Webster Pass CO, Ride Report 8/7

detours · 08-09-2016, 11:56 PM

We had an epic time riding up Webster Pass on Sunday. Great people, great scenery, great weather (mostly) and great bikes.

The total round trip was about 150 miles, with about 15-20 miles of that offroad. We started at the Morrison Conoco and then headed up US 285. It was a beautiful ride into the mountains.

Gentle twisties and rolling foothills gave way to the beginning of the Rockies, with the Continental Divide in the distance. That's where we were heading.

detours · 08-10-2016, 12:00 AM

We turned off the highway a little west of Grant and found ourselves on dirt. Pulling over, we took a few quick pics next to the Webster Pass sign.

Myself on my RX3
Rojo_grande on his TT250
My buddy Taras on his DR650
Azhule on his Bashan 200

detours · 08-10-2016, 12:16 AM

We headed up the road. It started as an improved, graded dirt road, but within a few miles became rutted, rocky and steep.

But the scenery became more and more pristine and we made several stops for pictures and rest. Here are some pics of Red Cone to the north and the Continental Divide to the south.

Red Cone

Continental Divide

detours · 08-10-2016, 12:19 AM

Along the way, we lost some bolts on the Bashan 200, leaving the tail hanging by wires. But Rojo came to the rescue. A few bungies later and we were back on the trail.

At one stop a Porsche Cayenne club caught up with us. They really are 4x4, but we were still shocked to see them up there. One of the drivers was just as surprised to see my RX3 up there. I just smiled. I know what I've got and my RX3 was doing just fine

detours · 08-10-2016, 12:31 AM

Before long we reached our first water crossing. The creek flowed down the trail covered with scree and tailings. It made for a nice splash and a slippery ride up the trail. The Porsche club caught up with us here.

Of course we had to get video

I went first ...

[youtube]KAIPtHmdehI[/youtube]

Then Mark, showing us how it's done ...

[youtube]NKceICXrAzI[/youtube]

Then Alex ...

[youtube]qO7K7laJ-3w[/youtube]

Then Taras, bringing up the rear in style ...

[youtube]89WelEXpooc[/youtube]

detours · 08-10-2016, 12:37 AM

A little further ahead, we stopped and took a rest with our first view of the top of Webster Pass.

Azhule · 08-10-2016, 01:35 AM

After that insane ride off road I found I need at least 4 things to make the Bashan better off road...

Bigger pieces of metal for my feet to rest on... then I can actually stand and do some better off road riding

Bar risers, the few times I had enough grip with my feet and tried to ride proper on the rough trail (standing), the bars are too low and it was cramping my neck, shoulder, and upper back.

Better Tires! I was lucky I only dropped the bike once when it didn't really matter (no hills to drop off, no water to drown in, etc).

A "Kill Switch" would be nice for water crossing too.

maybe a 5th thing too... not being lazy and actually dropping the PSI in the tires (29 psi front, 29.5 psi rear

)

All those reasons above made a 27+ year off road rider look like a noob just sitting down, bouncing around the entire ride no matter the terrain

detours · 08-10-2016, 01:51 AM

All in all, it was an excellent adventure. We had a great time and really proved what the RX3, TT250 and Bashan 200 were capable of.

We went everywhere the DR650 went off road. And on road, the DR had more power than my RX3, but I kept up just fine ... and arguable had the best handling bike of them all.

It was an epic trip, and I wish DanK and RedHawk could have made it. We'll have to plan something soon!

dpl096 · 08-10-2016, 09:22 AM

Nice adventure review D .... well done and looks like a great time was missed by many of us.

BlackBike · 08-10-2016, 10:02 AM

I get the sense that y'all kinda soaked up the scenery as evidence by staying around with the Porsches. That's a good thing. Beautiful pics taken while I sat on my ass.

DanKearney · 08-10-2016, 11:15 AM

Nice.

Dan K.

Weldangrind · 08-11-2016, 01:31 AM

Terrific pics, vids and report! Thanks for taking the time to share it with us.

woodlandsprite · 08-12-2016, 02:51 PM

great photos and ride report

I'm stuck soaking things in vicariously right now...
my shifter foot is currently in a non weight bearing cast *sigh* (not riding related)

BlackBike · 08-12-2016, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

great photos and ride report

I'm stuck soaking things in vicariously right now...
my shifter foot is currently in a non weight bearing cast *sigh* (not riding related)

We missed ya, hope healing coming along. It's pretty hot out in the day so your not missing too much.

