Blue in Front of Garden of the Gods
Blue's Replacement in SE Kansas (Bald Eagle Watching Over Me)
Sport Touring Division (in the process of forming)
I am Garry Durfey, owner and operator of Blue Wing Tours and Training (BWT&T). As I am completing my third year, changes are taking place all around me. The original idea came from living in the incredible Colorado Rockies and the love of riding motorcycles with friends. I do want to emphasize the part about riding with friends: I don't mind putting miles on by myself, but doing so with friends is to me the best thing in the world. I put the two together along with the opportunity to teach motorcycle safety classes for ABATE of Colorado (and potentially other training sites). Thus, BWT&T was formed.
Now, how in the world did I come up with that name?? I have to refer back to the friends part. Back in the Mid-Atlantic area where I really started riding, a group of my friends and I would be heading out for the afternoon, day, or weekend. Often times I would end up in front. At first I was the stuckee, later it was just my place in the line of 3 or 4 bikes. Many a time I would ask where we were going and the only response back was that the friends were following the Blue Wing. Well, that Gold Wing moved to Colorado with me and together we spent 11 years and over 100,000 miles traveling, sight-seeing, commuting, and training. Blue has headed to greener, (at least warmer) pastures in Lake Havasu, AZ, where if the new owners enjoy the bike as much as I have they will certainly have fun and favorable memories.
As I am beginning my 5th year here in Colorado (Jan 2006), there is a new Wing in the garage which may not be Blue in color, but I feel just as excited when I first bought Blue in 1995!! The year looks to be an exciting one: I have great teaching opportunities opening up; I am hoping to obtain what Colorado calls 3rd Party Licensing Certification; and I may explore private riding lessons for the first time.
I do need to digress for a moment: I picked up my new Gold Wing from Honda of Chanute, Chanute, KS, on the way to Arkansas to visit family for Thanksgiving. As it was a gorgeous day, I was able to ride the 150 or so miles on down to Bella Vista. Along the way, I spotted this Bald Eagle watching over Highway 400 outside of Baxter Springs so I stopped and had my traveling companion take the picture. It just gave me a good feeling of having an Eagle look over my Gold Wing on its maiden ride.
Search through my pages for information, stories, adventures or feel free to contact me on or about anything. Oh, almost forgot: my interest in old Gold Wings continues. There are several new projects in the garage (and a friend's garage) that will keep me busy for a while. The list now includes a custom painted 1976 GL1000, a 1984 Gold Wing Standard, and I am still tinkering with my 1976 Red Wing and getting ready to swap out parts for polished parts. Even though I now own a 2005, I do love vintage Wings. Older Wings are not bad bikes, not a single one of them. The newer ones have just gotten that much better with each generation!! What will they do for the 6th generation???
Please use this site to start your planning. I have suggestions for pass rides, camping, out-of-the-way locations, popular tourist destinations, and all the wonderful roads between. Other activities can be undertaken on these wonderful trips such as white water rafting, fly fishing, exploring ghost towns, hiking, and of course photography is a must!!
My primary goal with this endeavor is to be of service to those who want to tour Colorado on motorcycle. However, you don't have to ride to enjoy this wonderful region of our great country. I will attempt to help any that contact me.
How I can help: Contact me either by e-mail or phone, tell me of your desires, plans, or wishes, and I will see what I can do from route planning, points of interest, or the recommendation of a restaurant. The cost: Feedback!! I want to hear back from you after the trip (during if you desire) so that I can provide the best possible service to riders!! Hopefully I did a great job and if I did, spread the word. Of course, my desire is to make income at some point in the future, but tips will be accepted in this interim period.
Disclaimer: I am not a travel agent or represent those who are: my efforts are to be taken as "advice" and I am certainly not responsible for uncertain Colorado weather. I will only make recommendations in the same manner in which we all should ride: there is inherent risk in our activities. Having said that, I will recommend nothing that I would not do or have not already done!!!
This web site focuses on touring the Colorado Rockies. The “Training,” briefly mentioned above, comes from my interest in giving back to the life-style that has given me so much. I recently earned my Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach Certification and work as an independent contractor for ABATE and potentially other organizations in the near future. If you desire the MSF’s Beginners RidersCourse or Experienced RidersCourse, please contact ABATE.
A Taste of the Colorado Scenery
Sunset from Peterson AFB: Cheyenne Mountain
Pikes Peak from Garden of the Gods
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Copyright Blue Wing Tours & Training 2006