The 2017 Wild Guzzi Western Adventure, Ouray, Co

[rocker59]

The original True Grit with John Wayne was filmed there . The restaurant I wanted to eat at is full of pictures and memorabilia from the movie.

Sorry, I don't remember the name of it....

The 1969 movie was filmed in Ridgway, Montrose, and Ouray.  The Ross farm is located on Last Dollar Road, a few miles south of highway 62 at Dallas Divide.

[oldbike54]

The 1969 movie was filmed in Ridgway, Montrose, and Ouray.  The Ross farm is located on Last Dollar Road, a few miles south of highway 62 at Dallas Divide.

 Yeah , of course it should have been filmed in Arkansas and a little bit in Oklahoma . Even the Coen brothers version was shot in Texas hill country , which looks nothing at all like West Central Arkansas .

 Dusty

[rocker59]

Yeah , of course it should have been filmed in Arkansas and a little bit in Oklahoma . Even the Coen brothers version was shot in Texas hill country , which looks nothing at all like West Central Arkansas .

 Dusty

Yeah.  the 2010 version was also shot extensively at a movie ranch just outside Santa Fe New Mexico.

Not much resemblance to Fort Smith, McAlester,  and the Winding Stair Mountains in either movie, but I love both versions.  It's a cool story of adventure and  perseverance in The West.

And I like the Arkansas Connection.

[oldbike54]

Yeah.  the 2010 version was also shot extensively at a movie ranch just outside Santa Fe New Mexico.

Not much resemblance to Fort Smith, McAlester,  and the Winding Stair Mountains in either movie, but I love both versions.  It's a cool story of adventure and  perseverance in The West.

And I like the Arkansas Connection.

 Forgot about the Santa Fe thing . The Winding Stair (Ouchita) range would have made an incredible location and since that's where the story actually took place in the book ... Of course our coastal brothers would never believe we have that type of topography in Oklahoma 

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

Yeah.  the 2010 version was also shot extensively at a movie ranch just outside Santa Fe New Mexico.

Not much resemblance to Fort Smith, McAlester,  and the Winding Stair Mountains in either movie, but I love both versions.  It's a cool story of adventure and  perseverance in The West.

And I like the Arkansas Connection.

I have to disagree.  I think the winter Ouachitas look quite a bit like the Coen's location whether it was New Mexico or Texas.  Frankly, I thought it looked less like the Rockies and more like Okla/Ark.

And the town they shot in Texas looked like a frontier town but have no idea what Ft Smith looked like 140 years ago.


Back to he point, the gas station/diner at Ridgeway has quite a bit of Duke stuff.

[rocker59]

The 2010 movie was a little better.  But both movies kind of miss the setting of McAlester's which was at the junction of two well traveled roads, "The Texas Road" (Shawnee Trail) and "The Calfornia Road".     Yankee war veteran J.J. McAlester set up his trading post there in 1869, and the town got Katy rail service in 1872.  With coal mines in the area, the well-traveled roads, and the railroad, McAlester's was not an isolated outpost at the time of the setting of True Grit, which is well after the end of The War.

(yes, I'm a history geek)

[Testarossa]

Now if I had been on my Suzuki VX800 there wouldn't have been any issue.

The best thing about the VX800 is the elevation-compensating carburetion. I loved the power over the passes (photo: Loveland Pass, 12,000 feet).  Just didn't like the long-wheelbase handling.

[azguzzirep]

I cannot be there in person but I can be there in spirit. I will wear my t-shirt that weekend 😊



imageupload

[redhawk47]

IN
I have made reservations for camping. I would like share the site and costs with several others.

I'd like to arrange a group ride from northern Front Range (Colorado). I'm in Berthoud.

[alanp]

IN
I have made reservations for camping. I would like share the site and costs with several others.

I'd like to arrange a group ride from northern Front Range (Colorado). I'm in Berthoud.

redhawk47, welcome!  MOTOGeezer (Longmont) and I (Niwot) are going.  We are both riding V7's, and I have a 2016 V7II Stone.  We should make plans to ride down together.  We should also get together for a ride sometime.  Send me a PM if you like. 

[M0T0Geezer]

redhawk47, welcome!  MOTOGeezer (Longmont) and I (Niwot) are going.  We are both riding V7's, and I have a 2016 V7II Stone.  We should make plans to ride down together.  We should also get together for a ride sometime.  Send me a PM if you like.

Nice to see this thread recaptured from the movie critics who had hijacked it.  Hope it will stay that way!

