BACK TOGETHER AGAI N

By Charlie Brown, member # 410

Part 1: Charlie and Wheezy Bob...

So sensation seekers here is another instalment of the Wheezy Bob story.

Thursday 29 Aug 19. Brisbane to Denver

Woke early as usual. Breakfast and lock the house. The car service arrived on time and had a good run to the airport. I had the usual bun fight getting through security due to having two steel knees. Every other place I have been, Europe, UK, USA I have never had any problems. I tell them that I have two knee replacements and I am sent down a line, x-rayed and sent on my way. Here they don’t seem to know what to do. This time the man (Mr Hard Face) wanted to take me to a room and do a pat down and wand test. The next guy (who had a big smile) came along said that there was no need for that and ran the wand over my knees. Now Mr Hard Face made me go back through and take my shoes off. Then Mr Big Smile came back and had me stand to the side while they argued. Meanwhile my wallet passport etc. was sitting there in the tray at the end of the conveyor. At this point the silicon chip inside my head got switched to overload (to quote the song) and I started to get LOUD. I know that some out there will be shocked as it so out of character for me. Finally I was allowed to go to the next hurdle of getting on the aircraft. The US immigration service needed to see my passport so I showed it to the lady, then the US immigration service needed to see my passport so I showed it to the man, then US immigration service needed to see my passport so I showed it to the lady, then the silicon chip inside my head…. Finally on the aircraft and in the Virgin Economy X seat. Into LAX and as usual there was construction going on. I have been going in and out of LAX for the last 30 years and there is always construction going on. Got on the small aircraft to Denver. Right at the back, no window and a woman with a Chihuahua in her purse. In Denver and Calvin was there. Back to Johnstown (Used to be called Jonestown but for some reason the name was changed)! Talk with Cal and Amy and ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Friday 30 Aug. Denver

Calvin had loaned me one of his 12 cars, a 2007 Honda Civic. I asked how his wife Amy would allow him to have 12 cars. “Well Charlie, she has 12 horses”. Fair enough I suppose, Amy is a veterinarian. Spent the day at Walmart and camping stores getting ready to head to Canada. I got on the compudda and booked rooms for the next few days.

Saturday 31 Aug. Denver to Basin

Got away at about 8am. I took the back road Hwy 287 (as Calvin called it) through Laramie and up to Medicine Bow. The local fire brigade had the road blocked and were after donations for Muscular Dystrophy Association and I threw a few dollars in the gumboot. Continued along 287 to Casper. I stopped at a servo to grab a feed and had lunch with Steve (on a BMW K1300 RS) from Walla Walla Washington. Had a good yarn and he passed on some info that was useful when I was in the Rockies on Wheezy. Back on the road and this one was right up there with the Hay plains. At Shoshoni I turned north onto a great road through a canyon.

Three tunnels numerous cuttings and I was at Thermopolis. “The World’s Largest Hot Springs” so they claim. I got to the first nights stop about 4pm. The motel looked run down and I was a bit reluctant about staying. The lady gave me the key and said that if the room wasn’t ok then that would be fine. I had a look and it was palatial, this proved true of all the places I stayed. Had a feed and got on the compudda and checked the emails. I learned with great regret and sadness that Dave Hepburn had passed away.

Sun 1 Sep. Basin to Bozeman

Had a good sleep. Got up and drove to the servo and stocked up on drinks and hit the road. I drove

over to Cody then up to Red Lodge where the drive turned bad. There were so many fifth wheelers that it was almost at a standstill. Most of these people have no awareness of what is around them. I was forced to pull over numerous occasions when one was taking up all the road. I filled up and headed for Bear Tooth Pass. The traffic was stopped waiting for a fifth wheeler who was stuck on the road at the hairpins. The highway patrolman told me that the driver was up for some heavy fines for exceeding the max length of his rig. Anyhow over to the Yellowstone entrance and I bought a yearly park pass. More traffic through the park past Mammoth Hot Springs to Gardiner where I had lunch. The burger and fries were surprisingly good. There were lots of bikes there mainly cruisers, but I had a good time yarning with the riders. Left Gardiner and headed to Bozeman for a hostel that I had booked. Finally found the place and it was basic but ok. I had dinner at a pizza place and it was pretty good. There was a hand written sign on the notice board of the hostel that read: “Travel is the only thing you can spend a fortune on, and come away richer”. So true.

