Training. All the time.

As seen in my BMW Owner's News Magazine. That motorcycle picture looks very comfortable to me. Love the set up, the gear, the reddish road and the possibilities that are ahead. 

Tomorrow morning sets the beginning of another adventure...Rawhyde Training Center in Colorado for some off-road training.

Off-road scares the living daylights out of me. Definitely due to my little mishap last year, like when I totally lost control of the motorcycle and both it and me went sliding down on the ground. I was very lucky and so was the bike. That moment of losing control continues to replay in my mind - over and over. I was climbing an incredibly (very incredibly) steep hill of gravel, there was water damage on the hill - like when you see deep ruts/ trenches created from too much rain. It seems I was so focused on it that I couldn't see anything else (and visions of getting the front wheel stuck in a rut was not a calming thought in the moment but the only thing that filled my mind). And then I went off the side of the road to come back on and then I just slid, off the bike and the bike was on it's side. Not a feel good so it was a no brainer to stay away from anything off-road. Which is kind of funny because Colorado is home to off-road riding...not only on motorcycles but jeeps too. I was in the capital of jeep country - Ouray (you-ray), Colorado.

At the Des Moines rally, I attended a presentation on "top 10 tips for touring". It was an excellent session - I learned a lot. Out of the top 10 tips, I was very pleased to hear that I had incorporated/and have been using 6 or 7 of the tips. When the presenter / guide mentioned - everyone should take an off-road training course, even if you never plan to off-road, as the skills you learn will serve you anywhere you go. That's all I needed to hear and I signed up for my class - the one in the ad.

I'm nervous and a whole lot excited.

Also, I will be someplace for 3 nights - a luxury these days. I am grateful.

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My supplies (food) are starting to dwindle - which is good. I brought a few too many things (clothes) - some of which I already sent home in a box. I may need to ship more home. I decided to ship my motorcycle and catch a flight out of Denver. I wanted maximum time in Colorado - to ride home would be another 5 - 7 days easily. I wanted that time now. Everything that is stored on my bike needs to come with me or be shipped via UPS.

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If I had a another month to be on the road - what possibilities could have occurred?
Something to think about for the next trip.

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The time had come a few days ago to make plans for the flight home. I was at the last possible day to secure a good rate.

Will try to take some good pics along the way and of course at the Rawhyde Off Road Training.

Living life to the fullest...each day.

Since Paonia.

Took the most stunning ride yet via 141, through the Unaweep - Tabeguache Canyon on my way to Telluride. Visited Gateway, Norwood, Telluride, Million Dollar Highway, Ridgway, Ouray (love), Silverton and now in Cimarron Valley.

I really like Telluride. Very cool town, everyone is beautiful, the streets are bustling, and it is surrounded by gorgeous mountains. So many things to do outdoors - walk, ride the bike, hike and they have a beautiful park hosting community events. Loved the free Gondola ride which was perfectly timed for the sunset. The gondola takes you over to Mountain Village. The ride was 13 minutes there and 13 min back.

Great spot for people watching in Telluride. 

Mountains of Colorado.

Walking a path during sunset along a creek near my Telluride hotel.

People watching - man drives into town on his BMW...talks with friends then leaves. BMW cyclists everywhere.

Some of the many BMW motorcyclists I encountered so many BMW riders everywhere. Here I was in Gateway, CO and met these 3 gentlemen. It was instant community - everywhere.

One of the many roads travelled this trip.

Riding through a gorgeous canyon on Route 141.

Looking down on Telluride.

Gondola Ride - took a lot of photos.

Gondola Ride in Telluride. Love those Aspen trees.

Best Laid Plans

 Got up at 5:45am to get to breakfast at 6 to leave by 7am. Turns out - you couldn't see a thing - the fog was so thick (see below). No early start today. That's the way it goes.

Back in Des Moines...fog so thick delayed take off a few hours.

On my way to the next location - the main road was closed - a tractor trailer fell sideways across the mountain pass. They detoured us through a back road...5 miles of dirt/rocks - fortunately pretty compact. Definite raise of the heart rate driving on a dirt road but why not? The road closure could take another 3 hours. 

I'm in Cimarron Valley as I write this. At a really adorable 1 room cabin called Aspen on a RV camping ground just off the main road (Route 50). Cars / trucks going by. A view of hundreds of acres in front of me, cows grazing in the distance, surrounded by beautiful and colorful mountains.

It seems I am close to Paonia....again (big smile).

On a walk at sunset in Telluride.

My current spot at the RV campground with cabins. Tried something different with the pics...added as the full original picture taken. There is so much depth and breadth to the landscape. Huge mountains in the distance, large open fields in the forefront. I must be looking at thousands of acres. Typing and drinking my coffee this AM. I am just not ready for reentry.

As seen on a bathroom wall.

Norwood, Colorado.

2047

The stunning canopy of trees above me these past few days in Paonia Town Park.

2047

The number of miles travelled to Paonia, CO. 

It is the year I turn 78 years old. 

It is 29 years from today. 

The number of seconds that I received a wonderful massage in Paonia Town Park. 

Fairly certain it is the abundant amount of calories I consumed for my delicious and over indulgent dinner tonight. 

I feel as if I’ve met over 2047 people. A lot of new friends and acquaintances. 

I would like to stay in Paonia and take more pictures of the beautiful trees in the park.

Happy Place. Paonia, Colorado

Paonia, Colorado. I f*cking love it here!

I want to stay camping. The people, the weather - it is dry, we are under shade from the most gorgeous trees, I love being in the tent at night, I love my neighbors. We had incredible music last night, cool weather, and did actually sleep. Did I mention I was in a tent outside!

This was the ride today...I'm coming around that corner.

Can you see me?

