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Author Topic: Independence Pass  (Read 1749 times)

Offline Testarossa

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Independence Pass
« on: August 03, 2019, 09:51:47 AM »
Archangel came by on his new ebike on Thursday and proposed a cruise up to Independence Pass (12,098 feet, about 3700m) for Friday. We wound up with five bikes: His Stelvio, my Mille, a couple of 1200 beemers and a Super Tenere (two of the riders were my neighbors, Mike Sr and Mike Jr, Junior on the Yamaha). We had a big snow year with lots of avalanches across the road and CDOT didn't get it open until June.

After a brisk ride over McClure Pass we hit heavy traffic in Aspen. Breaking out of town, Mike Jr and I probably rode too fast going up. The Mille seemed to enjoy a good thrashing. We hung around for an hour on top. A lot of ADV bikes passing thru. I swear the Mille was the only bike on view not styled after a carnivorous insect. One guy on a 125cc scooter, wearing full race leathers. He went up and down at 25mph.

On the way down, Junior and I probably overdid it again. I was admonished to act my age.




Testarossa, Archangel and Mike Sr




Our team.  Archangel probably has better photos.
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70 Triumph TR6R, 74 850T, 74 Yamaha TA125, 89 Mille GT, 99 F650, 2013 Yamaha XT250; 1974 MGB
Gone: 59 Piper Comanche 250, 69 Harley/Aermacchi 350SS, 71 Honda CB500/4, 74 Laverda 750 SF2, 91 Suzuki VX800, 50cc two-stroke scoot, 83 XR350R

Online Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Independence Pass
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2019, 09:55:15 AM »
You *are* acting your age..  :smiley: :thumb:
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Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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Offline Jim Rich

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Re: Independence Pass
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2019, 02:34:13 PM »
Always exciting to go over that pass.  Rode over years ago on my Concours, going E to W and camped at the Lincoln Creek campground on the W side.  Next morning, riding out in the rain, a rock the size of a large suitcase came tumbling down and crossed the road ahead of me.  Thanked my lucky stars that it missed me.
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Offline rtbickel

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Re: Independence Pass
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2019, 10:47:02 AM »
I rode the pass a couple of weeks ago.  Nice temp, got us out of the heat at the lower elevations. I always like that road.
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Online LowRyter

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Re: Independence Pass
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2019, 11:49:55 AM »
I think Independence is the best.  Not only is the scenery great so is the ride.  There are still so many passes I haven't ridden.

And Aspen is pretty cool too.  It's the only place in the summer that I have more tan in my complexion than the average population.
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Offline Testarossa

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Re: Independence Pass
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2019, 02:12:40 PM »
On the way home we encountered a Porsche rally. About 60 of them in four squadrons, nose to tail at 60mph on McClure Pass. Each squadron composed of its own era or model: 356, 911, and so on.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2019, 03:49:17 PM by Testarossa »
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70 Triumph TR6R, 74 850T, 74 Yamaha TA125, 89 Mille GT, 99 F650, 2013 Yamaha XT250; 1974 MGB
Gone: 59 Piper Comanche 250, 69 Harley/Aermacchi 350SS, 71 Honda CB500/4, 74 Laverda 750 SF2, 91 Suzuki VX800, 50cc two-stroke scoot, 83 XR350R

Offline rocker59

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Re: Independence Pass
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2019, 03:30:37 PM »

We rode Independence Pass during the 2009 and 2015 Colorado Classic 1000 rallies.

Good fun!

 :bike-037:
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Michael T.
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oldbike54

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Re: Independence Pass
« Reply #7 on: August 04, 2019, 04:51:41 PM »
 Cool .

 Dusty
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