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alblancher
Senior Member
481 Posts
slidell, LA
USA
Yamaha
Roadliner
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Posted - 11/05/2009 : 7:21 AM
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Maybe a helpful thread as we all plan our summer vacations.
Here in the New Orleans area I would recommend a day in the Quarter, a ride on the St. Charles Street Car, The Columns Bar, dinner at Jacques Imo's, the Aquarium, the Zoo and a motorcycle ride east on Hwy 90 through the marsh to the Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches.
Al
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Daddio
Senior Member
463 Posts
[Mentor]
Calera, AL
USA
Suzuki
Bandit 1250
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Posted - 11/05/2009 : 8:07 PM
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Just outside Birmingham, AL to the East is is Leeds, AL home of Barber Motorsports Park. There are several Superbike events during the year. A world class museum of vintage cars and bikes. I have not been, but it is supposed to be one of the best motorsport museums around. The track holds Indy car events along with the Superbike events.
The largest cast iron statue ever made is atop Red Mountain. Vulcan is a worthwhile visit if you want a touristy destination. We have a small but decent zoo. Next door are the botanical gardens.
North of the city is Ave Maria Grotto. A fascinating display of miniature renditions of ancient cities is on display.
We have a civil rights museum and much more if you ride through Birmingham, AL. |
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Niebor Ex-Member
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 6:58 AM
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I've thought this one over, and decided that to ask this question of a Coloradan requires some clarification. 
How much time will you spend in Colorado?
How many miles can you allocate to Colorado?
How challenging a ride do you prefer?
Is it OK if the pavement ends at various points along rides?
Any altitude restrictions?
How many miles between fuel stops?
What sort of cultural attractions are you interested in?
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galileo Ex-Member
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 8:44 AM
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quote: Originally posted by Niebor
I've thought this one over, and decided that to ask this question of a Coloradan requires some clarification. 
How much time will you spend in Colorado?
How many miles can you allocate to Colorado?
How challenging a ride do you prefer?
Is it OK if the pavement ends at various points along rides?
Any altitude restrictions?
How many miles between fuel stops?
What sort of cultural attractions are you interested in?
Great questions, Niebor. I think the old authentic towns are the best. Places that have had the same owners for 50 years. Two things that shouldn't be missed in Colorado. The Million Dollar Highway between Durango and Ouray. And riding up Pike's Peak.
I have a great route that rides over 10 passes in 500 miles starting near Denver. Bishop's Castle is a unique and free attraction.
I also have a route that is about 1,300 miles that hits many of the highlights west of the front range.
Gosh, there is so much here. I'm glad I live here. |
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twc
Advanced Member
659 Posts
[Mentor]
Fort Collins, CO
USA
Harley-Davidson
Electra Glide Ultra
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 11:32 AM
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quote: Originally posted by Niebor
Really good questions -- it's pretty obvious you live here. 
I would further characterize the challenge by difficulty and distance. Some roads have multiple tight switchbacks that might make people think they were back in The BRC Box, but The Box doesn't have a 500 ft. drop-off if you go outside the lines. Roads that come immediately to mind are the west side of Trail Ridge Road, Coal Creek Canyon to the Peak-to-Peak highway and Devil's Gulch.
Also, if you're riding at high altitude in Colorado it's important to remember that the weather can change almost instantly, and snow is a possibility on any day of the year. Watch the weather forecast and be prepared.
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alblancher
Senior Member
481 Posts
slidell, LA
USA
Yamaha
Roadliner
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 11:36 AM
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I was thinking that you would answer the question with the thought: "What is uniquely ours?" If you live in Denver what may not be in the normal travel blogs that you as a resident feels a visitor should experience.
Do you have an eclectic restaurant where you take your friends when they come to town?
Colorado is a beautiful place for outdoor enthusiasts and the number of rides, hiking trails and scenic spots is innumerable.
