Deer Creek Canyon Road, located near the intersection of the E-470 Super Slab and Wadsworth Blvd, is one of my favorite twisty roads to ride when one is short of time. It's close to the Denver metro area, well maintained and has beautiful rock formations to go with its curving turns that lead one northwest towards Turkey Creek Roads north and south, both ending up eventually at US285.
I was not able to leave the house to go riding till almost 1:00PM and so I chose the Deer Creek Canyon area to give Brigitta, my 1987 R80 Beemer Airhead motorcycle some exercise. It had been over a month since I'd ridden her and my maneuvers reflected it! My u-turns were awkward and wide in radius, my shifting was rough, and it took me some time to accustom myself to her controls once again. Sure, the weather has been cold and not conducive to riding on a motorcycle with a minimalist fairing, but I was chagrined at my mistakes. I can't imagine what it must be like for motorcycle riders who hibernate their motorcycles all winter!
Anyways, I made my way through the Town of Parker, using the Crowfoot Parkway to get to the outskirts of Castle Rock. Crossing over the I-25 slab using Founder's Parkway, I was soon winging my way north on US85. Brigitta ran sweetly and strongly, smoothly forging its way into the strong winds that would be my company throughout the entire ride.
I continued past the town of Sedalia where a few Harleys were parked outside the bar there. I got onto the Titan Parkway and headed now west, soon enough I was turning onto Waterton Canyon and slowly making my way to CO121. I turned north when I got to CO121 and a few minutes later I was at the beginning of Deer Creek Canyon Road.
The roads were clear of gravel and I enjoyed a few of the twists and turns, going past the South Valley Park area, and turning left onto Grizzly Road looking for Deer Creek Canyon Park. The park turned out to be an open space park, where you park your vehicle and go hiking. This was not for me so I continued past and explored the surrounding area's beautiful rock formations. Folks have made their homes amongst these rock formations, blending in nicely I thought and not being too disruptive to one's view of nature's beauty.
Now this is a good example of blending one's home with the surroundings
A closer view of the rock strewn landscape visible from the high points of Deer Creek Park
Leaving the neighborhood of Deer Creek Park, I wound my way back towards a large rock formation I'd spotted on the way in, right on Deer Creek Canyon Road. It's a bit awkward to get one's motorcycle into position due to the blind curves on both ends of the formation but I managed to do it safely.
Looking west on Deer Creek Canyon Road
I got myself turned around once more and headed back towards CO121. Turning north, I elected to use the E-470 slab to speed on home as it was now 36°F and I was getting a bit chilled. There was some construction delays between University Blvd and Colorado but after that I was making my way home at a good clip, strong headwinds notwithstanding!
Pretty good ride today, a bit windy and cold, some rust on my two-wheeled riding skills that I must work to remove. First thing being not letting a month go by before riding on two wheels, next some practice in parking lots on my u-turns.
Hope you got some riding in today.
Comments
The stunning pictures of this incredibly beautiful 1987 BMW "R" bike against the background of these mountains, cliffs, and rocks qualify this column as an ad for heaven, or Viagara for the soul. Well done. This column has become a "must read" for me.
Thank you.
I love riding Colorado, and you make is sound so inviting. The pictures are fabulous. Still, I'm glad I live in the south where year round riding is the norm.
Mary, what do you mean....you can ride year round here in Colorado! :) Of course, sometimes it takes three wheels rather than two.....thanks for visiting and your kind words.
Jack, yeah...she's a pretty motorcycle isn't she. As you probably suspect, she and the Ural are distant cousins.....wait till Spring when I take that large fairing off the Ural...you'll appreciate her more.
I love your articles, Dom. The descriptions of your rides make it seem like I am riding along side. The added pictures make the trip really come alive.
What, only two wheels? I thought you'd given that up.
And speaking to Mary, you bet we ride year-round here in Colorado, even those of us with only two wheels.
It's a sign of Brigitta's good breeding that she didn't dump you for neglecting her so badly. That is a trouble with riding such diverse types of bikes. Motor skills have a hard time switching back and forth sometimes. I really enjoyed the scenery. As usual!
Patty, thanks for such kind words.
Ken, no, haven't given up riding on two wheels....I do have to wait for temperatures to be at least 45 though, Brigitta has a "minimalist" fairing, so no wind protection.
Irondad (Dan)....oh, Brigitta is definitely descended from some good lineage, it just bugs her and other Beemer riders that Natasha comes from a common ancestor as well!
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