The Deckers Route~Experienced Riders Discussion

[GixxerCarrie]

First, I hope no one takes offense to the fact that I am going to put this thread out here. It seems to soon. But Its truly bothering me.
I put this under technique, due to the fact that many of us ride the route, not only because we love it, but, there have been many fatalities in the past couple of years. We have lost many good peeps. I want to take a step back to look at the route for tips and advice.
Those who haven’t been on it, it’s a great ride. Wide sweeping curves, beautiful views.
This thread is for sharing knowledge, experience, and passing on to others.
I want opinions from experienced riders on Technique and Experience on this route. I think we all could learn from some of your experiences. On my mind is many crashes I have stopped at, after the fact usually you can see marked pieces on the road, or it’s been pointed out to me. I look in every direction, and, think where did it go wrong? Usually it’s in a non-technical piece of this route. I’ve had ass pucker moments at the last piece of the route due to gravel...I've also gained great experience as you can gain alot of speed on this route and really lean your bike.
Is it target fixation? Is it riding beyond your abilities? Is it not knowing the route ahead of time? Is it certain pieces of the route? What is it that riders need to know about this canyon in general? What advice can you give us? I'm asking for experienced riders as I want people who have done this route many times and can tell us some of their experiences, knowledge they can share with us~Sometimes its just our time. But, if this gives one of us a piece of advice thats looming as we ride this route, than it has served its purpose
Thanks
Carrie

[stubbicatt]

Problem is, IMO, that while the route remains constant, the road constantly changes. This is due to either unpredictable traffic or debris etc. on the road... or even potholes.

I almost got taken out by a whopping big motorcoach coming south when I was northbound in the last of the 2 turns in the "corkscrew" section about 5 or 6 miles south of Deckers. Dude was across the center line, and I was near the edge of the tires uncomfortably close to the center line. That was target fixation.

Other than unpredictable traffic, the condition of the road changes due to gravel etc. I have spoken with residents of that piece of road who really hate sportbikes tearing it up, some have intimated that they know people who intentionally spread gravel along the route. A few years back due to heavy rains, the road in sections was inundated by dirt and gravel etc washed down from the hillsides.

(This was illuminating).

[PunyJuney]

I have spoken with residents of that piece of road who really hate sportbikes tearing it up

the numerous oil slicks in the apex of a few corners out there is no accident, all you can do is watch for it

[duelist13]

I have spoken with residents of that piece of road who really hate sportbikes tearing it up, some have intimated that they know people who intentionally spread gravel along the route.

I'll intimate I just found an accessory to manslaughter

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

I'll intimate I just found an accessory to manslaughter

Yup, at the very least. Since it was deliberate, with malice of forethought, I'd say murder 1.

[mtnairlover]

It's a brain thing when all else is equal...good and familiar road, experienced rider, sound body functions, mechanically sound machine, no obstacles on the road, etc.

I can't say for certain that that's what happens to everyone, but I have heard this particular statement more than once and from more than one rider..."I'm just not feeling it today."

The other thing that comes to mind is this sort of "moral compass" for lack of a better phrase. It's the idea that when we say, "I'm just not feeling it today," we actually take heed and take our riding down a notch or two.

Problem is...some of us would rather not say anything and just keep riding along like everyone else.

Here's a for instance: on the ride I took yesterday (over 700 miles round-trip), I was following BC14 who rides very well and very fast. It was early morning and in the mountains, so it was not exactly warm. As the morning wore on and the elevations got higher, my muscles started to shiver. As they continued to shiver, it got harder and harder to concentrate on my riding and leaning into the corners. I wanted to ride with the leader, but my legs were aching and my brain was telling me, "There is no way I am going to get your legs to do any more than what I'm giving them! Take it down a notch or two, or you're going into a ditch! I cannot help you concentrate on the road at this speed with this much ache!"

Did I admit to everything that was going on in my head? Not really, but I did end up riding more slowly and taking it easier until my legs finally warmed up.

Anyway, it's not about the legs and it's not about how I ride, but rather what a lot of us riders say to ourselves when we are riding with a group of friends. And unfortunately, not all of us listen to what our brains are telling us.

Lastly, there is the off chance that once in a blue moon, someone crashes because of a medical emergency...heart attack, brain aneurism, blurred vision, come to mind.

