REAL short notice.. But who wants to go? Ouray, maybe Cloudcroft? (8/24 - 9/2)

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

So Roger "Rsquared" and I were supposed to be in Colorado all this week riding with the guys in Ouray. Medical issues with my Dad prevented that. However, he's fine and I am trying to salvage a trip still. Roger has next week off (Aug 24-Sept 1). So we're hoping to be able to put off the original plans one week.

We would still REALLY like to make a trip to Ouray, but with only two of us, that is a LONG drive and makes for an expensive trip fuel wise. What would be nice is if we could find one or two other riders that might want to take next week off and go with us, splitting the trailer/fuel. The problem is that we need to know if you can go NOW so we can make plans NOW.

If we do the Colorado trip, we'd like to leave Friday evening (Aug 24) from Huntsville around 5-6pm. If you are along the way, like in DFW, we can pick you up on the way. Our route will take us up I-45 to US 287, 287 to I-40, then I-40 past Albuquerque to US 550 and up into Ouray. We'll be leaving Ouray Saturday morning (Sept 1) and will be home Sept 2nd. As of right now, I have no hotel/cabin reservations. If we get at least three people, I might try to see if I can get a rental cabin as that would likely be cheaper than a hotel. Otherwise, a third person would be stuck paying for a hotel room on their own. If we actually get two more people, hotels might be easier to do on such short notice.

Now... here's the alternative plan. If we can't we can't find lodging in Colorado, regardless of whether we have extra riders or not, we will be going to Cloudcroft, NM. Same basic plan in terms of the dates. Leave Friday come back Sunday a week later. If it is just the two of us, I will get a hotel room. If we have a third or fourth, then we could do the cabin thing if we can find one.

We have room for four riders in the truck. The truck bed is covered so all our gear will be protected from the elements. We have room for seven bikes on the trailer. If we go to Colorado, Roger and I were planning on taking two bikes each, leaving room for three more bikes. We'd do mostly dirt but have at least two days of street (six days total riding). However, if we head to Cloudcroft, I don't know that we'd be taking the street bikes.

I know this is CRAZY short notice. BUT, if you think you can go and can make sure today, maybe tomorrow, here's your chance for a week of great riding!

Any takers?

[euromedic]

This is the time when working for a small organization is not beneficial in relation to taking vacation time

Glad your dad is better.

Scott,

Having done both routes many times, I would suggest the Cloudcroft area due to the proximity. I would spend one day dual-sport riding the Carlsbad area, which I really enjoyed last year on the WR. If you start out early, the heat is tolerable.

RB

[Tourmeister]

It is looking like we will be going to Cloudcroft unless someone pipes up REAL QUICK

I just got off the phone with the owner of Summit Inn in Cloudcroft. He's got five rooms (singles) left for 8/25 arrival and 9/1 departure for $55/night + tax less a 10% discount for reserving a week (basically almost tax free). This is where we stayed back in May of 2010. For decent clean rooms and a great location, it is a good deal. He also has a place for me to park the trailer. As a plus, the owner is a nice dude and last time loaned us some tools so we could fix Wasabi's KLR after a mild get off. He also let us park our bikes up under his garage overhang.

Red, Roger and I are taking our big bikes as well (1200GS and KTM 990). We plan to use them to head down to the Carlsbad area on paved/dirt roads just to check it out. If we seem something we want to do on the smaller bikes, we may cut out of Cloudcroft early and head to Carlsbad for a day or two.

So.... It would still be nice to have someone trailer out with us to split diesel cost, but what the heck, if you just want to meet us out there for some great riding, come on!!

[AusFletch]

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

It is looking like we will be going to Cloudcroft unless someone pipes up REAL QUICK

Doh! I will be in Lake City the NEXT 2 weeks....

[Irishcoffee]

Have no idea about Cloudcroft but lodging in Ouray, Silverton, Salida will not be a problem. Still say Salida/Sargents is the best combination by far and only a little longer drive than Cloudcroft. Either way, I sure hope y'all have a great time, you sure deserve it.

[John Dirt]

I wish I could go, bad timing for me because of work.

[Tourmeister]

Originally Posted by Irishcoffee

Have no idea about Cloudcroft but lodging in Ouray, Silverton, Salida will not be a problem. Still say Salida/Sargents is the best combination by far and only a little longer drive than Cloudcroft. Either way, I sure hope y'all have a great time, you sure deserve it.

Cloudcroft is MUCH cheaper than Ouray in terms of lodging expenses. Since we don't have other riders to help defray diesel costs, cheap lodging helps, as does driving 12 fewer hours compared to going to Ouray.

I've never ridden in the Salida area. Will have to keep that in mind for future trips.

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

Red, Roger and I are taking our big bikes as well (1200GS and KTM 990). We plan to use them to head down to the Carlsbad area on paved/dirt roads just to check it out. If we seem something we want to do on the smaller bikes, we may cut out of Cloudcroft early and head to Carlsbad for a day or two.

Nice!

Check out Sitting Bulls Falls south of Carlsbad. I think you take CR137 to get there. Great place to take pictures. Then you can also explore road CR405 that has many different jumping off points to wander all around the back side of the Brokeoff Wilderness Area.

Some of the roads have loose SHALE rock that makes some descent slippery, but should be no problem on the KTM.

RB

[Gravel Guy]

Dern, if I'd a seen this yesterday I could'a met y'all there tomorrow on the KLR....

...but then I would've missed my pie!

[Jbay]

I have a notion to truck up Sat ride Sun and Mon and be back Tues

just to try the Rim Trail

[Rsquared]

Originally Posted by Jbay

I have a notion to truck up Sat ride Sun and Mon and be back Tues

just to try the Rim Trail

I hope you can make it James, should be alot of fun.

[Tourmeister]

Originally Posted by Gravel Guy

Dern, if I'd a seen this yesterday I could'a met y'all there tomorrow on the KLR....

...but then I would've missed my pie!

We can come get you Got room on the trailer and in the truck!

[TOE JAM]

Looking forward to some good riding.

[Tourmeister]

Originally Posted by TOE JAM

Looking forward to some good riding.

We're staying at the Summit Inn, right there in town. Feel free to come ride with us any day. We usually start riding 9-9:30am. Local knowledge is always good

[Gravel Guy]

Ride safe fellers...I can't pull away.

[sanderjavant]

Man I wish I was there, they have been getting rain so the conditions should be great!

http://www.cloudcroftwebcam.com/

Ride safe!

[Jbay]

anyone gonna camp at Deerhead?

[Tourmeister]

All packed. Bikes loaded (mine anyway). Heading to bed. Roger should be here around 5:30am to get his stuff loaded. Hopefully we will get away by 6:00am. Should arrive sometime late evening.

James, we'll give you a holler when we get there. Roger sent me your number.

Toe Jam, we'll give you a holler as well!

[Infidel]

IF the beyond epic 5 rally gets cancelled due to hurricane Issac im headed out to cloudcroft for some riding 8-30 thru 9-3...and would love to hook up with some fellow TWT riders....

its all pending...