Need advise for Colorado trip!!

[shadowofshoe]

Hey All!!

Once again I am going to the LT forum well for advise....naturally!!

I'm heading to Colorado, Colorado Springs to be precise. Anyhow I have
a bike to ride,an HD, and am looking for nifty roads...I figure the locals would know- What are the musts????

Thanks!!!
Mike

[Zotter]

What time of year you doing this and do you have chains for that HD?

[shadowofshoe]

What time of year you doing this and do you have chains for that HD?


Arriving this month on the 18th.
Mike---Never rode an HD but you know beggars.............

[2002redrider]

The mountains are the obvious choice BUT in mid October there will be periods of bad weather in the high country. From Colorado Springs highway 24 is a good start. Take it West to Woodland Park then North on 67 through Deckers and Pine to 285. East takes you back to Denver, West on 285 through Grant and Fairplay.

North on 9 from Fairplay takes you through Breckenridge and to I-70, South on 285 goes to Buena Vista and 24 North or continue on 285 South. 24 N. goes to Leadville where 91 will take you to Copper Mountain and I-70 or 24 to I-70 West of Vail. From Buena Vista West takes you to Cottonwood Pass (can't remember the road but it is in the middle of town and there is a sign that says Cottonwood Pass). Super road but at the summit it turns to dirt so I just turn around. Weather permitting, it is over 12,000 ft, it is worth the back tracking.

This is just a start as there are many, many excellent roads in Colorado. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison CO on 92 from Gunnison to Hotchkiss, the Uncompahgre Plateau loop in SW Colorado on 50, 550, 62, 141 through Delta Montrose, Ridgeway, Uravan, and Gateway... The first year I lived in Colorado I rode 18,000 miles and never left the state.

[NOGILLS2]

This may well be out of your way. Highway 12 Walsenburg to Trinadad off I-25 is an awesome ride to nowhere, makes a big circle From I 25 to I 25. This follows the base of the Sangre de Christo's and some beautiful views, moutain lakes, twisties, climbs, and descents.

This route was recomended by ElJeffe, it was a couple of hour detour for us but worth every minute, just wish I could ride then as I do now. It was our first trip on "The Beerburner". After STCII I learned how to ride mountain roads there. Also have Ohlins shocks now.

[SilverBuffalo]

Visit the "Garden of the Gods" it's a scenic park just outside Colorado Springs

(it's free) and a great place to take pictures.

[jwimberley]

I suggest you search the internet for Colorado mountain passes. I have been bagging passes for the last few summers and just this summer I looked for the remaining passes on paved roads. There aren't any of the passes that I I have ridden over that weren't scenic and fun to stop at the top of the pass for a picture.
Jim

[RonKMiller]

Arriving this month on the 18th.
Mike---Never rode an HD but you know beggars.............

I've lived in Colorado since 1972.

Today's forecast for Avon - 100 miles west of Denver and right smack in the middle of some of the best riding in the world - is typical weather at 8K feet in mid October, minus the 70 high temps, usually more like 50's to maybe 60.

Stay along the front range at 5K and the weather is still usually summer like - but the front range is B O R I N G.

Arizona or SW Utah would be a much better choice for mid October.

[bmwbagby]

Are you staying in Colorado Springs or just passing through? A fairly popular day trip from the 'Springs is a ride to Bishop's Castle. Take HWY 115 south from Co Springs past Penrose. Go south at Hwy 67. When you reach Hwy 96 take it south until you get to Hwy 165. Take Hwy 165 to Bishop's Castle. If it's a weekend day, you'll probably see quite a few other bikes (as long as the weather is cooperating)!

Here's a link with some information for ya'

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/COBEUcastle.html

Have a safe trip!

[shadowofshoe]

Thanks All!!

I in the state for a week...no plans 'cept a wedding on Sat...I'm pretty stoked as I haven;t been there since 2 weeks of skiing Summit Co every day in my younger days.
Great so far- if you get a chance keep em coming!!


Thanks Again.

Mike
Yes-I'm staying in springs..but a couple nites somewhere else is possible.

[bpd283]

+1 on Bishops Castle ride in that area. Been in the state since 78 and did the ride for the first time just this year. Good roads - Nice scenery.

Also - Check out google maps. The roads between Canon City and Florissant are a blast. Just stay off of 67 through Victor unless you like dirt.

[Lumpy]

The Grand Mesa area is spectacular this time of the year.

