August 27-31: Ride the CO Rockies with AZ FJR Forum

[beemerdons]

Thursday morning, August 27th at 0630: AZ FJR Forum & AZ Beemer Clubs will be leaving from Interstate 17 and Carefree Highway AZ-74 Intersection: Heading out of "The Valley of the Blast Furnace" to enjoy riding the high passes of Colorado.

Our night's lodging will be in Cortez, CO for that night and on last road night of Sunday, August 30th. Uri Schumm will be ramrodding the BMW contingent and Don Stanley will be riding herd on the FJR's: Leading these groups is like herding cats!!!

It is 410 miles and 6.5 hours of riding from departure point to Cortez; we'll leave early first day and back at dark on last day.

Friday night we will stay in Silverton and Saturday night we will be in PINHEAD LAND: Gunnison. Sylvia Schumm, Uri's Frau, will be handling setting up our lodgings. Sylvia arranged our lodgings when we all flew to Europe and rode the Alps.

Fourth of July, Sylvia will have the 3 lodgings identified with pricing, you'll then make your own reservations and payments.

Questions: Please contact Don at 480-917-3863 or [email protected] NOTE: I will be at Canadian FJR Rally 6/14-6/28.

 

[pinhead]

Saturday night we will be in PINHEAD LAND: Gunnison.

I'll have to make sure I'm stocked up on beverages before you all roll into town. And perhaps something to throw on the grill?

Don, If you haven't arranged the Gunnison lodging, I would suggest checking Super 8, Western Motel, Quality Inn, and Gunnison Inn. I don't know anything about the quality/prices, but the location is good for your needs. They are all on the same block right on Highway 50 and well within walking/stumbing distance of the downtown eateries and pubs.

In fact, those are the same hotels the ST.net guys are targeting for their national gathering in mid-June.

 

[beemerdons]

Just a note: Mr. Chuck Doucet of Scottsdale has joined this Rockies Ride and is looking for a room mate to share hotel costs.

A reminder, we are spending Sunday (4th) night in Cortez (maybe Dolores?!) and will return to Phoenix on Monday evening.

 

[MCML]

I better check my dog schedule again. I have had a small place up in Mt. Crested Butte for fifteen years. Pinhead, we're neighbors! Breakfast at the W!

 

[beemerdons]

I better check my dog schedule again. I have had a small place up in Mt. Crested Butte for fifteen years. Pinhead, we're neighbors!

Joseph, That would be fantastic if you could join us on the Rockies Ride! Pinhead Dave and I have been exchanging PM's, and we will definitely be getting the Arizona and Colorado FJR contingents together. We will be posting lodgings on July 4th.

 

[beemerdons]

Our Rockies lodgings are now set and I've booked first room in our 4 overnight stops with my credit card.

A couple of the Rockies Ride Group have bad backs, so we have made Cortez our first and last night stops.

It's 410 miles and 6.5 hours riding from Phoenix to Cortez. Daily rides once we're in the Rockies will only be approximately 250 miles, but being Alpine roads with photo opportunities I'd figure 8 hours in the saddle.

Thursday night 8/27 and Sunday night 8/30: https://www.daysinncortez.com I spoke to Cathy at 1-970-565-8577 and secured a room with two queen beds for two people non smoking for $83.68, tax included.

Single person with a single queen bed is $68.91. I mentioned I have both AAA and AARP cards. If you mention BMW Group when booking your room, you can receive the rates listed above; high Colorado taxes!

I was very surprised at how much they charged for an extra person in a room; almost fifteen extra dollars!

Friday night 8/28: Spoke to Jim toll free at 1-800-341-3340 at https://www.grandimperialhotel.com and reserved a non smoking room with two double beds for $88.90. At this point in time Jim has the following rooms remaining: One King, One Queen, Four two double beds and three single beds. Mention BMW Group!!

All of the remaining rooms, regardless of configuration or number of people are $88.90 with taxes included.

Saturday night 8/29: https://www.gunnisonalpineinn.com Spoke to Teresa toll free at 1-866-299-6648 and reserved a non smoking room with two queen beds for $78.56 with taxes included. At this time Teresa has the following rooms available: Five rooms with a single king and five rooms with two queens. Rooms are all $78.56 total, regardless of room configuration and number of people. Mention BMW Group Discount!

Questions please contact [email protected] or 480-917-3863; book your rooms while they're available!!

 

[beemerdons]

Cancellation Policy for Colorado Lodgings: 1) Cortez Day's Inn and Alpine Inn of Gunnison can be canceled by notifying them 24 hours before 6PM on day of arrival. 2) Grand Imperial Hotel of Silverton requires notification 48 hours before 5PM on day of arrival. Full refunds at all three places. Book using BMW Group! Bring rain gear and I'm bringing a heated vest.

 

[dj bill]

this looks like something i can do.

 

[beemerdons]

this looks like something i can do.

dj bill: That'd be great if you and some of the Kalifornia Krew could come ride the Rockies with us. Four rooms are booked!

 

[beemerdons]

https://www.azbeemers.org/forum/index.php?t...g13380#msg13380 Please Check: Uri and Sylvia Schumm were able to negotiate on their own a lower rate for 2 people sharing a queen size bed. If you're traveling with a "Significant Other" please mention rates the Schumm's received in Post #17 and save yourself some money on this CO Trip!!!

 

[beemerdons]

Don, Uri and Sylvia, My thanks as well for putting this trip together. I also have my hotel reservations made and will be joining you on this fantastic trip!........Bob

Herr Doktor, That is wonderful news that you are coming along with us! Due to sniveling and whining from an unnamed individual (rides two butt ugly Gold Wings!) we are now adjusting our departure point and time accordingly!

