Northern Colorado IMRG Informer Newsletter (July 2023)
NORTHERN COLORADO IMRG UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, July 15th—Chapter Meeting & Indian Motorcycle Great Summer Cookout. After our meeting, we are going to setup a BBQ and cook hotdogs and hamburgers for the Summer Cookout. We are using this opportunity to help promote the dealership and the NoCo IMRG. So stick around after the meeting, and grab a hamburger and a dog or two. Help promote us, and let the good people coming into the dealership know what we are all about. Watch your email or Slack for more information, and find the latest details here.
Thursday, July 20th—Chapter Dinner Ride. This will be a summer evening ride followed by dinner at a restaurant destination. Watch your email or Slack for more, and find the latest details here.
Saturday, July 29th to Monday, July 31st—Glenwood Springs Loop Multi-Nighter. This will be an enjoyable 3-day, 2-night Northern Colorado motorcycle road trip. This scenic motorcycle venture will be a great way to experience the beauty of the Rocky Mountains where we are sure to be treated to stunning views of mountain peaks, and lush forests. We will encounter some stunning scenery and diverse terrain, and will ride on twisting roads with amazing mountain views, and ride through many small towns.
Our journey will take us on a 578 mile loop where we begin in Loveland, CO, and ride across the Trail Ridge Rd in Rocky Mountain National Park to Grand Lake/Lake Granby. We will travel to Leadville, and then a bit north to Red Cliff where we will spend the first night. On day two, we will ride south to Twin Lakes, and then north through Aspen and into Glenwood Springs. Glen-wood Springs is the western most pivotal point of the ride loop. We will have lunch in Glenwood Springs, and explore the town. Afterward, we will continue north to Yampa to spend the night. Day three will route us through Walden and over Cameron Pass. We’ll ride through Poudre Canyon back home.
For more details see Glenwood Springs Loop Multi-Nighter on the NoCo website calendar.
Sunday, August 13th—Snowy Range/Walden Ride. A full day of riding that takes us into Wyoming across the Snowy Range and through Walden Colorado. The roads will curl and twist us through the mountains, offering stunning views of peaks and valleys. The air will be crisp and clean, and the scenery breathtaking. Watch your email or Slack for more, and find the latest details here.
For up-to-date information on all Northern Colorado IMRG rides and events, visit our Events Calendar.
NORTHERN COLORADO IMRG 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
July 30th, 2023 marks the NoCo IMRG’s 5th Chapter Anniversary as a riders group, and our inaugural group ride was in August of 2018. In the past five years, we have gone on many rides and had a great time doing it. We have been to places like Walden, Durango, Cripple Creek, Mount Evans, Black Hills, Alpine, Guanella Pass, Steamboat/Craig, and the Snowy Range. Our next adventures will include Glenwood Springs, and Thermopolis. Reaching the 5-year anniversary is a great achievement and is marking the beginning of a new and exciting period for the group.
As we reach this milestone in our journey, you might be wondering how we’ve been together for five years. The years have been filled with shared experiences, friends made, and unforgettable road trips. It has been five years filled with adventures and memories that will last a lifetime. But more than that, it represents an unwavering commitment to our love of motorcycles, the camaraderie of the group, and the forging of lasting friendships.
We have had a lot of fun, and have been through a lot together in the last five years, and it is nice to look back on some of the memories that we’ve made. We’ve had so many good times, and we will continue having even more thrilling adventures in the future. This 5-year Chapter anniversary is just the beginning of many more years of unforgettable experiences ahead!
We are so thankful for all of you who have come to be part of the NoCo IMRG family. Without you, our journey would not have been as meaningful, and we would not have had so many laughs and memories.
SAFETY TIP: HEAD & EYES
A Safety Tip From Paul Carroll
I’m sure many of you have heard stories of riders colliding with objects, vehicles or just running off the road when they had plenty of space and time to avoid hazards and negotiate the roadway. Many of these riders were victims of “Target Fixation.”
Many riders make the mistake of looking in the direction the bike is currently traveling. This is good, as long as you are riding on a straight path. Many riders forget to transition and look in the direction they need the bike to go. Hence, why some riders have difficulty with cornering, tight turns and parking. Looking where you want to go will trigger the subconscious to physically apply the forces on the bike. It is much more difficult to get the bike to go in a direction that you are not looking.
Try this technique in a parking lot when you get the chance—pull into an area that is relatively clear of obstacles and vehicles. Pull all the way into a parking space until your front tire touches the end line of the space. Come to a complete stop. Turn your bars either left or right until fully locked, then back the bars just slightly. Sit nice and straight. Turn your head 90 degrees and look down and up onto the horizon in the direction you want to go. Then proceed with your left or right turn from the stop. Remember to always to look in the direction you want to go during the entire movement, not in the direction you are currently sitting. If you stay focused on the horizon, you’ll be amazed how tight your turn will be. If you glance away from the horizon for even a brief second, your turn will be much wider. Practice this simple technique before every ride. You’ll be amazed how much tighter and smoother your turns become.
