3 day ride out of Denver - link to pics...WOW

[Dan K]

I am going on a 3 day ride out of Denver, CO next week with a group - renting a bunch of bikes, 1200gs, Connie 14, I'm getting an FJR...

Anyway, we have a route planned, but I'm not sure how set in stone it is, and I don't even know about it other than one night will be spent in Aspen.

Are there any not-to-be-missed rides outside Denver in Colorado that I will be pissed I if I miss?  Don't know if I'll ever be on 2 wheels in Colorado again, although I hope so.

ALL SUGGESTIONS WELCOME!!!!  Scenery and twisties are priorities.  These guys are only scheduling like 200-250 miles a day, which sounds like too little for me, but hey, I'm one of 6.

Hoping to hear from you.

- Dan

[motoguy128]

I'm sure the locals will plan a great route.  Hit as many passes as possible!

I rode most of the front range on my honeymoon and up through RMNP.  But I didn't get a chance to ride to Montrose, CO through the Canyons.

If you really want ot see the sights and enjoy some of hte unique little towns and natural beauty, anything over 250 miles won't leave you much time ot actually see anything...other than flying by at 60mph.

My wife always yells at me for not taking my time and enjoying "where I'm at".  She's right.  Quality over quantity.  That's still 5 hours in the saddle each day.  With stops, you could have full 10-12 hour days.


Speciafically, I loved Independense pass.  It was the first day opened.  Its' pretty cool going form 70F at maybe 6000ft to 40F at over I think close to 12,000ft.  I didn't get to go up Mt. Evans.

There's so much traffic in RMNP, you just have to parade along and enjoy the scenery.  You might however get a mostly "clear run" if you leave Grandville maybe 2 hours before dusk... say 6 or 7PM.  The fun twisty roads are on the Grandville end.  The rest is just scenery.


Pack a heated vest under a light riding jacket can give you a wide temperature range.  I don't know how cool it is in August at the summits.


Have a great time!!!!

[motoguy128]

Don't know if I'll ever be on 2 wheels in Colorado again, although I hope so.

Why not...it's only what..900 miles form Chicago.  Trailer across Iowa and Nebraska on a 4 day weekend and enjoy the front range for 2 days.

[Dan K]

the locals are both VERY new riders - us guys flying up from Chicago have some miles under our wheels tho..

What's the ride like through Rocky Mountain National Park (looked it up) - not to be missed? ANd what about the canyons through Montrose?  Any details?

VERY MUCH looking forward to this.  NEED IT!!!!


- Dan

[Dan K]

OK, just found an old email with the proposed route:

Our first riding day, Friday the 14th, we will ride southwest for approximately 207 miles and spend the night in the town of Gunnison in the Gunnison National Forest. We will ride through Pike National Forest, followed by Colorado Park, San Isabel National Forest, and finally The Gunnison National Forest.

On day 2, we will ride about 176 miles, through the Curecanti National Recreation and the Blue Mesa Reservoir. From there we will ride through the Black Canyon Run in the heart of Gunnison National Forest. This ride will take us through a 40 mile stretch of one of the best twisty motorcycle roads in Colorado, with breathtaking scenes that lifts spirits beyond mountain peaks. We will have the option to park our bikes, hike, and view some of the most spectacular scenes. We will then continue through the town of Crawford, and head north through the White River National Forest, around the town of Carbondale, Snowmass, and spend the night in Aspen.

Our 3rd day ride back to Denver will last about 107 miles, taking us southeast through Independence Pass, Twin Lakes Reservoir, then north through Leadville Junction, Copper Mountain, Frisco, Idaho Springs, and finally Denver. We will return our rentals and head to the airport for our flight back to Chicago.  Or, you’re on your own from there.

How does that sound?  Independence Pass and some twisties and many other parks seem accounted for.

Any suggested changes?  

We already have lodging set up in Aspen, and I believe, Gunnison.  No one would camp with me (the local with the back packing gear opted for a hot shower...)

- Dan

[JimWilliamson]

Day 1: Denver to Gunnison

Map is routed via Pine-Deckers-Woodland Park - approx 228 miles (depends upon Denver start point)


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[JimWilliamson]

Day 2: Gunnison to Aspen

Routed via CO-92 / Black Canyon of the Gunnison area ~173 mi


View Larger Map

[JimWilliamson]

Day 3: Aspen to Denver

Route via Independence Pass ~170 miles


View Larger Map

[JimWilliamson]

It depends upon your group, but to me the miles are a bit on the short side. This'll give you decent time to stop for pix and longer lunch stops.

