Hello from Colorado, USA

[Big_John]

bHello everyone! I just joined the HUBB today and am thrilled to find this outstanding site. After a couple of hours of perusing....while also watching some good ole American Football....I am realizing that there are thousands of hours of reading here. I will dive in and learn all I can from those that have already posted.

I found this site because of an interest and a connection. The interest comes in the way of some needed trip planning. I am throwing together a small group to ride Copper Canyon in early 2010. The connection....well, I was honored to be invited and participate in the 2009 Big Dog Ride. The Big Dog Ride gets its web presence from this site. Anyway, I am amazed by all the wonderful travel stories and ride reports and all the collective wisdom and knowledge are astounding.

I am a regular on ADVRider, ThumperTalk and StromTrooper. Yep, I ride a well equipped Suzuki DL650 and I also have one of the rare, American, NX650's.

My quest the past three years has been to 'ride out' and explore all that Colorado has to offer. While I haven't riden every dirt road or trail, I have experienced most of Colorado and it is now time to spread my wings. Mexico....here I come!!!!!

The next big ride will be Prudoe Bay the summer of 2011 with my two sons. My older boy already has his DL650....and my younger one will get his in the next year or so (he is currently riding the NX).

Anyway, thanks in advance for all the information and help!!!!

[KUpchu9702]

Big John, glad to have you onboard. I too am hear in Colorado but up by Aspen. I rode the Big Dog ride back in 1999 and 2000. I was planning to ride this year as it was the reunion ride but schedule prevented me from doing so. I am an eight year veteran of the Colorado 500 as well. I have been a guide for MotoDiscovery, specializing in Mexico, Central America and South America, on and off since 1993. My wife and I have ridden from Texas to Santiago, Chile where her bike blew-up and we cut the trip short, back in 1999. We also spent four months touring from Europe to Moscow, USSR back in 1988.
If I can be of any help with your plans for the Copper Canyon, let me know. My Great-Grandfather was the founder of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, as well as the United Sugar Refining Company and was the driving force behind the Copper Canyon train. Unfortunately he died back in 1937 while on an around the world trip in Hong Kong, China. The railroad project was then sold to the Mexican government and eventually opened in 1960.

Ken Upchurch

PS-Nice photos of what looks like either Mosquito or Pearl Pass.

[hmadams]

Welcome John,

I too am from Colorado (Manitou Springs) and made the copper canyon last year with three other fellows. I have tentative plans for Mexico's West Coast over Xmas, still kinda up in the air. We went to Copper last spring break--had a blast but needed more time. It is very safe and very friendly. Again welcome...Mike

[Big_John]

Originally Posted by KUpchu9702

Big John, glad to have you onboard. I too am hear in Colorado but up by Aspen. I rode the Big Dog ride back in 1999 and 2000. I was planning to ride this year as it was the reunion ride but schedule prevented me from doing so. I am an eight year veteran of the Colorado 500 as well. I have been a guide for MotoDiscovery, specializing in Mexico, Central America and South America, on and off since 1993. My wife and I have ridden from Texas to Santiago, Chile where her bike blew-up and we cut the trip short, back in 1999. We also spent four months touring from Europe to Moscow, USSR back in 1988.
If I can be of any help with your plans for the Copper Canyon, let me know. My Great-Grandfather was the founder of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, as well as the United Sugar Refining Company and was the driving force behind the Copper Canyon train. Unfortunately he died back in 1937 while on an around the world trip in Hong Kong, China. The railroad project was then sold to the Mexican government and eventually opened in 1960.

Ken Upchurch

PS-Nice photos of what looks like either Mosquito or Pearl Pass.

Thanks Ken!! You will be a wealth of knowledge that I will definitely tap in to.

By the way...pretty close guess. The first pic is actually my second trip over Cinnamon Pass in the San Juans and that half mile of rock is the road just to the West of Flag Mountain, in between the Collegiates and Crested Butte.

Originally Posted by hmadams

Welcome John,

I too am from Colorado (Manitou Springs) and made the copper canyon last year with three other fellows. I have tentative plans for Mexico's West Coast over Xmas, still kinda up in the air. We went to Copper last spring break--had a blast but needed more time. It is very safe and very friendly. Again welcome...Mike

Thanks Mike. With you being so close, we will have to hook up for a ...so that I can pick your brain, face to face.