Torrey 12 Trip 2006
Photos by:
Doug Matson
We rode to Durango, CO on Monday -- across the spooky and infamous "Route 666".... which as it turns out is actually a beacolic ride across beautiful bean-farm land.
In Durango JoeG was feeling uneasy about the useful life of his tires. So, after doing some reasearch via phone, it was decided that on Tuesday we'd boogie up the Millon Dollar Highway past Silverton, Ouray, Montrose, etc. and get new shoes for his bike in Grand Junction.
What a day... what a ride... what a country!On our way to Grand Junction for tires, we passed through one of my mental "hi-lights" for this trip. Ouray, CO. Like being in the alps must be, I think.
So, doing a little swift mental calculation I figure we could make Grand Junction, rip the wheels off of Joe's bike, get tires, and still make it back to Ouray as our overnight destination.
By watching the "time of sunset" on my GPS and adjusting our speedometer readings to align properly.....JoeG and I decide that Williams, AZ is a good stopping place. Old Route 66, another great steakhouse, charm, a shower, a BED!
Not my pal Dougie! He has "the fever" by this point... like a horse that can see the barn, like a swallow returning to Capistrano, like a yo-yo at the end of its string... or whatever.
Anyway, my talented, slightly nutso friend decides he is sleeping in his own bed that night -- bids Joe and me adeu, and rides off into the sunset to SoCal.
He made it home safe and sound (notice I didn't say "sane") around 11:00 p.m. after just shy of 900 miles for the day after a week's riding already.... jeeze Dougie, you make me look like a wimp -- which I am.
JoeG and I had a nice dinner, some sleep and then headed across the desert. We split up in Barstow, as JoeG was hankering for his own digs, too... and I headed home to SoCal.
Thanks guys! Great ridin' wich ya!