the camp host was in and had a pen. Funny, I don’t have a pen listed on my “packing list” because I always have one in my tank bag. Although I don’t ride with a tank bag on the XT, so no pen.

After my tent was up, it was time for lunch. Then we headed for a ride. It must have rained pretty good at the campground while we were out riding all those hours, the picnic table was wet, as was my tent’s rain fly. I also somehow forgot my rain pants today, which would have been nice to have.

Thankfully the rain was done for the day, although the air felt moist all evening. After some dinner we started to collect some wood for a campfire. Most of the wood was soaking wet but we did find some that was just damp. I brought the matches and Al had a MSR bottle full of gasoline, a few drops of that and before the sun completely diapered behind the trees, we had a camp fire.



Dinner: bread and tune

The moon was just a sliver, the stars were out shining brightly in the dark sky. Since this is bear country, we consolidated all our food and toiletries in to one bag, which Al climbed a tree with, then hung the bag on a high branch.

After warming up near the fire and swapping motorcycle stories, it was time for bed. I climbed in to the comforts of my Sierra Design Light Year 1 tent, wiggled inside the sleeping bag liner, and then inside my super soft goose down +15 degree sleeping bag. Laid my head on my goose down camping pillow and set the alarm on my travel alarm clock. I still had on my goose down puffy jacket, fleece gloves and a hat. In the tent I put on my fleece leggings and my goose down camping booties. It was still in the mid or upper 30’s but the temperature was dropping and who knows how low it would get. All these items I camp with bring me warmth and comfort, and are all very light, and pack small. Why not be comfortable.



Campfire

Meanwhile Al situated himself around the campfire, where he was warming up some rocks to sleep with for warmth just like I’ve seen on those shows like “Survivorman” or “Man vs. Wild”. I guess when one spends months in the trenches in Africa, one night in the Colorado mountains sleeping under the sky is no big deal.

Pingree Park, Sky Ranch & Crown Point Rd

At around noon my friend Al and I departed Fort Collins. My XT felt pretty sluggish with the added weight of the tent and saddle bags. After all, the XT only puts out about 20HP’s.



Threatening clouds in the distance as we ride west on highway 14 out of Fort Collins

The forecast for today and tomorrow in Fort Collins called for sunshine and temps in the 80’s. The temps in Estes Park were slightly cooler but it was still supposed to be sunny there. Jack’s Gulch Campground is west of Fort Collins and just north of Estes Park. As we rode west on highway 14, I started to notice the dark clouds in the distance. They only grew darker and more menacing the further west we rode. About 10 miles from where we were supposed to turn off on Pingree Park Road, the rain started to fall and the wind started to pick up. I had to pull over and throw two layers on, the temps dropped instantly from 80 to 60 degrees.



Rain on Pingree Park Road



Highway 14 and the twisty and steep beginning of Pinegree Park Road

We continued riding in the rain and turned south on Pingree Park Road (County Road 63E), which is wide dirt and gravel road. The road immediately started climbing with numerous switchbacks. I was surprised how many cars turned off on this road. It took me several miles to adjust to riding dirt, especially with the extra weight. The road leveled off a bit. There is a lot of amazing scenery here, but don’t get too distracted, or you’ll ride straight off a cliff.

Jack’s Gulch Campground is located just a bit over 6 miles from highway 14 on Pingree Park Road. After choosing a campsite, we headed back out for a ride. I was glad to take the saddle bags and the extra weight off my bike.



Pingree Park Road near the CSU campus



CSU campus buildings, more like cabins, ahead



The curvy road to the CSU campus



That’s the Mummy Mountain Range behind me

We still had the whole afternoon to explore. First we rode Pingree Park Road all the way to the end, where Colorado State University's Pingree Park Campus and Conference Center is located at some 9,000 feet in elevation in the Mummy Mountain Range. From the Pingree Park mountain valley you can see Rocky Mountain National Park, the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area, and Roosevelt National Forest. There are also five mountain summits accessible form this area: Signal Mountain (11,262‘), Stormy Peaks (12,148’), Fall Mountain (12,258’), Comanche Peak (12,702‘) and Hagues Peak (13,560’).

At the CSU campus we turned around and headed back the other way on Pingree Park Road. The rain started up again, at times, like it does so often in the mountains, the rain would fall and the sun would shine simultaneously.






Sky Ranch Road



Nice views from Sky Ranch Road



Pingree Park Road (63E) and Sky Ranch Road (CR145)

We turned off on the road to Sky Ranch (Country Road 145). This road was much narrower, twistier and rockier. I liked it a lot more then Pingree Park Road, I guess in dirt I like to ride slower, and on Pingree Park Road even though the speed limit is posted at 30MPH, many of the section can be ridden much faster. Sky Ranch road didn’t go very far and ended at some camp.



