We setup camp at the Pueblo, Colorado KOA the night before heading up to Pikes Peak in Colorado Spring, CO.
The campsite was great since we could see the mountains in the distance including the one we were destined for.
The view from behind our campsite in Pueblo, CO was spectacular. Even though it’s a long ways from us we could see Pikes Peak from our camp. At over 14,000 feet it towers over everything else around it.
As the sun disappeared behind the mountains in the distance the sky lit up with color.
The setting sun made the entire mountain range behind us look like it was on fire.
The next morning we enjoyed a nice breakfast of pancakes and sausage prepared by the Pueblo KOA staff. Then we headed north on I-25 to ward Colorado Springs.
After arriving at our destination we paid our $10 and began our journey up the twenty miles of road that leads to the summit of Pikes Peak. This trip was kind of special to me because I have never seen the Rockies before.
Chris didn’t have any cold weather riding gear with him. When asked what the temperature at the top was the range told us it was 33 degrees. This made me laugh because I always come prepared and had my cold weather gear with me. I ended up giving Chris my jacket liner so he wouldn’t freeze. That’s what friends do right?
The park ranger at the base of the mountain told us that due to a lawsuit that the park lost the whole twenty miles of road leading to the top must be paved. I’m glad I got to make this trip while some of the road was still dirt and gravel. I think it just adds to the outdoor experience.
I really enjoyed the ride up the mountain as it was one of the most scenic rides I had ever been on.
I had heard stories about how the high altitude affects motorcycles. Some of which tell about having to hold the throttle wide open just to maintain a walking speed which had me a little nervous. It was all for nothing though because the Nighthawk gave me no trouble at all. I still had plenty of power and throttle left when we reached the top. Chris’s bike is fuel injected and mine is carbureted but they both handle the high altitude almost identically.
However I would be fibbing if I told you they ran perfectly. After reaching the top we pulled along the edge of the parking area. Both bikes died when we stopped so we just left them there and wandered around a bit.
It’s a long ways down!
The view from the top was breathtaking.
Of course we have to get the photo that proves we were really there.
The road back down from the mountain in the distance.
Once off the mountain we took 24 hwy to I-70 and headed for our next destination. We only got to see a small portion of what Colorado has to offer. The small part we got to see though was definitely worth the effort getting there!
Note: Both bikes started up fine for the trip back down the mountain.
