Top 5 Videos On Biker Oz YouTube Channel

 

There is absolutely no doubt social media videos are watched a great deal.  People enjoy social media videos for various reasons and their popularity are growing.  On line business to business company finally.agency states on its website: "In general, video's are much easier to consume; they convey information quickly and simply, and remove the need for the user to read lots of text or scroll through numerous pages."

I know my amateur videos aren't the best out there, but they even get a good amount of views.  I decided to see which had the most views out of the 99 videos as of Sept 1, 2024.  I was surprised by the two most viewed. Number 4 & 5 were expected to be popular since they are about riding some of the best roads in the Colorado Rocky Mountains (6 of the top 10 are from Colorado).  The second most watched video really took me by surprise as it is about a large swap meet in Texas.  The most watched is about an awesome motorcycle that Honda no longer manufactures.

Here are my top 5 most viewed videos on my YouTube Channel - in reverse order.

5) The Million Dollar Highway (US 550) in Southwest Colorado crosses over three major passes including Red Mountain Pass - elevation 11,018 feet, Coal Bank Pass - elevation 10,640 and Molass Pass - elevation 10,910.  Amazing scenery and beautiful mountain towns of Durango, Silverton and Ouray are all part of the Million Dollar Highway. VIDEO #5

4) Independence Pass on CO 82 from Twin Lakes (east end) to Aspen is a challenging road with great vistas of Colorado's tallest mountain, Mount Elbert, and the surround mountain range.  A stop at the top of the pass offers breathtaking views.  VIDEO #4

3) Interestingly Pitkin, Colorado sits in the middle of Colorado Rockies and the video occupies the middle of the top 5.  Pitkin is a small town and the hub to a lot of ATV, 4WD and dirt/adventure bike routes.  I had some pretty good bbq while I was there.  VIDEO #3

2) The Pate Swap Meet is held at the Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas.  It started in 1972 as the South Central Swap Meet.  According to pateswapmeet.com the swap meet has 1200 for the three day event.  VIDEO #2

1) The most viewed video from my channel is my long term review of my 2012 Honda VFR1200.   The VFR 1200 sport touring motorcycle came out in 2010 and was discontinued in 2017 when Honda release the VFR1200X, an adventure bike version.  I rode my VFR1200 for almost 8 years and 72,000+ miles.  VIDEO #1

Which was your favorite video of these five?  Let me know!  Also feel free to leave suggestions in a comment, as I try to improve on technique, editing and subjects.

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Two Wheels to Train Tracks

 

Riding in the Colorado Rockies, July 2023

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Riding in the Rocky Mountains is always a great experience.  Each mountain town has something fun, unique, historic, beautiful or a combination.  Durango sits on a portion of US Hwy 550 known as The Million Dollar Highway.  This road is deservedly on many lists of great roads to ride.  I have ridden it several times and enjoy the ride each time.  However, I have not always taken the time to stop and enjoy various towns, sites, attractions and experiences that are available along the way.

My 2023 Beat The Heat (BTH) tour was based out of Durango and we had five great days of riding and enjoying the breathtaking views, the unique and at times quirky mountain towns in Southwest Colorado.  Over the years I had ridden through Durgango several times but had not made time to experience the Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, well in July 2023 that changed.

The crew is preparing the train for the day's trip.

The Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has a rich history having arrived in Durango in 1881.  Transporting both people and freight the train was very busy. Over time it is estimated the rail hauled over $300 million in precious metals through the years.  The train is a registered as a National Historic Landmark and Hollywood has used the trains while filming various movies including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  Today the train is a popular attraction and provides year-round rides.  Several differnt rides/experiences are offered, all using original locomotives and cars.

Hollywood used the train in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

We decided on the excursion day of the BTH 2023 we were going to ride the train.  The most famous option is the ride to Silverton and back, but that is a 3.5 hour each way ride with a two hour layover in Silverton.  We were riding the motorcycles through Silverton the next day so we opted for the Cascade Canyon ride. 

The gondola allowed us to experience the ride in the fresh mountain air

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The BTH group reserved seats in one of the gondolas (roof and seats but open sides) going to Cascade Canyon.  This would be a 2.5 hour ride to Cascade Canyon with a one hour lunch time stop and then the ride back to the station.  We packed our own "brown bag" lunches for the day; however, an option to order a lunch in advance is provided, as well as a concession car is available during the ride.

There are several engines and cars with rich history

We arrived early so we could view the trains, checkout the gift store and some went to the free museum. Parking was easy, but in July there are a lot of people on vacation in Durango.  The staff did a great job of greeting everyone and when time for departure, ensuring we all loaded in a timely member. 

