Ducati Monster Forum

Hey all,

Looks like the forum has been quiet most likely due to the winter weather.  I wanted to drop a line and introduce myself since I will be moving to Denver in March for a requested work transfer.  I also wanted to get some of your opinions on locations to consider living and to get an idea of how safe my bike will be on the street/in a garage/in a yard.  

I am turning 30 in a few days, rock climbing (bouldering) and fly fishing are my major activities at the moment but in general I play almost every sport.  When the weather permits I ride almost any chance I get which generally is a few days a week and I make my own work schedule so spur of the moment rides on nice days are common place.  I have had my monster for three seasons and it was my first bike.  Just like everyone else on here, I love my monster.  Living here in Northern Va has given me an opportunity to get on some good roads and I feel like I am a fairly good street rider.  I generally ride alone but that is just a function of schedule and I would really like to get out with some other riders.  I think it will help me become a better rider.    

I just started looking on trusty craigs list for houses/rooms to rent.  I have an idea of the situation I am looking for but I am not sure of the locations to aim for.  I do have one friend out there in grad school and he suggests where he lives in washington park.  My main concern is my bike.  Living here in Va i would keep it outside but I was always a little paranoid I would wake up one day and it would be gone. I would like to avoid street or unsecured parking garage storage if I can.  

Any advice in any of the following areas would be greatly appreciated.  
1. good climbing gyms/outdoor spots
2. secret fishing spots with monster trout     ;D
3. a good area of the city to move (preferably 15-20 minutes from the city with safe parking for my bike and a gym  
                                                 facility included in my rent)

Thanks in advance for any responses and Ill look forward to riding with you when the season starts (when does it start in CO?).  

Brian

Welcome to the area.  [beer]

There are quite a few riders here in the area that meet regularly.  However, due to the meltdown on TOB, many choose to use an e-mail list for communications.  PM me or "Titty" your addy, and we'll get you on the list.

Here is a website for more info about rides/get-togethers, etc:  http://www.denvereurotrash.com/DEMC/Welcome_to_the_DEMC.html (http://www.denvereurotrash.com/DEMC/Welcome_to_the_DEMC.html)

As far as where to live, based on your desire for proximity to canyons & streams, you'll probably want to look towards the west side of the area, closer to the front range.  Unfortunately, I have no info on "good" places out that way.  Hopefully a few others will chime in.

- R

Hi Brian and welcome!

If climbing is that much a part of your life, I would recommend you head towards Boulder.  There are world class climbers, climbing gyms and of course the world-renowned Eldorado Canyon State Park.  Plus, it's at the foothills of all the great twisties.  Boulder is interesting, beautiful and, in my opinion, intolerable at times (many haters of many things). 

Denver on the other hand is a more tolerant and diverse city.  Wash(ington) Park is nice but no less at risk of crime than other areas.  Higher cost of living and more mainstream than other neighborhoods.  The Highlands are fun, more diverse and maybe a little pricier than Wash Park.  You may want to check out Golden, CO as well - also at the foothills, south of Boulder.

Both Boulder and Golden have rivers for immediate access to fishing.

Fort Collins is a fun town as well with all the amenities you're looking for.

Lots of choices for you!  Make sure you get a hold of any of us when you venture this way and we'll be happy to buy you a beverage and show you around!

 [thumbsup]

come on out...Ill show you some hidden gems for fly fishing and loan you a bike to boot!!!

Welcome, Brian!

The Spot in Boulder is a great climbing gym, but hosts more attitude than SNL. Try Rockin' & Jammin" (lame name, I know) in Denver for a good climbing gym. There is also a great little climbing gym in Fort Collins called Inner Strength. There is a new climbing gym in Denver that my friend goes to and likes, but I haven't tried it yet. Tehre is outdoor sport climbing and bouldering all up and down the front range.

For fishing, I've heard that northern CO is better than close to Denver. I could ask my cousin for more specific info if you're interested.

Try looking in Golden, or even Longmont (longer drive, but cheaper, and close to alot of canyons) for housing. Wash park is great. I lived there for several years. I would get a garage there for the bike. There are a few nice apartment complexes in Denver West that include garages and fitness facilities, depending on your price range. The Camden at Denver West looks like a very nice complex.