You might see if this map of interesting roads has anything worth visiting (the Pine-Deckers road is but one of them):
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,40257.0.html

[hmadams]

On those bikes I'd easily be doing 400 mile days and still have plenty of time to relax.  The ride is much more important than the destination in Colorado.  There is so much to see and do, to me sitting around any town after a 3 hr ride is boring.  If you must stop do some day tripping.  Anything in the mountains is good.  Enjoy.

[SDR Mike]

Head North out of Denver to Loveland and then take Thompson Canyon up to Estes Park. If you do it early enough there should be no traffic, great road, and a really great town to visit and walk around. You really can't beat the scenery either. Enjoy, Mike

[Chappy8]

What's the ride like through Rocky Mountain National Park (looked it up) - not to be missed? ANd what about the canyons through Montrose?  Any details?

VERY MUCH looking forward to this.  NEED IT!!!!


- Dan

I'll be heading that way right around the time you leave for the VFR meet in Dillon.  I found this website while figuring out how to spend a week to 10 days there.  Might be useful.

http://www.motorcyclecolorado.com/index.html

[Dan K]

Many thanks to each of you  - I finally stopped by the guy's house that planned the ride with his brother (who lives in Denver) and saw the ride.   Jim seems to havefound the ride  it almost exactly.  Left my Tuono with him and rode home on his 848.  Fun bike.

Anyway- to the ride:

First nite, we may add 27 miles or so and stay in Crested Butte.  Other than that, we're pretty set.  No where set to stay on day one, figure better options in Crested Butte than Gunnison.

I'll keep you posted.  Living in CHicago burbs, I am beyond excited.  Not a lot of twisties around here. Need to hit Wisconsin or Michigan to find anything worth while...this is a dream weekend for me.

- Dan

[jbs80106]

Since you'll just be zipping along I-70 headed for Denver, this little 40 mile excursionis supposed to be great!  Haven't done it yet myself but planning a day treck from Colorado Springs, Gunnison, Carbondale, loop back to 24...home...

Peak to Peak is on my list for the fall.

http://www.coloradodirectory.com/maps/peak.html

[jbs80106]

This is good too.....

http://www.jimwilliamson.net/motorcycle/CO-What-To-Do-map.jpg

[bikerfish1100]

If anyone is contemplating going up to Estes Park to RMNP, i would most definitely avoid I-25, and take the Peak-2-Peak route instead (central city/nederland/EP).

Dan- as JW intimated, your routes are very short on miles. Day 1 is reasonable, but days 2 and 3 are going to leave you with either lots of off-bike time, or some amazingly slow-paced riding.
The "canyons" near Montrose are either the Black Canyon (some nice hikes in the National Park) or taking 550 down toward Ouray/Silverton/Durango and over the Million Dollar Hiway. If you chose to do that, i would recommned going over Molas Pass south of Silverton, and then returning back the way you came, then up 92 past the Black Canyon into Paonia (do take the Paonia cut-off just after leaving Crawford).
The roads you picked are just fine- but could not see what you do on Day 1 after getting back onto 24 and going past Buena Vista. Might i suggest NOT going out 50 over Monarch Pass, but instead taking 114 over Cochotopa ("North" on many maps) Pass.
Would also recommend staying in Crusty Butt instead of Gunnison- much more picturesque/scenic/unique.

[bikerfish1100]

IF Day 3 is a full day available for riding- try this option:
from Aspen go over Independence Pass , past Twin Lakes and on into Leadville. Then, head out 24 over Tennessee Pass, hit I-70 back to Walton and 131. Follow 131 to Toponas, then catch 135 over Gore Pass. 40 to Hot Sulfur Springs, past Winter Park, over Berthoud Pass, and then finish on I-70 into Denver. Great route, unless it happens to be a Sunday, in which case coming back on I-70 into Denver can be a slow moving parking lot.

[Dan K]

Thanks for the suggestions - I will forward a link to this thread to the guy that is planning our ride.  I think we will likely be squeezing in some hikes at the national parks in addition to the riding, and we are accounting for 2 VERY new riders, so while I agree with the shortage on miles, there is room for flexibility and potentially a part time split of riders from the pack to reunite towards the end of the day.  Getting VERY excited - leaving Thursday and picking up the bikes that night!

- Dan

[Dan K]

Flight leaves tomorrow - will keep you posted.  Looks like chance of rain...packed multiple jackets and frogg toggs - we'll see what I take on the bike (buddy has a house for home base after flight and before departure....)

- Dan

[bikerfish1100]

looks like we're coming into an "evening storm" cycle again. Great weather during the day, chance of some kind of precip (hail, rain, etc) in the late afternoon/evening. If it does come down, it's likely to be short lived (under 1 hr), but possibly intense.