OLD FALL RIVER ROAD...my new favorite ride!

In the 3 years that I have been doing this, I have yet to have the chance to take a run up Old Fall River Road with a Big Ruckus. I was either too busy with the shop, taking visitors up in the truck, or the road was closed due to weather.
Well, yesterday was so darn lovely, I closed up shop at 2pm, and made the run. And what a run it was!



I started up from the 34 access into the park, because I knew there would be an Elk Show. More bugling bulls and harems in groups.
While parked, I overheard a ranger telling a visitor that since the Elk are protected in the park, some of the bulls are so large, and old...and aquire such large harems, that they get so busy "getting busy" that they forget to eat, and sometimes actually starve to death!
Now that's what I call action!

The speed limit up Old Fall River Road is only 15mph, so the trip up is very leisurely. The dirt road itself is fairly compact, making the Big Ruckus easy to handle on the way up.

Traffic was a bit high yesterday...and that's saying I saw about 40 other vehicles making their way on up, but I was taking my time, stopping often to take pictures of the Ruckus, and the views.


The most annoying thing to deal with, as far as traffic was concerned, was dust. So, after pulling over to take photos, I would just wait until the cars past, and the dust settled, and continue on my way.

I consider my self a semi-pro photographer, since I do sell images when I try, so this trip was not only for the ride, but for the chance to get some nice photos.

At one point, while sitting in the woods on a large rock chock full of lichen, I noticed my lens was a bit dusty. While tending to my lens, out of no where sprung past a heard of deer. I mean out of no where. So fast that I didn't even have time to lift the camera to shoot.
Hooves were hitting the larger rock that was the floor surrounding me, and they bounced by so close, I felt a draft.

Laughing at myself, for missing the opportunity, and also because I remembered that a bear could do the same thing... maybe not so bouncy, but one could easily approach my space without me noticing.


These were taken near on of the Fall River stops along the way up.

When the sun was not obscured by clouds, it was very warm. I brought enough gear for some COLD, but all I needed yesterday was a jacket, vest, long sleeves, long pants, and my helmet. But, it's better to have brought too much warm wear, and not need it, than to have brought to little and freeze my butt off once I got to the top. Wasn't sure if it was going to be super windy or what...




Some people have often asked me, "Do the Big Ruckus actually make it up there?" Yes, and quite nicely I might add. There were times where I would just pull over on a fairly steep incline to take a picture, engage the parking brake, snap the shot, and go.... and was thrilled that the power was there to just take off.
By the time you get the Ruckus to the top of Trail Ridge Road, they do about 35mph. That also happens to be the speed limit up there, so it turns out that the Big Ruckus is PERFECT for this trip!















The best thing of all is being able to pull over ANYWHERE! I've been up this road a bunch in my car, and I saw so very much more behind the handlebars of the Ruckus, and then, something would just catch my eye....hit the brakes, hop off, and snap shots.





























Once I got to the visitor's center, I contemplated putting on a fleece under the jacket I had on, but the temp was boarder line cold, and I had not plans to photograph up top. It was going to be a fast trip down, so I didn't bother. I was still wearing gloves until I got to the Rainbow Curve stop.

After dropping down in elevations some more, I was totally comfortable the rest of the drive down.

Then, when I got into town, I was treated to one more Elk Show in front of Fun City and the Estes Park Brewery. It was a big bull with a small harem. The bull was in the oncoming lane, so I was very close when I took the last series of photos, and here he is...


I'm glad I played hookie for the last part of yesterday. It was a great sunny day, and the ride was amazing! Again.. it's now my favorite ride!

Wanna do it?? Just bring your Motorcycle License to me at the shop, and I'll put you on a Big Ruckus so you can take the ride up OLD FALL RIVER ROAD!