Grand Canyon to Colorado Springs.

[Yankee Dog]

Bottom Line: if you have four days in between the Grand Canyon and Colorado Springs, what are the places to see and roads to ride that just should not be missed. I guess scenery is where I need the most help. I can read ride reports and find roads, but it is harder to know where to find the most wonder.

 It looks like next year’s big event is going to be a trip out West.   Due to a shortage of vacation the plan is to ship the bike to Las Vegas, fly out one way and ride it back home to the Great State of Alabama. I have two weeks which should be plenty of time for a one way trip.

So I come seeking advice on sights to see and roads to ride. A couple of mandatory stops along the way are some friends along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and family in Colorado Springs. Oh and a day in Vegas so I can win back the cash this trip is going to cost. I can get myself to the Grand Canyon and from Colorado Springs home. But when I start looking at Utah and Colorado I quick reach information overload.  

I figure four days from the Grand to the Springs, but I don’t necessarily need to ride the whole time. Although just sitting around at the resort is not on the list either. A perusal of the Colorado tourism website shows too much grandeur that needs to be experienced to just ride by. So what are the must see, must do and of course must ride places.

The weapon of choice is yet to be determined. It maybe a new Triumph Sprint GT, which I will be leery to take on the gravel. Or it may be my baby Beemer F650GS, which my butt will be leery to ride across Kansas. Or it may be something completely different. In any case, I will be two up and fully loaded.

Oh and don’t tell me to fly out and rent. The missus has already called me a wimp for not want to ride it both ways.   Besides, I kind of like all that vastness that is the Great Plains.

Thanks,

Yankee Dog

[SalsaShark]

Tough call... I think the choice of bike would greatly dictate the choice of rides. Also, I'm assuming summer so most high country roads should be clear.

Option 1: Sprint: If you're looking at strictly pavement (which on that bike, I would), maybe cut up through Utah and check out some Canyon lands, then up through Montrose and Delta to check out some western slope nature. Pop over to Aspen, up over Independence Pass, then take 24 down through Buena Vista -> Fairplay -> Colorado Springs

If on the 650, I'd head up to Moab and check that out... This also depends on the time of year. It gets extremely hot and it may be rough going 2 up in raging heat. I'm not one for dirt so I can't help there, but I'm sure others will be along to offer up some advice.

[JimWilliamson]

I'm not too knowledgeable on Utah aside from the Moab / Arches area. Arches is interesting. UT-128 heading north from Moab is nice.

I think you have my JW's BAM-CO map...
Connecting dots from Grand Canyon to CS CO:
If going as far north as 26 & 27 perhaps a partial up-n-back on 27 then over to 26 with a full up-n-back, down 24, loop and take 23 up, with either east to 29 if time is short or up 21 & 19 then east towards 16?

If you have a 1/2, 3/4, or full day to burn and like steam trains and the scenery they roll through there are two rail lines in southwest CO:
Durango & Silverton
http://www.durangotrain.com/


Cumbres & Toltec (I prefer the full day Antonito CO to Chama NM path as the scenery builds up)
http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/


SE Arizona: US-191 may be too far south-east for your travels. Between Alpine AZ and Clifton AZ.

Mesa Verdi National Park (SW CO near Cortez CO) - often well liked though not often on lists of interest.

Moki Dugway?

Monument Valley?
http://www.utah.com/monumentvalley/

Will you be doing some hiking down into the Grand Canyon?

Perhaps a short walking tour of some slot canyons near Page AZ?
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/antelope_canyon/



Four Corners monument - I'd likely skip it.

[Gun Slinger]

Go to Moab Utah and see Arches National park.
See Mesa Verde between Cortez and Durango. Hit Hwy 550 over the million dollar hwy.
Do Hwy 92 Through the Black Canyon outside Montrose.
The Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction.
Take Hwy 330 from Grand Junction to Carbondale, Then up to Aspen.
Independence Pass to Leadville.
Rocky Mountain National Park outside Estes.
You can burn 4-5 days just seeing the above mentioned places and not regret a moment spent!
Awesome part of our great country!

[DNA]

On my trip west last year I BBGed to Colorado springs from WaDC in one shot, then set about doing the route in reverse Gun Slinger posted - with  the Garden of the gods and Pikes Peak summit included as well.  That was awesome day 1. I wish I had done it in 3.  Or more.

From Durango, I went to south east mesa verde, monument valley and 4 corners (skip this) - then south through Navajo country all the way to rt 66 and the petrified forest, and Winslow Arizona.  Standing on a corner park in Winslow AZ was pretty cool and made a nice check off the bucket list. I expect your wife would dig it - Rt 66 and the whole ambiance seems very wife friendly, but may be too far south for your trip.  

FYI - I was really cruising Iron butt style and averaged 700 miles per day on the scenic part of the trip - much more on the LD segments back and forth to the east.


From Scottsdale I went north and the real highlight I recommend is highway 12  from Tropic through Brice and north through Escalante to Tory.  That was a super awesome day I highly recommend you work into your route.

I figure food sells, so you go there - eat here in Escalante:








On my trip there were 4 must do agains:  Ouray-Durango,  Gunnison Balck canyon, Highway 12, and Beartooth pass in WY.MT.  Lots of other really really goods - but these 4 were the greats.

[Yankee Dog]

Thanks for all the ideas. I need to get a AAA map and highlight my choices.  I have never made it that far West on a bike and I am looking forward to the adventure.

Yankee Dog