Colorado in September

[astar13656]

I will be leaving Ohio for a week riding in Colorado the first week of September. I have read lots of info from this forum, thanks to all who post and share!
It sounds like I should pack for warm,wet and cold weather.
Most if not all of my rest will be in campgrounds, with a KOA book as my info.
I have highlighted this route from another post;

I-70 to Grand Junction Co
At Grand Junction pick up Co 141
take 141 to 145
145 down to Cortez, Co
Pick up Co 160 East to Durango
550 North out of Durango to U.S. 50
East on US 50 to Co 92
N on Co 92 to Co 133
Turn right on 133
go to Co 82 turn right
Go to US 24 turn Left, (West)
That will take you back to I-70
Head West on I-70 towards home...
I-70 in that part of Colorado is a
great ride in in itself

A friend enjoyed this;
As best I can tell, here is more or less what we did (we actually left from Aurora, east of Denver):
At I-70 and SR 119, go north on SR 119
SR 119 to SR 72 north
SR 72 to Estes Park
Continue on SR 72 to US 34 west
US 34 around back south (west side of the parkway) to US 40 south
US 40 to I-70

Any advice on where to go or stay away from would be welcome.
Thanks,
Albert

[bikerfish1100]

first loop (Dolores River/Cortez/Durango/Gunnison, etc is fine, no issues there.
2nd loop- the only "for sure" change is forget 40 south- only the southern end of it over Berthoud Pass is any good. Better is to go 40 N (or W) toward Hot Sulphur Springs, then catch 134 over Gore Pass. That will lead you back toward I-70 as well, but it's a much mo' bettah run.

[Vstromper]

We spent three nights here: http://www.scenictelluride.com/sunshine-campground.htm last September. It was a nice place although no showers. On site management and fire wood sales and not to far from a pretty well stocked convenience store and gas station.

Consider riding through Mesa Verde if time allows.

We ran in to so much traffic on 550 it was less than fun. In fact it was incredibly frustrating. We had a much better ride 160 east out of Durango to South Fork then north on 149 to 50 and west to 92.

Be prepared for a huge traffic back up as you go through Aspen.

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun.

I'll be headed to Going To The Sun Hwy in Montana that week. My brothers will be riding up from Dallas on Saturday and we'll head out Sunday Morning If you need a place to crash with a shower on Saturday night let me know. One more air mattress on the floor can't make that much difference although I'm a little south of your route. In fact you could do worse than to detour off of 70 on the east end of 24 and come through Colorado Springs and then go up through Ute pass on 24 and catch 9 through Breckenridge up to 70 and on to Grand Junction.That way you get to ride Ute pass (great fun both ways (each way us very different)) and you won't need to repeat the flat part of 70.

[bikerfish1100]

We stayed at the KOA in Cortez (just east of town). Nice place, but typically KOA pricey. The Fiesta Mexican Family Restaurant at the intersection of 145 & 160 (northeast corner) is FAB-YOU-LUS! The KOA is just east of there on 160.

[astar13656]

Thank you very much for the input, and the offer vstrom! However you guys will be gone by the time I get out there. Sounds as if you will have a fun trip as well!
Be careful,
Albert

[Dave B]

Apart from the Glenwood Canyon section, I70 is evil (east of I25, that is).  I would find another way to get to GJ.

Perhaps US40 to Craig, then down to Rifle.

db

[astar13656]

I had thought about dropping south in western Kansas, just to break away from the slab.

[bikerfish1100]

we'll often run US 36 thru northern Kansas, and then feed onto US34 to home. 34 runs right into RMNP in Estes Park.
If you're going that far north out or in, it's worth considering.

[astar13656]

Yes I see that on the map! Thanks for the tip!
Albert

[MDHCO]

Great plan.  

Probably not a lot of wet weather in Colorado at least, but it'll be cool in the high country so bring warm gear.  

Sounds like you've done your home work on routes.  I'd not use I-70 across the high country, one of the tunnels in Glenwood canyon is closed.  

I'd modify your second list as follows:

Take the Evergreen exit off of I-70.  

At highway 103 go west over Squaw Pass.  

This will drop you into Idaho Springs, lots of great places to eat.

Take I-70 east to the Central City Parkway.  (119 was closed between I-70 and highway 6 the last time I went through)
 
Turn left onto 119 in Central City.  

Note that 46 (Golden Canyon) and 72 (Coal Creek Canyon) are interesting rides.

At Nederland you have a choice of going down Boulder Canyon (generally heavy traffic) or continue to Estes Park on 72.   Both are better rides than 119 between Central City and Nederland.  

72 junctions with highway 7.  Left on 7 to go to Estes Park, or a more interesting ride would be right to Lyons, and then up to Estes Park on 36.  Long way around but lots of corners.  

Highway 34 east will take you down to Loveland.   I-25 south will get you back to Denver.

[astar13656]

thanks MD,
I have alot of routes highlighted in my map. I had 103 & 105 to Mt Evans as well, is 105 OK?  I'll add 46 & 72.
I'll print your post to take with me.
Thanks for the info!
Albert

[bikerfish1100]

Golden Gate Canyon is a sweet road, I like it best heading uphill (west). However, Coal Creek is also fun (tho I'd have to put GGC above it on the qualtiy index), and the view just to the west of Wonderview (assuming clear skies) is just phenomenal- also best seen coming over from East to West. & east into Lyons from 119 is one of my favorite roads in northern CO, and is just as good (maybe even better) heading downhill (East) than it is going up. If you make it into Estes Park, DO NOT take 34 from Estes to Loveland. Rather, run down the Glen Haven Rd- and mind the tight corners  

[astar13656]

Is Glen Haven Rd route 43?

[bikerfish1100]

Is Glen Haven Rd route 43?

not sure, but I don't think so. Glen Haven Rd runs E/W from the north side of Estes Park to Drake. It sort of parallels US 34, just slightly to the north of it.

[blakebird]

Is Glen Haven Rd route 43?

Yes, in the DeLorme Gazetteer, the 43 Rd is the Glen Haven road. (favorite of mine, too)

[astar13656]

Thanks, I have it highlighted!

[MDHCO]

So how did it go?

[Putt]

Hmmm, I thought 43 was "Devils Gulch Road"??

Putt...

[astar13656]

Sorry for the delay in responding, my PC has been giving me fits.
The trip was fantastic! I slabbed it to Cheyenne,then two lane for the next several days. I made it to Rocky Mt. National Park,then went south via 134 & 131. the next three days were south of I70 and west of US285. Slept at KOA's all the way. Most were closed when I arrived so I pitched my tent and paid in the morning. I hit rain on the mountains three days but dry at the bottom. Solid rain from Vail to Buena Vista where the KOA let me pitch under the covered group picnic area!
I ended up in Cortez, I thought it's not that far to the Grand Canyon from here...
Once there I thought it's not that far from California from here...
I took a picture of my bike under the state line sign by Laughlin and came home. Nine days and 5100 miles. I saw too much to put into words.All the routes posted were amazing! Thanks to all who posted, I would have missed so much without your help!
Already looking foreward to next year, traded my Intruder for a Wing last week.
Thanks again for all the help,
Albert