Mon 2 Sep Bozeman to Kalispell.

Got away early and had breakfast at McDonald’s. I got the usual “What’s an Aussie doing in Three Forks” when I stopped to get fuel at Three Forks. They were fascinated by Aussie money, being plastic and so colourful. I headed north following the Missouri River to Helena, the Montana state capital. I was feeling decidedly below average with a cold so I stopped at Walmart. The head chemist recommended some stuff and was over the moon when I gave him a little Koala. From Helena I drove west on Hwy 12 to Avon. North on 141 to 200 and west again to Clearwater and north to Seeley Lake. I had lunch at a place recommended and it was the usual burger and fries and it sort of ok. Off on the road north and the trees got a lot thicker. Very nice drive.

At Swan Lake I stopped and picked up a turtle sitting in the middle of the road and put it in the forest and kept going toward Kalispell. I got

Glacier National Park

to the motel and had a lie down for a while. Still feeling a bit off. I had a subway thing for dinner and had an early night.

Tue 3 Sep Kalispell to Fort McLeod

Got up early and packed the car and got away at about 730. I had some breakfast at a hash joint and it was not bad. Filled the car and put some ice in the cooler. Had a good drive up to the Glacier National Park entrance. I bought Dave Ward his beanie and drove into the park. I had bought a National Park Annual pass at Yellowstone for $80 (great value if you are going to more than two parks) so I showed it to the lady and I was in. I have wanted to travel over the “Going to the Sun” for many years and now I was on it. Would have been better on a bike, but. The traffic was pretty heavy but it was getting along ok. I wanted to stop at the top but the car park was full and overflowing so I just drove on. At the eastern entrance I tried to get a photo of the park sign but there were dozens of Japanese tourists getting in the way. Headed north through Babb to the Canadian border at Caraway. No problems getting across. Drove across the prairies toward Fort McLeod and tried to find something on the radio that wasn’t both kinds of music. A song came on the radio and it was sooooo bad that I couldn’t turn it off. Like a car crash, you shouldn’t look but can’t turn away. It was a trucking song about a father and son and trucks. If you want to hear it go to youtube and look for a song called “Giddy up go daddy”, and keep a bucket handy. I got into Ft McLeod at about 1pm. Still feeling a bit

SEPTEMBER 2020 off so I had a lie down for a while.

Wed 4 Sep Ft McLeod to Deadmans Flat

Still feeling pretty ordinary. Got on the lap top and booked a room at Deadmans Flat. I waited until about 9am before leaving. I arranged with the owner to get a room on my way back. Back onto the prairie and the long and non-winding road. Further up the road was a big billboard for “Bomber command of Canada” I stopped at Nanton, and had a pleasant hour or so there. Back on the road and finally I got some scenery. An interesting event as I was driving up Hwy 40 through Height of the Rockies Provincial Park. In the gloom in front of me I could see the shape of 5 hearts in the road. These turned out to be the backsides of some Bighorn Sheep. They turned around and stood in the middle of the road about 5 meters from the front of the car. All I could think of was how I would explain this to Calvin if they charged. The rest of the drive to Deadmans Flat was uneventful apart for the stunning scenery. Book in to the motel and went in search of food. I found a steak place in the main street of Canmore and was greeted by an Aussie accent when I went in. I asked where he was from and he said he came from a small town about 250 km west of Brisbane. I guessed Dalby, but he said think of a cross road and a servo. Ah yes Moonie. He had lived his first 18 years there. I asked what he was doing here in Canada and he said “I come from Moonie, ever been there?” I have, and I understand.

