Yamaha Ténéré 700 in Colorado—Short Trip, Big Adventure

Depending on which part of the U.S. you hail from, June brings to mind a collection of very specific characteristics. From my corner of the country, along the coasts of Southern California, “June Gloom” is a common phrase.
It’s used to describe the gray landscape created by a persistent marine layer which blocks out the sun for most of the month. On the East Coast, conditions are nearly the opposite, with the Carolinas usually bathed in sunlight and temperatures in the mid-80s.
Near the center of the country, as you climb into Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, all bets are off regarding weather and riding conditions in June.