Yeh, I'm looking eagerly ahead to being at the Ouray KOA (Sept. 7-10).  Will be delighted to ride down there with alanp and redhawk47.

To make it easier to coordinate for Ouray and future rides with y'all (and other Guzzi drivers near Longmont CO) here is my real contact info:

dan@dansher.com
303-709-6488 (cell)

For PM, my handle may be hard to find because it is  M0T0Geezer (M-zero T-zero not M-oh T-oh)

[Testarossa]

Alan, Dan, Redhawk:  Assuming you take US 50 across, maybe I could link up with you in Montrose for the last leg. I'd suggest riding McClure Pass through Paonia but that would mean three or four hours on the Interstate.

[redhawk47]

Alan, Dan, Redhawk:  Assuming you take US 50 across, maybe I could link up with you in Montrose for the last leg. I'd suggest riding McClure Pass through Paonia but that would mean three or four hours on the Interstate.

My second choice for routing is back roads to Boulder, Hwy 93, C470 or the road by Red Rocks thru Morrison, US 285, US 50, US 550.
My first choice is Trail Ridge Road (and Fall River Road, dirt), Gore Pass, Colorado River Road (dirt), Glenwood Canyon, McClure Pass, US 50/550. Preferred option: Colo 92, Hotchkiss to Sapinero (north rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison). Colorado River Road can be skipped by riding CO 131 to Wolcott and taking US6 (the frontage road) to Dotsero.

Dan

[alanp]

My second choice for routing is back roads to Boulder, Hwy 93, C470 or the road by Red Rocks thru Morrison, US 285, US 50, US 550.
My first choice is Trail Ridge Road (and Fall River Road, dirt), Gore Pass, Colorado River Road (dirt), Glenwood Canyon, McClure Pass, US 50/550. Preferred option: Colo 92, Hotchkiss to Sapinero (north rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison). Colorado River Road can be skipped by riding CO 131 to Wolcott and taking US6 (the frontage road) to Dotsero.

Dan

I am with Redhawk on his first choice, except for maybe the dirt sections, only because of time.  We'll have to look at how many hours that is.  But trailridge, Gore pass and McLure pass would be fun and minimize I70.  Of course, we may also have to think about snow on trailridge. 

[Testarossa]

If you decide on McClure, I'll join you in Paonia. My new place is just 100 yards off the highway, so you might as well stop by for refreshment.

[Archangel]

Boy time flies! Two years since the Cripple Creek Rally.  I will certainly be at the Ouray Rally this fall. Great riding area and great hot springs to soothe a saddle sore butt after a long day on the road.  Interesting also to learn Testarossa just moved into Paonia about a mile or so away from where I live in Paonia. Two Guzzis parked in downtown Paonia! Didn't know if I would see the day. 

[redhawk47]

Boy time flies! Two years since the Cripple Creek Rally.  I will certainly be at the Ouray Rally this fall. Great riding area and great hot springs to soothe a saddle sore butt after a long day on the road.  Interesting also to learn Testarossa just moved into Paonia about a mile or so away from where I live in Paonia. Two Guzzis parked in downtown Paonia! Didn't know if I would see the day. 

Archangel - are you Scott?
If not, there is another Guzzi or two in Paonia.

[Archangel]

Archangel - are you Scott?
If not, there is another Guzzi or two in Paonia.

Hey Dan, Looks like you got your Stelvio sold since the National last year.  Never did get to meetup with you last year and try out one of your CSCs. Still need someone to share your campsite in Ouray?  - Scott

[Arizona Wayne]

The best thing about the VX800 is the elevation-compensating carburetion. I loved the power over the passes (photo: Loveland Pass, 12,000 feet).  Just didn't like the long-wheelbase handling.

The VX wheelbase is the same as the early big block Guzzis like my CX100.(60")     The VX just has a lot longer swingarm than the Guzzis and I like that in that  you don't get any jacking effect in acceleration like you do with the Guzzis.   All your better handling bikes have a longer swingarm than they used to.

[redhawk47]

Hey Dan, Looks like you got your Stelvio sold since the National last year.  Never did get to meetup with you last year and try out one of your CSCs. Still need someone to share your campsite in Ouray?  - Scott

Traded the Stelvio in for a V7II. Loved the Stelvio but it was just too big for me. Loving the V7II.
I'll save a camping space for you; have room for two more.
Just got back from the CSC Baja trip. 8 days, 2000 miles, 14 CSC RX3s, no problems. All pavement except 20 miles of dirt to the cave paintings. Great weather and food.