Morning, Deadman’s Flat Icefield Parkway

Away early again. I was going to have a look at Lake Louise but when I got to the turn off I discovered that you can’t drive there. The only access was by Bus from a HUGE car park and there was an hour wait because of the crowds. A quick rethink and I was heading for the Icefield Parkway and Jasper. Had a great drive up the parkway with the over the top scenery getting burned into my mind. I stopped at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk and had a drink and looked at the glacier. I was thinking of doing the tour and walking on it but it cost was a bit high so I drove on. Further up the road I stopped at Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge for an expensive lunch of fish and 9 (nine) chips! I went to the counter and asked for more chips and they graciously gave me two more chips. No point in complaining as they have a captive audience as the nearest place is about 60 Km away. Anyhow I drove up to Athabasca Falls and spent about an hour there. Very nice. The rest of the trip to Jasper was pretty good and it had me captivated. I had booked into the Athabasca Hotel for the night. Basic room, shower and toilet down the hall, all for the bargain price of $155! It was the cheapest place I could get!

Friday 6 Sep Jasper to Ft McLeod

Up early and had an expensive breakfast at the place over the road. I noticed that in the car park there were power outlets where the cars could be plugged in during winter to stop the oil and coolant from freezing! WTF! That is too cold for me by a good 500 country miles!!! The trip back down the parkway was just as stunning the opposite way. I love getting on the road early, as no one

Athabasca Falls

has got to the day and made a mess of it. Lots to gawk at on the way back. Had a good run all the way down apart from coming around a corner to find a tourist bus on my side of the road trying to overtake some cars. I drove down through Banff, Canmore, Deadmans Flat and out onto the prairie. The change from the mountains to the flatland is quite dramatic. I stayed on the motorway to Calgary where I immediately got lost. I knew that I had to go south so I just did that. Eventually I found Hwy 2 and headed to Ft MacLeod. On a straight piece of the Hwy which you could see for miles some twit in a Windybagoe turned straight across in front of me. Just pulled up in time, must have been my day for buses! Into the motel and the owner gave me a curry that his wife had made. Nice. Bed. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Sat 7 Sep. Ft. McLeod to Billings

Off early again heading to Sweet Grass and the good old USA. On the way I had breakfast at Lethbridge. If I remember it was pretty good, if I don’t remember then it was pretty bad. No scenery so to speak of. At the border I was asked if I had any veggies etc. I had a couple of tomatoes so they sent me round the front desk. The thing with the tomatoes is that Canada imports most of its veggies from Mexico therefore not welcome in the US. After that it was back on the road with the radio on the classic station. Nothing to look at all the way to Great Falls. From Great Falls I was on Hwy 87 heading East and the scenery got a bit better. At Grass Range the road turned south and the weather closed in and the clouds were close to the ground. It looked pretty spectacular with the

US Border at Sweetgrass

sun breaking through in places. By the time I got to Billings it had cleared and I went in search of the Vegas Motel. I got a Pizza from the Pizza Hut next door and it was pretty good surprisingly. The owner had run a Pizza Hut in Adelaide!

Sun Sep 8 Billings to Johnstown

I got a bit lost getting fuel for the car and self in the early morning. Jumped on the I90 and headed east. 60 miles later I was at the Little Bighorn National Memorial. I had been there a few years ago but decided to have another look. Very moving. The rest of the morning was spent on the long black boring road to Casper. I stopped at a Denny’s for some lunch and a bit of a walk. Filled the car and got back on the road to wherever. I stopped at the Southwest Wyoming Welcome Centre for a pit stop. The place was very good with displays and loads of free maps, I love maps especially if they are free! Back on the road and I was back in Colorado and at Johnstown. I unloaded the car then drove down to the local car wash. Blasted all the Canadian bugs from the grill and gave it a good tub.

