BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF COLORADO

BMW Motorcycle Club of Colorado - Pass Bagger 50, 100, 150, 200, 250

The purpose of the Pass Bagger quest is encourage riders to travel some of the most scenic and fun roads in the state of Colorado, taking them to places they might not otherwise see.

The Pass Bagger is a self-directed ride that can be accomplished at your own pace over any number of years.

Completion of the Pass Bagger requires that you ride your motorcycle to the summit of Colorado passes of your own choosing and photograph the event (see details below). After you complete each level of the Pass Bagger,

Submit the required information and fee, and if the ride is certified, you will be recognized on the club web site and will receive level-specific mementos of your Pass Bagger rides around Colorado.

Details:

Step 1

Before starting each level of the Pass Bagger (PB), complete the Registration Form and send it to the PB Coordinator. You will then be added to the PB e-mail list and will be given access to the Pass Bagger Facebook page. (A change from previous years: you will submit payment of fees for awards when you complete your PB.)

You register for the Pass Bagger at any time.

The registration for each level of the PB will stay in effect for as long as it takes you to complete that level of the Pass Bagger.

Step 2

Check the lists of Colorado paved passes, unpaved passes and gaps/summits that will count for the PB. Then plan your route, using the provided geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) to help you determine right where you need to go. The passes and gaps on the lists include those that are listed in the USGS database, described in The Passes of Colorado, an Encyclopedia of Watershed Divides by Ed and Gloria Helmuth, shown in the Colorado Road & Recreation Atlas published by Benchmark Maps, and/or marked by signs posted by CDOT, the USFS or the BLM. Check the road sign (if available), your map, and/or GPS to verify you are at the right place.

Step 3

Print the Ride Log sheet for the PB level that you are starting.

Step 4

Ride to the summit of the passes or to the gaps/summits.

Step 4a 

Check the road sign (if available), your map, and/or GPS to verify you are at the right place.

Step 4b

At each pass’ summit or each gap/summit, enter the name of the pass or gap/summit , the date, and the time on the Ride Log. The log not only helps organize information for the certification process, but also helps the rider as future rides are planned.

Step 4c

At the pass’ summit or each gap/summit that has a sign, take a photo that includes your motorcycle and the sign.

At the pass’ summit or the gap/summit, that does not have a sign, take photos that include your motorcycle and the terrain in both directions.It is strongly recommended, but not required, that you also take a photo of your GPS display, or telephone app, showing the geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude). Example: N 39 47 54.0 W 105 46 33.7, which can be in dd mm ss.s, dd mm.mmm or dd.ddddd format.

Sometimes it is helpful to also take photos of signs in the vicinity that include the name of pass, such as North Cochetopa Pass Summit 2 miles, Bassam Park that-a-way, Slumgullion Creek, or Currant Creek Ranch.

Take enough photos so it is easy for the PB Coordinator to verify you were at the right place.

In some cases you might consider it unsafe to stop right at the pass’ summit, or at the gap/summit, for photos. In those cases use your judgement to take the photos from someplace nearby.

Step 5

At the completion of each set of 50 passes, gap and summits:

Step 5a

Organize your digital photos using these naming conventions:

At passes/gaps/summits with signs at the summit or in the gap, only one photo is required: pass/gap/summit-name.jpg - example: berthoud-pass.jpg

At passes without signs at the summit, or at gaps without signs, where multiple photos are required: pass/gap/summit-name-#.jpg - example: wind-river-pass-1.jpg , wind-river-pass-2.jpg , wind-river-pass-3.jpg

Submit enough photos so it is easy for the PB Coordinator to verify you were at the summit/gap/summit.

Copy your digital photos to a flash drive, DVD or CD.

If submitting non-digital photographs, label them on the back as described above.

Step 5b

Double check your photos and the Ride Log.

Step 5c

Fill in the blanks on the Completion Form.

Step 5d

Submit the Completion Form, Ride Log, and the photos to the PB Coordinator, either via USPS mail or in person.

Scans of the Completion Form and Ride Log can also be included on the flash drive, DVD or CD.

Mailing address: BMW Motorcycle Club of Colorado, Attn: Pass Bagger Coordinator, PO Box 742, Morrison, CO

80465-5742

Submit the fee for the awards (mug, stickers, etc.), either by on-line payment using the “Purchase Pass Bagger Awards” button on the https://bmwmcc.org/the-pass-bagger web page, or by mail with a check (made out to BMWMCC) and included with your photos.

Step 6a

The PB Coordinator will review the submitted materials and will communicate with the rider if there are questions or issues.

Step 6b

Receive your recognition on the Pass Bagger “Hall of Fame”  page, in the club’s “In the Wind” newsletter, and on the Pass Bagger Facebook page.

Receive the awards by mail or in person.

The PB Coordinator will review the submitted materials and will communicate with the rider if there are questions

For further information, contact the Pass Bagger Coordinator Carl Thomte