[Demar]

If you'd like some company on the way out shoot me a PM.  I'll be leaving from Clovis Ca. My plan is to ride to 4 corners, start the COBDR and end up in Ouray sometime over the 4 days everyone will be there.  I'm figuring that I should be in Ouray on day two of the COBDR. And of course, if you would like to do the whole BDR you'd be welcome. If not, I've always wanted to ride with another Guzzi...

Mooney,
What route are you taking to four corners? Are you planning to take 58 from Bakersfield? Then where, 15?

[Testarossa]

The VX wheelbase is the same as the early big block Guzzis like my CX100.(60")     The VX just has a lot longer swingarm than the Guzzis and I like that in that  you don't get any jacking effect in acceleration like you do with the Guzzis.   All your better handling bikes have a longer swingarm than they used to.

To me, the VX felt a bit top-heavy. It was solid and predictable over 30 mph but below that seemed to fall into turns, disconcertingly. Wasn't comfortable cornering in town in traffic, and in very tight switchbacks in the hills.

[Arizona Wayne]

To me, the VX felt a bit top-heavy. It was solid and predictable over 30 mph but below that seemed to fall into turns, disconcertingly. Wasn't comfortable cornering in town in traffic, and in very tight switchbacks in the hills.

I agree it feels a bit top heavy when turning at slow speed.  But that and not having 2 front brakes are the only things I could find imperfect about it.  I changed the handlebar and added a Rifle fairing + hard saddlebags + top case.

[Mooney78865]

To me, the VX felt a bit top-heavy. It was solid and predictable over 30 mph but below that seemed to fall into turns, disconcertingly. Wasn't comfortable cornering in town in traffic, and in very tight switchbacks in the hills.

Pretty much. 99 to 58, then 40 I believe . What ever is shortest. I'm running knobies so what ever is shortest. I'll keep the pressures high and the speed under 90 mph. Worked well on the return home from the IDBDR. Same time of year, more slab time. The shinkos did well and that was around 3,400 miles door to door. Only thing I'm doing different is a 0 degree bag. Spent a night freezing in yellow pine ID with a  20 degree bag from a box store. Was so bloody cold that when I hung my wash cloth on my bars in the morning, it was frozen stiff in 20 minutes. And it was hot water I washed up with!

[Arizona Wayne]

Pretty much. 99 to 58, then 40 I believe . What ever is shortest. I'm running knobies so what ever is shortest. I'll keep the pressures high and the speed under 90 mph. Worked well on the return home from the IDBDR. Same time of year, more slab time. The shinkos did well and that was around 3,400 miles door to door. Only thing I'm doing different is a 0 degree bag. Spent a night freezing in yellow pine ID with a  20 degree bag from a box store. Was so bloody cold that when I hung my wash cloth on my bars in the morning, it was frozen stiff in 20 minutes. And it was hot water I washed up with!

I think Mooney posted here on the wrong subject since I found the VX not made for dirt use. 

[Demar]

I think Mooney posted here on the wrong subject since I found the VX not made for dirt use. 

He was responding to my route question above.

[M0T0Geezer]

I am with Redhawk on his first choice, except for maybe the dirt sections, only because of time.  We'll have to look at how many hours that is.  But trailridge, Gore pass and McLure pass would be fun and minimize I70.  Of course, we may also have to think about snow on trailridge.

I'm for a meetup in Montrose CO with all, including Testarossa, who are coming from NE Colorado (Denver, Longmont, Berthoud,  Boulder, etc.).

I am definitely a pavement-only type of rider.  Therefore best for me is 285 out of Morrison to 50 (Poncha Springs), 50 to Gunnison & Montrose, thence 550 south to Ouray.  Beautiful ride with no dirt/gravel and no Interstate 70.   

Such a route is outlined on the map below  (Ouray is #9) for consideration of all.  'Geezer

[LowRyter]

the south half of 92 is a great ride. 

You might also consider the Black Canyon of the Gunnison too.  There is quite a steep road on the east side down to the river.  The view on the west is spectacular.

my buddy Craig on the west view ...

[Mooney78865]

He was responding to my route question above.

Yep, I Phone, late, old eyes....

[azguzzirep]

I might be coming!

I need to do some legal  things in AZ, and my boss will give me the time off. Sue  and I had vacation planned for June with her sisters and brothers in law, but I don't want to go now. It wouldn't be any fun without Sue.

MGNOC Arizona rep Jim McDurmet said I could use one of his machines, so we could ride there together.

Ain't gonna promise nuttin, but we'll see.😊

Tom