SEPTEMBER 2020

Mon 9 Sep 19 Johnstown.

Pulled Wheezy Bob out of the garage and rode over to Calvin’s shed. I spent the day working on Wheezy (KLR650) getting him in trim for the trip. There was something a bit funny with the way he acted when I gave the front brake a big handful. I checked the tyre and it only had 12psi. We also drained the fork oil, which came out like black sludge. All that done I ran a spanner over the rest and tightened up the steering head bearings. I sold Wheezy to a friend of Cal’s with the understanding that I could borrow it if I came back. No problem said Martin, just insure it. I rang Progressive and they still had my account from 5 years ago when I insured Wheezy. A quick talk and $88 and Wheezy was insured. We went for lunch at a Mexican place which was good then back to the workshop. I spent a few hours tinkering with Wheezy getting ready for Wednesday.

Tuesday. 10 Sep Johnstown.

More fine tuning of Wheezy Bob. An oil and filter change and he was ready for the off. Spent the rest of the day running around Loveland to the camping shop and Walmart getting last provisions. Back at the house Wheezy was packed ready to go. I got on the compudda and booked accommodation for the next 5 days. Checked the Bank of Charlie and my tax cheque had come back.

Wednesday. 11 Sep 19 Johnstown to Delta. 328miles.

Woke early eager to get moving. Packed the bike and got underway about 08.30am. Filled up at the Jug and Loaf and got onto the freeway heading south on I 25. I got caught in a traffic jam for a bit then headed west on I70 and got into the mountains. Wheezy got a bit hot on the way up the mountains and I remembered that I was going to change the engine coolant the day before, but forgot. Anyhow going down the other side he cooled down quickly. About 5 miles before Vail I stopped and put another layer of clothes under the jacket. The Freeway sign said steep decent next 5 miles and it was very steep. I got rain just before Eagle so I pulled in to Burger King and had a feed, if you can call it food. I got a taste for the American style lemonade and asked for a medium drink. The girl came over and put a cup the size of a waste paper bin on the counter. I quickly changed that to the small size. I waited out the rain and jumped back onto the freeway. Wheezy went onto reserve just before New Castle so I came off and filled up. This was the same station I used 5 years ago and it hadn’t changed. I took the back roads as I did last time but this time it bucketed down. I pulled into a rest stop at Rifle and sat it out. Back on the freeway down to the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. Great twisty road through a valley and up to Grand Mesa. What a great road lots of corners and mind blowing scenery. I had a great time going up to the top and down the other side. I filled up at Delta and got talking to a Colorado Highway Patrol officer. Usual thing, what’s Australia like etc. etc. He told me where the motel I had booked into was so I rode down there and booked in. Shower and off to have a feed at the steak place down the road. Great day (apart for the rain)!

Grand Mesa

Thursday 12 Sep 19. Delta to Ouray 148miles

I rode back to the place I had dinner and had a big breakfast. Packed the bike and rode off at about 9am. I tried to find a camping store as my camelback bladder tasted funny. None in Delta so off I went. I rode east to Hotchkiss on Rt 92 toward the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Nice twisty road and good scenery. I stopped at a lookout and a couple from Switzerland pulled up on Harleys. Turns out that they knew Reggie and

BACK TO GETHERAGAI N Manfred and live not far from Seuzach. Back on the road and more twisties. The ride down the mountain was great and again no guardrails. On the other side of the canyon I debated whether to go to the South Rim Visitors Centre and decided to go. I am so glad that I did. Very spectacular at the lookouts. On the way down the road I passed

Above the tree line

the Swiss coming the other way. From there I rode down through Montrose, Ridgway to Ouray. I checked in and found that the room was on the first floor. I think that Led Zeppelin stayed there and the stairway gave them the idea for a song! I had so much fun getting all my stuff up the North face or the Eiger (well it seemed like that). I walked down the main road of Ouray and found a place to eat. The guy who served me was from Scone in the Hunter. Back to the hotel and with the help of a team of Sherpa’s I got to my room.

