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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
Springville, AL | A few friends of mine and I are headed to the Mountains of Colorado. Yep, we're excited. We will be leaving Springville, AL (just outside Birmingham) Friday, June 29 and arriving June 30. No, we don't have a time machine, we have simply decided to take the Iron Butt route to Granby, CO. We will not begin our return until July 6, which will take 3 days.
We have done some research and have asked around to determine some routes to take once we get there. We only have in stone the Million Dollar Highway, where we will visit Ouray and Silverton, and Mt. Evans.
I have two questions for you folks that are lucky enough to live in this motorcycle-roads-from-heaven destination, or have been there.
1) Is there a route or area we "Can't Miss"?
2) As my Vision will require an oil change before we head home, (that 2500 miles requirement is tough when touring), I need a dealership/name of someone who could take care of that. I'm thinking that early Friday morning, July 6 as we begin heading home would be the best time. Any contact info you guys could get me that could do this is extremely appreciated.
It will be my Vision and 3 Goldwings. And as usual, every time we ride together, guess whose bike gets all the attention? Yeah, they are a little jealous.
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Cruiser
Posts: 51
Okotoks, Alberta | If you are going to be in Granby definitely take #34 through the Rocky Mtn National Park towards Estes Park then #7 and #72 towards Nederland. From there there are any number of ways to go depends on how much time you have left in the day. Make sure you have some warm clothes to put on once you are above the tree line. Can get cool up there. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 54
| Dealerships in Pueblo, Co. Spgs and Denver. Actually no big deal to go 3500 miles or so between oil changes when logging hiwy miles according to several Victory mechanics.
Battle Mountain Pass between Leadville and Minturn is awesome. The ride between Creede and Gunnison via Lake City is great. Head on over to Estes Park via Rocky Mtn Natl Park. From Gunnison to Montrose through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is enjoyable. |
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Tourer
Posts: 482
Beer Collins, Colorado (there is no fort) | My tip-try to get up & over the high passes early in the day-your views will be better, you'll see more wildlife early + the forest fires are making things pretty hazy later in the day + most thunder storms don't hit 'till after noon when things heat up and the air gets unstable. I rode up to the top of Pikes Peak last year for the first time, kind of the same thing as MT Evans and a touch less elevation, but a very cool ride too. Have lunch at Tommy Knockers brewpub in Idaho Springs when you do Mt Evans-good food and they brew their own root beer & cream soda that pretty good-I try to not imbibe when I'm on two wheels. Squaw Pass going back down from MT Evans to Bergen Park is a nice road and can keep you off I70 too. A fifteen minute cruise up Central City Parkway out of Idaho Springs will take you to two of the three old mining towns that have legalized gambling in Co if your so inclined. Have fun-Brian |
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | One of my favorite rides is Durango north over Red Mountin Pass and down into Ouray. Ouray is a neat little town. Very rustic. I envy your ride. Hope the smoke isn't too dense. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 192
Republic of Tejas | +1 to what Gray said! And when you see that sign running North out of Durango that says "Motorcycles use extreme caution" pay attention. Thought I was going to buy it in that outside hairpin curve. ;> |
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Cruiser
Posts: 112
Denver, Iowa | Three weeks ago, we did Pike's Peak and Mt. Evans in the same day, but I don't recommend it... it was a lot of seat time in one day. Pike's Peak was heavily travelled on the Wednesday that we were there... couldn't imagine a weekend day. Mt. Evans was less travelled, but was a narrower road with several 10 mph corners near the top, and nothing to stop you from falling 2,000 feet to the trees below. For someone like me who is afraid of heights, it was nerve-racking. The wind chill on top of Mt Evans was 15 degrees according to the ranger we talked to there. Cold and windy above the tree lines of 12,000 ft. We really didn't enjoy it as much as we thought.
The Rocky Mountain National Park was neat, but lots of traffic at 10 am on a Thursday.
Our favorite rides were on Hwy 6 west out of Golden, to state hwy 119 north, just like farlz and ByteN2it said. It is a beautiful ride along a river gorge, and riding through the little town of Blackhawk, Colorado is something we won't forget. Anyway, 119 north to Nederland (119 continues into Boulder and stays on the river gorge, if you so desire) or onto state 72 north, then to state 7 north. Stop often, to take pictures as your enter down into Estes Park. It is an absolutely beautiful town!
We stopped, ate, and fueled up in Granby. Hwy 125 north out of Granby was surprisingly scenic up to Rand but most of it was only 50 mph speed limit. From Rand to Granby was scenic as well, but your riding across a plateau and surrounded by mountains on all sides. Walden has nothing, but if you can catch state 14 east into Fort Collins, that turns out to be fun. That was our second favorite ride.
Those "Motorcycles, use extreme caution!" signs are common in Colorado.