Pingree Park Road and the south fork of the Poudre River



Pingree Park Road and the south fork of the Poudre River, shot from the river



Al climbed that big rock next to the road and took some cool pictures from the top



Back on Pingree Park Road, next stop was next to the south fork of the Poudre Rider. Then we rode past Jack’s Gulch Campground, waiting for the deer to cross in two places and turned on to the Crown Point Road. This road goes all the way to the Zimmerman Lake trail, near Cameron Pass. By now it was raining steady and harder at times. By now we realized that this was not of those a noon-time passing mountain rain showers. This was some kind of rain storm. One cloud would go past us, and another one would come. The rain continued on and off all afternoon. So far Crown Point Road was my favorite today. Narrower then Pingree Park Road, no traffic on here what so ever, also a bit bumpy and rocky n some places. We did pass two tents on the side of the road. That’s what I love about Colorado, you can set up a tent almost anywhere for free.



Where we turned around on Crown Point Road



Crown Point Road, Jack's Gulch Campground is located at way point #7

Crown Point Road is about 20 miles long, we only got to about 1/3 of it when the snow appeared on the side of the road. With the rain and the higher elevation here, it was actually cold. We decided to turn back around and head back to the campsite. What a fun day, and I only rode about 85 miles.



Todays route 85 mile route

First Overnight Ride on the XT225 with Camping

I was looking for something else on the web when I found a website with a list of the best campsites in Colorado. It seems like the best campsites were way off the beaten path. Immediately the little wheels in my head started to spin. I have a dual-sport motorcycle. How fun would it be to pack up all my camping gear and ride out to one of those amazing campgrounds via amazing dirt roads, and also do some hiking while I‘m there.

The one campground that I’ve come across a few times that is highly recommended is located some 400 miles from here in the Elk Mountain Range, on a very long dirt road, far away from everything. Before I could head out there on my bike, I‘d have to see if I could even carry all my camping gear on my little XT225. Having enough gas to get to the remote areas is always an issue when riding the XT, the tank is very small on the bike, only 2.1 gallon.

I was already kind of thinking of getting on my ST3 and taking an overnight ride somewhere to camp and hike, the weather was supposed to be nice for the next two days. But I thought it would also be nice to take the XT somewhere, and a two day ride on the XT was definitely cheaper, then a two day ride on the ST3.

I found a campground not to far away from Fort Collins, which was surrounded by many dirt roads and many hiking trails. Jack’s Gulch Campground seemed like the perfect location to test out my dual-sport touring and camping capabilities.

I started to plan my departure for the following day, I was totally prepared to ride and camp alone since it was a week day and everyone was working.

Today was Wednesday, and the local Fort Collins ADV Rider beer night. I had to inform my buddies that I couldn’t make it out there tonight. Instead I was heading out to REI to attend a clinic on climbing Colorado 14ers.

Then I remembered that one of my beer night buddies is also unemployed, rides a dual sport, and likes to camp and hike. Thinking it was too short of a notice, since I was planning on leaving tomorrow, I sent a message out anyway. You just never know. By the time I got home from REI, I had a reply and Al was in for the ride, the camping and some hiking as well.

I have done a multi-day ride on the XT, but stayed in motels. And I have camped with the XT many times, but I didn’t ride the bike there, it was towed to the campsite. This would be the first time I was going to be riding my XT with all my camping gear.



From my 2006 SW Texas trip: Fieldsheer tailbag (too bad I left the gas can in IL in storage, I think I could really use that can for this trip)



The FS tailbag looks huge on the little XT, but the Nelson-Rigg saddle bags have more packing space and sit lower on the bike, which is nice since it doesn't make the bike as top heavy



From my 3 day ride around Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee in 2007, lots of gas stations in the east, I didn't need the gas can

I needed more luggage space for this ride. Jack’s Gulch was located at 8,100 feet in elevation, I would need all my cold camping gear. In the past I used my Fieldsheer tailbag on the XT, but the tailbag wouldn’t hold all the stuff I needed to take for camping. I tried on my Nelson-Rigg saddle bags that I use on the 954RR, and they fit fine on the XT. The only concern I had was the right saddle bag had vinyl backing and the vinyl was resting on the exhaust, although the exhaust can had a heat shield. Would it stay cool enough not melt a hole in my saddle bag?



