November on Pikes Peak

Sunny weather with forecasted highs in the lower 70s....perfect day for taking Natasha down to Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak!

I left home around 8:30 and after an appointment I was southbound by 9:45! I took CO 83 aka Parker Road all the way down to Colorado Springs where it becomes the Interquest Parkway and eventually dumps you on the I-25 Super Slab. I kept my speed between 55-60 mph and got used to the cars passing me. I didn't want to "strain" Natasha you see, Urals are happiest at 55 or below.

Heading South on CO 83, that's Pikes Peak in the distance
click on the picture for a larger version from blogger.com

I got to the entrance to the Pikes Peak Tollway at 11:30 and paid my $10. The sign read that 16 of the 19 miles of the tollway were open. Oh well, I probably should have called ahead but as you will see, plenty of good shots to be had anyways.  The road was nice and drive with plenty of snow in evidence along the sides of the road. Only one icy spot, more on that later. Traffic was light, it wasn't too cold, perfect!!!

Once clear of the forest line, the first snowy hairpin turn
 

It was quite windy, you may notice the snow blowing about on the far slopes
 

We're well above the timberline now!
 

A peek at some of the hairpin turns already negotiated on the way up
 

Another pano shot, looks icy but it was just wet
 

Not really that much snow up here, the big snow storm we just had in Denver did not make it all the way down here I think.
 

The left portion of this pano shot shows some of the snow/ice encountered on the road, it was a bit "squiggly" on the pusher tire.
 

Mile Marker 16, with the Ranger making sure no one goes beyond this point!
 

Natasha at the bottom of the curve before Mile Marker 16
 

This is the icy patch when I was heading down, the sun had turned it to mostly slush, no big deal
 

A view of the low lands, the wind was so strong here I was being pushed towards the edge!
 

I call this, the Rock Pile
 

Almost at the end, this is the Crystal Lake Reservoir, that's Pikes Peak on the left

The requisite "touristy" shot

Natasha, my 1996 Ural Sportsman,  did great all the way up and down. You had to keep the speeds low due to road conditions and all the twists and turns so it was perfect for her. Today I must have been photographed as I rode by cagers several times, I guess Natasha is rare enough around this here parts! One couple in a car even stopped next to me as I was sitting on Natasha and asked for a picture of us. I can just see the caption: Look at this fool on this weird bike we saw on Pikes Peak!

After checking in with my loving wife one more time at the tollway entrance, I started heading back north. I retraced my route along I-25 while transiting through Colorado Springs. The it was the Interquest Parkway to CO 83 and a smooth ride at 100 kph or 60 mph for you metrically-challenged individuals. Got home around 4:00 PM, perhaps 6 hrs in the saddle and roughly 186 miles or so round trip.

map courtesy of Google Maps
Here's my route, hope you got a chance to ride today!