OUT ON THE LOOP








 Closing in on our 2 day All Bike Rally so time to check everything over and make sure it runs
smoothly. The last clues have been collected, the rubber stamps are here, so just the reluctant
travelocity gnomes to find their way into deepest Colorado........ and then of course it would be nice
to get some riders!



The Gnome Army gets ready to go to Colorado

 Day One plan to ride the Ouray Loop in a clockwise direction solving the 35 clues and collecting a
few "tie break" items en route. About 230 miles of fun riding but be aware that if DOT has put up
corner arrows then they mean it! As always any riding in the mountains at this time of the year can
be subject to some vicious thunderstorms or you can slip round never seeing a drop, let's hope
for the latter. Don't forget your rain gear!



No guard rails....... and a few drops!



Ouray-Silverton


 Day 2 goes the other way round and this time you only get the first clue and then you are on your own.
As you solve the clues you will be given the next one and fairly obviously they will be at selected
"watering holes" around the course. There will be a couple of "Immunity Idols" out there and these will
act as "wild cards" for the poker run.



Hello, I'm an Immunity Idol

 When all the required pieces are here I will be off for another personal run round the course to deliver
the clues, stamps, and gnomes, not forgetting to hide the Immunity Idols somewhere............ Where do
gnomes hide? from what I'm told there are outside fellows with a passion for water!...... usually warm!
 ....... but of course not all gnomes sit by fish pools and here I offer up a picture of an old friend and
RAF team mate doing his impression of the said garden gnome complete with fishing rod.




Garden Gnome by pool courtesy Dick Clears



Gnome Home ?



Gnome Changing room clothing optional !

 So almost a done deal lets have a look at the road from the rider's position or more correctly from
the helmet cam when the passenger was feeling condfident enough to take the pictures.



Dolores to Telluride on the SE VROD



Rico to Dolores




Off the mountain coming down to Silverton




?




Nice bit of road




Mancos to Dolores


 Some great riding and a lot of fun so hurry up and make those bookings!


TONY DOWN