From Uri and Sylvia's home in Wittman: Their riding time to Holbrook is 3.5 hours and 240 miles via Interstate 17/40.

I just picked a departure point at complete random near You, Chuck and Enrique: 3340 N. 89th Place, Mesa 85207.

Per MapQuest riding time from "new" East Mesa 0700 departure point is just 3 hours and 165 short miles.

I'll inform Uri and Sylvia they'll need to plan to arrive in Holbrook 1000 hours for brunch. Now, where do we eat at?

 

[beemerdons]

Dear Snivelus Maximus: Alright, Buckwheat; here is the latest and greatest poop. Will forward on to Uri S.!

East Valley Departure Point at 0700 hours: Starbuck's Coffee at NEC corner of Power & McDowell, Mesa.

Rendezvous Point for AZ Beemers and Arizona FJR Forum at 1000 hours: Denny's Restaurant located at 2510 East Navajo Boulevard in Holbrook, Arizona 86025 (928) 524-2893. We do not necessarily have to eat at this Denny's, but everyone in our Clubs knows its location and so is a perfect rendezvous location!

Coming North on 77/377 you will cross over AZ180 and the railroad tracks; it is just before Interstate 40.

Coming East on Interstate 40, exit Offramp Number 286; turn right/South and you are looking at Denny's!

 

[pinhead]

Don,

It's looking like I'll be able to meet up with your group in Cortez on Thursday evening, then depending on your pace, I may or may not ride north with you on Friday. It doesn't look as though I'll be staying in Silverton Friday night since that's just too close to home to justify paying for a hotel. It's more likely I'll do something like this <clicky> so I can get some more miles in.

Regardless, I'll also be seeing you in Gunnison also.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[beemerdons]

Dear Pinhead, Thank you for that great map, that is indeed the route that we AZ FJR Forum and AZ Beemers will be riding.

Is there a city park or county facility near the Alpine Inn in Gunnison that has barbecue pits available? We thought that after three days of eating road food, we'd like to barbecue; cook up some potatoes and baked beans, with sourdough bread.

Naturally, you and your family are invited as our Forum guests! https://www.azbeemers.org/forum/index.php?topic=1857.15

 

[pinhead]

Dear Pinhead, Thank you for that great map, that is indeed the route that we AZ FJR Forum and AZ Beemers will be riding.
Is there a city park or county facility near the Alpine Inn in Gunnison that has barbecue pits available? We thought that after three days of eating road food, we'd like to barbecue; cook up some potatoes and baked beans, with sourdough bread.

Naturally, you and your family are invited as our Forum guests! https://www.azbeemers.org/forum/index.php?topic=1857.15

PM sent.

 

[beemerdons]

I wanted to let The Colorado Rockies Riders know we may want to go to Cortez via 491 Gallup, New Mexico

"Don, I was reading your ride itinerary for August 2009.

I wanted to caution you that US 160 is under some significant road construction, neat Tuba City, Kayenta, and Cortez.

This past week, I was caught just east of Kayenta for 1 hour and again near Tuba for about 20 minutes. The delay near Cortez was minimal (5 minutes) because I “lucked out”! But normally this section has about a 20 minute delay. It took me 4-1/2 hours to travel the < 200 miles between Cortez and the US 89 west of Tuba City!

There doesn’t seem to be any sense of urgency on the Reservation, in moving traffic, even though the restriction is supposed to maintain 1 lane of alternating traffic.

South of the casino nearer Cortez, is another of Obama’s economic stimulus projects.

Here the road is again limited to a 1-way lane and this portion isn’t even paved. There are big warning signs for motorcyclists to exercise extreme caution for this 2-3 mile portion.

The surface is rocky, uneven and watered down part of the time. It’s a mess!

Flagmen direct alternating traffic at all locations along 160.

I’m going back up next week and can monitor the situation further.

From the road construction phone line for northern Arizona, work proceeds from 6AM to 6PM, Monday – Thursday.

Sunday you should be alright except for the Colorado side. I don’t know what they do with that since neither side is paved.

The Tuba City portion is supposed to be completed by July 16, but the remainders, not until after September 15. I just wanted everyone to be prepared for the worst.

There are no good alternate routes, unfortunately. It’s hot out there and no shade nor water!

One can bypass both Tuba and Kayenta by going through Canyon de Chelly but it adds 80 miles to the trip.

Going through Gallup can avoid the Arizona portion, but again adds considerable distance.

Brian Hicks"

 

[Big-D]

I just returned from moving my daughter to San Antonio, TX. Took the scenic route through AZ & NM. Of course I was driving my truck with a large trailer on the back.

After reading the forum and getting up to date with upcoming rides, this Colorado ride sounds good. Does anyone know if any hotels rooms are left?

I'd like to meet up with everyone at Carefree Hwy, but it may be more practical to meet up somewhere around Flag.

How many riders are listed as going?

Looking forward to meeting up with the AZBeemer group also.

Big-D

 

[beemerdons]

Big Dan The Man: Still rooms available at all three of the lodgings, fewest rooms left are the ones in Silverton; currently three left. We'll meet up in Holbrook, info coming soon!!!

 

[Big-D]

Thanks Don,

My reservations have been locked in today. There are only two rooms left now at the Grand Imperial in Silverton, CO.

Two great rides coming up back to back. Looking forward to both! :yahoo:

Dan