Colorado on Two Wheels – Part 1
The Prep and the First Miles West
Three of us left Chicago heading west toward Colorado, bound for our buddy Art’s place in Denver. No chase vehicle. No shortcuts. Just three touring bikes, a lot of pavement, and about 3,000 miles ahead of us.
I was on my 2018 Street Glide.
Kenny rode his 2024 Ultra.
Rick brought his 2021 Road Glide.
This wasn’t a weekend rip. It was a real trip — long days, changing weather, unknown roads, and the kind of miles that expose every weak link in your setup if you cut corners. So the weeks leading up to departure were all about preparation.
Getting the Bike Ready
Knowing we were looking at roughly 3,000 miles for the whole trip, I focused on reliability and comfort more than anything else.
I started with a full oil change service, then went deeper into the things that don’t always get attention:
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Oiled the clutch and brake levers using a high-quality food-grade oil I had on hand
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Flushed and replaced the fluid in both the brake system and hydraulic clutch, using a vacuum tank to fully bleed the lines
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Checked tires and suspension before loading the bike
Once the mechanicals were sorted, it was time to pack — and packing right matters more than people realize on long trips.
Packing the Bike (What Goes Where)
The tour pack carried anything I’d want quick access to during the day:
- Extra sunglasses
- Clear lenses for night riding
- Hoodie and hat
- Sunscreen
- Warm gloves and regular gloves
- BugSlide and microfiber towels
- Small bottle of glass cleaner (for glasses and helmet shields)
- Tire inflator and patch kit
- Small first aid kit
On the back seat, I ran a helmet bag from Kemimoto. Inside:
- My full-face helmet with a clear shield
- Rain jacket and pants stuffed inside the helmet
- Rain gloves
- An extra warm layer in case the weather turned
The side pockets held:
- Extra vape
- Wallet
- Work phone
Both saddlebags were packed with:
- Rolled clothes for four riding days plus extras
- Extra socks, boxers, shirt, and pants
- Shoes and swim trunks
- Base layers
Mounted to the front of the right saddlebag crash bar was a small leather pouch with:
- Basic tools
- Zip ties
- A spare kickstand spring
Before any of that went on, I adjusted the suspension for the added weight.
Running Super Shox makes this part simple. When the shocks are built, they’re spec’d to your riding style and come with a chart that tells you exactly where to set them based on total load. A quick look at the chart, a few turns, and the bike was dialed.
Rolling Out: Day One
We left early on a Saturday morning in June, aiming to get ahead of heavy truck traffic on I-80.
I pulled out of my driveway around 4:30 a.m. to meet Kenny and Rick — we live about an hour and a half apart, so meeting along the way makes more sense.
It was dark, damp, and about 62 degrees. I actually enjoy leaving that early, heading west on back roads when no one else is around. Watching the sun come up behind you adds something extra to the start of a trip — like the excitement is already moving faster than you are.
We met at a truck stop along I-80, grabbed coffee, and pointed the bikes west for a 670-mile day.
We ride tank-to-tank, usually filling up every 180 miles. Quick fuel stop, bathroom break, maybe a snack — then back on the road.
We lucked out with the weather: clear skies and about 80 degrees. Traffic, on the other hand, wasn’t great, and a storm system was heading straight for us. Just west of Iowa City, we decided to drop south to avoid it.
Back Roads Over Interstates
We headed south on
Highway 218, which turns into 61 as you cross into Missouri. Slower speed limits, but far less traffic — and honestly, a better ride.
Kenny remembered a route he’d taken before coming home from Denver, so we stitched together Route 168, Route 15, and finally Route 36 heading west.
That short 45-mile stretch on 168 and 15 was a great break from flat interstate riding:
- Small towns
- A lot of green
- Long stretches of nothing
Once we hit Route 36, it felt more like a highway again, but the farther west we went, the fewer towns and people we saw.
Ending Day One in Kansas
Our destination for the night was Marysville, Kansas.
There wasn’t much there — a Travelodge, a diner, and a Walmart — but that’s all we needed. After nearly 700 miles, even the best road beats you up.
We rolled in around 6:45 p.m. CST, gaining an hour with the time change. After checking in, we walked next door to Penny’s Diner — exactly what you’d expect: small, 1950s-style, limited menu, even more limited availability.
The food was just okay… but it hit the spot.
Rick apparently needed two full burger meals.
After dinner, we sat on a bench behind the hotel facing a wide-open farm field, watching railroad workers pull in for the night and fire up a BBQ. We smoked a quick cigar, took it all in, and called it a night. Another early morning was coming.
Day Two: West Again
The next morning, we grabbed coffee, fueled up at the local Sinclair station, and rolled out.
The scenery shifted quickly:
- Green faded into farmland
- Fields turned golden
- Rolling hills replaced flat ground
In the distance, we could see black dust rising from fields where combines were already working.
This is the part of a long ride where things slow down mentally — in a good way. Just you, the bike, and the sound of your friends riding alongside you.
As towns became scarce, we started doing fuel math. Were we going to make the next stop?
I checked my phone and radioed Kenny:
“There’s a co-op with fuel in 55 miles. I’ve got 57 left. Do we chance it?”
We said screw it and went for it.
That co-op was in Anton, Colorado — and trust me, there was nothing else around for another 60 miles. We interrupted a group of older farmers mid-card game to fuel up, shared a few laughs, and headed back out.
Rolling into Denver
From there, the ride smoothed out. Towns grew closer together, traffic picked up, and before long we pulled into Denver and up the driveway of our friend Art, who was waiting for us.
Day two was a solid 470 miles — and a perfect beginning to a trip that would turn into something I’ll never forget.
Part 2 is where the mountains, altitude, and real challenges begin. Read Part 2 (coming soon)
