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A night in Purgarory
#580738 08/18/2016 11:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Ok, the Purgatory Resort North of Durango. I'm taking the bike from Des Moines to San Diego. Yesterday it was 700 miles to Loveland, CO. Hot, boring and not much else to say. Today I took US 34 through Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. LOTS of hairpin twisties both before I got there and once I was in the park. The pass was a little over 12,000 feet, above the tree line and about forty degrees f. I'll post photos when I can. I went through Granby, CO and then down state hwy 9. Got rained on some and hit with pea sized hail twice. Lunch at Leadville then down to US 50 over to Montrose. South on 550 to where I am now. I've never ridden the Dragon but I'm pretty sure it has nothing on US 550. LOTS of hairpin turns best taken at about 15 mph, a few 10,000 plus foot passes and about 45 degrees in AUGUST!

I saw a few adventure bikes and some cruisers but zero sport bikes. I guess it's too cold for 'em. Plus, if you run wide it's at least several hundred feet to the bottom.

458 miles today and I'm not even to Durango yet.






Last edited by ladisney; 08/22/2016 10:21 PM.

We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
Re: A night in Purgarory
ladisney #580739 08/19/2016 2:42 AM
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ladisney if you need somewhere to stay you are welcome to stay at my house, i live about 50 miles north of San Diego in a town called Fallbrook. its the avocado capital of the world ( at least thats what the sign says) pm me if you're interested.
Des Young

Re: A night in Purgarory
mcfcinusa #580740 08/19/2016 5:08 AM
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Quote:

... its the avocado capital of the world ( at least thats what the sign says)...




He's right you know !!




"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
Re: A night in Purgarory
Funkletrumpet #580741 08/19/2016 11:30 AM
Joined: May 2006
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Sounds like an awesome trip Larry, be sure to post some pics!


06 America 904
Re: A night in Purgarory
ladisney #580742 08/21/2016 9:05 AM
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Quote:

Ok, the Purgatory Resort North of Durango. I'm taking the bike from Des Moines to San Diego. Yesterday it was 700 miles to Loveland, CO. Hot, boring and not much else to say. Today I took US 34 through Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. LOTS of hairpin twisties both before I got there and once I was in the park. The pass was a little over 12,000 feet, above the tree line and about forty degrees f. I'll post photos when I can. I went through Granby, CO and then down state hwy 9. Got rained on some and hit with pea sized hail twice. Lunch at Leadville then down to US 50 over to Montrose. South on 550 to where I am now. I've never ridden the Dragon but I'm pretty sure it has nothing on US 550. LOTS of hairpin turns best taken at about 15 mph, a few 10,000 plus foot passes and about 45 degrees in AUGUST!

I saw a few adventure bikes and some cruisers but zero sport bikes. I guess it's too cold for 'em. Plus, if you run wide it's at least several hundred feet to the bottom.

458 miles today and I'm not even to Durango yet.




We were up in RMNP four years ago. The scenery is spectacular and the roads are very fun. Glad you're having a good trip!

In my experience, roads in the Appalachians like the Dragon, Snake, Rattler, etc. are much tighter than roads in the Rockies. In the Rockies you can take the hairpins at higher speeds than you can in the Appalachians and the roads are wider in the Rockies.

Last month we rode Tennessee 116 (Part of the Devil's Triangle) and those were some of the tightest turns we've ever been on, and one of the hardest to ride.

Personally, I'll take riding in the Ozarks any time.


Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
Re: A night in Purgarory
Speedmaster05 #580743 08/21/2016 12:50 PM
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Monkey Butt
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I look forward to riding the Dragon some day so I can properly compare them. The 550 North of Durango had the tightest turns and was certainly the longest.

I spent Friday night at Dwight's in Sedona. He and his lovely wife were gracious enough to put me up in their beautiful home and feed me. Saturday Dwight led me through the mountains from Sedona to South of Prescott. I'm currently in Alhambra, CA at the home of a very good friend of over 35 years. This evening I head to San Diego where I will spend the next four days wrestling with my franchisor.

In my experience everyone talks about the journey being as important as the destination but then hurries through the journey as fast as possible. In this case the journey is the only enjoyable part of the entire experience. Visiting friends and riding places I would likely never get to otherwise sure beat dealing with the TSA, airlines and rental car companies.


We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
Re: A night in Purgarory
ladisney #580744 08/21/2016 2:54 PM
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New Tires
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I'm jealous, but enjoy your trip and be safe. God's speed.


Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. H. L. Mencken
Re: A night in Purgarory
ladisney #580745 08/22/2016 2:37 PM
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Quote:



In my experience everyone talks about the journey being as important as the destination but then hurries through the journey as fast as possible. In this case the journey is the only enjoyable part of the entire experience. Visiting friends and riding places I would likely never get to otherwise sure beat dealing with the TSA, airlines and rental car companies.




Sounds like a blast. Ride safe.


Bedouin. Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).

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