I just did a quick night ride and dodged 1 swamp mouse, 2 cotton tail, 2 fawns and assorted adult white-tailed deer, 2 Javalina and 2 Barred Owls. Never a dull moment out here in the sticks at night. I also passed up the roadhouse

dpl096 · 08-14-2016, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

great photos and ride report

I'm stuck soaking things in vicariously right now...
my shifter foot is currently in a non weight bearing cast *sigh* (not riding related)

Hate to hear this Sprite .... hope you mend well and quickly

08-10-2016, 12:00 AM	#2
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	We turned off the highway a little west of Grant and found ourselves on dirt. Pulling over, we took a few quick pics next to the Webster Pass sign. Myself on my RX3 Rojo_grande on his TT250 My buddy Taras on his DR650 Azhule on his Bashan 200 __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol
	2

08-10-2016, 12:16 AM	#3
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	We headed up the road. It started as an improved, graded dirt road, but within a few miles became rutted, rocky and steep. But the scenery became more and more pristine and we made several stops for pictures and rest. Here are some pics of Red Cone to the north and the Continental Divide to the south. Red Cone Continental Divide __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol Last edited by detours; 08-10-2016 at 01:52 AM.
	2

08-10-2016, 12:19 AM	#4
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	Along the way, we lost some bolts on the Bashan 200, leaving the tail hanging by wires. But Rojo came to the rescue. A few bungies later and we were back on the trail. At one stop a Porsche Cayenne club caught up with us. They really are 4x4, but we were still shocked to see them up there. One of the drivers was just as surprised to see my RX3 up there. I just smiled. I know what I've got and my RX3 was doing just fine __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol
	1

08-10-2016, 12:31 AM	#5
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	Before long we reached our first water crossing. The creek flowed down the trail covered with scree and tailings. It made for a nice splash and a slippery ride up the trail. The Porsche club caught up with us here. Of course we had to get video I went first ... [youtube]KAIPtHmdehI[/youtube] Then Mark, showing us how it's done ... [youtube]NKceICXrAzI[/youtube] Then Alex ... [youtube]qO7K7laJ-3w[/youtube] Then Taras, bringing up the rear in style ... [youtube]89WelEXpooc[/youtube] __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol Last edited by detours; 08-10-2016 at 01:54 AM.
	1

08-10-2016, 12:37 AM	#6
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	A little further ahead, we stopped and took a rest with our first view of the top of Webster Pass. __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol
	0

08-10-2016, 01:35 AM	#7
Azhule Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CO Posts: 1,525	After that insane ride off road I found I need at least 4 things to make the Bashan better off road... Bigger pieces of metal for my feet to rest on... then I can actually stand and do some better off road riding Bar risers, the few times I had enough grip with my feet and tried to ride proper on the rough trail (standing), the bars are too low and it was cramping my neck, shoulder, and upper back. Better Tires! I was lucky I only dropped the bike once when it didn't really matter (no hills to drop off, no water to drown in, etc). A "Kill Switch" would be nice for water crossing too. maybe a 5th thing too... not being lazy and actually dropping the PSI in the tires (29 psi front, 29.5 psi rear ) All those reasons above made a 27+ year off road rider look like a noob just sitting down, bouncing around the entire ride no matter the terrain __________________ "Think as you like... but this self proclaimed Professor is always right" - Buckshot "You never know what someone is hiding beneath their smile..." - NinjaTom - R.I.P.
	2

08-10-2016, 01:51 AM	#8
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	All in all, it was an excellent adventure. We had a great time and really proved what the RX3, TT250 and Bashan 200 were capable of. We went everywhere the DR650 went off road. And on road, the DR had more power than my RX3, but I kept up just fine ... and arguable had the best handling bike of them all. It was an epic trip, and I wish DanK and RedHawk could have made it. We'll have to plan something soon! __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol
	2

08-10-2016, 09:22 AM	#9
dpl096 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: East Central Hellinois Posts: 1,344	Nice adventure review D .... well done and looks like a great time was missed by many of us. __________________ ************************************************ * " Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted." - John Lennon “I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” ― Thomas Jefferson "If you don't know where you're going any road will take you there" ....George Harrison song
	1

08-10-2016, 10:02 AM	#10
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	I get the sense that y'all kinda soaked up the scenery as evidence by staying around with the Porsches. That's a good thing. Beautiful pics taken while I sat on my ass. __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
	0

08-10-2016, 11:15 AM	#11
DanKearney Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 216	Nice. Dan K. __________________ Dan Kearney - Black Hawk, Colorado, USA Dan's Motorcycle Blog - "Lost? I'm not lost. I'm just exploring. . ."
	1

08-11-2016, 01:31 AM	#12
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Terrific pics, vids and report! Thanks for taking the time to share it with us. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	1

08-12-2016, 02:51 PM	#13
woodlandsprite Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 366	great photos and ride report I'm stuck soaking things in vicariously right now... my shifter foot is currently in a non weight bearing cast sigh (not riding related)
	1