Been to CO?? Give me ideas for my visit!
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 515
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
+1 and...Forecast is for snow on Pikes Peak next week. Estes Park is pretty much closed unless you are bringing a snorkel, and you can't really get there from Denver area very easily. Was on 285 last week to go to a wedding, and it is in good shape and will get you some nice scenery.
Pikes Peak, is good, $15-$20 to get to the top. Anything around the Peak to Peak HWY is not a good idea. Most of the roads north and west of Boulder, meaning 2 lane mountain roads, are washed out. Estes Park is only accessible from the west, AFAIK. Taking HWY 285 southwest out of Denver can take you to a lot of beautiful places.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 61
From: Castle Rock, CO
Just rode today up US 285 to Pine Junction, south to Deckers and then to Woodland Park. Then southeast on US 24 to Colorado Springs and back to Denver. Great 3hr ride. If you want to extend, go west on 24 then south through Florissant Fossil beds, then farther south to Canon City and US50 then to Pueblo and back to Denver. This takes all day.
Another great ride that I do every 2-3years is my pass ride. US 285 to FairPlay. You go over 2 passes, one just a few feet below10,000 ft and right at 10,000. Then over Hoosier Pass to Breckenridge, west and south over Tennessee pas and then back to I-70 and over Vail Pass. Then get off 70 to go over Loveland Pass.
Great roads, great views! Just get started early.
PM me and I can go over dozens of routes.
Another great ride that I do every 2-3years is my pass ride. US 285 to FairPlay. You go over 2 passes, one just a few feet below10,000 ft and right at 10,000. Then over Hoosier Pass to Breckenridge, west and south over Tennessee pas and then back to I-70 and over Vail Pass. Then get off 70 to go over Loveland Pass.
Great roads, great views! Just get started early.
PM me and I can go over dozens of routes.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 9
From: Denver, CO
Just rode today up US 285 to Pine Junction, south to Deckers and then to Woodland Park. Then southeast on US 24 to Colorado Springs and back to Denver. Great 3hr ride. If you want to extend, go west on 24 then south through Florissant Fossil beds, then farther south to Canon City and US50 then to Pueblo and back to Denver. This takes all day.
Another great ride that I do every 2-3years is my pass ride. US 285 to FairPlay. You go over 2 passes, one just a few feet below10,000 ft and right at 10,000. Then over Hoosier Pass to Breckenridge, west and south over Tennessee pas and then back to I-70 and over Vail Pass. Then get off 70 to go over Loveland Pass.
Great roads, great views! Just get started early.
PM me and I can go over dozens of routes.
Another great ride that I do every 2-3years is my pass ride. US 285 to FairPlay. You go over 2 passes, one just a few feet below10,000 ft and right at 10,000. Then over Hoosier Pass to Breckenridge, west and south over Tennessee pas and then back to I-70 and over Vail Pass. Then get off 70 to go over Loveland Pass.
Great roads, great views! Just get started early.
PM me and I can go over dozens of routes.
Definitely this is the best suggestion ITT the others were good, but due to the flooding, I would rule out any rides east of the continental divide north of I70. Any roads not damaged or sestroyed are still in the smack middle of clean up efforts and you wouldn't have much fun.
The woodland park run from conifer is a glorious ride, especially in the late afternoon. But avoid it if there are thunderstorms or rain in the area, it has lots of burn area and is very prone to flash flooding.
A Great route, if you don't mind taking 70, would be to ride 70 to glenwood canyon, take 82 south to aspen, have lunch, then continue on 82 over independence pass and then hit 24 south to buena vista( the collegiate peaks overlook and other general views of the collegiate peaks make BV a beautiful place), the overlook is just past town on your left as you start to climb into the canyon on 24 east/285 north (combined road til you get out of the canyon and then 24 splits off to the east towards Colorado Springs and woodland park), take 24 east to woodland park and then 67 north to 285. This would bea very long, but very beautiful day. Or you can split it in half and stay the night in BV.
Have fun and I hope you enjoy our beautiful state.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: Northern CO
I live in northern Colo and given the flood damage here right now I second the suggestion to ride 285 west out of Denver. I love that ride and you won't deal with all the extra traffic due to roads closed by the flood.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore, MD
Last summer I did all 4 National Parks in CO, Mt. Evans. I recommend getting out to Mesa Verde N.P. then take CO 141 north to CO Nat. Monument. So many great roads and rides out there not enough time to ride them all. If possible get up to the northwest to Dinosaur National Monument. just a few suggestions.
Most important, make sure you are hydrated out there, sun screen, saline solution for eyes and nose. It's dry out there and you will dehydrate quickly. I took a 100 oz. Camelback tied to the passenger seat with a extension feed tube over my shoulder so I always had cool water to drink. Also good sunglasses help too.
Most important, make sure you are hydrated out there, sun screen, saline solution for eyes and nose. It's dry out there and you will dehydrate quickly. I took a 100 oz. Camelback tied to the passenger seat with a extension feed tube over my shoulder so I always had cool water to drink. Also good sunglasses help too.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
I did Pikes peak and Garden of the Gods before heading up to sturgis. I wanted to look at Royal Gorge, but skipped it because the bridge is closed, due to fire damage.
As others said, road conditions is the thing to research before heading out.
As others said, road conditions is the thing to research before heading out.
Great advise here guys...Thanks a ton! Look for me on the road Wed/thurs. Ill be on a Ultra wearing a Blue Knights cut with NJ rocker, and a big stupid grin on my face!
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