Gunnison local info

[CODan]

I actually live in Gunnison and just caught wind of this by accident.

I thought I'd mention a few things based on 30+ years of riding, hiking, dirt biking and climbing in CO.

Many of you have experience riding in the mountains so none of this will be new to you, but for those making their first trip perhaps it will be useful, as some of our conditions can be surprising.

1) altitude sickness - a small percentage of people will have significant problems at altitude, I think it's around 10%

Gunnison is around 7,700 feet, and typically that altitude won't cause problems. But some of the riding could be to 11,000 feet and may cause pretty serious problems. It isn't a joke and you can't just tough it out. If you are coming from the lowlands and don't know how you will react, it's best to be cautious. Do some reading to prepare.

When I was a kid (17 and pretty fit) I came from TN to Pueblo, CO (MUCH lower than Gunnison) then drove up Pikes Peak (14,000+). I could not drive down, I was barely conscious after 10 minutes at the top - seriously. My mother had to drive me down.

2) sunburn - our clear skies and high altitude mean that you should plan on covering up unless you're already tanned or your skin is naturally dark. You can get a pretty good burn on anything that is exposed in a couple of hours and never notice it while riding. Not much of a problem if you're wearing the right gear except maybe on the back of the neck. Baldies like me take note for off-bike activities.

3) rain - the first half of the summer is usually fairly rain free. The last half of the summer can have torrential, but usually brief, rainstorms, usually headed West to East. But sometimes they just park in one spot for a few hours. Bring quality rain gear.

4) thunder and lightning - rainstorms are often accompanied by violent but usually brief, lightning displays. Rain doesn't bother me, but lightning scares the hell out of me. I try to avoid riding or playing golf or other outside activities during these. Note that at least where I am (south central mountains) the usual pattern is 1/2 hour of hard rain with lightning, then then lightning mostly goes away, but the rain stays for an hour or two. Just use some common sense.

5) temp - in the morning it can be surprisingly cool in the mountains, like as low as the fifties around 7 am (mountains only though). And if it rains it can be COLD, like hypothermia cold, if you get wet. Gear up appropriately.

6) cornering challenges - there are a few decreasing radius corners that you may encounter. One or two on Monarch pass (Hwy 50 E of Gunnison) and another west of Gunnison, at the eastern end of the spot where Hwy 50 drops into the slot (a very tight canyon 1 mile long). Corner REALLY hard and you might run out of lean angle.

7) crap on the road - all the roads into Gunnison have the potential for crap on the road. Any tight left turn, where the mountain is on your right, is a good candidate for stuff that has washed down the mountain. If you see any wash on your road, that a good signal that there's probably more.

8) speed trap - if you come on Hwy 285 from Denver, there is a notorious speed trap between  Johnson Corners (where 285 takes a sharp turn left/south) and Poncha Springs (where 285 meets 50). There are a couple of speed changed for no apparent reason and if you speed YOU WILL get caught because there are always two troopers collecting for the donut fund.

We have two local dealers: Gunnison Motorsports (Husaberg dirt bikes, good mechanic, no parts except maybe tires) and Sun Sports (Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, I don't know anything about the mechanics, but very few street bike parts if any).

The nearest significant street dealer is Davis Service Center, 65 miles west in Montrose, supposed to be pretty good - all Japanese brands and KTM.

There is a Harley shop in Montrose also, don't know anything about it.

Also is Montrose is Highland Cycle, a repair shop, mechanic is supposed to be good, they carry street tires I'm pretty sure.

Finally, Grand Junction is 125 miles away and you get the Japanese brands, KTM, BMW, don't know about anything else. This would be the closest place for significant in stock parts (still doubtful though).

I'll try to answer questions.

[stefrrr]

Dinner at Dan's house!  

[JimWilliamson]

Yep, Yep, Yep - all good notes Dan!

My bro and bro-in-law did a mountain hike where the BIL had altitude sickness. He was delusional and debilitated - it can be serious chit.

Sunburn issues I encounter - exposed face in the helmet - cheeks and nose get protection.

[maddjack]

great info ,thanks for informing us eastern folk coming out there

[twist]

The nearest significant street dealer is Davis Service Center, 65 miles west in Montrose, supposed to be pretty good - all Japanese brands and KTM.

At the 2005 National in Montrose I hit a big rock on the road (on 550) and bent the rim of my FJR.  Davis ordered the needed parts (overnight delivery), and got my bike fixed as quickly as they could.  I would not hesitate to bring a bike there for service again 

[alphabet man]

Gunnison Motorsports,  great guys I came down from BC with almost worn out tires, phoned ahead and they had a tire waiting for me, it was a busy day when I arrived but they moved things around and replaced my tire right away, had lunch came back an she was done, love that kind of service  

[sammyseaman]

Good thread CODan  . Altitude sickness is one of those wierd things that people don't think of or know about but it can be serious. Especially on a bike.