It would be cool for someone to start a thread, if appropriate, where we could post our favorite rides and routes in our respective areas. |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
5247 Posts
[Mentor]
Pleasanton, CA
USA
KTM
990 Adv, ST2, XR650L
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 11:38 AM
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quote: Originally posted by alblancher
It would be cool for someone to start a thread, if appropriate, where we could post our favorite rides and routes in our respective areas.
So what are you waiting for? Start the thread. I have a big list for that.  |
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Niebor Ex-Member
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 12:10 PM
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quote: Originally posted by galileo Bishop's Castle is a unique and free attraction.
LOL, I marvel at the thought of Sam Bishop and James Davis engaging in political discussion. One could charge admission.    
As far as routes within Colorado, you can't beat the cruise Galileo describes! |
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Niebor Ex-Member
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 12:29 PM
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Originally posted by alblancher
I was thinking that you would answer the question with the thought: "What is uniquely ours?" Fair enough... 
The best part of the Continental Divide
Do you have an eclectic restaurant where you take your friends when they come to town?
Well, On ride days we usually eat breakfast at Burger King or McDonalds. Lunch is often one of the mountain gambling towns, Central City/Blackhawk or Cripple Creek for example. Why? LOL, Because we can eat a big steak for $2.95 or large breakfast for $1.00. 
Colorado is a beautiful place for outdoor enthusiasts and the number of rides, hiking trails and scenic spots is innumerable.
Agreed! 
It would be cool for someone to start a thread, if appropriate, where we could post our favorite rides and routes in our respective areas.
It would appear, we already have.  |
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galileo Ex-Member
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 12:47 PM
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quote: Originally posted by Niebor
quote: Originally posted by galileo Bishop's Castle is a unique and free attraction.
LOL, I marvel at the thought of Jim Bishop and James Davis engaging in political discussion. One could charge admission.    
As far as routes within Colorado, you can't beat the cruise Galileo describes!
We could sell tickets to that one. I'm not sure which one is more in favor of political correctness. He even sounds a bit like James. And they share the same first name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK89UuytMpk |
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Niebor Ex-Member
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 2:42 PM
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LMAO! I'd never seen that one before. Indeed, put a nickel in that man, you get a dollar back. 
I have yet to meet the rider that was not simply in awe of his creation. He is an amazing man.
The legal types among you would be interested to learn he represents himself in virtually all his legal disputes. They are many, and complex, you would be impressed.
For those interested in comparison, I would direct you to: http://www.msgroup.org/msg/jrdpresWatched-1.asp Windows Media format, 7.5 meg downloaded.
Whew! That thought simply made my day!  |
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twc
Advanced Member
659 Posts
[Mentor]
Fort Collins, CO
USA
Harley-Davidson
Electra Glide Ultra
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 3:43 PM
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quote: Originally posted by Niebor
I marvel at the thought of Sam Bishop and James Davis engaging in political discussion.
Hmmmmm, I think not.
You know what control theory says about positive feedback.  |
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Niebor Ex-Member
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 4:53 PM
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Self-perpetuating beyond the point of critical mass?
Wait, That's a different theory.  |
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bachman1961
Advanced Member
1395 Posts
[Mentor]
colorado springs, co
USA
Honda
CB750 NightHawk
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 1:08 AM
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quote: Originally posted by Niebor
Originally posted by alblancher
I was thinking that you would answer the question with the thought: "What is uniquely ours?" Fair enough... 
The best part of the Continental Divide
Do you have an eclectic restaurant where you take your friends when they come to town?
Well, On ride days we usually eat breakfast at Burger King or McDonalds. Lunch is often one of the mountain gambling towns, Central City/Blackhawk or Cripple Creek for example. Why? LOL, Because we can eat a big steak for $2.95 or large breakfast for $1.00. 
It appears food is hijacking this subject matter ... and to think that could happen by a guy who stops at McD's for a 730 breakfast and ends up at a Casino town by 1030 ordering the 'Gold Rush Special $1.49 breakfast' ... who da thunk ?