The XT225 ready for it's first overnight ride with camping using the Nelson-Rigg saddlebags


Packing list:

Camping Gear:
Sierra Design Light Year 1 person tent & footprint
+15 degree REI down sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner
Inflatable camping pillow
Big Agnes insulated inflatable sleeping pad
Camping head lamp

Clothes & MC gear:
Dirt riding gear
Helmet
Gloves
DS Boots
Hiking boots
Light waterproof jacket shell
Fleece shirt
Down jacket
Fleece thermal pants
Fleece hat and gloves
Down camping booties

Food:
2L water
I can Red Bull
2 packets of tuna
Crackers
1 piece French bread
2 apples
Trail mix
2 banana muffins

Misc:
Camelbak daypack
Bowl and spoon/fork/knife
Sunscreen
Lip balms
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hand sanitizer
Zip-ties
Bicycle cable and pad lock
Matches

New league of star kids on Bollywood’s threshold

New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) After Sonam Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor, the legacy of star kids foraying into Bollywood continues with veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter Sonakshi, sons Luv and Kush and comedy king Govinda’s daughter Narmmadaa set to make their debut in the industry.
Last month Sonakshi’s debut opposite Salman Khan in his brother Arbaaz’s maiden production venture was announced, but now she has reportedly walked out of the project as she wasn’t too happy with the script.

A fashion designer by profession, she made her first appearance at the Lakme India Fashion Week held in Mumbai last year. Her younger brother Luv too will follow suit and is working hard for a grand launch with “Sadiyaan”, produced by his father’s production house Shotgun Entertainment. His twin brother Kush, meanwhile, will make his debut with director Apratim Khare’s yet untitled film.

Kush was more interested in direction and went to the New York Film Academy to brush up his directorial skills. He had even assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali during the shooting of “Saawariya” (2007).

He says he accepted an acting offer because he doesn’t want to confine himself to direction alone.

“I always believed in the saying that you should always do something you believe in but that never meant to limit yourself in any way whatsoever,” Kush was quoted as saying.

Another young talent awaiting her debut in the industry is Govinda’s daughter Narmmadaa Ahuja. According to her publicist Dale Bhagwagar, she is being signed by a well-known producer but he did not reveal further details.

“There is still some time before we can reveal the name of the producer. Narmmadaa is looking forward to a lot of commercial and glamorous roles in Bollywood at the moment,” Bhagwagar told IANS.

The practice of sons and daughters stepping into their star parents’ shoes isn’t new to the industry.

In the 1940s, legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor followed his father Prithviraj Kapoor’s footsteps and entered films. Later his younger brothers,- Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor, too joined the league.

Raj Kapoor’s three sons - Rishi, Randhir and Rajiv - entered filmdom and now their kids have followed suit too. Randhir’s two daughters Karisma and Kareena as well as Rishi’s son Ranbir have become part of the Hindi film fraternity.

Deol brothers - Sunny and Bobby - too followed their father Dharmendra’s footsteps as did actress Sharmila Tagore’s children Saif Ali Khan and Soha.

Even Vinod Khanna’s sons Akshay and Rahul stepped into showbiz, but they couldn’t repeat their father’s success story.

In the first year of the new millennium, actor-filmmaker Rakesh Roshan’s son Hrithik came into Bollywood and created ripples with his debut film “Kaho Na Pyaar Hai”.

He was soon followed by megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s son Abhishek and Kareena Kapoor who got a launchpad in J.P. Dutta’s 2001 movie “Refugee”.

Also on the list are star kids like Hema Malini’s daughter Esha Deol, Feroz Khan’s son Fardeen and Suresh Oberoi’s son Vivek.

The more recent ones to foray into filmdom are disco king Mithun Chakraborty’s son Mimoh and Shekhar Suman’s son Adhyayan.

12 day motorcycle tour that didn’t happen

The Pacific North West Ride (CA, OR, WA, ID)

I usually don’t post about rides that “could have been”. But I was very close to doing a huge ride, so it’s worth a mention. This ride is now “technically” postponed. I’d still like to do it, and I will if the opportunity presents itself.

Had things gone as planned, today I would have been heading out to Northern California for a motorcycle meet in Fortuna, CA. On the way to Fortuna I was going to stop in Sacramento and meet up with another woman motorcycle sport-tourer, who is also a blogger like me. I‘ve known her for several years now as I followed her motorcycle travels through her blog and various motorcycle message boards.



My proposed 4,000 mile route through CO, UT, NV, CA, OR, WA, ID and WY

Funny, we have never met in person, but reading someone’s stories year and year, makes you really feel like you know them. Ah, the magic of the internet. The motorcycle community is an amazing one. A simple e-mail to another rider in another state, usually will provide garage space for the bike, a place to lay your head for the night and sometimes even a home made meal. To the traveler it’s inexpensive lodging, and of course, the bonus is hanging out with other riders, sharing stories and motorcycle adventures over a meal and some beer. You can’t get that at a motel if you‘re traveling alone.