I'll tour you around the Fort Collins/Loveland/Longmont area if you want to look up here. Just PM me.  [beer]

all great guys but NONE of that is 15 min from downtown. You want to live that close to Denver you'll be in the ghetto.

Loveland, fort collins, boulder, longmont... your looking at an hour commute.

oh and those monster trout your dreamin about? Try Alaska, I hear there's good fishing out there.  cheers  [beer]

I prefer 'hood.

Denver native speaking...... Ahem.. ;D

If you are looking for a short commute and quick access to the foothills for fishing, riding and mtb/hiking trails try Lakwood or Morrison.  Lakewood is right between the foothills and Denver.  It would be about a 20 min trip into denver in traffic hour and about a 30 min ride home. Lakwood has a newer development called BelMar.  It has lofts, apts, shopping etc.  Kinda trendy but also kinda suburban.

Morrison is at the base of the foothills and is really close to the popular Red Rocks Amphitheatre [thumbsup] and there is some boldering that goes on over there.  I dont bolder  but I see people up there doing it.  Morrison gives easy access to main highways (I-70 and C-470)  Morrison is also VERY close to some twisties for the Duc [moto]. 

Good luck!!  Hit me up if you need some more info. on these or other places you are interested in.

i like the sound of hidden gems  [thumbsup]

and thanks for the offer on the bike.  If yours is nicer then mine, Ill take you up on that offer.  ha   

thanks for all the ideas so far.  

At this point I am thinking of sticking close to denver or even in the city.  I would like to be somewhat near social things especially since I am basically moving only knowing one person in denver.  So assuming most of the suburbs are married and older folks, I think I am better off near the city.  Is that a fair assumption?  I know that if I live 25 minutes from that stuff I will hardly be inclined to drive in for it.  But in the end if I do go outside of the city I will be aiming for something west like Lakewood.  

I was looking at google maps and it looks like almost all the roads into the mountains are good roads to ride on.  Is that the case?  Here in Va I had to drive an hour + to get to any fun roads.   

is anyone members of any local fitness clubs?  Out here in va they are like 60 a month!  I was assuming it would be expensive there too but I heard around 30 is average.  At that rate I could place less emphasis on trying to find a place with a gym included. 

I can guarantee that they are, no matter what you currently ride.


There are a metric shit-ton of fitness clubs out here.  Some cities even have Rec Centers, which are part of the HOA fees.  I think you'll be able to find a place for around $30 a month.

And as far as locations are concerned, I live about 10 minutes east of Downtown, but can be on killer canyons in 45 minutes.

You can pick up a 2 year membership to 24-hour fitness for $299 at Costco.

Nice gyms, most are new or remodeled, just need to check your specific area for one close by. My only word of caution, they are typically packed at lunch and right after work, so it's a bear to get in and get a workout done in a timely fashion.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11499621&search=24 hour&Mo=3&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=24 hour&Ntt=24 hour&No=2&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1 (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11499621&search=24 hour&Mo=3&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=24 hour&Ntt=24 hour&No=2&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1)

All the chicks in this picture ARE included with your membership.  8)

If it's only one person keeping you from considering other areas, that's fine.  But don't think for a minute that Boulder and Golden are suburbs of Denver or lacking social life.  I think your best bet is to give yourself a fair amount of time to spend in each area so you can make a decision that's best for you.  Otherwise, move to Denver but lease and then explore once you get here.  Also, look at meetup.com to get an idea of who's doing what and where.  Just my 2cents.

+1 Stella!

Or move in with DDGM for 6 months and leech off him while you hunt...

Thanks for the meetup idea.  I was trying to remember that website the day you posted.  I was on there for a bit here in VA but never really did much with it.  I just signed up and got on the ducati riders group as well as a few others.

I wasnt lumping boulder and golden in with the suburbs of denver.  I was referring more to the areas like englewood, aurora and lakewood.  When I moved down to VA three years ago I had some friends to move in with so I didnt mind living in the suburbs. I also had a few friends from college living in DC (about 40 minutes from my place)so I could go down there to hang with them if I wanted.  I like most of what the suburbs have to offer.  However I am worried that since I really dont know anyone in colorado, if I live in the suburbs I am going to have a hard go of it.  My thought is that if I live in the city, Ill be closer to transplants and younger folks that are more up for meeting new people like myself.  Make sense?   Am I correct to assume that if you live in the areas surrounding Denver (lakewood, dtc, aurora, arvada) and want to go out at night, most people would go into denver or up to boulder?

two quick questions.

is there a decibel rule for exhaust on vehicles?  And if there is do the cops really care? 

