Bilco's Coast to Coast trip 2015

[Sgt Bilco]

I think Arkansas and Oklahoma are really pretty states once you get into the hills. I've run the Trans America Trail through there and it's some of the best riding anywhere. The roads are necessarily long but always something to see. There has been lots of rain in the area over the previous few weeks and everywhere watercourse was full and some places had flooded for the first time in memory. We missed the floods by more luck than judgement and the riding was excellent.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

We stayed in a very small town called Sulpher where I have some old friends. Called into to see them and then had a Braums burger and shake. These babies are amongst the best anywhere.......!!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I love Texas for lots of reasons but the main one I think is the vastness of the place. You ride across the plains and there really is nothing around you and you feel that it's never ending. It's quite a challenge but everyone on the trip enjoyed this and I don't think there is anything like it in Europe.

I headed out on my own today as I had made plans to to see some old friends from many years ago. Andy.E took the reins for the day and I'm sure you'll get to see pics from that run. Riding on your own out here is brilliant and it's were you realise how small you are! You come across small towns which are slowly dying but do have great cafes for breakfast.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Lots of history in Texas. All fairly recent and bloody.........!!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Just a few more miles to go and the water table is definitely full. Bear in mind the plains here are at an altitude of around 6-7000ft and it's very hot and windy, there is water everywhere. They are desperately trying to find ways of getting it across to Califorrnia which is in severe drought but I can't see how they can do that.

Anyway, after an easy 330 miles, I call into a very small town called Stinnent TX which is basically in the middle of nowhere to see some people who I've not seen for 36 years. I stayed with these lovely people when I worked in Baytown TX when I was 20 as a very scrawny, wide eyed and innocent (their words not mine) youth. I wasn't innocent but that's a whole other story. Anyway, Joe has worked in oil all his life and they have retired to this place. He bought the land for $4000 and built his own house to his spec. Can't see that happening in blighty that's for sure. Note Joe's truck in the picture. It's a 99 Dodge Ram 3800 diesel with 390,000 miles on the clock and is in lovely condition!!! After a few hours catching up, some fantastic pork chops and beans, I had to go but it was a brilliant catch up. Must have been something in my eye as I left as they were streaming for some reason....... I'll be back in a couple of years I guess.

A quick 90 mile blast in the fading light to Dalhart to meet up with everyone else only to find they had all gone out to a restaurant, got roped into a party and didn't get back until the wee small hours. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with evidence

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Nice early start out of Dalhart Tx for some of us and catch up with this train. Someone counted 99 carriages and it was happily cruising along at 55mph. They take some overtaking.......!!

Eventually we see the first glimpse of Colorado and the Rockies which is very welcome after a few days af fairly flat riding. Just looking at the snow capped mountain means a promise of cooler weather and fantastic riding. Found a nice breakfast stop and watched the humming birds having theirs whilst I tucked into my breakfast Burrito with chili.....a fabulous way to start the day.

As is their usual way, most Americans don't have a clue about hot tea and despite struggling to concoct a brew approaching anything like decent, Feona finally gave up the ghost on this lost cause

 

[Sgt Bilco]

After that dreadful tea incident, we head through Colorado to our stop in Florence. There is a bridge over a gorge in Florence called the Royal Gorge. The bridge has just been put there as a tourist thing but it's well worth a visit and a ride over especially if you are afraid of heights like yours truly. It's got wooden boards which creak and crack as you cross over and there is the small matter of a 1000ft drop to the river at the bottom. Got to be done though

 

[Lord Snooty]

Feck, I just got vertigo looking at the photos.!

 

[Phil Magill]

Here's a better view on the bridge

And a few GS riders were looking at this Harley with lust in their eyes



Complete with Bitch Whip

Phil.

 

[Lord Snooty]

What's that hanging off the left hand bar?

 

[Andy_E]

I believe that's called a 'get back' whip, latest fashion accessory amongst the assless chap fraternity. The rider had parked it in the viewpoint, rather than the car park, for extra pose value

 

[Sgt Bilco]

It really was a tarts handbag and he must just have bought whatever the Harley Touratech catalogue is! It even had air suspension on the back so when madame wanted to alight, she could just step off......!!

There was some serious detail on it though and you can only imagine the invoice price..

 

[sven]

This is what some of the idiot Harley riders do out here on some great roads. They sit in formation as they try to manhandle their barges around corners and rarely let you past without a bit of a struggle. I don't think they take too kindly to GS's or any other bikes riding on Harley Davidson sovereign territory!!

Grr, don't get me started on these tw*ts I had a right job getting past them on the Beartooth Highway etc. last year, although I was driving a Mustang convertible

 

[Sgt Bilco]

After we had spent a happy hour laughing at the Harley, we head north out of Canon City towards Pikes peak on a lovely back country road. These are all over the place if you look hard enough and they make great riding and are very quiet. It's hard to explain how little traffic we see but seeing something coming the other way is a rarity.

Called into this lonely gas station and shop for a brew and top up for some of us of non ethanol petrol. Fuel stops can be few and far between so it's always good to top up when you get the chance. These little places are great stops and they really appreciate the custom.

Left the station and start climbing towards Pikes Peak which looms into view.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Pikes Peak......well, what can you say except to say it's very high. I think we were there a few days before the main Pikes Peak race because they were setting up their safety stuff. When I say safety, I mean a few straw bales and some old fencing. Anyhow, it's a fantastic ride up and down albeit slow. There is a 25mph speed limit on the road and if you are unlucky enough to be behind a bunch of cars, it can be death by slow cuts but you can get past them and crack on. There are cops on there to catch the unwary speeder eh Rob

We had stunning weather and the views are spectacular especially from the top at over 14,000ft. It's a bit short on the old oxygen which you can really feel so it doesn't pay to rush around up there and most of us didn't hang around long.

The views from the road are breathtaking especially when you consider the lunatics who race up there. One error and it really is all over. Not all of us enjoyed it it must be said but another one ticked off the bucket list for most of us.

 

[rocky burns]

Is that Ktm i sold Steve still alive, not seen it in one piccy yet

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Is that Ktm i sold Steve still alive, not seen it in one piccy yet

We called it the nut toaster I reckon it nearly killed the poor bloke but Steve and Carl on the Africa Twin went off to do their own thing and only joined us for the odd night. I think they have some very lurid tales to tell and will no doubt do so in time.......

 

[Lord Snooty]

I believe that's called a 'get back' whip, latest fashion accessory amongst the assless chap fraternity. The rider had parked it in the viewpoint, rather than the car park, for extra pose value

Does it have a purpose other than to attract ridicule

 

[Andy_E]

Does it have a purpose other than to attract ridicule

Well, according to one source I looked at they are “to display your motorcycle club colors, increase visibility and add to your individual style”, so in other words no ('m aware that the same could be said about much of the contents of the Touratech catalogue)

 

[Phil Magill]

And there was me thinking that it was for whipping his bitch when they were having fun time together wearing only their leather chaps, yeee ha.

I must be visiting the wrong websites