COLORADO TRIP

[beckymcc1]

We are planning a trip to Colorado in a few weeks to ride our bikes around the mountains. I have a couple of books and a website http://www.motorcycleroads.com/ to provide some guidance as to exactly where we want to go. There are lots of choices. We are really excited about the trip. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have been corresponding a little with a guy that lives here in the Houston area and has been there several times on his bike riding in different areas of Colorado. His main suggestion is to always always always be prepared for all kinds of weather...heat, cold, rain etc. So we will definitely be taking our layering gear and rain suits.

[amethaelf]

Sugggestions? Ride safe, have fun, remember the camera!

[SFW]

Pikes Peak...dunno if they allow MCs on that road. Also near Aspen CO is just pretty this time of year. I also like hgwy 24 on the way thru woodland park, always wanted to drive a porsche thru there. I spent 15 years out in that area,,,I want to drive there this summer too!

[lonestarrr]

Look in to Mt Evans, Highest Paved Road in North America, Rocky Mt National Park, and if you can, cross just over the border into Utah and visit Arches National Park, Moab a must see! Had the op to ride there last Aug due to the AMA sponsored Women and Motorcycling Conference. Great roads, very senic. Being from the East cost all my life I now see the inspiration for old westerns and the original Bugs Bunny cartoons. Breath taking. I must go back one day. Do tell us all about your trip when you get back, and yes do take pictures!

[5thwheel]

Would really love to see some pictures when you get back. Safe journey.

[softail02]

What Lonestar said.

Plus, Durango to Silverton. Silverton to Euray. Euray is known as the American Alps or Little Switzerland, beautiful area, but the road is really twisty and tight, worth every second though in my opinion. I would rather be on a motorcycle on that road than in a car/truck. Euray has a natural hot springs type beach/swimming area!

Or, if go to Moab, UT (highly recommend) then back to Euray and Silverton and thru Colorado.

[Blacktop]

I've always wondered how my bike would handle the higher altitude.It's not fuel injected.

[Wyomom]

I think if you get anywhere west of Denver, you're in for a treat. We went to Buffalo Bill's grave last year on a whim, nice little ride, lots of twisties. When is your trip? Have fun and ride safe!

[VTXRider]

I live in Colorado, one of my favorite roads is Hwy 14 up through Poudre Canyon to Walden, Co. lunch at the Antlers Inn, then go through Medicine Bow National Forest to Laramie, WY and Hwy 287 back to Colorado.

I also like riding Hwy 7 From Lyons, Co to Estes Park, and there are countless back roads we like to ride...Rist Canyon, Masonville, too many to name. When will you be here?

[Shaunie]

I live in Colo, and in the mountains. I agree about hitting Estes Park. Except I would hit it the bass-ackwards way. Go I-70, over Berthoud Pass (toward winter park). This is hwy 40. Then follow hwy 40 until you turn right after the town of Granby. Head toward Grand Lake. Follow the signs to Grand Lake & then follow the signs to Rocky Mountain National Park. Then enter the park.Trailridge Road goes above treeline & goes all the way through the park & spills out in Estes. This is a HUGE loop--but well worth it. Grand Lake is nice & Estes is full of shopping. Rocky Mountain Nation Park is also beautiful. If you had the time you could stay over night in Grand Lake, then head into the park the next day (it's a great park). And then spend the second night in Estes Park.

Just a heads up, even when the weather is nice, be ready for strange winds. We get localized gust fronts up here. And like mentioned before, watch out for afternoon thunder showers (including dry thundershowers with a lot of lightning). Also, it's dry up here--drink lots of water. Especially drink lots of water when you're above tree line. If you're a drinker, one drink will feel like three at elevation--so be prepared.

Enjoy your trip!

[beckymcc1]

Thank you ladies for all the great advice. We have so many choices. We will definitely consider all the suggestions of roads, etc. We will be leaving Houston July 10th (Saturday) and return to Houston a week later on Sunday the 18th. We are rally excited about this trip. I am a picture person and plan to take alot of them.

[Glidelady]

We love Hwy 50 from Canon City to Montrose. In Canon City is the Royal Gorge which is quite fantastic, then heading west, Stop in Salida. Following the Arkansas River is quie beautiful. When you get to Montrose you can head south to Ouray (home of some fantastic views, you literly walk sideways down the street because of the steep hills) down to Durango. Fantastic! An evnious trip. (Pretty hard to not find something beautiful in Utah as well if you can head over the state line)

[Tara27]

I can't wait to see your pictures and hear about your trip! We are doing the same thing in August, but I'm not taking my bike. Three couples are going, I'm the only girl who rides, and our trailer (yes, we're hauling them out there - not much to see between Kansas City and Colorado!!!) will only hold three bikes. So I'm stuck on back for this one, but I'm okay with that this time around.

[sportygrl]

Becky...sounds like no matter what you're going to have a fabulous trip. My hubby lived in Colorado for 2-years while we were still dating. The one thing I remember about our rides is how much the weather could change over just a few hours/miles depending on where we rode. Do definitely do the layering thing, so you can easily put on and take off clothes as needed. My chaps were my best friend on some of our rides.

Have fun and ride safe!!!

[DaisyMae]

I am also from Colorado. Which direction are you coming from. My suggestions . . . Glenwood Springs (along I-70 in Western Colorado) to Redstone and over McClure Pass to Paonia. Grand Mesa is also very nice. Also Glenwood Springs to Aspen and over Independence Pass to Leadville. From their either north to Vail and back to Denver or south to San Luis Valley (very straight road) or over Monarch Pass to Gunnison. If you need more info, please feel free to PM me.