[spdu4ia]

I've only ridden the route twice but the road tends to "intice" riders over there limits. It tried to bite me on that first decreasing radius right hander and so after that I took it at a more reasonable pace. I got lucky that it scared me before I did anything stupid. The road conditions are definetly "variable" and deserve some respect.

[Matty]

Deckers is just like any other canyon road. You have animals that can jump out at anytime, you have idiotic cagers and other riders crossing double yellow lines, gravel and debris in turns, etc... And If you ride outside your ability the chances are you're going down.

Horsepower Hill takes it up a notch cause you can hit triple digit speeds no problem. And at those speeds any lil thing can throw you.

My advice, do you!!! If you feel confident to ride Deckers fast go for it. If you don't, well than don't.

Also Ride, Ride, And Ride some more. The more miles you get under your seat the more prepared you'll be for the unexpected.

[Swift]

Horsepower Hill takes it up a notch cause you can hit triple digit speeds no problem.

Unless you have an old BMW like me that looks like an old man with hair growing out of his ears.

[MetaLord 9]

I want opinions from experienced riders on Technique and Experience on this route.

Don't crash.

[salsashark]

Matty summed up exactly how I feel.

126 is no different than any other canyon road.

Ride within your limits, expect the unexpected and be careful.

If you're not comfortable with the unknown conditions of a public road but you still want to push yourself and your equipment, get your ass on a track.

[Bueller]

As any who have ridden with me know, I don't like that ride very much at all. To me it involves excessively stupid speeds and except for a couple of areas it is not very technical. IMO it is a good winter ride because it is usually open late and early in the season. It can also be a good beginner route as long as the speeds are kept reasonable. When I do end up doing it I always come back 67 because I can't stand the thought of going back the same way and 67 is tight and technical and much more fun, I don't mind the dirt, it's only a few miles.

[OUTLAWD]

Deckers is just like any other canyon road. You have animals that can jump out at anytime, you have idiotic cagers and other riders crossing double yellow lines, gravel and debris in turns, etc... And If you ride outside your ability the chances are you're going down.

werd

As any who have ridden with me know, I don't like that ride very much at all. To me it involves excessively stupid speeds and except for a couple of areas it is not very technical.

I agree

[MetaLord 9]

Agreed with what's above.

it's a somewhat narrow road as you get closer and closer to 285 and you're headed in that direction, you're going from triple digit sweepers to tight, twisty corners that require a much lower speed.

Things that I've found that help on this road (but that should be remembered on any road):
- DON'T target fixate. there's too much going on on that road to get stuck staring at the bike in front of you, the gravel on the center line, or tar snake ahead of you. See it, adjust, keep scanning ahead
- Ride to your own abilities. I've seen too many people get big balls on that road, especially if they get over confident in the wide sweepers. I've also seen people follow WAY too closely, probably because they're already in over their heads and they need someone to watch or they're gonna get screwed.
- If you're not intimately familiar with the road, ride conservatively. It's not just a challenge for bikes, but also for cars, and not all of them do a good job. Give 'em a wide berth and expect a few to go wide or tight across the double yellow.

[UglyDogRacing]

What is this Deckers Horsepower Hill road you speak of?

[Concabar]

I have been up in down Deckers a lot. I have been a victim to gravel on the north side of Deckers. I have also seen my fair share of people go down up there. Some where due to gravel/target fixation, inexperience rider, riding above ability, and rider coming into my friend's lane.

As it normally goes with any other road, if you never been down it, you shouldn't take it as fast as you possible can. Get familiar with the road first or ride behind someone that has been up there before. As the others said, sometimes it is unpreventable (i.e. gravel and tar snakes). There is sign posted for the tar snakes and you can see them, so if you are inexperience and your bombing through that area and go down, it is your own fault. Once you get more familiar with the road, the gravel is normally always in the same places, every now and again you may find it in other areas.

[GixxerCarrie]

What is this Deckers Horsepower Hill road you speak of?

You of all people have ridden this route 1000 times. Know its ins and outs. How many accidents have you ridden up on? Many. Your thoughts?

[UglyDogRacing]

You of all people have ridden this route 1000 times. Know its ins and outs. How many accidents have you ridden up on? Many. Your thoughts?