As for the motorcycle meet in Fortuna. I have never been to that one before, but I have been to many others over the 7 years that I have been a member of this group. This meet for another opportunity to meet in person some of the people that I have known for years through the message board. Some of the people I have met already through other events and rides, and was looking forward to seeing them again.

And lets not forget about the roads. I was really looking forward to riding along the coast in California, gazing at the Pacific Ocean, posing my bike for a picture in front of some of those giant redwoods.

From California I was going to ride with two other riders through Oregon and Washington. Two states that I haven’t been through on my motorcycle yet. After a short visit in Washington, I was going to ride to Idaho, and get to cross that state off my “to ride” list, then head home.



This trip would finally allow me to color in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, the states I have not been to yet on a motorcycle

12 glorious days on my motorcycle, a few days staying with other riders, the rest of the night camping. So why didn’t I go on this ride?

Literally two days before I was supposed to head out, I received an e-mail informing me of a job interview the following week. At first I thought I still couple make it out to Northern California for the meet, but if I rode out to Northern California I’d literally be arriving back home the day before the interview and that was cutting it too close. If the weather got bad or the bike broke down, I wouldn’t make it back in time.

The Colorado and Utah Ride

A couple of days after Labor Day I sat there playing with my mapping software (Microsoft Streets & Trips) and thought about possibly doing a shorter ride. I was already pretty much packed, I didn’t want to waste all that packing effort. So I decided to head out to Utah for 5 days. There were still so many places I haven’t been to out there, as well as in Colorado. I created a route that took me through these parks and monuments:

Paonia State Park, CO
Natural Bridge National Monument, UT
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Colorado National Monument, CO



My proposed 1,500 mile route through CO and UT

But since I wanted to camp every might and hike and everything in every park, the 5 days just wasn’t cutting it. I needed more time, I needed an extra day. I didn’t rush through it. Since I didn’t have an extra day I scraped the Colorado and Utah ride idea. I was still going to ride somewhere, but it was going to be a much shorter ride. To be continued…

Around the world in 72 hours

I was supposed to be far, far away this weekend, celebrating with my girlfriends in the BC Mountains. Instead, I’ve been right at home, enjoying the long weekend with my husband in Manhattan. It hasn’t been all that bad. Friday was a long day at work, and tomorrow promises more of the same, but the rest of the weekend has been pretty void of any heavy lifting. So instead, Zdenek and I made our own vacation here on this island (and a few miles outside of it). Some of the places we visited:

Italy: On Friday night, after getting off from work rather late, we hit the Mediterranean at our favorite restaurant and wine bar on the UWS. After one pitcher of Sangria, one bottle of wine, some prosciutto, cheese, and grilled shrimp, I was happy enough to pretend I was in Italy and almost too drunk to notice the difference.

Out-of-state and back again: On Saturday, we decided to take a little bike vacation. We cycled 75 km out to Piermont and back, through the Palisades and along the Hudson. It was tough going after a hard week of cycling and running, especially considering the marathon was only two weeks ago and that this week was absolutely exhausting work-wise. The one mile, 7% grade climb at the end of the Palisades may have been nothing compared to Saturday’s Giro stage, but I could hardly tell the difference. In Piermont I was rewarded with a fruit smoothie and a bit of rest. 23 miles later back in our apartment, I was rewarded with wobbly legs, a sore butt, and a huge sense of accomplishment.

I enjoyed my smoothie on this Piermont street

Spain: Saturday night took us down to Greenwich Village, where we were fortunate to stumble upon one of the most delicious and inviting tapas bars in the city, Las Ramblas. It was crowded but lively, the food was scrumptious, and the drinks were well deserved. We finished off the evening with homemade cake at Amy’s Bread. Best pink frosting ever.

Detox spa: Sunday consisted of lots of walking and hydration. We had fish and vegetables for dinner. Italy and Spain in 48 hours can tire a person out.

The beach (sort of): After a very hard but very fast run this morning in the Park (if I’m not going to run frequently this summer, I need to make every opportunity worth my while), and after a leisurely and delicious breakfast (once again courtesy of Amy), we spent this afternoon eating salami and cheese, Greek salad, and berries along the Riverside Park Hudson waterfront. It was almost as good as a beach vacation.

Only 5 minutes from our front door!

All in all, things could have been worse. And I learned that if I can’t make it to the vacation, I can always make the vacation come to me.