Riding out to see Run for the Wall - Limon, CO

May 21, 2011
Colorado, USA

We were supposed to be heading out on a ten day road trip this morning. We were going to begin it by riding across two states (Kansas and Missouri) with the Run for the Wall. Well that old adage about best-laid plans swooped in and bit us on the butt. We tied up one loose end and another would unravel. Suffice it to say, long about Plan E, we threw in the towel on this one

Mom says when Providence throws that many obstacles in one's path, one might ought to consider changing the destination.

So, this morning, with the weatherman's promise of sunny skies, and after days of rain we rolled out of here, heading east to Limon, CO to at least see the riding patriots off on their journey east.

First stop, thirteen miles out, was Fatso's for a biscuits and gravy breakfast. Next stop, a good piece down the road was coffee at McDonald's near Brush on I-76 before traveling south on Hwy 71 toward Limon. We rolled in to Limon, found gas, checked out the downtown area and rode on to the Flying J Truck Stop where the riders were scheduled to refuel.

Vik - ready to ride out for the Run for the Wall

Tim - ready to ride out for the Run for the Wall

The roads through eastern Colorado are lazy and long and the view is unremarkable, still they are a nice change from the hustle of the city.

The trip was uneventful and the sights along the way were unremarkable. Eastern Colorado is grassy plains dotted with farm, dairy and ranch lands. A huge wind farm is going up near Limon off of Hwy 71. We didn't know about that until today. The road (Hwy 71) about 30 miles out from Limon is in really bad condition... a pot hole gauntlet in serious danger of reverting back to a cattle trail.

We estimated the riders were still about an hour out so we strolled through the truck stop, bought a cup of coffee, said a quick howdy to the American Legion Riders (the host of this fuel stop) and then found an advantageous spot to shoot some photos and video clips.

In the meantime, the skies filled with dark, ominous clouds and spit some rain. It was also getting windy.

The riders came in waves, road guards, staging crew, fueling crew, and finally the riders... we estimate about 200 or so. There were also several support vehicles carrying water and pulling trailers. You could hear the rumble as they approached the bridge long before you saw them.

We found the organization of the fueling really interesting. This fuel stop was compliments of the American Legion Riders of Limon. That means the riders did not have to pay for fuel at this stop. We spoke with a road guard (Mike, from Gallup NM) who had been making this journey since 1998. He said today was a good day, two fuel stops were paid by organizations like the ALR, school kids sang to them in Raton, the streets of Trinidad were lined with flag-waving patriots and lunch in LaJunta was great and so far (he said this with a brow arched to the east at the clouds boiling on the horizon) they had ridden in light rain. The other thing we found remarkable is how much gear some of the riders were carrying. Of course, many of them were camping along the way. Still, I looked at Tim and said I think we were planning to travel really light compared to the others. Vets of this ride would have labeled us FNG(s) for sure. Ha!

Storm clouds between the RFTW riders and their destination, Goodland, KS

We hung around watching the riders get ready for the next leg of their journey which would be Goodland, KS for the night. Many of them with an eye to the sky, pulled out their wet gear. And almost all heads turned east as they rode out over the ridge that led back to I-70.

Squalls forming over the foothills and rolling down into our neck of the woods - we managed to stay just ahead of them. These little suckers can be nasty - they look like rain but can dump snow, sleet and hail as well.

The skies looked somewhat better in the opposite direction, but given how quickly they were building we decided to skedaddle back to our neck of the woods via the interstate (I-70). The winds were howling. Normally on a ride like this we will scoot over as close to the foothills as we can and ride the smaller roads home. As we rode along with a great view of the foothills and mountains, we watched one ornery little squall after another form and roll over the foothills. So, we stayed well east of the foothills and our favorite roads. 331 miles later we rolled into the drive about ten minutes before straight-line winds hit our area.

Bikers and veterans go hand in hand and I can assure you that we never forget. That rumbling sound you hear when a group of bikes come together is not noise sir, it is the harmony of brotherhood coming together for a purpose and cause. ~~ Crysta Baker

A group of bikers and veterans and patriots rode through tiny town Colorado today and for just a little while the area was lit with the light of patriotism... long may our flag wave and may we never forget those who gave their all...

This is the video I shot today of the RFTW riders arriving and departing Limon, CO.

Run for the Wall 2011 - Limon, CO

---

Run for the Wall