| Author | Message | ||
     Racerboy |
A few of us here in the midwest are thinking of a trip to Colorado this year and would love to hear from anyone with knowledge of good twisties...Also, if there is a particular area and time to be avoided due to some special event clogging the roads (like the Honda Hoot in Knoxville and it's proximity to Deals Gap), we would appreciate a warning regarding this... Thanks, Bob | ||
| Sfarson |
The web site here http://www.coloradobyways.org/Main.cfm has a description of very good routes in the state. Most if not all are motorcycle delights. Just about all the canyons leading from the plains to the mountains are terrific. Can't think of any range of dates to avoid. I think you will find fewer on the road during the week versus weekend. Ask away with any specific questions. Steve  | ||
| Ferris |
that's a great photo, Steve.  FB | ||
| Ghostrider |
Ditto on the photo. I haven't gotten up into too much of Colorado, yet. But the guys from the Colorado Thunder Club swear that there are tons of great day rides out of the Denver area. I've been on a few in the area of Durango and Pagosa Springs and then into northern New Mexico. Check out this site for some contact info, etc. www.coloradothunderclub.com | ||
| Kim |
Racerboy, Do you know where you want to stay? I'm in Breckenridge. My wife and I organized Buell rallys in Colorado in 01 and 02. Send me your address and I will send you copies of the ride routes we used. They are set up for Breck but could be used for alot of starting points. Plan your trip so that your prime Colorado riding time is during the middle of the week. The Fourth of July is very busy. Rocky Mtn National Park is best seen before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. Afternoon thunder storms are the norm so bring a rain suit. If you may be interested in this area let me know. Kim | ||
| Racerboy |
Steve...That IS a great photo and thanks for the info...Does it make sense to you guys for us to avoid the Denver - C Springs corridor and the immediate areas to the west?...I can't remember, but isn't the first range to the west called "The Rampart's" and shouldn't we try to stay west of there to avoid the population dense areas?... CJ...I did not know about that URL and it looks to be very useful, thanks... Kim...You don't know my bud John, V2win, but if I take him anywhere near something in the summer that has the letters P A R K in the name he breaks out in hives and falls down...So Rocky Mountain National P A R K is a definite no, no...Shirl and I were camped up there while fishing one September and woke up to about fifteen feet of snow and a guy named Packer wanting to know how long we'd be staying...Shirl was at CU when they named a cafeteria there after the aforementioned Alferd...Quite a buzz that caused...By the way, we spent the first couple of nights of our honeymoon at The Broadmoor and then the rest in Breckenridge...Breckenridge was just a real little ski resort back then but just what we wanted...We remember going to see "The Graduate" in a little theater that had a buffalo skin door...Just the skin as a flap...Relative of Ralphie???... I'm going to pack my fly rod... Jerry...Stay tuned, we may be headed your way...We'll keep you posted... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Sfarson |
I think you will find areas empty and congested throughout the state. Some of the canyons along the Front Range are void of traffic. Some are busy. Same for the rest of the state... busy and not so busy. The Rampart Range is a low, forested, and relatively empty foothill range running between Denver and Colorado Springs. Pike National Forest. Mostly dirt roads. South of the Rampart Range look for Hwy 24 leading from Colorado Springs to Woodland Park. Find Hwy 67 leading to Deckers, Pine, and Hwy 285. 60 miles of empty road and Buell bliss. Many of the canyons leading from plains north of Denver to the mountains end up at the Peak to Peak Highway. This road is noted in the scenic byways link. Put this on your short list as you head into the mountains. Also consider the long and quiet Poudre canyon from Ft. Collins. Another scenic byway transporting one to Buell heaven. I'm in the picture mood. Here's January 1st on the Peak to Peak highway south of Estes Park...  | ||
| Shazam |
Bob I have done about three weeks worth of MC touring in clorado. I have some favorites to share as well...... Hwy 14 running from Walden to Fort Collins along the Poudre river....breathtaking canyons excellent pavement and relatively light traffic(sparsely populated area) four stars! Hwy 34 running out of Loveland up to Estes Park with a side trip through Glen Haven was recommended to me by Aaron Wilson and I found it did not dissapoint. Return to civilization via 7hwy....also 34 continues on to Grand Lake a fantastic run, however I have only made that run once a coupla years ago. I have some great photos of the X1 at Granby Lake. 7 hwy is the peak to peak hwy running south from Estes it turn into 72hwy then 119 (also peak to peak) which I think would be a don't miss if you are in the area but I haven't travelled it south of the 7/72 split I'm looking at a map right now, and I remember taking 24 south out of the Vail area to leadville. that's most of what I've done south of I-70 aside from the Colorado Springs area to Cripple Creek | ||
| Shazam |
here's some of mine also        | ||