Leadville is the highest incorporated city in elevation in the United States at 10,152 feet.
Our next trip, we're heading towards Durango to ride! |
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | Spent the night in Leadville once. Never again. The elevation is so high and air so thin I couldn't lay down and breathe. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 50
Illinois | Rt 550 - Silverton to Ouray. Doesn't get any more can't miss than that. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 114
Southeast, AZ United States | glencath1 - 2012-06-21 8:07 PM
Rt 550 - Silverton to Ouray. Doesn't get any more can't miss than that.
+1 |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
Springville, AL | Ok, Great Stuff! Now added is the Granby to Estes Park ride... Tommy Knockers Brewery now in the GPS...Battle Mountain Pass to Leadville is now a go...
Still desperately need a name/contact for the oil change thing. I need to make sure, if I can, this is absolutely set up. Gary, do you have a name, etc for the dealers you mentioned in Pueblo and Denver? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
Colorado Springs, CO | Irocrt: Call Jose at Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza in Colorado Springs. One of the service writers, very good guy. Tell him "Mike, who owned the Hogan told me to call you"... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
Colorado Springs, CO | Number... duh. (719) 591-9700 |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
Springville, AL | Allright! Thanks guys. Days are now filled with great routes, including those mentioned here. Goop, got a pm just before your post and oil change is now scheduled at Colorado Powersports, Thorton. Bike has been ready. All that is left to do now is pack. Then, one week from today, it is off to Colorado via the Iron Butt Route. We will cover more than 5000 miles. Good times!!
Thanks again for all the ideas and info! |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
Colorado Springs, CO | Outstanding... enjoy. Highway 50 from Canon City to Salida is a nice ride... Also, may want to look up Bishops Castle, interesting and Jim Bishop is a hoot. Anyway, hard to get enough time to ride all these roads. Highway 12 (highway of Legends, stop at the Dog Bar) down between Trinidad and LaVeta (Walsenburg)... good stuff, nice roads. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 50
Illinois | If you're going to be in Canon City, do the 3 mile ride on Skyline Dr! AND: ride across the Royal Gorge Bridge! Paid admission gets you a bunch of stuff, including use of the bridge. We did it, it was cool.
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | Most good dealers will will do an oil change while you wait with no appointment needed if they know you are on a trip.
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | I have ridden most of the notable roads in the great state of Colorado and my favorite stretch is on Hwy 141 from Hwy 50 south of Grand Junction down through Gateway and continuing south till 141 becomes 145 at Vancorum, CO. This section of road takes you through Gateway Canyon and it is amazing. It is like riding through the base of a mini Grand Canyon. It has great sweepers, very little traffic and you can ride it fast. Gateway is a wonderful resort with hotel, restaurant, store with gas and a world class car museum. This resort was built and owned by John Hendricks the founder of the History and Discovery channels. The car museum is a must see. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
Springville, AL | Hey Bigfoot, you would think so, wouldn't ya? We did a Colorado ride last year, but only for two days, then headed on through Wyoming and Montana. Anyway, I of course needed an oil change. Met a great guy (sorry can't remember name) who actually called ahead to his dealership to set me up an oil change the next morning. It was a Victory dealer, we showed up....He could not work me in! We ended up changing the oil in the parking lot of the hotel. Bummer and waste of time. I didn't want to do my oil change on my vacation. So, it was imperative that I make sure I had a good appointment. The folks at Colorado Powersports have been great over the phone.
Hey Spock, that was actually one of our routes last year. And, someone in our group actually said over the radio while riding, "This must be what it would be like to ride through the Grand Canyon". We of course stopped at the resort and looked around. It was indeed awesome. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Us 160 across Wolf Creek Pass is nice. |
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Hi Jerry, take a look at the routes I and some friends took through Colorado last June. We hit several states but did a lot of riding through Colorado on our way to Montana and back. I have done about 5 other trips in Colorado but have not got them posted on my site yet. Working ion the newer trips back to the older ones. Here is the link to the trip info on my site and you can go through the days and pictures. The route maps are from my tracks on the Garmin Zumo 550 in MapSource. Here is the link: http://craigedland.com/motorcycle-trips/6-18-11-motorcycle-trip-in-tx-nm-co-ut-wy-id-and-mt/ Let me know if you have any questions. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
| Try this web site it has all the states and some of the best roads that other bikers have recommended.
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/
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New user
Posts: 3
| Just outside Grand Junction is Colorado National Monument. A short, but beautiful trip. Canyons, cliffs, rock formations. and it doesn't take too long to travel either. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
Springville, AL | Thanks for all the info guys. It's almost here. Tomorrow morning (3:30am), we Iron Butt to Colorado! I'll post some pics and video upon our return.
Good Times! |
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What are the "Can't Miss" routes in Colorado?