~brian  |
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alblancher
Senior Member
481 Posts
slidell, LA
USA
Yamaha
Roadliner
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 4:16 AM
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| You denizens of Colorado could certainly do better than MickyD's. A Gold Rush breakfast for under 2 bucks sounds like my kind of place. |
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bachman1961
Advanced Member
1395 Posts
[Mentor]
colorado springs, co
USA
Honda
CB750 NightHawk
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 4:28 AM
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quote: Originally posted by alblancher
You denizens of Colorado could certainly do better than MickyD's. A Gold Rush breakfast for under 2 bucks sounds like my kind of place.
Al;
No doubt but you do have to separate the two...
Room in my wallet for a buck forty nine breakfast is one thing .. room in my belly for two breakfasts in 3 hours is another ... ! 
~brian |
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galileo Ex-Member
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 4:56 AM
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quote: Originally posted by alblancher
You denizens of Colorado could certainly do better than MickyD's. A Gold Rush breakfast for under 2 bucks sounds like my kind of place.
Sometimes we eat at Burger King.
Prime Rib for 2.99 at Bushwacker's is a good deal, too. That's in Blackhawk.
If we told you where the real good places are, then people would go there and it would be too busy.
Another interesting spot - the Air Force Academy. You will have to have a reflective vest to get in. |
Edited by - galileo on 11/07/2009 5:05 AM |
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SkootchNC
Advanced Member
599 Posts
[Mentor]
raleigh, north carolina
USA
Harley-Davidson
road glide
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 5:43 AM
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Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline drive. (probably flat lands compared to the rockies, but ya run whatcha brung) Jamestown VA Pre- revolutionary sites, like Hillsbrough NC where the Anglo settlers fought British rule in 1771 Revolutionary war sites, Civil war sites, Current Military bases Special ops museum at Ft. Bragg D-Day memorial in Bedford VA Cherahola Skyway Nantahala gorge New River gorge |
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Niebor Ex-Member
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 7:43 AM
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I guess in fairness I should suggest my questions were a bit pointed. They are intended to determine what kind of ride the two of you prefer. If your list of cultural attractions was long, I'd have assumed rides to be more or less transportation oriented. On the other hand, if you showed little interest in that category, a tank-to-tank range of 300 miles and no restrictions or objection towards a little dirt, the outcome is a bit different. At this point, you have my attention. 
The Colorado rides pointed out so far range between 2 hours and 2 days. A little clarification is in order to pin it down much further than that.
From the mountains, (Elbert, Evans & Pikes Peak personal favorites), to the Prairie, (Elbert Rush, Bennet)... to the Ocean, wait, I'll hand off that verse. 
But I will setp out on a limb: In the context Jim, the castle builder puts it: God Bless America!  |
Edited by - Niebor on 11/07/2009 8:15 AM |
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alblancher
Senior Member
481 Posts
slidell, LA
USA
Yamaha
Roadliner
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 9:16 AM
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ScootchNC brought up the D-day memorial in his neck of the woods,
I would like to add the D-day museum to my list. They just dedicated a new wing?
I can attest to most of the places Scoot mentioned but didn't know about the special forces museum. That goes on my list for next time I'm in the area.
I love food, where do you eat up there? Please no peanut pie yech, |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
5247 Posts
[Mentor]
Pleasanton, CA
USA
KTM
990 Adv, ST2, XR650L
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 9:38 AM
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It looks to me like the title of this thread needs to be changed to:
When I come to your town state what should I visit eat?
Apparently we're all not too good at keeping to the subject once it gets away from motorcycle-related issues.
I happen to live in a town where you might hear the quote: "It's a nice place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit there." Very few people will go out of their way to visit Pleasanton, but it's a great place to spend time relaxing and just enjoying a nice place to be.

Here's a YouTube video of a Craig Ferguson monologue that was actually quite accurate at explaining what the town is like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jtEe93AWFM |
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