Triumphrat

Hudson

So I am thinking (very tentatively) of riding from California to Colorado in the middle of December. Basically my plan is to ride one way for the holiday, fly home, return in the spring and ride back. I figure I would take a southern route to take advantage of drier warmer climate.

Sounds simple, but is this just too crazy? Anyone have enough cold weather experience to know if I should drop this notion? Can a bonny do this trip? Just trying to determine if I should book my flight or take the challenge.

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CAPTDON

It sounds like an ambitious idea! My sis lives in Co. CAn be winter there 1 day & spring/ summer the next! Why I cant live there. South run will be the way. The Bonne will make it no problem. Make sure you are well equipt! Snow & ice can be a real bummer! If you got the time- it can be done. Oh yeah- where in Co? That can make a big difference as well!
Make sure (if you do it) yo got layover time in case of the occasional blizzard! Good luck if you do it!!

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CAPT D

Hudson

The family is mostly near Conifer - about an hour south west of Denver, but I can leave the bike in Denver depending on conditions.

From what I have gathered about the southern route (Los Angeles-Flagstaff-Albuquerque) and the historical weather patterns, it won't be too bad. Its heading north from there on the last leg that worries me.

I plan on buying a thermal suit and installing some sort of extra fuel container via my right luggage rack. No night riding, and scheduling about three days to get there. Mostly I was wondering if anyone in the Denver area had advice/opinions/etc. Is a Bonneville up for the cold weather challenge?

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TB-T100

Bonnies can definitely take the cold. You basically have to worries: Will you be able to take the cold? Will there be slippery road-conditions?

You can dress for any weather. This Summer I passed over the mountains on my way Westwards. I had long woolen underwear, wool sweater, fleece, leather trousers & jacket, and the "normal" stuff. It was fine for temps that came down to 3-4 celcius.

Snow, ice, and such on the road. No good. Obviously it is possible to use studded tyres, but I assume that you're not going to do any such thing. As long as the temps stay above 2-3 celcius (including the shade), you should be fine.

Remember to post some photos!

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'04 T100 Black and White (because it matches a dinner jacket)
904, 813, port&polish, Pieman igniter TORS, rebuilt front (valves, springs, etc), Öhlins shocks, tubeless alu rims, JMC alu swingarm, 520 conversion, Ti nuts and bolts
- Ringer

Calliway

Rocky Mtns in winter...... doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Why if you live in California would you want to park the bike all winter? Cant you ride all year long?

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Geimer

Ooooohhhhh man I'd think about it a lot and check weather conditions. I was invited to go to Gardner a couple of years ago the week before Thanksgiving. (not even on a bike but in the cage) That would have been from St. Louis to Limon to Colorado springs then south to Walsenberg and then west to Gardner. We crapped out because a blizzard shut down over 300 miles of Interstate 70. There is a reason they have those gates on the entrance ramps onto the highways out there.
If the weather is good you might be fine... but if not you might have to hole up for a while or be found somewhere after the next thaw

ohiorider

This time of year, you'd better be really sure your weather window is in your favor. The days are short, the sun comes up late, and drops behind the mountains really early. 70 degrees drops into the high 30s quickly. Are you an experienced touring rider, with lots of cold weather clothing, including heated vest? Thermal undergarments? Heated grips are also more than a nicety when the temps drop into the forties, too.

Hearing about your plans, all I can think about is riding across N Mex in the heat of early June, 2006, and within a few days , riding across the Bighorn Mts of WY in spitting rain, sleet, and snow. And this was June.

The Bonnie, like any bike, will run as long as you feel like making it run. For a relatively short tour from CA to CO, the bike's ability to make the ride isn't the issue.

Bob

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03 T100 Lucifer Org and Silv: 122/42 jets, TORs, 18T, UNI filter, no AI, Polaris bellmouth, Metz 880 tires, Prog. 440 shocks (105/150 springs), 11-1124 fork springs, Thrux fork caps, gaiters, MotoTwin low bars, 6024 lamp, htd grips, 12v outlet.

Skidplate865

It can be done.

lftybomn

I live on the western slope of co, 47F when I left work @ 5. Exception not the rule. Last year had cars buried in the lot - plowed snow 10 days in a row. Weather could change on a dime. I say leave the bike - it will be ready and warm when you get back. If you do ride - good luck! Jeff

Hudson

Calliway:
My goal is to go around the Rockies, not through them. I have two bikes. I actually spend more time riding my GSXr at home, so the Bonnie has already been in storage.

Geimer:
Skipping 70, see above. the route is Los Angeles to the 40 or from the 10 to the 60 (phoenix AZ then on to NM) I wont be heading north until after Albuquerque. I would avoid Flagstaff if the weather is poor.

Ohiorider:
I have done some trips, but nothing like this. I plan on having all the requisite garments (probably no heated handgrips tho). It would be my first major long distance ride. Took the Bonnie from SF to Reno in a day, all in all in that weekend did 800+ milles in less than three days. And that was taking it easy.

I also have the option of wimping out when I get to my brother's in LA and grabbing a flight there.

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Where do I tie on my second place trophy?