Every year I get a couple PM's from riders asking whether May is a good month to ride in Colorado. In general I tell them that its a hit-miss proposition with our mountain weather and spring storms. Last night we had our second spring storm in a couple weeks and here are some of the total accumulations:

Allenspark (near Estes Park) 36"
Denver area .5"-6"
Four Corners 13"
Pinecliffe 30"

This is a Front Range storm so some parts of the West Slope got none or little snow

Grand Junction 0"

Again, hit or miss. My recommendation for Colorado riding remains June 1- late October. Monsoons hit June - July, frost in the high country by Sept. 1st. IMO, the best riding is September 1 to mid-October. Usually great weather, not as many other tourists to deal with, trees are in full color the third week of Sept, temps have moderated and hotel rates have usually dropped. Great riding this way but best to plan for inclement weather up to the first week of June.

Ride safe.

 

We got 6-12" in the San Juan Mountains which isn't unusual for this time of the year. But, I am riding the San Juan Skyway Saturday. 😎

 

I have a Colorado question if you don't mind. We will be out to Colorado Springs and Estes Park the end of August. I'm a newer rider so I'm not sure if I was given some good advice to riding in the mountains. I was told that the gas there is to low a grade for motorcycles and that you need to put a fuel supplement in the tank to get enough power (this is just for the mountains). I'm in Illinois and our premium gas is 93. Sorry for the stupid question. Thanks, Chili

 

Not true, you certainly don't need a supplement (I have NEVER heard that!). You can get 89 or 91 which works just fine at the highest of altitudes.

 

Thank you so much. I thought it sounded funny but like I said, I'm new.

 

Agree with what SanJuan Ron said...never heard of that either. Any more questions about riding here, ask away!

Ride safe.

 

Thanks for the report. My trip this year is to your state and was needing the info you supplied.

 

Wiskers thanks for the thread. I am or was planning to head to Colorado this coming Wednesday, May 25th to do some riding. I am trying to watch the weather and saw all the storms, what I cant tell is what do the roads look like? Are they salt covered, is there a lot of water run off?

We are thinking we need an alternate plan for this coming week, and may head to Nevada.

Would you give me a report on the roads? We are planning to come into Fort Collins.

THanks
Luke

 

The biggest concern in the mountains right now is the gravel (take tight turns carefully!) especially on the passes and also ice in the morning hours until around 9 AM. I don't start riding above 9,000 feet until after around 9AM due to possible ice. Watch the temps when you begin. We were down to 12 degrees here at home at 9,500 feet Friday morning. But, the forecast is for much warmer temps going forward.