Until next time, Ride Safe!
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE FORUM
There are several Indian Motorcycle forums out there; however, indianmotorcycles.net stands out as one of the better Indian Motorcycle related forums. It was created in 2010 and has over 54K registered members. The forum is a great resource for Indian Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts, with a wide range of discussion topics, including:
- General discussion about Indian Motorcycles
- Technical questions and advice
- Parts and accessories for sale
- Ride reports
- Photos and videos of Indian Motorcycles
The forum is also a great place to connect with other Indian Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. There are many active members on the forum who are always willing to help out and answer questions… Yes, there is the occasional instigator in the discussion threads, but they are gotten rid of pretty swiftly with troll spray!
Here are some of the features of the Indian Motorcycle Forum:
- Over 54K registered members
- Wide range of discussion topics
- Active and helpful community
- Easy to use interface
- Mobile-friendly
As an Indian Motorcycle owner or enthusiast, it is highly recommend checking out the Indian Motorcycle Forum. It is a great resource for infor-mation, advice, and community.
Some of the top forums on the Indian Motorcycle Forum include:
- Indian Motorcycle General Discussion—This is the main forum for general discussion about Indian Motorcycles.
- Indian Chieftain—This forum is specifically for Indian Chieftain owners and enthusiasts.
- Indian Dark Horse—This forum is specifically for Indian Chief Dark Horse owners and enthusiasts.
- Indian Scout—This forum is specifically for Indian Scout owners and enthusiasts.
- Indian Roadmaster—This forum is specifically for Indian Roadmaster owners and enthusiasts.
- Indian Motorcycle Tech Q&A—This forum is for technical questions and advice about Indian Motorcycles
Almost forgot to mention, the Administrator of the site lives right here in Colorado!
“What kind of motorcycle laughs a lot?”
A Yamahahaha…
MOUNTAIN RIDING
Living in the Northern Colorado Front Range provides us with a choice of riding on the flat straight roads to the east or the winding mountainous roads to the west. We all talk about riding the twisties, but we all have varying degrees of proficiency when it comes to effectively corning the bend.
The key to safe riding in the mountains is to ride well within your abilities. Never feel pressured or let anyone pressure you into riding faster than you’re comfortable.
Here are some tips and techniques for riding the twisties safely:
- Ride at a pace you’re comfortable with. Don’t worry about what others are doing.
- Look ahead and scan the road for upcoming curves. This will give you time to prepare and make smooth transitions.
- Use your brakes early and gradually. This will help you to slow down going into the curve and to maintain control of your bike.
- Shift down to a lower gear before entering a curve. This will give you more power to accelerate out of the turn.
- Lean your bike into the curve. This will help you maintain your balance and control.
- Use your throttle smoothly. Don’t accelerate too quickly or you’ll lose control.
With practice, you’ll be able to ride the twisties safely and confidently. The bottom line is we ride together for enjoyment and mutual support. Just remember to ride within your abilities and have fun!
IMRG SOUTHERN REGION FACEBOOK GROUP
As mentioned in the past, IMRG Chapters in North America are separated into what is referred to as Channels, or otherwise known as Regions. There are a total of seven (7) Regions, and each Region has a Channel Leader.
The Northern Colorado IMRG is part of the Southern Region, which is comprised of Chapters located in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Come be part of the IMRG Southern Region community on Facebook. Join the Group.
ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED ABOUT RIDING
What is the most important piece of advice you’ve received about riding? Was it a tip on being safe, or perhaps a tip about mindset? Maybe there’s even a funny saying that has stuck with you over the years? Here are some responses found on the Internet. Perhaps some will resonate with you.
- Safety
- Ride like you’re invisible
- Be predictable
- Always be aware of your surroundings
- Don’t drink and ride
- Be seen
- Wear a helmet
- Wear all the gear, all the time
- Avoid road rage as a motorcyclist
- Mindset
- Enjoy the ride, have fun!
- Don’t give up
- Believe in yourself
- The journey is just as important as the destination
- Never stop learning
- Ride your own ride, don’t worry about what others are doing
- The best way to learn is by doing
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
- There’s always something new to learn
- Funny sayings
- If you’re going to ride like a bat out of hell, at least wear a helmet
- A bike is a vehicle for seeing the world, not a weapon for winning the Tour de France
- The only thing that stands between you and a great ride is your own two wheels
- If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong
- When practicing, if you fall off the horse, get back on
- The best way to learn to ride is to stop talking, and start doing
JARED MEE’S RACE TO TYING 9 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Flat-track racing is an integral part of motorsports in America. Scott Parker is the greatest of all time in this sport with nine championships to his name. Scott retired in 2000 after dominating flat track during his tenure. Scott’s dominance in flat track has never been equaled, and his record of nine championships has not been broken in the past 25 years.
Now… Jared Mees is on the cusp of tying Scott’s record of nine flat-track racing championships in 2023. Jared is an Indian Motorcycle factory racer with eight titles under his belt. His motorcycle – an Indian FTR 750.
