Independance Pass whine

[Powder Addict]

Has anyone else experienced this -

I've ridden Independance pass about 6 times over the last three years, including this weekend.

on ALL but ONE of these rides I've been held up by a slow motorcycle.  And EVERY single time, it's been someone on a Harley.  Not just a cruiser, but a Harley

I'm not bashing the bike, but what is it about the brand that draws slow a**ed riders?

This time there were 2, doing 20 in the 25s, and 30 in the 35s.  There was a line of about 8-10 cars behind them.  I understand wanting to view the sites, but this is ridiculous.  

On the way down from the top, guess what.  Another Harley doing 30 in the 35.  The guy in the truck towing a good size trailer got around him on the same passing stretch I did.

The one time I wasn't slowed was when I went over on a Friday night after work, taking the route to Denver from Aspen through Buena Vista, 285.

[Nitro]

hahaaaa...

I think you have to remember, a lot of these guys are tourists and  maybe want to enjoy the scenery. plus with the big bike kick on, a lot are fairly new riders who have been lured into biking by the Harley mystique and enjoy the putt!  one thing I do know..the bike is capable of  movinng along just fine! many do!
..... And a lot are probly crapping themselves if first time up some of those roads..


Or just plain dumb..same guy  that drives that  egg car!

   Myself have been held up  equally over the years by all kinds of bikes, no shortage of sporty types either..... But I do wish , just like cars, that sometimes they would look in the mirror and maybe pull over and let you by?  THAT has to be better than worrying about someone up your rear...then again if they dont look it dont matter i guess..

[XbbX]

Texas plates?


that'd be my guess....

[Powder Addict]

just about every time CO plates.

and consistently doing 20 in a 35 gets old reeeaaaaall quick.

[DNA]

I grew up in that area, know it well, but sadly, and found the same issue here in the WVa and NC mountains.  In the east we just pass them when opportunities are available - any opportunity.   I know your bike is capable...
Twist and go is easier than whining.  

[Gregz]

That's not just Independance Pass.  I get blocked by Harley's everywhere.

I think they are still overcompensating for the Hell's Angels stigma.

That or a 1200cc bike that produces 40hp just doesn't go uphill well at altitude.

It's all about the noise.

[RickC1957]

That's not just Independance Pass.  I get blocked by Harley's everywhere.

I think they are still overcompensating for the Hell's Angels stigma.

That or a 1200cc bike that produces 40hp just doesn't go uphill well at altitude.

It's all about the noise.

Yep it's just about everywhere...last summer Bear Tooth Pass...Jammin and I passed two on Harleys..when Jay showed me the vid...it looked like these guys were standing still...I thought we were riding at a very conservative pace.

[JimWilliamson]

When it gets real bad (.just.can't.pass.) and I really want to ride a bit quicker on the road, I just flat out STOP. I'll sit at a convenient roadside spot, enjoy the views, wait for the rolling blockage to process away, then I head out before the next pack.

I remember back in 2002 when Ken and I headed to the Great Smokey Mountain N.P. / Deals Gap we were riding through the park and the line of traffic was horrid - but the road was a fun twisty section. No chance we would pass the pack and if we did there was just another pack ahead of them. We stopped two or three times - just staying in that "open" space between packs. Kinda like sitting at a red light - pull over, stay in first, about 45 to 60 seconds later the lead car of the second pack would come into view - pull out. Enjoy some free and open road, catch up to the front pack, pull over, repeat.

Sounds like a hassle but it's much better than staring at a bumper rolling along at 50% of what you want to be doing.

[CODan]

Long time ago I rode IP several times, but only once after 8am. The rest of the time was around 7am, which really opens up the road. You can go fast then, but the risks are large, as you know.

My hassle was always very slow cars, but it is a pretty scary road if you are not an experienced mountain driver.