Friday 13 Sep 19. Ouray – Silverton – Ouray. 55Miles

Altitude 7,791 to about 10,500ft

At breakfast I got talking to some guys on 1200gs’s. They gave me some very good tips for a ride on the dirt tracks. Had a very pleasant time just talking to like minded people. Back to Wheezy Bob and we set off on the Million Dollar Highway so named because when it was built in the 30’s it cost a million a mile to construct. What a road! Wheezy took a beating over to Silverton. I was taken aback by the lack of guard rails on the road. When I got back to Calvin’s he told me why there are no guard rails. During winter the snow builds up on

SEPTEMBER 2020 31 them eventually takes them away into the valley below, and when it goes it takes some of the road as well. Anyhow a quick gas station hot dog and I was back on the road looking for country Road 825 at Browns Gulch (famous at last). I had been told that this was an easy road but very scenic. Lots of hairpins and narrow tight corners but it was a hoot. The road took me up above the tree line and the views were tremendous. Going down the other side I passed the guys I had breakfast with earlier. I took my time getting back to Ouray. There were lots of bikes on the road and EVERYBODY waves, even the guys on Oily-Dogfish. Further down the road I passed an Ural with a side car and a huge dog in it. The dog had Doggles on and its tail going a million miles an hour, loved it! Back at Ouray I had a bit of a walk around town looking for somewhere to have dinner. I went to a roof top bar and had a “burger and fries”. Had a good yarn with a couple and their daughter from Twin Falls, Idaho. He showed me some pictures of the ramp he built for Evil Knievel to jump over the Snake River in 1974. Had a great yarn about bikes, Evil, Australia and Drop Bears. On the way back to Everest base camp I noticed a flyer in the window of a shop. It was for an air show at Montrose the next two days. “That sounds like my thing” I thought. A B17 in flight is better than a dirt track. I got to the summit of the fire trap Western Hotel and made arrangements to go to the Air show.

Saturday 14 Sept 19 Ouray to Montrose. 36 Miles (via Imogene Pass, add 13114 Ft)

It was a short ride today. In the morning I got everything packed and avalanched down the stairs and into the storeroom. At breakfast I talked to the guys I that were there yesterday. I had booked a trip to Imogene pass on the back of a huge 4x4 from the adventure place next door to the Hotel. I had looked a hiring a 2 seat UTV Quad thing, but reading the conditions I found this: We do not provide nor offer any insurance of any type. You are responsible for 100 % of all liability, damage or loss by you including damage caused by weather, acts of God or terrain conditions.

Send oxygen

Sunday 15 Sep 19. Montrose Air Show.

GREAT DAY! Breakfast at the motel was not too bad. Watched some TV for a bit and then rode up to the Dollar store and bought some sunscreen. When I came out there was an African American couple having an argument right next to the bike. As I got closer she turned to me and said “Does my butt look big in these pants”. I said “Sorry I’m from Australia I don’t speak English” and got on the bike and beat it. I went over to the airport and parked the bike and went into the terminal. The show was much bigger than I expected. I was looking for the B17 but it was down the other end of the field. At the Commemorative Air Force stand there was a price list for flights in the B17 “Sentimental Journey”. To sit in the bomb-aimers seat in the nose was $900 (US). I had my card ready and thought very hard about it. “Once in a lifetime CB” my brain was saying to me, “once in a lifetime”! Bugger it! I went up and said I wanted a flight in the nose. “Sorry” the lady said “no flights today”.

Instead I booked a flight in a 1936 Lockheed A12 in the co-pilots seat.