[basco]

Being from Michigan I can attest to some of these things. Altitude will effect you but unless you are going to the top of Mt Evans or Pikes Peak, you might have a problem climbing stairs. Lightning strikes are a problem at higher altitudes because there are not many trees to hit, just YOU.

[blackbuell]

Could be my imagination, but I believe a few of my bikes have struggled a bit at altitude. In fact, the last time I rode in the Gunnison area (two summers ago, on my dearly departed Buell S3), my bike seemed to be way down on power up on the mountain passes. Though it's been quite a few years, I think a few of my carbed KAW's had some issues at those altitudes, too.

Please, no wise-ass comments about Buells.  

[CODan]

Could be my imagination, but I believe a few of my bikes have struggled a bit at altitude. In fact, the last time I rode in the Gunnison area (two summers ago, on my dearly departed Buell S3), my bike seemed to be way down on power up on the mountain passes. Though it's been quite a few years, I think a few of my carbed KAW's had some issues at those altitudes, too.

Please, no wise-ass comments about Buells.  

You're not imagining things.

More altitude = less oxygen => less power.

If you are perfectly jetted for this altitude (if you have carbs) you'll be down about 23% here - 3%/1000 ft above sea level is the decrease I believe. If you don't rejet (and who does on a street bike) it's probably a good bit more.

FI will compensate automatically I assume, but you'll still be down 23%.

[traveler]

I remember my '96 VFR (carbed) being down on power when riding at the higher altitudes of Colorado. My '00 VFR (f.i.) doesn't seem to suffer near as much.

+1 on being aware of the altitude and its affect on the human body. I believe it contributed to my dropping the bike while seeking a suitable campsite, in the dark, on a seriously potholed and rutted dirt/gravel road in Colorado, somewhere around 11,000 ft., off hwy 550. Fatigue and cold temps may also have been factors.

[maddjack]

Ah, have been mapping things I want to see ,and places I want to go,lets see,Black canyon, r 92,rt65,rt 149,the million dollar highway to Silverton,oh yeah looking good   Is it June Yet???

[blackbuell]

maddjack,

make note when you are on rt. 149 to check out these spots: windy point turnoff just below slumgullion pass (great view of the Uncompahgre alpine plateau), clear creek falls turnoff (nice waterfall that should be really gushing in June), and the scenic view of the headwaters of the Rio Grand River (about halfway between Creed and Lake City). The entire rt. is wonderful.

Jon

[maddjack]

maddjack,

make note when you are on rt. 149 to check out these spots: windy point turnoff just below slumgullion pass (great view of the Uncompahgre alpine plateau), clear creek falls turnoff (nice waterfall that should be really gushing in June), and the scenic view of the headwaters of the Rio Grand River (about halfway between Creed and Lake City). The entire rt. is wonderful.

Jon

I will do that ,thanks for the info!

[katego]

thanks for the info CoDan, coming from sea level that is a good reminder...

-k

[zzzzip]

Since I am coming from 772 feet above sea level, that is good stuff to know.  I'm used to dealing with hail and tornadoes on the bike.  I really enjoyed the FJR1300 NAFO meet in Denver last July, and I'm glad to be able to see some more of Colorado.

Also, about 30 years ago, an elderly fellow gave me a fly book (keep your trout fishing flies in) here in Missouri.  It is leather and felt.  As a kid he lived and fished near Creede, Co where his dad had a mill and general store.  Inked in the leather by hand is "Willard Furhman,  Spar City Club, Creede, Colorado" and inside "From: Ty Williams, Denver 8-10-35".

Since this thing is older than I am, I'd kind of like to bring it with me, and while seeing some of the sights and roads mentioned above, maybe check out some of the waters Willard fished as a kid.  Get it wet again.  He was a nice guy.  I suck as a fisherman.

 

[blackbuell]

Zzzzip,

Creede is near the headwaters of the Rio Grande River, which, unlike most of the river, is gorgeous and full of trout; very popular fly fishing area. The loop ride that goes through Creede is entertaining on a bike.

Jon

[zzzzip]

Thanks, I'll try to do it.

 

[CODan]

I just added a #6, 7 and 8 to the starting posts.

They contain some perhaps useful info that I've thought of in the last couple of months.

[maddjack]

Couple things I want to add ,to help with altitude sickness prevention,drink tons of water,this is doctor recommended and I can attest it helps.Also remember all you flatlanders like me,you are more prone to Sunburn at altitude,bring sunscreen and use it if you burn easy like me.