Watch the short video about Jared and his chase for the tying nine time record.
DURANGO RENDEZVOUS 2023
Five of us journeyed to Ignacio for the Durango Rendezvous 2023 for a 5-day, 4-night adventure. We began our travel on an early Wednesday morning from the Maverik gas station near I25 & Hwy 52. The ride down was roughly 360 miles and 9 hours (with a lunch stop). On our way, we passed through some rolling hills and farmland. We took in the mountain scenery of the Rocky Mountains, Wet Mountains, and the San Juan Mountains. Along the way, we passed through a number of small towns, such as Bailey, Grant, Fairplay, Poncha Springs, Del Norte, South Fork, and Pogasa Springs. We stopped in Del Norte and had lunch at the Colorado Grille & Tap House. When we got to the Sky Ute Resort in Ignacio, we were a bit road weary after a long day’s ride. A little while later, we ate dinner at the Resort and retired for the evening.
On day two, we rode a loop taking us through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, Dolores, Cortez, and back to Ignacio. Our first stop was on Molas Pass just outside of Silverton. This is a very scenic overlook of surrounding mountains and valleys. As we climbed the nearly 11k feet to Molas Pass, it cooled off quickly and we encountered rain, followed by a little bit of falling snow, and sleet that pelted us. But for the rest of the way, the temperature and weather was pretty fair. We proceeded to the Million Dollar Highway, which is a winding road that climbs through the San Juan Mountains. The views on this ride were incredible with towering peaks, snow-capped mountains, and forests. The Million Dollar Highway is narrow with no guardrails. There are a lot hairpin curves, particularly when going through Red Mountain Pass, so you must use caution. The highway is easily ridden, though, so long as you stay alert and ride well within your abilities. On our way back to the resort, we rode through Dolores, which became “famous” due to a large, ~10 million pound boulder that broke loose from a hillside and plowed a huge trench across Highway 145 just outside of town. It was deemed too costly to try and demolish the giant boulder, and would be cheaper and faster to simply reroute the highway around it. The boulder is named Memorial Rock since it came crashing down over Memorial Day weekend in 2019.
Day three took us to the Four Corners, which is a region where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. It is the only place in the United States where four states meet at one point. The Four Corners Monument is a large bronze plaque showing the boundaries of the four states and the seals of each state. The monument is located on Navajo Nation land, which includes the Navajo, Hopi, Ute, and Zuni. To get there, we rode south from Ignacio into New Mexico on a very bumpy, roller coaster like road that was not very well maintained where we passed over the Navajo Dam. We proceeded west and encountered a very unique rock formation called Shiprock just before the Arizona border. It is a very prominent landmark in northwestern New Mexico. We crossed into Arizona and headed north toward the Four Corners Monument. The entrance to the Monument was just back inside of New Mexico along the Colorado border. After visiting Four Corners, we hurried back to Ignacio for the evening’s Durango Rendezvous Banquet.
Day four, we originally planned to go on a Durango Rendezvous orga-nized group ride, Women’s Honor Ride, led by Erin Sills on day four. However, the ride was cancelled due to bad weather. Erin was the guest speaker for the banquet, and is a professional land speed motorcycle racer, adventure riding coach, and media-trained marketing executive. She holds the record as the fastest woman on a conventional motorcycle and is a 45-time land speed record holder. Since the event group ride was cancelled and the storm was moving north, we decided to go on our own ride, but heading south. This ride would once again take us from Ignacio into New Mexico on that very bumpy, roller coaster like road, and we once again passed over the Navajo Dam. This time, instead of heading west, we went east to Chama where we had lunch. After lunch, we retraced our route back to Ignacio.
Day five was a travel day back home. We had a very early breakfast, checked out of the Resort, packed our bikes and hit the road at the crack of dawn. Overall, the Durango Rendezvous 2023 was a great event! We had a lot of fun riding through the beautiful mountains of Southwest Colorado. We enjoyed a variety of scenic ride destinations and met quite a few awesome people.
NEW VIDEO LAUNCHES!
Grab your helmet and join us for an exhilarating motorcycle ride as we journey from Fort Collins to Beecher Island Battlefield. Experience the thrill of the open road as we navigate through the quiet eastern prairies, and discover a few hidden gems along the way, and immerse ourselves in the history of Beecher Island. This video is sure to inspire your next motorcycle trip.
This video is sure to give you a taste of the freedom and excite-ment that comes with exploring fun destinations with the
Northern Colorado IMRG. We did a ride for International Female Ride Day. After journeying to Laramie from Fort Collins, we stopped at the Abraham Lincoln memorial site, and took a short break. Then we rode Happy Jack Road to Cheyenne where we enjoyed lunch at the Bunkhouse Bar & Grill.
The windy Wyoming ride was challenging, but exhilarating at the same time. We saw some beautiful Wyoming countryside, and there were times it took our breath away–literally from the strong blowing wind. All-in-all it was a fun ride, and we were happy to share the experience together (at least in spirit) for this International Female Ride Day.