We left Santa Fe and headed north west towards Pagosa Springs. Into the Rockies, into Navajo country and into Rio Grande National Park. It’s a slight detour but life doesn’t travel in a straight line and neither do we.

Just throwing in a handful of philosophy for pint sized brains. Quart people please read Freud. Pint people just you stay here and I will meet your requirements.

The sky is shining and the sun is not hot enough for any melodramatics from the pillion seat. Life is good. I’m relaxed.

Well I’m not too relaxed because there’s been a minor mechanical problem with the bike since Fort Worth that I haven’t mentioned. But if I don’t mention it and hope for the best then all will be fine. It’s called ‘head in the sand’ leadership. I’m sure you recognise it.

Here’s the first of some stills from the video camera.

Everything is great and we reach our motel in the early afternoon and relax. Well Susan does. I’m still thinking about the problems with the bike. Susan leaves the worrying to me. Oh, did I say problem in the plural? Yes I did. I was misleading you. I’m sure you recognise that management style as well!

In a one horse town there’s not many options for beer. There’s even less options for food but that’s not really my main concern. It’s beer, Susan, bike then food. That’s the order of my life priorities on this journey.

There’s one option for beer – the scruffy (from the outside) motel bar.

Well how wrong can outward appearances be? An ugly duckling with a heart of gold. I just know you can relate to that as well.

I swung open the old black scruffy front door with purple windows and was met with bar heaven.

A speakeasy bar with more cheesy than easy.

With outstanding beer, a great barman and me. What else could you want in this world? Not many patrons because it’s a one horse town and all the interesting people in town are already in the bar!

After I had a beer too many we went to a Texmex restaurant next door with great food. I had another beer after my one too many. The only downside to another beer was the obligatory frown from the frown maiden.

Next day we travelled to Montrose. Yup, that’s Montrose, Colorado, that was named after the Marquis of Montrose who a character in Sir Walter Scott’s novel ‘The Legend of Montrose’. The novel was an inspiration for an early citizen.

Small world.

We then went to Maccies for dinner. I had a nice Texmex lined up but Big Dog had her Maccies face on. I had no choice.

Now I know what you’re thinking – move on Clif, we already know Big Dog loves a Maccies when she’s on holiday. Let’s not dwell.

Well what if I tell you something interesting. What if I tell you this Maccies is one of a few in the world.

So have you ever seen this?

A single arch! Over 38,000 Maccies in the world and only seven in the world have a single arch! Nice!

After Montrose we headed for Manitou Springs. It was a big ride over the Colorado mountains and we reached 11,300 feet. That’s 2.14 miles!

Oh I know some of you with salacious minds will have read this article thinking ‘big helmet heid’ has joined the two mile high club.

Well, I will tell you quite honestly, just between you and me, when we got to two miles I was thinking about those problems with the bike and it entirely slipped my mind!

We stopped at Silverton for a break. I wasn’t relaxed – it’s the bike problems that I’m not talking about.

Susan relaxed with the old silver carts, forgetting about her worries and her strife. She’s thinking about her bare necessities, the simple bare necessities like her Ritz snack crackers and life.

I petted the bike to make sure it would get us home.

These roads don’t have any safety barriers and it’s a very long way down. Apparently safety barriers restrict the snowploughs’ ability to shove snow off the mountain.

On the incline there’s usually two lanes and I sit in the overtaking lane. If cars want to overtake they can undertake. I’ve got my position and I’m keeping it. We don’t want to be on the nearside where the road is often subsiding down the mountain.

I will give the American drivers the credit they deserve – they’re generally very understanding and considerate. Not without exception of course, but they’re so much better than British drivers.

Oh that’s controversial!

Well that’s a sweeping statement and this blog is all about sweeping statements.

American drivers kind of appreciate they share the road with other road users and are less selfish, arrogant and more considerate.

What’s more it’s quite apparent to Susan, both on the motorbike and as a pedestrian.

Nuffsaid.

Another mountain pass photo. Yes Susan is actually looking at my speed, looking at the corner ahead and giving me guidance. Teamwork.

It was the most wonderful journey to Manitou Springs and the town itself, whilst a little bit touristy, is still very nice and relaxed.

We checked into our hotel, went for a walk and found heaven.

Finally, more motorbike photos. This time from ‘Garden of the Gods’.

Colorado is wonderful.

If I ever go to heaven then let it be like Colorado!

• Adventure motorcycle
• Colorado
• North America