[shadowofshoe]

Thanks to All !!!
Leaving in 2 days and stoked..still figuring out mini-trips :D :D
Mt evans closed....but A-Basin open!!

Mike

[Brian-NC]

I was in Colorado last June on a trip with my buddies. There are so many great rides in that state but I found one by chance that is a must ride. We had to detour around a wildfire south of Colorado Springs. From I-25 near Walsenburg, take hwy 69 northeast until you get to Texas Creek. Left on hwy 50 all the way to hwy 285, go south on hwy 285 until you get back to 160. You can turn right and take 160 all the way to Durango. If you make it to Durango, HWY 550 is not to be missed. I think that those that have ridden 550 will agree, this is where God lives.

Brian
Charlotte, NC

[shadowofshoe]

:D
Hey All !!!

We are here--Crystal clear day!!

Pikes Peak and Garden of Gods on todays agenda-so far

Updates later

Thanks again
Mike

[ibbones]

:D
Hey All !!!

We are here--Crystal clear day!!

Pikes Peak and Garden of Gods on todays agenda-so far

Updates later

Thanks again
MikeEnvy...setting in...<control, deep breath>...envy...subsiding...

[ironbuttwannabe]

Have fun.... I hope the weather treats you right.

[ibbones]

While you are in the area, you gotta run up Independence Pass. Like you are going to Aspen. Get to the top and turn around and come back. It's a great road. Also if you have time take some of the back roads around Cripple Creek.

[shadowofshoe]

Iibones et al-

independace vs cottonwood pass weather is turning sunday but I have acess to 4WD.
WOW!!!!! the phone just rang and it was my nieces husband calling from IRAQ 1st time in weeks he is on a new Iraq police training mission way cool to be here for that!!!

Pikes Peak was fabulous but the last 6 miles were closed due to winds may try again,
Garden of Gods is just that....beautiful thanks Silver Buffalo et al!!
Today is gonna be beautiful...but its the wedding day so no riding.
BTW-I'm on a laptop and I HATE it so excuse grammar/puctuation

Mike

[shadowofshoe]

reply to self-or.............

weather iss definitly turning now...talk about wind !! Somethings coming NOW which pass of all open should I try????

Great wedding now a week to play

Mike

[RonKMiller]

While you are in the area, you gotta run up Independence Pass. Like you are going to Aspen. Get to the top and turn around and come back. It's a great road. Also if you have time take some of the back roads around Cripple Creek.

Forecast today for Aspen, about 20 miles from Independence Pass and 4,000 feet lower in altitude:

Today: Periods of snow showers with areas of blowing snow, mainly before noon. High near 32. North wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

You can probably count on 2 feet of snow on Independence, winds gusting to 40 mph or so and zero visiblity. It is currently CLOSED, probably until next summer. Winter has arrived in the Rockies, folks. :D

and here's the current road conditions in the high country: :(

Anyone make chains for the LT? :yeah:

[shadowofshoe]

ITS REAL DIFFERENT NOW!!! :histerica :histerica :histerica :D :D

Mike

[shadowofshoe]

Hey All-
Haven't updated in a while so here we go:

Not much time online available lately....what I had was used to plan next leg(s) of our tour. Note that this was in a cage as I had two others to transport And some of the places are not motorcycle friendly now in CO,
Monday we started out of Co. spg and the !st thing I bagged was a performance award- V-1, on volume off 45, in a 30, 4 lane road wasn't paying attention. 160 bones.
Took 24 up to Bueno Vista cool drive,lunch (god awlful service-good food Awflul service)....then cottonwood pass spectatulor!!!! and a bit unnerving on Mona.The last snow and ice covered switchback had her covering her eyes the top was about 20 dregrees and winds of 40...bottom about 60 f. All the while my 73 y.o. mom-in-law was having the time of her life.
Continued up 24 to 91 This is a Must road to 70.
Spent the night at the Keystone Inn=nice enough.Next day A-Basin considered skiing but just one lift open and loooong lines.
Up to Loveland pass-it was sweet and winds were calm so not too cold Down 70 to Georgetown lunch at Mothers on the deck, next to clear creek,watching brown trout-70 f. and a PBR.
After lunch it was up Guanella Pass...wild road,,awesome views.
long enough post. still hate this laptop.

BTW-last post referred to the big dump of snow I woke up to after a 70 some day for the wedding....interesting drive back to the Springs,

Mike
.

[cccpastorjack]

You are SO blessed! May the wind be at your back and the sun on your face. Have a GREAT ride!