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There is a rest stop outside of Cripple Creek about 15 miles or so as you head back towards Canon City. It is actually a trail head, so it is easy to park and stop for a minute. As is probable, it is somewhat inclined, but usually does not present a problem.
Now, I should mention that the Valkyrie is loaded. It has the bags full, an extra bag on the luggage rack and two passengers. One of which, is a pretty good sized ole boy (me). I have never had it stall before, but after I let it roll back, let out on the clutch to start forward, I obviously wasn’t thinking, and just didn’t give it enough gas. The bike started forward... chugged and began falling over. I of course do everything I can to stop it, but realize later that I might not should have.  My riding partner kind of bounced off the back onto the ground, then looks at me like “what just happened?”
My right leg hurt from straining so hard to stop the Valk from falling. As it turned out, the bike is not hurt, just my pride, and I finally register that I have let the Valk hit the ground... my first time. Fortunately, it stopped on the side bars at nearly a 45 degree angle (more good engineering). We pushed it back over with me never actually getting off, and I get a resounding scolding as we left.
I guess, we all know a fallover is coming at some point when we ride, and, I had put it off for many years on the Valks. I was thankful that it had not landed on either of us or broken anything. As a matter of fact, no one even saw it happen...whew!
I have been over the stretch of road to Gunnison a few times in the last few years, and we didn’t take a lot of pictures along the way. However, Monarch Pass is always picturesque, so we did take some of the residual snow that we saw. It was chilly there, but actually very nice. I have been across this pass in February as I mentioned in one of the other rides. It can be quite treacherous. We did get a few sprinkles which is normal at this high of an elevation, but we quickly left them behind as we headed on toward Gunnison. read more....
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