Post #7 - The Test Run & Gear

The Memorial Weekend ride had been planned for a couple of months.  The intention was to pack the bike identical to the big trip and ‘give it a go’ around the mountains of Colorado for a couple days as a test.  We would also put our gear to the test.  

The mountains above Marble, CO in the background

Well, we didn’t have everything we would need, as I lacked the preparation time, but the bike was certainly tipping the scales at our max traveling weight.  We just took way too much of the wrong things.  Audra’s massive make-up bag, honking huge hair dryer and my ridiculous amount of camera equipment, were just three examples of bad decisions.   Day 1 we rode from Colorado Springs to Redstone, totaling right at 300 miles.  The bike performed amazing and far better than previous trips.  I attribute this to the suspension work, as the stock shocks and springs on the GS are pure junk.  Overnight at the Redstone Inn was a treat and the adjoining restaurant put together a delicious enchilada plate that we split.  The next morning some Mimosas and Juevos Rancheros gave us the jumpstart we needed.  

Gunnison, CO for lunch

Riding west we circled around through Black Canyon and pulled into Gunnison for lunch, before the final run home through Salida and Woodland Park.  A HUGE shout-out to my buddy Matt for lending me his Russell Day-Long saddle, as it made my hours of riding so much more comfortable.  Audra’s saddle is a Seat Concepts that she loves.  We returned home with a ton of knowledge and feel that we have the recipe for proper gear, packing and logistics on a daily basis.  Thank God we did this test run before departing for AK!!!