5. Cottonwood Pass

Late summer of 1978 found us on the way to tackle Cottonwood Pass. The new KZ 900 Kawasaki was so overloaded that the luggage rack bent before we rode fifty miles.

On the way to Colorado we stopped at the Dairy Queen in Jetmore, Kansas. Two riders pulled in from the west. We watched them take off helmets, gloves, scarves and jackets thinking something was odd about their appearance. As the riding gear came off it finally dawned on us that they were little old ladies -- retired school teachers from Dimmitt, Texas. They were on their way to visit a sister in Admire, Kansas. We visited a little while and then went our separate ways. You really do meet some interesting folks when you ride!

Two days later.....here we are at the blueberry pie shop at Taylor Reservoir - the jumping off place for hardy souls who are brave enough (or cheerfully inexperienced enough) to challenge Cottonwood Pass. Actually, I rode across Cottonwood Pass...Judy walked! The grades were a little steeper, the gravel a little deeper and the turns a little tighter than we had expected. At each switchback we'd stop, get off the bike, walk around the turn and survey the road. Then I'd get on the bike, negotiate the turn, go up to a level spot and wait for Judy to catch up. Together we turned a simple 45 minute climb into a day long test of endurance and fortitude.

When Judy finally got to the summit we rested a while, took the obligatory pictures, saddled up and headed down the other side. What a difference! I can truly say that this is when I learned to ride -- not from skill or ability but from sheer panic. There are no brakes made that can hold back your forward progress on this steep descent. It was either make the turns at speed or go off the mountain. After a dozen or so “skillful” negotiations of the downhill switchbacks I relaxed and became more comfortable with the bike and quite pleased with my new-found skills. Judy remembers this trip somewhat differently, but then she has more nerve that I do.

No way would I have ridden behind me up and down that mountain!