Is I-70 from Grand Junction to Denver ridable this time of year?

[Trinity]

Forgive my ignorance but I'm trying to get from Fresno,CA to the Fort Collins area. Leaving next week. Google maps says it's 1,200 miles going down 99 to Bakersfield,CA then catching I-15 to Vegas and then meeting up with I-70 to Denver.
Is this route ridable this time of year? I have an electric vest but going hours on end in 40 degree temps doesn't sound like fun to me, being a CA boy.

Or is the alternate southern route a better choice. East on I-40 then North on I-25. It's 1,400 miles but maybe warmer?

Really despise riding on interstates and wish I could take the scenic=twisty route but I only have 3 days to get to Fort Collins. Any suggestions?

Thank you all for your time and suggestions.

[DNA]

3 days to go 1200 - 1400 miles  
Double to to 2800 and take the twisty way is my advice.

[JimWilliamson]

I'd say "likely" though you might have to keep a flexible mind should a storm blow through when you wish to blow through...

It's now 5:10am (MST) 10/22/08. I was _supposed_ to meet some friends in Cheyenne WY at 8 or 9pm - hours earlier. They are driving from Sacramento CA to IL via I-80. There "just happened" to be a cold front blowing in. Some rain / thunder / pea sized hail here in Fort Collins about 4pm. At 11pm (they were running late - no chance of them hitting Cheyenne at 8 or 9p) I decided to "meet them" by surprise in Laramie WY. The ride up US-287 from FC to Laramie was 80% fine, 20% glare ice glaze. I get to Laramie and give them a call - "If you're getting close - stop at Laramie". They reply - WE ARE STOPPED AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST HOUR. Full stop ON I-80. One to 2 inches of snow / slush. We met up at 2am at Laramie. After some grub we headed to Cheyenne - snow up the mountains (just enough to glaze the pavement) and a tad down the east edge. Clear and dry into Cheyenne and down to FC.

The roads that got hit were here and there.

0.02 - can it be done - I'd say yea - if the Wx cooperates. Watch the forecast with the realization that any liquid precip likely will be ice / snow going "over the top".

Again, I'm a newbie, so aside from my just experienced issue my experience is limited.

I-80 with the snow is at about 7000' Elevation to 8500 Elevation. I-70 west of Denver jumps a tad higher (11000').

[JimWilliamson]

If you're coming to FC, give me a ring if you'd like to meet up (or if you need a hand with anything).
970-219-0004

[Thundergod]

Well it just dumped snow in Summit County last night -- Icy, Snow, Freezing Drizzle...
Its open....

Miserable, but open.

Average snow for Denver is Oct. 19th-- we are yet to see any snow of measure,
but the highcountry is starting to get regular visits by Jack Frost.

I-70 cuts through the heart of the high country.

Grab the heated gear, head out-- and watch the weather DAILY.
High country can go from sunshine to blizzard in a matter of hours.

[Trinity]

Thanks for all your inputs. I'd probably take the southern route to avoid all the high passes on 70. I'd rather get to Fort Collins than not at all.
Jim. Checked out your web site. Cool write ups. I especially like the picture of the Magna with a magnitude of electronic gizmos.
Thanks for your generous offer of help. Awfully nice of you. Need more people like you.
I wouldn't mind meeting for a bite or drink if you're up for it. Maybe you can show me some great roads around the area.
I had the impression from your web site that you stopped riding because of injuries. Back on the saddle again?

Thanks again for all your help.
Teri

[Trinity]

Anyone know if 160 from Cortez, CO to Walsenburg, CO has any mountain passes that I need to worry about? Would this be a more scenic route than say I-40, I-25? Thanks again.

[Putt]

Anyone know if 160 from Cortez, CO to Walsenburg, CO has any mountain passes that I need to worry about? Would this be a more scenic route than say I-40, I-25? Thanks again.

La Veta, but I can't remember how high it is... around 9500 feet, I think...

