Most of us seem to have at least one major trip per year. Most of mine have been to always move from one place to the next every day. So naturally these trips cover fairly high mileage.

I'm thinking of making my next one based out of some hub and doing day rides from there. I have done a couple like this before, making Durango a hub on one and Ouray a hub on another. Naturally some of the days rides were the same from these.

Does anyone know of another good hub that offers good restaurants and a good bar or two to hang out in at night? My preference, as usual, is to go to the rockies.

 

Did Steamboat this way. Hadn't intended to, but got into town and looked around and decided to do all of the riding from there. We did 3 nights, a day in from the east up the Big Thompson river through Estes Park, a day north into Wyoming and back through Buffalo Pass (not paved), an easy day south and back into town early and then a day riding out along the Poudre river canyon. Stayed at Alpine Rose B & B. Place had an awesome hot tub on the deck under the stars, probably why we stayed.

Could easily do the same thing in the Smokies. Stay at Fontana Dam, Maggie Valley, Ashville, etc.

 

This sounds like the Shamrock tours from RoadRunner mag. Each day is in a different direction all ending up in the same place. I've done this (over a few weekends - so not quite the same) for the State College, PA Shamrock tour. This is just a preview.

To me, it makes good sense to tour this way. Some of the advantages I see are:

• knowing where you're sleeping
• knowing where you're eating
• decent solution if renting a bike
• friends can join in on the 2nd or 3rd day without worrying about meet-up times

Being very new at touring it seemed a nice way to get introduced to the challenges and still get some great riding.

 

Check out Buena Vista or Salida if you want to stay in Colorado. Lot's of good riding there and the Collegiate Peaks are pretty good for scenery. And The Coyote Cantina in Johnson Village is a good place to wet your whistle. Jan's in Buena Vista is good home style food or Quincy's for steak.

 

Is Estes Park a good hub or no?
When I was a kid (many many years ago) we stayed there for a few days and went around. It was so long ago, and we were in cages and a RV so I can't really remember all the logistics.

 

The only down side to Estes Park is people. If you don't mind lots of them it's good. Fewer people on the other side of the park in Grand Lake. Not to many options for lodging though.

 

Breckenridge would be another area to look at.

 

The last two years a group of us have rode the Smoky Mountains, Dragon and the Parkway while using Townsend as a base. It's worked very well.
Bill

 

We will keep that in mind then, thanks for the info!
I'm not really sure when we will be going, but we will be going. I do like less people if I can at all help it.

 

We have used Silverthorne as a hub twice now. Condo rentals during the summer are super cheap and very comfortable. Generally cheaper than a hotel if you have another couple to share it with.


From there you can hit Pike's Peak, Mt. Evans, Rocky Mountain NTl Park and many other great places. Lots of good places to eat there as well and not as crowded as Estes Park.