[beckymcc1]

Thankk you all for your suggestions. I am considering all of them. One week before we leave. I am in desperate need of a vacation. So much going on at work. Bikes are ready, just need to pack.

[SFW]

I'm in lockdown at work...no time off til 8/16 -

[DaisyMae]

Where in Colorado have you decided to tour?

[beckymcc1]

Hey Daisymae,
So far all we have decided on is the Western half ha ha. We definitely want to go see the Royal Gorge. Hubby and I have been there before, but I want my brother to see it. We have read about a 200 mile loop going through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, San Juan National Forest, Cortez, etc. Also maybe something aroung Glenwood Springs, Leadville, etc. We have also looked at www.motorcycleroads.com ( a pretty neat site). The possibilites are endless. I work with a couple of guys that will be in Denver on business that week, we've joked about meeting up for dinner & drinks. Don't think it'll work though. I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but we will be trailering the bikes up to save time. From Houston, it should be about a 15 hour drive (according to mapquest) and with 3 of us taking turns driving we should be able to beat that time. We know someone in Colorado Springs and he's letting us park the truck and trailer at his place (he's got space). Our plan is to leave our house early next Saturday morning, get to a hotel in Colorado Springs, get a good night's sleep, get a good breakfast then go to John's house and unload the bikes and take off! Come back to his house a week later to load the bikes up and drive home. What part of Colorado are you in?

[DaisyMae]

In Glenwood Springs!! I'll PM you and give you my cell phone #. Call me if you get into town!

[Condor]

Have a wonderful and picturesque time. And remember to take a pic in your rearview mirror for the contest

[Zoom]

I've never been that way except in my dreams and so the only thing I can recommend is while you ride through there to remember that there is someone from the Vtwinmama board that is very jealous but hopes you have a wonderful time. Can't wait to see pics! Have fun and number one, be safe!

[beckymcc1]

Well we made it back. A wonderful trip. I survived the Million Dollar Highway, Independence pass and lots of twisty narrow roads, s curves, 10 mph switchbacks, etc. and lots of gravel roads. All in all, some very treacherous roads, but we survived it all. I enjoyed the curvy roads, but don't like the 10 mph switchbacks (they made me very nervous0. I'll share more details and pictures later but all was good.

[DaisyMae]

Glad you had a wonderful time! Isn't Independence Pass fantastic!

[SFW]

Sounds great, yes we want pics...when your rested!

[Shaunie]

don't like the 10 mph switchbacks (they made me very nervous0.

Those types of switchbacks make me dizzy after awhile. I'm not a huge fan of them either. Glad to hear you survived the gravel ... we've had a lot of riders go down in the last few weeks due to the gravel--we've had a lot rain.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip! Independence Pass is awesome! Can't wait to see your pics !

[firefly]

Glad you had a wonderful trip. Please post some pics for those of us who have to stay home this summer !

[DaisyMae]

Plan to do Independence Pass (Colorado) tomorrow if the weather holds. This will be the first time I have done that. Very steep drops and switchbacks, as Becky mentioned. Just a little nervous! DH thinks we should take the cage, but this is why I ride!

[Zoom]

Glad you are back safe and had a great trip, hoping to see pics soon.

[beckymcc1]

ok finally got the pics uploaded to photobucket. I'm sorry for the delay, just overwhelmed at work. working 7-6 or later and worked Saturday too, then chores today. Bikes are still needing baths, etc. oh well, will get to it someday. Here are the pics and I let me know if this link does not work. It's a lot of pics, but that's a good thing right?

http://s657.photobucket.com/albums/uu29 ... DO%202010/

[DaisyMae]

Great pics Becky!! Looks like you got to see a lot of wonderful scenery from our colorful state!

[beckymcc1]

Thanks Daisymae! yes we had a wonderful time. What a beautiful state you live in. But I could only live there during the summer, I could not handle your winters.

[DaisyMae]

Son may move to your area so I am trying to talk DH into being snowbirds so we could live in your area in the winter and Colorado in the summer! That is a ways off, but something to think about!

[tkt2ride]

Beautiful scenery! And how did you catch that deer bounding across the road?

[Trish]

Thanks for the pics-the Pueblos were especially interesting

[Zoom]

Beautiful!!! Wow, I wanna go there someday!

[Blacktop]

Well we made it back. A wonderful trip. I survived the Million Dollar Highway, Independence pass and lots of twisty narrow roads, s curves, 10 mph switchbacks, etc. and lots of gravel roads. All in all, some very treacherous roads, but we survived it all. I enjoyed the curvy roads, but don't like the 10 mph switchbacks (they made me very nervous0. I'll share more details and pictures later but all was good.

Heavens,I HATE those 10-15mph switchbacks...most I've seen have been totally blind One I was riding pillon,and thought I was going to have to jump off the bike to save my skin.I'm glad you came through like a champ.

[beckymcc1]

Thanks for the comments ladies!

Beautiful scenery! And how did you catch that deer bounding across the road?

We sent it an invitation. ha ha haha ha
Actually it was just pure luck. But everyone thinks it's a cool picture.

[SFW]

Atleast you stayed away from highway 550....thats a heck of a road!! Deadlest road in the state.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQu2aeCGk-E

[beckymcc1]

We did ride 550 (Million dollar Highway) from Montrose to Durango. We were very nervous riding that road, but beautiful scenery.

[firefly]

Great pics, Becky - thanks for sharing !

[RoseD]

wow! that is on my bucket list for sure. looks like you had a great trip!

[amethaelf]

I saw a show on tele the other night that was set in Colorado, and was awed by the spectacular mountains. Such a beautiful place. If I ever travel to the US, Colorado would be on my definate places to see, thats for sure.