Putt...

[JimWilliamson]

I wouldn't mind meeting for a bite or drink if you're up for it. Maybe you can show me some great roads around the area.

Hi Teri,

You bet. The favorite "locals loop" should be clear for a while yet. I'm still bikeless but I'd certainly give tips and maps.

Give me a holler whenever. I'd be up for some food with an STN'er!
A great burrito...
Some Thai food...
Lunch at a local micro-brew house...
A full rack of ribs at the Stonehouse grill...

I had the impression from your web site that you stopped riding because of injuries. Back on the saddle again?

I'll "likely" get another bike. Restarting my business is the priority so bike thoughts are back burner for now. A DRZ-400 has been tickling my brain for some time (lots of dual sport roads and single track to visit out here).

[JimWilliamson]

Anyone know if 160 from Cortez, CO to Walsenburg, CO has any mountain passes that I need to worry about? Would this be a more scenic route than say I-40, I-25? Thanks again.

I'd you're looking to take 160 east to I-25 you could consider jumping north on US-285 at Alamosa CO. At Poncha Springs / Salida you'd go east on US-50. There is a small / low pass (as I recall) just before Pondha Springs. US-50 east to Canon City would likely be more scenic than 160 east. It depends upon daylight perhaps. I did that stretch of 50 once, in the dark, a bummer.

[Putt]

I'd you're looking to take 160 east to I-25 you could consider jumping north on US-285 at Alamosa CO. At Poncha Springs / Salida you'd go east on US-50. There is a small / low pass (as I recall) just before Pondha Springs. US-50 east to Canon City would likely be more scenic than 160 east. It depends upon daylight perhaps. I did that stretch of 50 once, in the dark, a bummer.

285 from Alamosa on up to Denver might not be to bad either... Would be a lot nicer than I-25...

Putt...

[bikerfish1100]

when are you coming out? forecast for next few days is 60-70 for daytime highs, which means the high passes should be about 45-60 or so.
btw-you can do that entire run in 1 day, 2 at most, especially if you are taking I-states most of the way. fwiw- I-70 is probably the curviest & most scenic interstate in the country.

[Trinity]

Thanks for all your input. Putt, yes, I was eying 285 on the map. Looks like a cool road.
I've been watching weather and it seems "warm" for next week. Like you said 60's and 70's. I'd be in CO Wed and Thursday of next week.
So what do you guys think? 160-285 to Denver or I-70? The lows are still in the 20's in some places. Do I have to watch out for black ice or any other dangers if say I start riding at maybe 8:30 a.m.?
Thanks again guys.  

[JimWilliamson]

I am NOT a fan of 285 as it nears Denver. Two lane and, IMO, heavy traffic. Off hours (people not commuting from a weekend back into Denver) would make traffic lighter.

Take bikerfish1100's comment with good resolve: I-70 from Glenwood Springs to near Denver, while it can be higher traffic (ski hill people driving back to Denver from a weekend of snow fun - that season isn't in full swing yet tho), it is one fine road. Worth a trip on the bike at least once and near the Glenwood Springs / Canyon area, many times.

[bikerfish1100]

by 8:30, most roads are clear of any frost, ice, etc. By 10 or 11, even the high passes should be clear.
if you want the 285 route, i'd branch off at 24 toward Woodland Park, and then head up the Pine/Deckers road (67) and connect again with 285. 67 is a gem, the stretch of 285 you're avoiding is a big "meh".
this next is a daytime route- i wouldn't attemtp it after dark... but find a way onto 119 (starts at Blackhawk/Central City), and take that all the way to 7, drop down 7 into Lyons. stop in lyons, consider going back up to the 7/119 intersect and maybe riding it again (oh yeah, it is that good). then catch 287 straight thru Loveland and into Ft Fun.

[Snowdog]

I don't know about this time of year, but I nearly froze riding I-70 over Vail Summit in July 2004 in mesh gear.