2014 Firecracker 500 - sign up thread

[Clovis]

It's that time of the year! Time for a Firecracker 500!

This is a day ride better known as a "Black Canyon 500" any other time of the year.

When: July 4th of course!
Where to meet:
Jan's Resturant in Buena Vista.
304 U.S. 24
Buena Vista, CO 81211
719-395-6940

When to meet: Jan's has outstanding breakfast items. Be there at 8am if you want breakfast. We're leaving Jan's promptly at 9AM.

What is it?

The Firecracker 500 is a CSC tradition which began "way back" in 2008. This is a day long ride that, depending on your start/end location ends up being roughly 500 miles.

Experience level: Intermediate. For most people, count on being out and riding for 12 hours. Check your bike, tires, chain, oil, coolant and most importantly yourself. Because of the number of miles, the group has to move at an overall quick pace but you don't need to be "super quick" to make this ride.

Pace: "The Pace".

Road conditions: Very good! I've already done this ride twice this season with the most recent one being 2 weeks ago. The roads are in pristine condition.

The ride features:

Monarch Pass
McClure Pass
Independence Pass
Black Canyon
Highway 50 sweepers
133 mega-fun sweepers (One of the best roads in Colorado).
Gunnison
Aspen

Want to go? Reply here!

If you're leaving from Colorado Springs, PM me and we can ride out together. Buena Vista is a 75 minute / 93 mile ride from my house.

[Chaos]

I'm in! Are you doing this counter clock-wise, or as this map shows?

[bornwildnfree]

In!

[JimDog]

Dang, I can't make it July 4th, already have plans.

This is a day ride better known as a "Black Canyon 500" any other time of the year.

Hopefully I can make it to the next (non July 4th) one.

[Clovis]

I'm in! Are you doing this counter clock-wise, or as this map shows?

Depends on the weather. Going clockwise (Monarch first) is the preferred route but if rain is forecasted for the afternoon in Aspen, we'll do counter-clockwise (Indepdence Pass first) like last year.

[Chaos]

Oh, I see. So after Buena Vista, head down 285 to 50 then head west?

[Clovis]

Yep. I also noticed the picture of the route I posted is of Colorado Springs so I'll try to make one for the to and from Buena Vista (300 miles).

You can do either route but the road is a little more fun going clock wise. Indie Pass is more fun going vs down, 133 avoids the rock boulders that tend to be on the counter-clock wise lane, ect.

[Nguyen]

Hey guys I really want to tag along for this trip, but you think a 1990 Suzuki gs500 would make it?
It barely has 18k miles, runs ok, though I haven't taking it on a 200miles+ trip before and I'm afraid it's gonna die in the middle of the trip and bog everybody down. I'm getting the carb clean and everything checked on it by a shop in Louisville soon (Rolf's MC shop). BTW, any of us here have any experience with this shop?
I know I can run it at 70mph all day long but any faster than that I don't know. It will hit 90 but probably not hours on end. You think that'll be enough? I mean how fast are your average coasting speed on this trip?

[Chaos]

That sounds good, I'm down to meet in Buena Vista for breakfast. I'll probably peel off and head back up 285 to Denver near the end.

Nguyen, I'd say if you have any doubts or are not sure, you should pass. You don't want to be broke down hours away from home. Plus I've ridden with Clovis before.... 70 is relaxing speed!

[Clovis]

While not impossible, I think you would be very hard pressed on that bike, especially at the higher altitudes. I would pass.

Hey guys I really want to tag along for this trip, but you think a 1990 Suzuki gs500 would make it?
It barely has 18k miles, runs ok, though I haven't taking it on a 200miles+ trip before and I'm afraid it's gonna die in the middle of the trip and bog everybody down. I'm getting the carb clean and everything checked on it by a shop in Louisville soon (Rolf's MC shop). BTW, any of us here have any experience with this shop?
I know I can run it at 70mph all day long but any faster than that I don't know. It will hit 90 but probably not hours on end. You think that'll be enough? I mean how fast are your average coasting speed on this trip?

[arrrghhh]

Hey Clovis,

Tentatively 'in'. Looks like a slightly modified route than we ran last time, and was a blast. I ordered one of those fancy throttle locks from Kaoko, hoping it will be in by then...

Would love to run this again tho!

[Clovis]

Hey Clovis,

Tentatively 'in'. Looks like a slightly modified route than we ran last time, and was a blast. I ordered one of those fancy throttle locks from Kaoko, hoping it will be in by then...

Would love to run this again tho!

Same route as the one we did a few weekends back. Looking forward to riding with you again.

[Neutron]

I may try and meet you guys in Gunnison

[gsxrscott]

If my tires show up in time im in.

[Jmetz]

Was thinking about meeting up with y'all for breakfast since we'll be hitting some of the same roads, but your start time too late and location in the opposite direction. Have a fun ride!

[Clovis]

Blast from the past!

If my tires show up in time im in.

[gsxrscott]

I came for breakfast last time, lol

[Shawnzy]

Sounds tempting. I might go on the 7/12-7/13 one though....

[Bashed]

Hey guys I really want to tag along for this trip, but you think a 1990 Suzuki gs500 would make it?
It barely has 18k miles, runs ok, though I haven't taking it on a 200miles+ trip before and I'm afraid it's gonna die in the middle of the trip and bog everybody down. I'm getting the carb clean and everything checked on it by a shop in Louisville soon (Rolf's MC shop). BTW, any of us here have any experience with this shop?
I know I can run it at 70mph all day long but any faster than that I don't know. It will hit 90 but probably not hours on end. You think that'll be enough? I mean how fast are your average coasting speed on this trip?

Yes your bike is fine as long as it is ready to do the miles, and it running correctly.
A Ninja 250 has done this ride no problem, they just show up @ the stops a bit later than the main group.

[Clovis]

Matt's 250 wasn't 24-25 years old at the time.

Also, keep in mind the majority of riding is done at fairly high altitutde. If it were my bike, I wouldn't take it out for 500+ miles but it's your call.

[Clovis]

Trip is just a few days out. I've ridden this route twice over the last two weekends. Roads are pristine.

Chance of isolated rain/thunderstorms so we'll probably be hitting Independence Pass first... basically if I'm going to get rained on going up a pass, I would rather get rained on over Monarch pass than Indie Pass

[arrrghhh]

So I got that Kaoko throttle lock in... but I can't figure out for the life of me how to remove the throttle tube so I can install the damned thing!

Kinda need it for this ride, and my bike is somewhat in pieces. Ack! Hopefully I can get it done over the next few days.

[Chaos]

Well, I'm out. The zipper on my A* jacket fricking broke on me this morning and won't zip up. Don't have enough time to get it repaired and I'm not going to do a long trip with faulty gear. Really annoyed right now. $400 jacket a littler over a year old......

[bornwildnfree]

DICK is coming too