Forums > US Touring > Colorado Trip Start

As I packed for my trip to Colorado Wednesday evening, Tropical Storm Erin lumbered across the Gulf of Mexico into Texas.  I don't fear riding in the rain, but riding through a hurricane is a different story.  My original plan put me leaving Austin on Friday, August 17th, but Erin's approach hastened my departure.  I put the Givi topcase on my RT, attached the left pannier, attached the right pannier, and - POP! - a loud noise came from the bag as I pressed down on the latch.  I removed the bag and played with the mechanism for a while.  My attempts at repair proved fruitless.  The bag would not attach to the bike.  I jumped in my pickup and drove to the BMW dealership (I documented my experience at the dealership in another posting).  I hoped to get the bag fixed and be on my way that evening.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to leave that night, but the dealer fixed the pannier by 7:30am the following day.   I took the bag home, loaded it up, attached it to the bike, and I was on my way.

Erin rolled in just as I rolled out.  A few sprinkles fell as I rode north out of Austin.  I learned later that it rained quite a bit in Austin and even more in San Antonio.  Since my departure day changed, my route changed as well.  I rode north on 183 into Early, and then eventually up 84 into Abilene.  Here's a picture of my bike at a rest stop on 183.

I stopped at Whataburger in Abilene for lunch and proceeded on to Anson.  There isn't much to Anson, but I've always liked the building in the middle of town.  I think it's the city hall.  Below is a picture of my bike with the building in the distance.

I drove through Anson, Hamlin, Aspermont, Guthrie, and a bunch of other little towns on my way to Childress.  When I got to Childress, I stopped to get gasoline at the intersection of 83 and 287.

Just as I pulled up to the pump, a BIG group of Harleys pulled into the station.  All of the guys were wearing vests with Banditos emblazened on the back.  For those of you that don't know, the Banditos' are a motorcycle "club", similar to the Hells Angels.  I'm sure that many of the Banditos are decent folks, but I've never been comfortable around them.  They have a bad reputation in Texas.  To illustrate why I'm not at ease around Banditos:  a man named Anthony Benesh recently attempted to open a chapter of the Hells Angels in Austin.  Many of his associates, friends, and family told him not to do it.  The Banditos told him, "Don't do it."  He made the attempt anyway and was shot dead as he walked out of Saccone's Pizza in north Austin.  Hmmm, motorcycle club or gang?

Anyway I fueled up and made my way up 287 toward Amarillo.  Every time I ride in Texas, I see signs for historical markers, and I rarely stop.  I saw a sign for a historical marker and decided to take a break.

Here's the lovely scenery of 287, looking in the direction of Amarillo.

I rode through Amarillo and headed north from there to Dumas.  I ate dinner at a Taco Bell in Dumas and headed through Dalhart and Texline into New Mexico.  I got to Raton just as it got dark, fueled up again, and headed north up I-25 to Colorado Springs.

I worked so hard at getting out of Austin before Erin arrived just to end up riding through rain and lightning all the way up I-25.  One thing I've learned about riding in the rain on a bike vs. driving a car is I can see how much water is on the road much better on a bike.  The rain came down hard at times, but wasn't pooling on the road.  I cruised at 70-80 mph without a problem while a lot of the cars would slow down quite a bit.  I could also stay out of the ruts in the asphalt as well, so I could stay out of the areas where water would build up.

I arrived in Colorado Springs around 10:30pm Mountain time, about 13 1/2 - 14 hours after I left Austin.  I traveled over 800 miles which wasn't a bad ride considering the longest I'd ridden prior to that was 250 miles.

My dad and I did some riding yesterday, so I'll have to make a report and post some pictures from that as well. 

Great report.

 I cancelled my ride from Fresno, CA to Eugene, OR this weekend because of rain in OR all 3 days I was to be there. I have no luggage on the GS and had planned to sleep on the ground. Maybe in a week or 2.

I gotta ask about this though...

"Here's the lovely scenery of 287, looking in the direction of Amarillo.".   Is that actually the "highway" in the foreground?

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If you meet the Buddha, kill him

Flowupstream said:

Is that actually the "highway" in the foreground?

The road in the foreground is a frontage road next to the historical marker.  You can see 287 just to the left of the frontage.   Good question though.  I should have made that clear in the posting

Sounds like you got out of Austin just in time!

Hopefully, from Colorado Springs you can start riding the peaks and find more enjoyment in your ride than just hauling butt to get there. 

You might consider heading to the Royal Gorge.  It is magnificent!!  Park and take the train that goes through the valley surrounded by massive rocks.

Hope your trip is safe and joyous.  Looking forward to your ride reports and pics.

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