With a tradition long whistle from the steam engine the train pulled out of the station.  The tracks run almost parallel to CO 550 aka the Million Dollar Highway and along side the Animas River for about 16 miles.  It continues to run near the river and rises in elevation through scenic San Juan National Forest in the La Plata Mountain Range.

Our train winding up the canyon

 

Running along the Animas River the views were breathtaking

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The train ride meanders through the forest and rises to 8,500+ feet in elevation.  The train stops in Cascade Canyon allowing riders an hour to explore, eat lunch, relax, play in the river... before the designated whistle signals it's time to board for the ride back to Durango.  

We enjoyed lunch a walk around Cascade Canyon

View from Cascade Canyon

Although the trip back to Durango is on the same tracks you get a different view of the mountains, canyon and river.  Of course the angle of the sun illuminates and shadows different areas making the views different.  

The Animas River carves through the canyon

The train left the station approximately at 9:45am and we arrived back at the station about 3:00pm leaving us time to walk to Cream Bean Berry for some great ice cream!

There is always time for ice cream

When you are riding in southwest Colorado take some time and enjoy a relaxing and scenic ride on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Train.  I bet the the fall or winter train ride would be awesome.

Leave a comment below of your favorite Rocky Mountain town, sight or attraction.

Connect and follow Biker Oz on the following:

              

 

Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

 

Awesome gear for every rider!

Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

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Happy New Year and 2023 Review

Oz and Mrs. Oz want to wish you a Happy New Year!

2023 has been a fun and active year for us.  Here is a few things we did along the way.

January - We attended the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) South Central leadership conference in Mena, Arkansas and partnered with Jimmy A. to conduct a NETX CMA officer training for 10 chapters in Leonard, Texas

Chapter officer training in Leonard, TX

February - Enjoyed a great trip to Lexington, KY to see our daughter.  While there we attended a University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball game ,which they won (I coached girls basketball for 18 years before becoming an assistant princial).  Also stopped by Bardstown, KY just to look at some of the enormous rickhouses.

During my years of coaching girls basketball I always enjoyed watching well coached teams

One of many Bardstown Bourbon Company rickhouses - that is a lot of barrels!

March - We took a second exploratory trip to Middle Tennessee, stepped down as CMA Area Reps in NETX since we would be moving in the upcoming months. I also began hosting the 2023 MotoGP race watching meetups at a local Rudy's BBQ for the sixth year.   Link to the best race finishes of 2023

Side note - If you haven't watched MotoGP or World Super Bikes or MotoAmerica racing - try it.  The racing is fun to watch and once you get to know some of the racers and a little history it is very entertaining.  The over-the-top self promotion and "prima donna's" of so many sports is NOT there.  Yes racers are confident, but they are much more relatable and personable.  You can find a lot of previous races on YouTube.

While visiting Middle Tennessee we drove through part of Shiloh National Park

 

A large group watching the opening round of MotoGP races at Rudy's

April - I had a great first trip to Big Bend, TX with friends and yes, I have lived in Texas for 60 years, but had never visited Telingua or that part of Texas.  Also volunteered for the 5th time as a track marshal at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) for the MotoGP races.  Always a fun time and this time I met two of the world's greatest riders, Johann Zarco and World Champion Francesco Bagnaia.

Great scenery and fun roads in Big Bend NP.

The sunsets in BBNP were beautiful.

 

May - Enjoyed the great weather of May and tried to put some miles on the Indian.  Enjoyed breakfast with friends on various days and took time to soak in scenes that are very much "Texas" before all the growth and construction eliminates many of them.

The first Third Wednesday biker breakfast at Bebo's, Pilot Point, TX

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The icon Longhorn is a pretty beast.  This one relaxing in North Texas

June - This was a busy month as Mrs. Oz had to work out of town (what started as a couple of weeks ending up going 4 months!).  We had a family wedding, a family reunion, trips to see Mrs. Oz in Arkansas and a trip to see the in-laws in Mississippi with a stop for BBQ at the historic Blues Crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Staying of the interstate on my way to Little Rock to see Mrs. Oz, so I stopped by CMA headquarters

The historic crossroads where the legend has it Robert Johnson met the Devil

Abe's BBQ sits on the corner at the crossroads and serves good BBQ

The mural on the side of Abe's BBQ depicts the infamous "deal with the devil."

