Golden Gravel questions

[UncaBuddha]

I see a tracker (John Newberry) about to start in Cape Girardeau! Are you on here John? Give us some deets! I want to know about parking in Cape G and possible gravel out/pavement back options!

[Firefighterjohn]

Just got on the forum.  I’m starting the Golden Gravel trail on Tuesday May 26th weather permitting. My wife is going to meet me at the end of each day with our van.  She will be doing this for a few days, then I’m on my own.  I have ridden the GDMBR twice, solo, most recent was last year.
John Newberry AKA Firefighter John

[jamawani]

Colorado and much of the Intermountain West face unprecedented fire risk this summer.
The past six months have broken records for high temperatures and lack of precipitation.
People in their 90s have never seen such conditions.
It looks like August - in May - in many places.

You should be aware that National Forests in the West implement Stage 3 closures -
closed to all entry - when fire risk is extreme. These closures are expected this summer.

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/06052026/colorado-severe-fire-risk-resources/

Here's a current first risk map of Colorado - for mid-May which is the peak precipitation month btw -
https://co-pub.coloradoforestatlas.org/#/

[UncaBuddha]

Just got on the forum.  I’m starting the Golden Gravel trail on Tuesday May 26th weather permitting. My wife is going to meet me at the end of each day with our van.  She will be doing this for a few days, then I’m on my own.  I have ridden the GDMBR twice, solo, most recent was last year.
John Newberry AKA Firefighter John

Have a GREAT ride and let us know how it is going!

[John Nettles]

I live near the GG in Oklahoma and was on it last weekend at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.  If you are lucky,  you can see hundreds of free-range bison but usually with just 5-20 near the unfenced roads.  Do not be stupid and try to get a selfie while you pet a bison as they are wild here. 

I was going to post a picture but the website does not allow a 3.1mb picture anymore for some reason. 

The GG should be a wonderful route for those who enjoy gravel.  The section between Cape Girardeau, MO, and La Junta, CO, should be a good introduction to gravel touring for beginners as it is much less climbing with much more resupply points compared to the western half.  In La Junta, you can grab Amtrak or a bus or you can ride into Pueblo to get a plane, bus, or rental car.

Tailwinds, John

[BikeliciousBabe]

Do not be stupid and try to get a selfie while you pet a bison as they are wild here. 

Especially if they have their young around.  The YouTubes is replete with videos of people getting too close to the bests with less-than-favorable outcomes.

[mattdwyerva]

A Facebook post says that John Newberry was hit by a truck and killed while riding "on the DD North of Grassy."

Not sure if it is actually true or not, but tragic if so.   I have no idea what the DD is, nor where Grassy is.

[John Nelson]

"DD" is a Missouri highway designation. "Grassy" refers to Grassy, Missouri. It's 100 miles south of St. Louis, and only 40 miles west of the origin of the Golden Gravel Trail in Cape Girardeau.

[mattdwyerva]

Thanks, John.   It looks like the route is on DD for one mile.  I have ridden and laid out routes that have short stretches of dangerous highway, it is generally impossible to avoid having a few bad roads in any route, and tragic when a cyclist is killed.   There but for the grace of God go I. Looking at MO traffic map for DD, it says less than 300 cars per day in each direction which is very light.

[UncaBuddha]

I fear the bad news is true as John Newberry's tracker is now missing from the ACA Drop In Rides map... I didn't know John except for our brief exchange above but this news really hits me hard. So sorry for his family and hope they can find some little comfort knowing that he was doing what he loved and wanted to do. Ugh...