What is the better time of year to ride through…

[R Doug]

Again, thanks for all of the replies!  This is exactly what I'm looking for.

As far as timing, the company's Las Vegas trip hasn't been scheduled yet.  Lately, he's done it the first week of October.  But, in years past, he's done it in late September.  

When reading about the weather out there, October is a key month as the average temps drop 20-25 degrees from the first to last week of that month.  Nowhere else in the Continental US do temps fall that quickly.  So, I can appreciate the comments about cold (not cool) and snow.  

As follows are my indicative daily routes.  Let me know if you see any problems.

Day 1

http://goo.gl/maps/zgHb

for some reason, Google maps will not allow me to go across Rt. 14 through the Dixie Nat’l Forest to get into Cedar City, UT.  

Day 2

http://goo.gl/maps/I5zO

Day 3

http://goo.gl/maps/BjFm

Day 4

http://goo.gl/maps/Wo0sL

Day 5

http://goo.gl/maps/K33jW

Day 6

http://goo.gl/maps/DnG9L

Day 7

http://goo.gl/maps/nho4

Day 8

http://goo.gl/maps/iaFV

[Tombstone]

The last I heard 14 was closed due to a slide.

[Tombstone]

As follows are my indicative daily routes.  Let me know if you see any problems.

Only one problem, I hope your brain can handle "good road overload"..... Nice routes all!  

[bikerfish1100]

The last I heard 14 was closed due to a slide.

you need to turn up the volume on your hearing aid. full closure was about 3 weeks ago, and was cleared in a matter of a day or 2.
this is current-
"CO 14 Eastbound/Westbound West of Cameron Pass near Gould (Milemarker 63) (through
August 2012)
24 Hours- There will be one lane alternating traffic for rock slide repairs 24/7. Flaggers will be present 7a-7p MO-FR
and a traffic signal"

[bikerfish1100]

RDoug-I took a look at your daily specifics. Be aware that your ~400 mile days in the CO/UT mountains can be a bit "optimistic", unless your plan is to spend nearly all day on the road, riding. you might want to scale back just a tad- especially on those back-to-backers, or at least have some alternate end ponts identified. then again, you might be jsut fine with it.
yeah, you've got some real goodies in there.

[R Doug]

RDoug-I took a look at your daily specifics. Be aware that your ~400 mile days in the CO/UT mountains can be a bit "optimistic", unless your plan is to spend nearly all day on the road, riding. you might want to scale back just a tad- especially on those back-to-backers, or at least have some alternate end ponts identified. then again, you might be jsut fine with it.
yeah, you've got some real goodies in there.

Good feedback, thanks.  Is your concern more with traffic holding me up or due to a slow average pace due to twisties (or both)?  

I am OK with doing 350-400 mile days in the Appalachian mountains on twisty little back roads all day long.  My typical riding day is kickstand up by 8AM and hit my final destination by 5-6PM.  I like 9-10 hour days and I don't "stop to smell the roses" all the much.  About every 100-120 miles I stop to get off the bike whether I need to for gas, bathroom, or just to stretch.  My typical “pace” is 5-10 over the speed limit at most times except for going through towns.

[R Doug]

PS... a co-worker, who has ridden in the area before on his HD, said he thought my miles per day was too high and couldn't believe I wouldn't take more time to spend say 1/2 a day in Zion or hiking around Arches.  I told him when I ride, the ride for the roads.  The side attractions are just that... side attractions.  I'm sure I'll be blown away by Zion with its breathtaking beauty.  But, I don't mind looking at it for 10 minutes and saying, "wow, this is beautiful.  time to roll on."  

When I'm out riding and see something worth spending more time, my wife and I will plan a vacation to that place together and become more intimate with it then.  

[bikerfish1100]

impossible to do Zion or Arches in 10 minutes. neither is a riding road (hell, even RMNP, with Trail Ridge Rd, is not a riding road). i'd say on those either plan to spend an hour or so, or just blow it off entirely.

my concern was ability to manage time on slower twistes, as you will get traffic, whether its July (lots) or October (less so)- and even with  a blitzkrieg style of passing, your opportunities for getting by the touristas on many of these roads can be limited.

but it sounds like you have the general concept implanted, so should not be too much of an issue.

[Tombstone]

Good feedback, thanks.  Is your concern more with traffic holding me up or due to a slow average pace due to twisties (or both)?  

I am OK with doing 350-400 mile days in the Appalachian mountains on twisty little back roads all day long.  My typical riding day is kickstand up by 8AM and hit my final destination by 5-6PM.  I like 9-10 hour days and I don't "stop to smell the roses" all the much.  About every 100-120 miles I stop to get off the bike whether I need to for gas, bathroom, or just to stretch.  My typical “pace” is 5-10 over the speed limit at most times except for going through towns.

You won't have any problem logging those miles.
Zion NP, and highway 12 et al are 'slow' roads, but 89 and others are 55+ roads.  
With your intended pace and hours in the saddle you'll be fine.
One caution:  watch your speed through the towns, google "Springdale Cash for tickets" and you'll see what I mean. Like anything else the few bad ones get the attention, but there are some quirky towns in Southern Utah.

[Justin]

One caution:  watch your speed through the towns

Pretty much the rule of the west. Slow down to the posted speed limit when approaching any town.

[JonS]

September is the best month for weather and temps. I'm going to do an overnighter, from our house, off 191, to Ceder City and back.  I froze my butt off in October, going through the Dixie Nat Forest. It was beautiful with the leaves being in a brilliant stage, but the sleet  on my face shield kind of got in the way. You never know, when dealing with mountains.

[Clovis]

I've had some of my best rides in early/mid October. As long as you get out in the first half of October you should be fine.

July works well too. Wild fires are fairly uncommon but this year Colorado had a ton. The main issue with July is the heat (not really an issue at higher elevations but definately a concern at lower elevations) and summer traffic.

Last October a budy and I rode 1000 miles down to Toas and through the New Mexico national parks. It was the best trip ever. No cars, no cops, lots of twisty roads! East of Toas we had an entire national park to our selves. We saw maybe 5 others cars total, it was unbelievable. We did that trip around October 14-15.

[UHOH]

I've been down there over many yrs during the months of April, May, November.  

I have studiously avoided mid-June thru Labor day, so
I would suggest the early fall period of the two you're considering...

[Tombstone]

Todays paper reports that SR 14 (closed since Oct 2011) is now open. There are still minor delays due to ongoing construction.
Looks like you can put that one back on your route.

[bomber]

My own preference is for May.  I'd vote October, as the kiddies are back in school and fewer RVs are about.

^This, all day!

[R Doug]

Thanks for the updates!