July - Mrs. Oz and I prepped, packed, traveled and hosted our annual Beat The Heat Tour.  This year we staged out of Durango, Colorado with 10 biker friends joined us for a week of fun, laughter, great rides and awesome home cooked food (Thanks to Mrs. Oz).  Later in the month Mrs Oz and I enjoyed a weekend in Arkansas where we visited Eureka Springs and the Thorncrown Chapel.

The Rocky Mountains make us smile.  Molass Pass Overlook with the group.

 

We stopped by the Jack Dempsey birthplace in Manessa, CO.

The Durango Train - one day we rode the train to Cascade Canyon.  Awesome views!

North Clear Creek Falls off of CO 149 (aka The Silver Thread) between Creede and Lake City

The last full day of riding took us to Silverton and Ouray on the Million Dollar Highway!

Thorncrown Chapel just outside Eureka Springs, Arkansa is so beautiful and peaceful

 

The chapel is designed to draw the outdoors in and be part of the surroundings of the mountains.

August - I attended the 46th National Biker Roundup which was held in Memphis, TN (the rally changes locations each year).

While at the rally with brothers from New Boston, TX we visited longtime friend Kerry in Mississippi

September - Attended and worked as a track marshal at my first MotoAmerica races. It was the first time MotoAmerica hosted a full round at COTA in Austin, Texas.  All the races were exciting but watching the King of the Baggers live was great!  Towards the end of the month Mrs. Oz got word that September would be her last month to work in Little Rock!

Factory Indian Motorcycles King of the Baggers

Those Baggers have great brakes to shut it down to make the sharp turn 11 at COTA.

Being close to the action and seeing the skill is awesome.

 

October - This was a packed and packing month.  After a lot of talk, prayers and planning Mrs. Oz and I were moving to Tennessee and it would begin the first of November.  October was busy!  I visited our son in Meredith, New Hampshire and a dear couple met me and rode with us one day. (Thank you Laconia Harley Davidson for providing a Roadglide for me to ride).  Held a garage sale, sold items of FB marketplace, rode in a big escort for the Chris Kyle statue to Waxahachie, Texas.  The rest of the time was spent packing, storing and cleaning as we prepared for our move.

New Hampshire country in the fall is so colorful

Friends Claud and Beverly joined us on a ride through the White Mountains.

Richard and I spent some time at the Sig Sauer Experience with his latest purchase

A nice morning at Lake Winnisquam

Escorting the Chris Kyle statue was a great honor.  Just five of us out of 100+ who rode.

November - After an active and stressful last weeks of October we moved into a vacation rental outside Iuka, MS temporarily while we began our hunt for a house in the southern part of Middle Tennessee.  The month included house shopping, job hunting for Mrs. Oz (after an abrupt elimination of her position), driving on the Natchez Trace, visiting an Amish community and Thanksgiving with family in Mississippi.  A house near Pulaski, TN found, offer made and accepted with a January closing (who wants to be moving during the holidays)!

One of the colorful sunsets we have seen in Tennessee

Country road to where we are staying near Iuka, Mississippi

Memorial Spring Bridge in Iuka, MS.  Neat town, worth a visit.

Fall foliage on the Natchez Trace in Tennessee

Amish farm in Ethridge, TN

Historic tobacco barn on the Natchez Trace

Homemade donuts made with "whomp biscuits" - can biscuits.  Mother-in-law made them

 for me

December - Met for lunch at High On the Hog with a friend I hadn't seen in about 7-9 years, a family gathering in Texas, Mrs. Oz secures a great job, more exploring, a quick trip to Chattanooga and Gatlinburg, TN to see Christmas lights and a little shopping followed by a few days around Christmas in Mississippi with family.

It was great meeting up with Stan

Old church in Cade's Cove - Smoky Mountain National Park

We saw a lot of wild turkeys in Cade's Cove

Plenty of deer were scattered around Cade's Cove

The park is a great place.  Looking forward to riding the Indian and hiking in the park

Christmas spirit could be found in Chattanooga in a lot of neighborhoods

 

We really enjoyed driving around and seeing the lights

More Christmas cheer

Here is a little video from the trip to enjoy nature and Christmas lights

 

Florence, Alabama at the Honda shop for maintence on Mrs. Oz's Honda Passport - interesting

Family time on Christmas Eve

How was your 2023?  What was your favorite trip, adventure or event?  Let me know with a comment below.

We have a lot of new advertures, roads and fun ahead of us in 2024.  Stay tuned for future posts!

I hope and pray your 2024 will be blessed richly.

Connect and follow on social media and return to see future posts

              

 

Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Awesome gear for every rider!

Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

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