| Racerboy |
Kim...Sorry but I forgot to add my address to that earlier post...Bob LaMear, 8767 John McKeever Rd, Pacific MO 63069...And thanks again for the routes!... Steve...Keep me away from that ST4s in your pic...John and I were in the duc dealer when they first came out and, thankfully, I didn't have my checkbook that day...God, that scooter feel absolutely sensuous when you sit one...Whose duc is that?... Sam...Most of the roads you mention are in the www.coloradobyways.org site and a lot more...I wonder if we couldn't come in from the north using I-80 and then peal off for the first byway and continue counter clockwise exiting southeast and up to I-70 and home...Have you ever been up the road to Mt Evans?...It's a hoot and I understand it is completely paved now... Bob | ||
| Chainsaw |
The Mount Evans road is pretty cool. It's a hop skip and a jump from Denver, and has a paved parking above 14,000 feet, so you have to hike the last 400 or so feet for the best photo op. One of my favorite roads is Hwy 67 between Pine and Woodland Park. Great views of the aftermath of recent wildfires, twisty with good pavement. Nearly any road in the hills west of I-25 is scenic and twisty. Bicyclists also frequent them thar hills, so be prepared when you come around a blind corner. Any event at Pike's Peak Int'l Raceway (ppir.com) will cause major traffic jams on I-25 between Denver and Colorado Springs. Expect heavy (but moving) traffic north of The Springs and South of Ft. Collins anytime day or night. What time are ya'll thinking about coming out? Are you gonna go to the Durango event? Maybe we can arrange a group ride, and help out if someone is having mechanical troubles and such. ChainSaw Assistant Director Colorado Thunder Club patrickduffey@usa.net | ||
| Iamike |
Bob, When we went out there for both the CO Ridefests, we spent one night in Boulder. We spent 2 days riding up and down the canyons along the front range from Boulder up to Ft.Collins. At times there was some traffic and other times there was none. The Poudre Canyon was one of the best due to no traffic and great scenery. One thing I remember though was the tar snakes had warmed up by the ride back down to make it a little more exciting. There wasn't hardly another road out there that wasn't worth riding. I would offer to ride out there but Newfoundland is calling. | ||
| Racerboy |
Anyone know anything about CO 92 on the north side of the Gunnison River?...We've got a choice of running it from Hotchkiss down or US 50 from Montrose over to Gunnison...And what do you guys think of the Million Dollar Highway up from Durango and CO 145 that kinda parallels it to the west?... | ||
| Racerboy |
Sam and Steve...Your pics are really getting my motor running...So far I have a 3,155 mile roundtrip from St Louis entering the good stuff at Fort Collins west to Craig, south to Cortez, then Durango, north to Telluride and Hotchkiss, south to Gunnison, north to Carbondale, east to Twin Lakes, north to Dillon, Kremmling, east to Grand Lake and through the P A R K (only way to get to the top of the Peak to Peak, John) to Estes, south down to Mt Evans and home...It's I-70 both ways (ugh!)... Kim, would we better off going north on CO 9 by you or CO 91 by Copper Mtn?... Thanks for everyone's help and this is still a work in progress... José Q...Wanna go for a little ride?... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Sfarson |
CO 92 is outstanding. Recently paved too. Plus, you have views of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison along the way. Have camera ready. A very knowledgeable and capable rider I know of says it is his favorite road in Colorado. The Million Dollar Highway is world class. On the short list of most scenic roads in the U.S. Downside is keeping your eyes on the road. CO 145 is a little more secluded. Less stunning than the Million Dollar/San Juan Skyway but still gorgeous. Lizard Head Pass and 13,000ft. Lizard Head south of Telluride is a photo op. Sounds like you have a great trip planned. Buell country. If you can, take C0 141 south of Grand Junction to C0 145. A long, lonely canyon ride along the Dolores river with rock walls accompanying. Memorable. Ah yes, the Duc shares garage space with the M2.  Steve edited by sfarson on January 18, 2004 | ||
| Sfarson |
Sam, great motion photos, great color. | ||
| Kim |
Bob, CO 91 would be the better way if you are going through Twin Lakes. As far as the other roads go, take Steve's advice. If you get to take CO 141 be aware that it is 94 miles with NO services. No gas, resturants or restrooms. The towns listed on the map are flyspecks. But it is one of the all time great roads. We've all seen the upside down U shaped signs with an arrow and a speed sugestion of 10 or 15 mph. On CO 141 there are the same kind of signs with a speed sugestion of 35 or 40 mph. Long high speed turns following the Dolores River. Kim | ||
| Gearloose |
It's been a few years but.92, 550,145,133 off of 92 up to Glenwood S. is nice also,if I am camping on that end of Colorado. If I am staying at Cripple Creek KOA,67,24,are great.285 isn't bad.Hell any place out in Colorado west of I25 is better than central Iowa ! | ||
| Gearloose |