The one thing I love more than riding is flying. I had to wait until mid-afternoon to get the flight but had a great time talking to the aviators. One of the crew of an Army Blackhawk heard my accent and complained that one of the Aussie exchange crew of the Navy 737 had gotten him drunk the night before. I went over and he was someone I had ridden with once at RAAF Williamtown a few years ago. Had a good yarn

and watched with amusement as the US Navy people tried to keep up. I had a good time talking to people while waiting for the flight. The time came and I strapped myself into the copilots seat. Once in the air the young pilot asked about my airborne history. Once I told him of my gliding days he said “You have control”. Massive thrill for me to return with “I have control”. The other people in the aircraft were a father and his three children. They had never flown before and they were totally spellbound by the flight. Back on the ground and I had a last look around and headed back to the motel and dinner. What a great day!

Monday 16 Sep 19 Montrose to Grand Junction 192 Miles.

It was raining when I got up. Had breakfast and went back to bed for a bit. The weather radar showed it to be clearing over to the West. I waited until about 10 am before starting off. As I was walking up to give the keys back I heard

wonderful howl of the huge radial aero engines. The B-17 was doing a low pass over the town as it left for its home. The ride was pretty dull until Ridgway where I turned onto Hwy 62 and headed over the range to Placerville and on to Hwy 145. Good road and very scenic and twisty. I was getting a bit peckish so pulled up at Norwood for some lunch. The usual cardboard burger and fries. Oh how I wished for a good Aussie hamburger with beetroot! The ride to Naturita was on straight roads over farmland though the views of the La Sal mountains were good. At Naturita I turned on to Hwy 141. Another road that was fantastic and I kept wishing I had my 1200GS. I stopped at Gateway for a drink and a nibble and got a lady to take a couple of photo’s. She was over the moon when I gave her a little Koala. (don’t leave home without them). Another good ride toward Grand Junction apart from Wheezy going on reserve and me worrying if we would make the next “gas” station. I used the mexican overdrive for a couple of miles down a long hill. I finally made it to a station and filled Wheezy up then went to find the motel I had booked for the next three nights. Got all my stuff in the room, showered and went looking for dinner. I had a feed at the same Dennys I went to last time. It had gone a bit off since the last I was there (2014). Bed and ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Work? This is why

Tuesday 17 Sep 19 Grand Junction.

Had a good sleep. Showered and went to Dennys for breakfast then found the laundry at the motel. I beat my dirty clothes into submission and got

33 the load into the washing machine. Back to the room and watched an episode of “Skippy, the bush Kangaroo” of all things. Washing done I set off for Walmart to get a new mini sd card. There was a 32 gig card there for $15.99 ...or.. next to it was a packet of TWO 32 gig cards for $17.99 Hmmmm. Decisions decisions! Back to the motel then went for a ride up to the Colorado National Monument. I had been there before on my last trip. Just as stunning as last time. Back to the bunker and search for some where to eat. I went to the local chinese place that had been recommended by the motel staff. Only way to describe the meal. GRUEL! Back to the room to see episodes of the old ABC show ‘Rush”.

Colorado National Monument

Wednesday 18 Sep 19. Grand Junction – MoabGrand Junction. 218Mi

GREAT DAY!!!! Breakfast . Rode down into town to buy a Micky Mouse watch but they had sold out. I headed south looking for somewhere to check the tyre pressure. Found a place but it needed three quarters to make it work. Into the top box and I found 2 quarters. Inside and asked for some change and the guy couldn’t speak English and babbled something that sounded like Russian at me. I explained that I would use it in their machine but still “Nyet”. A customer there gave me a quarter and I went and put the coins in the machine. Nothingski! Back inside and got the usual “is problem” when I complained. One of the customers told me to go down the road a bit to the mechanic to get the tyres checked. When I got there the mechanic did the tyres while saying “Damn

