Colorado trip
Banned
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 21,413
Likes: 18,030
These are my favorite rides. Most have been mentioned.
Ouray is on my list of favorites. Little Switzerland.
Million Dollar Hwy to Durango, Dolores River to Telluride, Ridgway back to Ouray.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...5a9770e489.png
Colorado Canyons. Ouray, Ridgway, Placerville, Norwood, Naturita, Grand Junction
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...038a8fb229.png
Glenwood Springs one of the best locations in western Colorado.
South of it are the most ridden. But North is often overlooked towards Medicine Bow.and Steamboat Springs.
Half day ride
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...86d0668484.png
Also. Glenwood to Carbondale to Aspen
After Aspen back to Carbondale. Then over McClure Pass to Hotchkiss for pie.
Then through Grand Mesa back to Glenwood.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...3f8c03aa72.png
Gunnison is another great home base. Black Canyon reachable from Gunnison.
And other great rides from Gunnison. Monarch Pass, South Fork, Crede.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...8dfd5f49a5.png
You might consider Fort Collins. Rocky Mountain National Park
And my favorite is Poudre Canyon, Laramie WY, Livermore CO, Fort Collins.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...4218e6df2f.png
Dont know how much time you have or how far west you care to go. But from Cortez CO: 4 Corners, Monument Valley Utah, Kayenta Arizona is a bucket list ride
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...edd81a9398.png
Ouray is on my list of favorites. Little Switzerland.
Million Dollar Hwy to Durango, Dolores River to Telluride, Ridgway back to Ouray.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...5a9770e489.png
Colorado Canyons. Ouray, Ridgway, Placerville, Norwood, Naturita, Grand Junction
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...038a8fb229.png
Glenwood Springs one of the best locations in western Colorado.
South of it are the most ridden. But North is often overlooked towards Medicine Bow.and Steamboat Springs.
Half day ride
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...86d0668484.png
Also. Glenwood to Carbondale to Aspen
After Aspen back to Carbondale. Then over McClure Pass to Hotchkiss for pie.
Then through Grand Mesa back to Glenwood.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...3f8c03aa72.png
Gunnison is another great home base. Black Canyon reachable from Gunnison.
And other great rides from Gunnison. Monarch Pass, South Fork, Crede.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...8dfd5f49a5.png
You might consider Fort Collins. Rocky Mountain National Park
And my favorite is Poudre Canyon, Laramie WY, Livermore CO, Fort Collins.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...4218e6df2f.png
Dont know how much time you have or how far west you care to go. But from Cortez CO: 4 Corners, Monument Valley Utah, Kayenta Arizona is a bucket list ride
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...edd81a9398.png
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 2,079
From: SE Nevada
I have a question for the locals. I see there's still an alert about avoiding US-50 between Montrose and Gunnison.
I'm headed East and would have liked to take US-50 but this looks like it's still not a good idea on the bike, don't want to be stalled out in a long string of traffic.
Travel Alert | US 50 Construction
Travel Alert | US 50 Construction
Delays and closures through July 2023. Alternating Traffic during daytime hours 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays, and 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday on US 50 (mile points 124 to 127) between Montrose and Gunnison for major road construction. Full overnight closures are from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. from Monday to Thursday nights. Roadway is open to traffic on weekends beginning Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and detour via I-70 or US 160. More information is available at us50info.com.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 965
Likes: 848
From: Hudson, CO
That's completely accurate. Do it on the weekend when it's open, or take a different road. I got stuck in that once 2 years ago. It was a nightmare and we were in my truck towing my wifes Jeep to the Jamboree. The work they are doing is huge multi year project.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 2,079
From: SE Nevada
Thanks for the info, I'm considering that and still trying to figure out my time line because, as so many times before, I'm just passing through. There are so many other things I want to see and roads to travel I still hope to plan a trip where CO is the primary focus some time.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
From Delta to Hotchkiss to Crawford is all 50-60 MPH. South of Crawford when you enter the park boundaries ( no fees), it slows to 30-MPH posted. How fast you actually go is up to you of course, but it is narrow 2-lane and twisty in spots. Very pretty ride.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 87
Likes: 54
From: Missouri
Headed out June 19th. Slight change in plans as Im going to hit Arizona probably first then work my way back into Colorado. I have so many rides planned thanks you you all that Ive had extend my trip for an extra week! Hahaa
thanks to everyone whove taken the time to give ride suggestions!!!
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 386
Likes: 332
From: Colorado
Anything east of I 25 is Kansas. I 25 and I 70 I avoid at any expense. Mt. Evans as mentioned. Guanella Pass south of Georgetown. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway going towards Estes Park. HWY 50 between Canon City and Montrose. Hwy 145 between Telluride and Cortez.
I 70 is scenic west of Denver all the way to Grand Junction, but its highway and soooo many idiots around the touristy spots like Vail and Glenwood Springs.
San Juan Mountains between Montrose and Durango and 50 miles east between those two. Lots of gravel/dirt roads that will take you to some super-scenic places. I dont have any problem riding dirt roads- its just a motorcycle- not a museum piece.
I live in CO and can confirm all the gouge given in your thread is good. Enjoy your trip and ride safe.
Scott
I 70 is scenic west of Denver all the way to Grand Junction, but its highway and soooo many idiots around the touristy spots like Vail and Glenwood Springs.
San Juan Mountains between Montrose and Durango and 50 miles east between those two. Lots of gravel/dirt roads that will take you to some super-scenic places. I dont have any problem riding dirt roads- its just a motorcycle- not a museum piece.
I live in CO and can confirm all the gouge given in your thread is good. Enjoy your trip and ride safe.
Scott
Last edited by InnishMoor; May 16, 2023 at 12:28 AM.