Black Canyon, Colorado

[Clovis]

Hey guys,

Here's a route I've done a couple of times this year. Something I highly recommend checking out if you visit Colorado. The longer version is Durango which I'll include as well.

The Black Canyon (this is near Gunnison, CO). For me its a 500 mile round trip starting and ending in Colorado Springs (where I live).



Here's a few pictures to give you an idea of what to expect. These are from my August 6th 2011 trip.

Just after Hotchkiss, CO and before Carbondale, CO- Hwy 133



Just after Gunnison, a few miles from the Black Canyon entrence. (No admission fee BTW, this is free)





Scenic overlook from the Canyon (there's a large pull off/parking area and strangly enough for being in the middle of no where AT&T has full cell coverage. In the distance you can see a tower on top of one of the mountains).



Sunset, almost home:



-Clovis

[Clovis]

Whoops, forgot to include Durango -- the longer version. This is the south end of the state.

[Justin]

Clovis, are you on CO Sportbike forum as well? That route looks familiar

[Clovis]

I am same name.

That's the Black Canyon 500 (also known as the Firecracker 500 when done on the 4th of July

I've done it twice this summer and I'm thinking about running it again this weekend. I have a ride planned for Durango (last picture) the following weekend.

[SaharaJp99]

I did most of both of those routes in the Colorado 1000-in-24 two weekends ago, a lot of fun forsure.  The pass between Lake City and Creede was a riot at 7am with not another soul on the road!

[Justin]

I did most of both of those routes in the Colorado 1000-in-24 two weekends ago, a lot of fun forsure.  The pass between Lake City and Creede was a riot at 7am with not another soul on the road!

Slumgullion summit is my favorite pass in CO, and on my favorite road in CO (149)  

[SaharaJp99]

Slumgullion summit is my favorite pass in CO, and on my favorite road in CO (149)  

I'd have to agree, it is definitely in my top 5.  If they re-paved it I think it would be #1, but there is quite a bit of road damage on it right now.  Not terrible, but you have to pay attention.

[Justin]

I'd have to agree, it is definitely in my top 5.  If they re-paved it I think it would be #1, but there is quite a bit of road damage on it right now.  Not terrible, but you have to pay attention.

It's not just about tearing up the twisties, there is something special about that area. Also, at the top of the summit, there is a nice meadow a few paces away from the turnout. Great spot for camping under the stars  

[Justin]

I did most of both of those routes in the Colorado 1000-in-24 two weekends ago, a lot of fun forsure.  The pass between Lake City and Creede was a riot at 7am with not another soul on the road!

BTW, was that the CO freewheelers ride?

[SaharaJp99]

BTW, was that the CO freewheelers ride?

Yeah, it was.  It was a lot of fun!  16 hours 51 minutes, 1015 miles.  Good times!  If they do an equally as scenic route next year I'll do it again for sure.

That area is pretty neat, when I was riding thru Lake City I was wishing I wasn't on the clock, I could definitely spend some time in that area!

[Justin]

Yeah, it was.  It was a lot of fun!  16 hours 51 minutes, 1015 miles.  Good times!  If they do an equally as scenic route next year I'll do it again for sure.

That area is pretty neat, when I was riding thru Lake City I was wishing I wasn't on the clock, I could definitely spend some time in that area!

That's pretty good time for the route they had this year   - and you had 7 extra hours to sight see if you wanted  

But yeah, that area is great, CO-149 is 117 miles of the best scenery and it's like stepping back in time. Lake City and Creede are both cool little towns. I usually ride it once or twice a year, and still not sick of it. Bah, I almost tempted to screw my bills and join you this weekend, but I have a flat rear tire now too

[SaharaJp99]

That's pretty good time for the route they had this year   - and you had 7 extra hours to sight see if you wanted  

But yeah, that area is great, CO-149 is 117 miles of the best scenery and it's like stepping back in time. Lake City and Creede are both cool little towns. I usually ride it once or twice a year, and still not sick of it. Bah, I almost tempted to screw my bills and join you this weekend, but I have a flat rear tire now too

Lol, yeah, I had some spare time, but I had several reasons I wanted to do it quickly.  I had no one to watch my dog or come let her out during the ride, so I wanted to be home(including the 100 miles to the start and the 100 mile back home from the finish) within 24 hours, and I also wanted to see if I could maintain BBG pace on those types of roads, which I was pretty close, overall average speed of 60.25, only 2.25 mph off.  Also, Lake City was only like 3 or 4 hours into the ride and I thought 550 was going to eat up a lot more time than it did.  I was 3rd back and I think 2nd in time.  The guy that was 1st in time was reported doing 115-130mph down 115 at 2:30am in pitch black.  I don't trust forest rats enough to do that kind of pace in the dark.  I want to live to die another day.

Hell yeah, screw the bills!  Put a plug in that bitch and come along!

[SaharaJp99]

Sorry Clovis, we pretty much hi-jacked your thread here!

[Justin]

Hell yeah, screw the bills!  Put a plug in that bitch and come along!

Haha.. yeah.. other than being flat it also has about .003 mm of tread left (wonder why it's flat  ) - I guess i could break out the solder iron and make some more tread  

I like riding fast at night, but 115+ even with the HIDs one is outrunning their light. I never go faster than I can see to stop.  And if he was reported going that fast, I wouldn't be surprised if co freewheelers qualifies him; which would make you the actual winner!  

And next time, gimme a hollar if you need someone to let the dog out - I still owe you one or two. Assuming the dog doesn't attack strangers.

[SaharaJp99]

Haha.. yeah.. other than being flat it also has about .003 mm of tread left (wonder why it's flat  ) - I guess i could break out the solder iron and make some more tread  

I like riding fast at night, but 115+ even with the HIDs one is outrunning their light. I never go faster than I can see to stop.  And if he was reported going that fast, I wouldn't be surprised if co freewheelers qualifies him; which would make you the actual winner!  

And next time, gimme a hollar if you need someone to let the dog out - I still owe you one or two. Assuming the dog doesn't attack strangers.

Well, I have a 180/55zr17 sitting here with 500 miles on it that you could toss on for the weekend!  It'd be a little taller and narrower but it'd get the job done.  it's a Shinko something or other.


About that guy, that is just hearsay from another rider that left the same time as him and tried to follow him for a very short while.  I don't think anyone has any proof, as it would be that guy's word against the other guy's.   Doesn't matter, I wasn't trying to be first, I was just trying to maintain a decent pace, for my own personal goals, not to be first back on a ride that wasn't a race.  

Lol, thanks for the offer, but I'm not going to have you ride 200 miles round trip to let my dog out  She can wait.

[Justin]

Well, I have a 180/55zr17 sitting here with 500 miles on it that you could toss on for the weekend!  It'd be a little taller and narrower but it'd get the job done.  it's a Shinko something or other.

I don't think a 180 on a 190 rim would work all that well  - unfortunately I'm just dreaming. Need to replace the tire on Saturday, then have a todo list of house projects - and my son just got back a few weeks ago from NY, so want to spend some time with him too on the weekend. Hopefully we'll be able to get another long weekend in this year before the weather get's to crappy.