SEPTEMBER 2020 commie’s should go back to ….” I gave him a little Koala and rode off. The road to Gateway was just as good going the other way. While filling the bike a guy on a Husky asked if I had any tools as he was having clutch problems. While I was helping him a local man came in on a 800 GS and offered the use of his workshop behind the servo. I rode off to find the road to Moab. The road was pretty good at first, then over the top it had been graded and was very slippery. Great views of the La Sal mountains. I rode into Moab just after 12 and grabbed a bit of lunch. I had some chicken nuggets from Burger King thinking that you couldn’t stuff up chicken Nuggets but I was wrong. Off over the Colorado River and up the road to Island In The Sky section of Canyonlands Nat Park. I used my park pass to pay the entry fee and rode up to the Mesa Arch car park. It was a bit of a walk to the arch but the end result was good. Back to the park visitors centre and I bought some badges (I am a fool for badges) and rode down the mountain to get some fuel. Fuelled up, a brain Viagra and water for the camelback and I was on the way back to Grand Junction along Hwy128 on the Colorado River. Good ride along the river and back on to Interstate 70 heading for GJ. I had a tail wind and Wheezy was siting on 85mph just eating the miles up. Back to the motel at about 18.20 and got a feed from the supermarket.

Looking through Mesa Arch with La Sal Mountains on the horizon

Thursday 19 Sep 19 Grand Junction to Steamboat Springs. 242Mi

Breakfast at Dennys. Pretty ordinary. Back to the room and started packing the bike ready for the off. I started talking to a gent in the parking space beside me. George was up from Delta for a visit. Had a great yarn with him for the next hour or so. He was a US Marine and Vietnam Vet. He gave me a USMC badge and invited me to come and stay next time I was in the US. I got away at about 10.00. I filled the bike up at the Commie’s place and headed to Delta along straight roads. I rode over to Hwy 133 at Hotchkiss and scenery got better and the road had corners. At the top of McClure Pass I stopped for a stretch and an ablute, then headed down to the valley and along the Crystal River to Carbondale for lunch. Lots of bikes in the car park of the subway restaurant. Had a good yarn with some BM riders. The road to Glenwood Springs was all roadworks and took forever to do the 23 miles. I filled the bike and had a brain Viagra and got moving. Did a quick blast up I-70 to Dotsero and turned on to the Colorado River Road. Another cracker of a road that followed strangely enough, the Colorado river, The road runs beside the railway as well and part sealed and the rest dirt to Hwy 131 at McCoy. I had another wind straight up the clacker and got to Steamboat Springs in good time. Got into the room and had a shower then went for a feed. As usual as soon as I said something I got “Where you from honey?” Sat there for a bit talking about the Crocodile Man, Mick Dundee and Drop Bears.

Friday 20 Sep 19 Steamboat Springs to Johnstown 179Mi

Not a long day so I took my time getting ready. Rode down and got some breakfast from Macca’s and watched some TV. Had another great yarn with a couple of guys from New Mexico. Got away about 10 and rode up over Donkey Ear pass and along to Rabbit Ears pass on Hwy 40. The scenery was fantastic and the road in fantastic condition and I had a fat time on it. I must go back and do all these roads on a big road bike. On the other side of the pass I turned on to Hwy 14. The scenery got a bit thin being grassy rolling hills with the Rockies in the distance, to the East. Again I had a strong tail wind and I made good time to Walden, a grubby little town where I filled the bike up. From Walden I got back onto 14 and headed East to Fort Collins. Unfortunately I was now heading into the wind over

more undulating grass land. It wouldn’t have been too bad if I was head on but the wind was coming from about 45 deg on my right and was tossing wheezy around something bad. When I got to the town of Gold (1 store and lots of cars on blocks) the trees started and the wind wasn’t so bad. The trees were just starting to turn yellow and it was a great sight riding along the river. The road went twisting up over Cameron Pass (10,276ft) and down into the Poudre Canyon. The river was crystal clear with lots of people fly fishing. I rode along the Poudre Canyon Road ( they were up all night thinking that through) through towns like Spencer Heights, Rustic, Kinikinik, Stove Prarie Landing and finally to Fort Collins where I immediately got lost. On the way down the canyon I saw a UPS truck with the driver standing next to it with a huge pistol on his hip. Tough neighbourhood! I stopped at a field of hemp and took a few photo’s. I got back to Cal’s at about 14.00.

