Re: Fall Colors Ride, Sept 30-Oct. 2, 2022
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2022 6:43 pmRIDE REPORT (pictures provided by Karl Zuercher, James Lightfoot and Terry Rowley
The weekend forecast was for warm, cold, rain, snow, and lots of fall colors. We weren’t disappointed as we experienced everything forecasted for our 2022 annual Durango fall color trip September 30th through October 2nd. This yere were some of the best colors I think I’ve seen during all the past years we’ve done this trip.
Our headquarters was the usual Durango Siesta Motel located at the north end of town where we spent the afternoons and evenings sharing stories with friends. Friday evening the club paid for a great variety of pizzas which the participants accompanied with their favorite beverages.
The Saturday weather forecast was for cold temperatures and precipitation. We awoke to reasonable temps with light sprinkles. The rain stopped before we left for the ride north to Silverton but restarted about 10 miles into our ride, and it was heavier than what we initially experienced at the hotel. Fortunately, the rain didn’t last very long and we were soon presented with beautiful views of rainbow colored mountain sides contrasting with snow covered peaks and wisps of clouds spanning the canyons – GEORGEOUS!
The route from Silverton to Ouray was equally colorful but we experienced temps as low as 40 degrees on the passes as well as remnants of snow along the edge of the road. The sun came out and the temp went up as we wound our way down to Ouray where we made a stop for a brief rest, and some stopped for a late breakfast / early lunch. We then continued our way to Telluride.
Telluride, while being a cool ‘little’ town, was also a crowded little town (as usual). The colors of the trees were spectacular with glimpses of the snow-covered ski runs in the distance. The route from Telluride to Dolores took us over some higher elevations again with temps down to 40 degrees and steady rain for over 30 minutes. Fortunately, the roads weren’t icy and traffic was minimal, the rain eventually stopped, the sun came out and the temps warmed up a bit. The further south you travel towards Dolores the less tress and colors you see but the ride still takes you through some striking scenery.
The ride from Dolores back to the Siesta Motel was relatively warm, sunny and uneventful. After arriving at the motel, changing out of our wet weather gear and warming up a bit, members started congregating in the motel parking lot and sharing stories of their day. Saturday night found most of us at the Serious Texas BBQ for dinner followed by a return to the motel, sitting outside and enjoying the evening with friends and beverages.
Sunday’s weather forecast was for rain. It rained throughout most of night and briefly stopped around 8:30. Most of us experienced some amount of rain on our trip home but at least the temps were warmer than what we rode through the previous day.
This was another great trip spending time with old and new friends and experiencing the wonder of nature. Hoping we see you next year to enjoy the colors and your comradery.
The weekend forecast was for warm, cold, rain, snow, and lots of fall colors. We weren’t disappointed as we experienced everything forecasted for our 2022 annual Durango fall color trip September 30th through October 2nd. This yere were some of the best colors I think I’ve seen during all the past years we’ve done this trip.
Our headquarters was the usual Durango Siesta Motel located at the north end of town where we spent the afternoons and evenings sharing stories with friends. Friday evening the club paid for a great variety of pizzas which the participants accompanied with their favorite beverages.
The Saturday weather forecast was for cold temperatures and precipitation. We awoke to reasonable temps with light sprinkles. The rain stopped before we left for the ride north to Silverton but restarted about 10 miles into our ride, and it was heavier than what we initially experienced at the hotel. Fortunately, the rain didn’t last very long and we were soon presented with beautiful views of rainbow colored mountain sides contrasting with snow covered peaks and wisps of clouds spanning the canyons – GEORGEOUS!
The route from Silverton to Ouray was equally colorful but we experienced temps as low as 40 degrees on the passes as well as remnants of snow along the edge of the road. The sun came out and the temp went up as we wound our way down to Ouray where we made a stop for a brief rest, and some stopped for a late breakfast / early lunch. We then continued our way to Telluride.
Telluride, while being a cool ‘little’ town, was also a crowded little town (as usual). The colors of the trees were spectacular with glimpses of the snow-covered ski runs in the distance. The route from Telluride to Dolores took us over some higher elevations again with temps down to 40 degrees and steady rain for over 30 minutes. Fortunately, the roads weren’t icy and traffic was minimal, the rain eventually stopped, the sun came out and the temps warmed up a bit. The further south you travel towards Dolores the less tress and colors you see but the ride still takes you through some striking scenery.
The ride from Dolores back to the Siesta Motel was relatively warm, sunny and uneventful. After arriving at the motel, changing out of our wet weather gear and warming up a bit, members started congregating in the motel parking lot and sharing stories of their day. Saturday night found most of us at the Serious Texas BBQ for dinner followed by a return to the motel, sitting outside and enjoying the evening with friends and beverages.
Sunday’s weather forecast was for rain. It rained throughout most of night and briefly stopped around 8:30. Most of us experienced some amount of rain on our trip home but at least the temps were warmer than what we rode through the previous day.
This was another great trip spending time with old and new friends and experiencing the wonder of nature. Hoping we see you next year to enjoy the colors and your comradery.