Colorado Triumph Riders – July Ride Report

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Colorado Triumph Riders – July 2025 Newsletter

June brought the heat, and our crew brought the miles. We kicked off the month with the proving run for the upcoming ADV Ride Challenge, dialing in the route, scenery, and overall flow. We made it enjoyable at any skill level, nothing overly technical, but a good ride for a Tiger or Scrambler.

We also had our monthly Triumphs, Friends, and Coffee meetup up north at NoCo Powersports in Fort Collins, and it was awesome to connect with both new faces and longtime friends. Just before that, we capped off June with a ride to Aspen and lunch in the mountains. The weather was perfect, the bikes were humming, and the turnout was solid all around.

In other news—big shoutout to the member who donated a 2005 Triumph Sprint ST to the group. It’s already on the lift and getting some love. We’ve begun stripping it down and will first be addressing the electrical system, followed by a deep dive into the mechanicals. From there, depending on funding, we’ll start polishing up the cosmetics. This will be our Spring Thaw 2026 giveaway bike, so if you're wrench-minded and want to help, reach out!

Speaking of Spring Thaw—we’re planning to take it up a notch. We’re looking at turning it into a full weekend moto-camping experience. Think:

• Check-in Friday afternoon
   
• Chill meet & greet that evening
   
• Group rides Saturday (both pavement and dirt)
   
• Vendors, demos, and gear at the main base
   
• Moto films, live entertainment, and giveaways that night (including the Sprint)
   
• Sunday: self-guided rides with curated maps, good coffee, and better company
   

We’ll have options for people who just want to drop in for the day too. 

More details coming soon, but pencil it in. June 5th to 7th, 2026 - Spring into Summer

There’s been a noticeable uptick in rider incidents around Colorado lately. While many are still under investigation and it’s not our place to point fingers, it’s a good moment for a reminder.

Colorado roads are brutal. Potholes, gravel, unexpected sand in corners, wildlife, and sightseers—it’s all out there. On top of that, morning and evening rides mean long shadows, and when your shadow stretches out in front of you, you’re practically invisible to oncoming traffic. Stay sharp.

We’ve also seen a growing trend of motorcyclists riding with a bit too much… intensity. Sometimes it feels like riders are starting to embody the stereotypes we normally push back against.

Here are a few ways to stack the odds in your favor:

• Ride with a buffer. Give yourself space—not just between vehicles, but side-to-side too. Don’t hang out in blind spots.
   
• Look twice, move once. Lane changes, turns, and merging all deserve a pause. Scan the mirrors, check your surroundings, and double check the shoulder.
   
• Be seen. Bright gear, high-viz vests, and even a well-placed reflective sticker or two can make all the difference. Modulate your lights if you can. Especially that brake light if you haven't filtered to the front. Our brake light blinds in with the vehicle in front of you at a red light. Three quick bursts of the front brake lever, followed by three longs ones. Then mix it with different rhtyms so that doesn't start to blend. Don't be afraid to flash the high beam when going through an intersection either.
   
• Don’t over-trust intersections. A green light doesn't guarantee that left-turning car sees you. Cover your brakes and be ready to adjust.
   
• Smooth inputs. Jerky throttle or aggressive braking can upset traction and balance. Ride smooth, especially in questionable surface conditions.
   
• Scan constantly. Your head should always be on a swivel—especially when riding through traffic, construction zones, or changing light/shadow areas.
   

Look—we get it. Someone cuts you off, you get that rush of adrenaline, and the ego kicks in. But when it happens, take a breath. Don’t let that car (or its driver) live rent-free in your head. You were aware, present, and skilled enough to avoid it. That’s the win. Escalating doesn’t solve anything—especially when you're on something that weighs a few hundred pounds going up against a vehicle ten times your size.

Let it go, move along, and enjoy the rest of your ride. You’ve got nothing to prove when you’ve already proven you’re sharp enough to be here tomorrow.  We get it—you were wronged, and yeah, they should be held accountable. But risking your life and your machine to deliver that punishment isn’t justice—it’s just trading one bad decision for another. 

Mark your calendars:
Triumphs, Friends, and Coffee – July 19th
10:00 AM at Loyal Coffee (Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs)

We’ll hang for a bit, then cruise south on CO-115 for a relaxed ride down to Cañon City and up Skyline Drive at 11:00 AM. Bring your camera—the views are killer.

Ride safe, ride smart, and we’ll see you out there.

— CTR Team