My thoughts? I don't think I've ridden it 1000 times but I probably have more miles on it and have gone faster on it than most. And yes I have seen dozens of accidents including a few fatalities like the one less than 2 years ago.
It's a fun scenic road with alot of different features. Is it any more dangerous than riding up deercreek, bearcreek, golden gate, coal creak, boulder canyon,etc? No. Those tight canyons with blind corners and decreasing radius turns are even more dangerous. I have never seen or had issue with oils slick in turns out there, either. Generally the road conditions are better than alot of other roads frequented by motorcyclists. Chip seal? rocks in the road? oil? animals? They are all normal hazards with riding here in Colorado. You should be anticipating these things. The stretch between Buffalo Creek and Deckers does entice a rider to increase their speed as stated prevously. But does that mean the road is more dangerous? I don't believe so.
I don't ride much down there anymore, maybe a few times a season in contrast to a few times a week 10-12 years ago. And when I do I usually go alone now (because Bueller doesnt like that road) What I see more of lately is riders that are pushing their limits and do not have the skills to do so. I don't know the details of this week's incident, but the young lady that passed away in Oct '09 that I came upon was riding way up above her limit as were the other 4 riders that crashed. You're responsible for your own safety and riding within your limits. If you can't handle that, maybe you shouldn't be riding at all. But it's not the road's fault.

[MetaLord 9]

What I see more of lately is riders that are pushing their limits and do not have the skills to do so.

Hasn't this always been the case though? The only difference is that modern bikes allow people to get up above their abilities faster than most of the older bikes.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Except for HP Hill and the sweepers there that encourage big speed, I can't see that road being any more dangerous and is certainly less technical than others here.

IS this road truly more dangerous as measured by a higher accident rate per motorcycle miles traveled, or is it just perception? Or is it just more popular and closer to 2 major metro areas, and since there's more riders on it there's more chances for error? For instance, I consider Stove Prarie far more technical between the Poudre and Rist Canyon, but there's not much traffic on it (due to it's remoteness) and so I'm sure a lot fewer accidents.

I've heard rumors of sadistic assholes dumping sand and oil etc. on certain roads (like Stove Prarie etc.), and I would hate to think that that's more than an extremely rare occurrance. And those caught doing that should be shown absolutely no mercy.

[GixxerCarrie]

Agreed with what's above.

it's a somewhat narrow road as you get closer and closer to 285 and you're headed in that direction, you're going from triple digit sweepers to tight, twisty corners that require a much lower speed.

Things that I've found that help on this road (but that should be remembered on any road):
- DON'T target fixate. there's too much going on on that road to get stuck staring at the bike in front of you, the gravel on the center line, or tar snake ahead of you. See it, adjust, keep scanning ahead
- Ride to your own abilities. I've seen too many people get big balls on that road, especially if they get over confident in the wide sweepers. I've also seen people follow WAY too closely, probably because they're already in over their heads and they need someone to watch or they're gonna get screwed.
- If you're not intimately familiar with the road, ride conservatively. It's not just a challenge for bikes, but also for cars, and not all of them do a good job. Give 'em a wide berth and expect a few to go wide or tight across the double yellow.

^^^This is the sort of information I was looking for. New riders, Mid-Range, everyone can gain from our expierences. Will it always work no. I knew excessive speed would be brought up..most of us have been there done that. It is very easy to think this route is a piece of cake, and move beyond your abilities. But isn't part of our responsibility to educate based on our knowledge?

[Bueller]

But isn't part of our responsibility to educate based on our knowledge?

How many times can you say "ride within your limits"? It just goes right over everyone's head that needs to be listening. I do not feel a responsibility to teach anyone anything. If they solicit advise I will be forthcoming because at that point they are open to learning. Otherwise it is like

[salsashark]

How many times can you say "ride within your limits"? It just goes right over everyone's head that needs to be listening. I do not feel a responsibility to teach anyone anything. If they solicit advise I will be forthcoming because at that point they are open to learning. Otherwise it is like

+10000

I've been riding for 16 years now. Not as long as some on the board, much longer then others. With every year that passes, I find myself leaning more and more to the Bueller school of thought.

[GixxerCarrie]

How many times can you say "ride within your limits"? It just goes right over everyone's head that needs to be listening. I do not feel a responsibility to teach anyone anything. If they solicit advise I will be forthcoming because at that point they are open to learning. Otherwise it is like

Very true Dave...