Will my motorcycle license follow me to CO or will I have to retest? 
(I assume it would transfer but I couldnt find an answer on the dmv web site)

There is a rule specifically targeted at motorcycles in regards to the dB level.  However, I think the intent was more focused on the straight pipe Harley crowd, however silly that may sound.  I've got Termis on my 996 and haven't had an issue, nor have I heard of any issues from any other riders regarding that.  YMMV.

Yes, your M/C endorsement will carry over from another state.

Arvada has a noise oridinance, that unlike downtown Denver, IS enforced.  I have been pulled over on two of my Ducs.  [leo] [puke]

hey guys,
Its been a while since I have had time to get back on here.  It is coming down to crunch time for me as I hit the road in the box truck on Thursday.  I will be arriving in Denver on Saturday night and hopefully checking out about three places and making a decision to live in one of them.  Right now I am basically narrowed down to rooms to rent in highlands between one near 35th and zuni and another near rocky mountain park (45th and irving) and another place in congress park.  I am also still open for finding a place near wash park but they seem harder to come by and generally smaller homes/rooms.  Can I get any feedback (pros and cons) of both the highland and congress park area?

Thanks

I lived in North Denver for 17 years.  IMO, the 45th & Irving area is preferable to 35th & Zuni.  (No FHE with Congress Park.)  Of course, individual properties affect one's decision, too.

could you elaborate?  Based on the photos I have seen of the room and house I was leaning toward the zuni house.  I figured it was closer (not by much to the city) so I assumed it would be a better location as well.

Fresh Pants lives near the 35th/Zuni location, so maybe send him a PM, or he'll chime in here.

Highlands is an "up-and-coming" part of town.  There are a lot of cool, new restaurants, shops, housing going in that area.  Most of it is centered around 32nd Ave between Irving and Lowell, but you'll find pockets of small, family owned retail throughout the area.

Congress Park is much the same, although a more established neighborhood.

If it were me, I'd probably pick Highlands over Congress Park.

<subscribed>

... RELO imminent later this year  [evil] [evil] [evil]

Adam

I am finally a denver resident.  ;D

I moved into a pretty sweet place in congress park so I will have to drive a little further in the city streets to get out to the fun roads.  But I got a garage for the bike and even got out yesterday for a quick ride.  I cant wait till the good weather gets here for good. 

I joined a few meetup groups.  Does any one go to the thursday night meet at bannock street garage?

Hopefully Ill see some of you guys around. 

Hello,

There are two two Clubs that I am aware of, although I am sure there are more. 

The DMC (Ducati Motor Club - Denver) and the DEMC (Denver EuroTrash Motorcycle Club).

The DMC, that's the MeetUp.com group, joins my group, the DEMC, at the Bannack Street Garage every Thursday.

The DMC is an official DOC (Desmo Owner's Club), they are a bunch of good guys and we share a lot of events.  The DEMC decided not to be associated with any Brand or Dealership and we have a bunch of "piss-ant crybabies" for members (just kidding, the DEMC guys are the best, except for Jecek, Ben, Ray, Dan, and Johnny - they are the worst).

The DMC has their meet-up rides and Sundays where we, the DEMC, ride on Saturdays.

And everyone is invited to Mad-Moto to watch MotoGP and WSBK races on Sundays (when they are on of course).

The only real difference between the clubs is that we have Mojo, and everyone knows she kicks ass!

For more info either PM or go to www.denvereurotrash.com (http://) for more info.

Does that Mojo our mascot?   ;D

WTF kind of grammar is that?

LOL, more importantly,  why are you checking the DMF while on vacation with a beautiful woman in Hawaii???!!!!!!!!  [popcorn]

Poor Stella.  "Sorry honey, I dont have a headache, but I HAVE to check DDGM's grammar"

A moderator's moderating of a moderator is never done - even on Maui.   ;)

So as not to continue the threadjack, how is the settling in going, bschur13??  Welcome!

that is understood.

what is your excuse?!!!  8)


sounds like [drink] [drink] [drink] [drink] [drink] [drink] grammer to me.  ;D

sitting at a gas station waiting for him!