Long Day of Miles

Up at 0400, rolled at 0415. Hit a torrential downpour at 0530, but it didn't last long 👍.

Not many stops today, just ticking the miles to get to Durango on time tomorrow. The only significant pic I got was another of HOG's 15 Rides for the year, the joyful green giant. Yay!

Exactly 12 hours after the morning rain, at 1730 I almost hit another torrential storm with massive lightning 😳. It was coming right up I-76 out of Denver as I was headed down I-76 towards Denver. A wall of black sliced by silver white bolts 😳. Nope. Not happening.

I saw a road (CO-14) heading west instead of south, so I jumped on it and bolted. Screw the speed limit. I was headed for the sunlight. Just as I thought I had cleared it, a wall of wind hit me sideways and almost shoved me off the road, literally. I hit the white line before leaning it back towards the yellow 😳. Very close call.

I slowed until I made it through that front, then bolted again. I made it. Later I saw highway sign advisory messages about high winds being dangerous for light vehicles. No shit 🤦.

I just tossed down my tent after coming down from Estes Park. The road from Loveland to there is US-34, and is definitely a must ride! Another one that twists and turns while it hugs a river through a canyon! Gorgeous. I took it slow because of the bighorn sheep and elk, which I didn't see 👍.

I came down on US-36, but by then it was complex dark, so I'm not sure how pretty it is. Lots of twisties on it, too, though.

I still have about 400 miles to go tomorrow, pretty much all mountain passes. I have to be in Durango before 1700. Wish me luck 🤞!

Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

https://dunloptires.com/
https://www.aerostich.com/
https://powderkeghd.com/
https://allamericanharley.com/
https://www.wild-ass.com/

2026 starting odometer: 46667
Starting odometer: 100344
Ending odometer: 101414
Daily mileage: 1070
2026 miles total: 54717Read more