There I am! Love this picture!

I’ve been on the road since Independence Day, July 4th…17 awesome days on the road. And now I've turned a corner. I am officially in road trip mode. I have no idea where I’m going tomorrow - I’m in no rush and I’m ok with this. I like the Paonia area and not so sure I want to leave. Is it Tuesday or Sunday…does it matter? 

I met Lubbock, Tx this morning - we had a good chat over coffee and motorcycles. Asked him about a certain ride today and later on - he made sure to connect me with some other riders going in the same direction. There were 5 of us this morning. Great guys - all of them. Bobby, from NJ who moved to Denver 10 years ago, we split off from the others after we reached the Blue Mesa Dam. The others wanted to head into Black Canyon - Gunnison and I was ready to meander back to the Park in Paonia. 

Random shot from the ride today.

Fabulousness!

Gorgeousness!

Notice happy smile.

Stopped off at Delicious Orchards - organic peach /cherry / apple farm. They offer camping too. Stopped to check out the scene…possibility for tomorrow. 

After I arrived “home” at the park, a shower was def in order. Tried to find outlets to charge the electronics - but they were all taken. I don’t have cell service in the park, but there is free wifi in the main kitchen area about 5 min walk. My tent neighbors were enjoying some crisp white wine and offered me some. I took them up on some ice and poured a nice bourbon. Today was one of the most beautiful days in my life. Followed by one of the most incredible evenings of my life.

Neighbor Carol from Washington State.

Damon...liked him a lot.

Having fun. 

I declared last night that I would like to have my 50th birthday party in Paonia, Colorado at the BMW Colorado Rally in 2019. You need to bring a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag and a smile. You are officially invited to celebrate and help in giving back to the town of Paonia. Let me know if I should add your name to the invite list. More info to come as we get closer. Save the date:  July 2019 - Paonia, Colorado - Rachel's 50th.  

Some pics around Colorado.

BMW of Denver - great stop - oil change, coolant and a new front tire. Loved the peeps here. 

The mountains are huge in Colorado...and quite beautiful.

Hoosier Pass.

Breckenridge, CO

Sunrise in Breckenridge. 

Met Christina almost 15 years ago in Glens Falls. We moved to Glens Falls around the same time and kept running into each other. One day at a Chamber lunch - we finally said hello. We both had lived in Manhattan for some time and we appreciated each other's glasses. Next month she and Alan will marry at their home. It was great to stay there 2 nights.

Motorcycles Use EXTREME Caution

How many times have you stopped doing something because you were unsure or filled with uncertainty or fear? 

How do you consistently move through something with the constant of said, fear?

Out on the road on 2 wheels, you feel everything. And everything is way different from a car. From smells, to sights, to challenging your mind and to your heart opening. When you are in a car on the highway moving at 80 mph, you don’t necessarily feel the wind a truck produces in front of you or when a car passes you. I can tell you, when I’m just about to pass a truck - I can literally feel the air, that the huge truck on my right is splitting in front of us. It’s kind of crazy.

Hoosier Pass in Colorado. Loved my time here.

So when there is road construction and all these orange signs start to appear- the signals are clear - be prepared, "something" is just ahead. Will there be uneven lanes? loose gravel? unpaved roads? did you ever notice a sign that says, "Motorcycles use caution”. When I see this sign, there is a deep tightening of my entire body, my hands are gripping the handlebars hard, my mouth tenses, my heart drops into my stomach…it really is not a feel good situation for me. I’ve seen so many orange construction signs that it struck me when I came across the latest one…"Motorcycles Use EXTREME Caution". I've never seen an extreme caution sign before...therefore it was natural that my body was reacting in an extreme way. And that's when I noticed what I was experiencing. 

My mind wondered, which it does excessively on a 6-8 hour motorcycle ride without radio or music. It's at some moment in the ride I asked what if I just relaxed every time I saw an orange sign. Is this the opportunity I've been searching for to work on breath, relaxation and mindfulness? The irony of the construction zone sign - did not pass me by.

I made it to Denver, Breckenridge, Frisco, Vail, Glenwood Springs, Grand Mesa Pass and now Paonia. I’m tenting with 500 other BMW riders (well some are at hotels too). We are tenting in the middle of this beautiful town park. Last night it cooled down - so it made sleeping pretty awesome. Well as good as a first night of camping sleep can be.

There are plenty of male riders at these Rally’s - some are a lot of fun - and some not so. The women are always interesting. Met another solo woman rider last night - she lives in Vail, has a boyfriend in Georgia and regularly crosses the USA solo on her motorcycle. We were going to ride today - but I needed a rest day. My eye is completely swollen and not liking the wind at all. I’m fairly certain the sun and the wind at 80 mph has not been good for it.

Sitting around the tent, in my camp chair, with my laptop - writing, thinking, resting, talking with my neighbor, watching people roll in and set up their tents. One of the vendors is smoking some meat - looks and smells delish. Will def be eating there tonight. Embracing this moment for what it is…a gift. 

Relaxing. Writing. 

My neighbor. Enjoying the company and the day together.

A fellow just walked by - met him earlier - old navy man (have met a number of vets) - he’s been very nice. He mentioned he knows one of the locals that has some nice botanicals…he said he will stop by later. I’m down with that, I like the locals. 

Riding a motorcycle definitely adds a layer of cool for both men and women. I have met so many people from all walks of life - digging the chance to meet, talk and share life.

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So how does one move through the fear?

Keep the constant vision of what it feels like to be on the other side of it. Wear it, breathe it and believe it.   

This post is dedicated to all the women who are solo riding. I have loved meeting each one and soaking in their enthusiasm, inspiration and their sense of adventure. 

As seen at the largest truck stop on I80.