I am really getting the urge to go this year,readin about some plans of others to get out there.Hadn't missed a ride to Colorado for 9 yrs.straight till the last two.But,then again the roads down in Georgia around Suches(T.W.O) and straight North of there are great too,along with N Ark. Let's see...wheres my campin gear?!!!! | ||
| Dynarider |
Been meaning to get back out to Colorado. I spent Christmas there a few years back, stayed at my brothers place in Aurora & we did all the tourist crap..Pikes peak, Cave of the winds, Blackhawk, etc. I absolutely loved the roads around there. What sucked is we drove out there & christmas day it was like 65 degrees. Bikes were everywhere, & I was so pissed that instead of bringing mine I had brought my skis instead. | ||
| Shazam |
Bob, It looks like I may get out there at least twice between now and Beginning of June for "other" stuff.....let me know if there's any particular roads to research such as ....Oh My God Hwy (real name) or the Mt. Evans hwy....some of these look good on the map gold camp road out of Co. Springs????? don't know if it's paved. | ||
| Sfarson |
Oh My God (From Idaho Springs to Central City) and Gold Camp (Victor to Colorado Springs) are dirt roads. Mt. Evans Highway is a must do. | ||
| Shazam |
Thanks for the heads up. I've heard tale of a road out of Co. Springs and have no idea the name..... | ||
| Lake_bueller |
My favorites (based on my limited tenure in Vail): Hwy 24 from Minturn to Leadville I-70 through Glenwood Canon Rte. 82 over Indepenence Pass into Aspen Rte. 40 over Rabbit Ears pass Hwy. 550 from Ouray to Durango There are more but I'd need a map to remember all the weird road number changes. There is some back route to Glenwood Springs that was used before I-70 was completed. That was a fun route. Especially now that most the track flows through the canon. Have fun!! I'll be green with envy  | ||
| Gearloose |
Rode Oh my God and the Gold Camp on my KLR650 along with numerous others.If I lived in Colorado,a dual sport would be a must have 2nd bike. | ||
| Bartimus |
Racerboy, I usually stayed in Montrose as a base for all my Colorado trips, (5 yrs running now) a great loop is: Hwy 550 montrose to Durango is great, stop at the Handlebar restaurant in Silverton From Durango, up hwy 160 over wolf creek pass, at South Fork head north up Hwy 149 this will take you back up to Hwy 50. Turn right and you go to Poncha Springs, (great curves), turn left and you head back to Montrose. If you take Hwy 92 stop in Crawford at Joe Cockers bar. Nice hangout and good food. I have yet to find a road in Colorado that isn't a blast to ride on. If it wasn't so damn cold, I'd move there!!! What dates are you heading that way? Maybe I'll meet you somewhere along your route. | ||
| Sfarson |
Rode Oh my God and the Gold Camp on my KLR650 along with numerous others.If I lived in Colorado,a dual sport would be a must have 2nd bike. This is why a GS is parked next to the Cyclone  . Far many more roads are dirt than paved in Colorado. Nice knowing any road is fair game, plus there is an explorer in me. | ||
| Turnagain |
wait a minute! if I've been following along properly, not only is there the Duc Tourer (above), a 999 (borg lurkin'), but now a GS also in the garage? any other cool toys in there too?  | ||
| Gravedigger |
Bartimus, Not to put words in Racerboy's mouth, but we are in the planning stage of this trip at this point. We will post up all the information well in advance so that everyone might see it here and join us. Nothing is firm at this point. We are just trying to find out as much information as possible. The last couple years the guys from SLAB (St. Louis) and the KCMOB (Kansas City) have been trying to get together at least once a year for a trip. Racerboy and V2WIN planned the Regional Deals Gap trip in 2002. Shazam and Racerboy planned a trip to Arkansas in 2003. This year it has been decided that we are going to try Colorado. We will post the dates and route up on the Quickboard so that anyone that might want to join us may do so. The more the merrier! I personally can't wait to get back to the Rockies! Especially on the bike this time! Keith | ||
| Sfarson |
wait a minute! if I've been following along properly, not only is there the Duc Tourer (above), a 999 (borg lurkin'), but now a GS also in the garage? any other cool toys in there too? You are following along properly and too closely  . I'm coming partially clean with  | ||
| Turnagain |
Sfarson , ok, you win -- no mas! | ||
| Racerboy |
Everyone...We really appreciate all the suggestions regarding roads and items such as Joe Cocker's Restaurant...I had read about it but you jogged my memory...According to the net, sadly, it is now closed... Does anyone have a route that crosses all the paved passes over the Continental Divide?...I'm a bit confused as to whether there are 14 or 15 of these...This could be an interesting ride... Thanks, Bob | ||
| Sfarson |
Haven't seen a route going over all the paved passes in Colorado. I think there are more than 14-15 in the state. The BMW Club of Denver has a 100,000ft. ride every August, and this year they go over ten passes in one day from Denver. | ||
| Racerboy |
Kim...I received the routes in the mail and thank you very much!!!...They are very helpful... I'm wondering...If those of you who are VERY familiar with CO could only ride ONE road, what would it be?...Tough question, I know but I think I could pin one down here in MO...MO 34 from MO 21 east to Piedmont...But then again, there's... See Ya! Bob |