Sat 21 Sept 19 Lost in Denver

Cal and Amy were away for a camping weekend so they left me the Honda Civic to use. I got away early and drove the 60 or so miles to Denver and immediately got lost. I ended going the long way to the bike shop that I wanted to see. Finally got there. They didn’t have the tyres I wanted but I did get the last copy of a big book on Malcolm Smith. Back on to the freeway and found the Wings Over the Rockies Museum. I have seen a lot of air museums with aeroplanes on sticks out front, but this is the only one with a B52 on a stick in front of the place! Spent a couple of hours inside. Very good. Into the car and back out and lost on the Denver streets. Finally got back to the house. Had a bit of a snooze and went to the Kawasaki shop and bought some oil and tyres for Wheezy Bob. Had a good feed at

SEPTEMBER 2020 35 the steak place down the road and got the usual “what’s a Aussie....”. They were taken by our colourful plastic money. Back to the house and spent the evening talking to Cal and Amy.

Sun 22 Sep Johnstown

Did bugger all for the day. Had a walk through the Benson Sculpture gardens in Loveland. Very pleasant.

Mon 23 Sep Johnstown – Rocky Mountain National Park – Johnstown

Cal and I rode over to Loveland and meet up with his friend Jim. We were going to go up to the top of the Rocky Mountain National Park. The last time I was here I missed riding the wonderfully named Devils Gulch Road and wanted to do it this time. We rode up Big Thompson Canyon road for a bit then turned off up one of the canyons and stopped at a store run by Basil Fawlty (not really but you can guess where I am going) at Glenhaven. I asked if he knew where Devils Gulch road was but he just shrugged and walked away. Up the road and I saw a sign with Devils Gulch Rd on it. Seems we had been on it since leaving Basil Fawlty’s shop. Up to the park enterance and I used my card again (so good value). The ride to the top was very good but the traffic was a bit thick. We went over the top at 12,183 and descended to the Alpine Visitors Center at 11,796 Ft. I was feeling a bit off but after a feed I came good. Back out to the car park and stood in line for the toilets. We had a good run down to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center where I bought another badge (did I mention that I liked badges?). Back through Estes Park and onto Devils Gulch Road. When I lived in Papua New Guinea, an Ice Age or two ago, I used to devour the cheap 50-100 page western novels as there was no TV. With titles like “Dead-mans Gulch “ and “Rustlers on the Prarie”, I just had to get a photo of me and wheezy under the sign. It was back down Big Thompson Canyon to Loveland and dinner. By the way, Big Thompson is a river and not to be mistaken for Little Thompson which isn’t a big river! As we rounded a corner there was a traffic hold up while people were

Found it

looking at some Bighorn Sheep. Good day with good friends.

Tue 24 Sep 19. Maintenance day

We went over to Calvins workshop and I gave Wheezy an oil-change and put the new tyres on him. Jim turned up with breakfast Burito’s. Had a pleasant time just working on the bike and telling lies.. er tales. We had lunch at a local Mexican place and was very good. That evening we had a dinner with some friends from the last time I was here. Very pleasant evening.

Wed 25 Sep 19 Up up and away

In the early morning I drove over and tried to get some photo’s of the Rocky Mountains in dawns early light. I grabbed a bit of breakfast and want to Wall mart to get some munchies for the flight home. Calvin drove me to the airport and I got the flight to LAX. Had a window seat this time and the view was good. Had the usual bun fight at LAX and had 5 hours to wait for the flight. Security was a breeze this time. The flight was ok but as usual I didn’t sleep. Into Brisbane at about 04.30 and through customs and out the door to the waiting car.

Be it ever so humble .. but I can’t wait to get back to Colorado and the Rockies.. Too many roads still to ride! Here endeth the lasson.