Going to Colorado, any advice on roads?

[ColumbiaBMW]

This Saturday I'm riding out to Boulder CO to stay with a friend. We were going to try and do a lot of riding while I'm out there and so far my plan is to see the Black Canyon, the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, and ride up to the top of Mount Evans (the tallest road in America, which just happens to close 2 days after I get to Boulder, so that will definitely be the 1st thing we do). Any other suggestions though of roads to take, or places to see? Thanks everyone!

PS I was planning on purchasing AAA roadside assistance coverage again before I leave, but just curious if anyone knows of anything else that is similar to AAA, but maybe a little cheaper or a better value? Thanks again.

[towerworker]

Check your antifreeze 'fore you go. It can get mighty cold out there.

Wayne

[duegi]

Peak to Peak Highway is a good ride during the week during the off traffic times of day. Don't bother on the weekends as it's put-put zoo time with traffic. Also going through Rocky Mountain National Forest is gorgeous and a well spent $10. Again try to go during the week as weekends are nutz. Trail Ridge Road is the name of the Park road???



Any of the twisty roads West and North of Boulder are fun you just need to hit them at the off traffic times. If you want any day of the week riding with no traffic what-so-ever you'll need to keep heading West about 1-2 hours to get outside of the day tripping folks.

[Odiemann]

Peak to Peak Highway is a good ride during the week during the off traffic times of day. Don't bother on the weekends as it's put-put zoo time with traffic. Also going through Rocky Mountain National Forest is gorgeous and a well spent $10. Again try to go during the week as weekends are nutz. Trail Ridge Road is the name of the Park road???



Any of the twisty roads West and North of Boulder are fun you just need to hit them at the off traffic times. If you want any day of the week riding with no traffic what-so-ever you'll need to keep heading West about 1-2 hours to get outside of the day tripping folks.

Plus one on Peak to Peak, and that stretch from Lyons to the p2p junction. Then all the canyons; Deer Creek, Left, etc.

[GypsyRR]

Starting at Gunnison, this would keep you very busy and entertained! I loosely drew the route because I didn't have time to draw in all the twists and turns. All of the roads in the map I link to below are equally great. I doubt anyone would disagree. It just might be difficult to do that whole thing in one day!You can find the map here:


http://www.communitywalk.com/map/index/1439063


141 From Naturita (far west) to Grand Junction has been one of my all time favorite rides I have ever done. It looks like this most of the way, and very little traffic if any.




Million Dollar Highway (Ouray to Durango) is just crazy fun, with no guard rails.




And The Black Canyon is a favorite memory of mine as well. I figured out life there one day.


Good days to you on your trip. Be sure to post a ride report. I'd love to see some of the roads/places I missed this year.

[BluegrassPicker]

This Saturday I'm riding out to Boulder CO to stay with a friend. We were going to try and do a lot of riding while I'm out there and so far my plan is to see the Black Canyon, the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, and ride up to the top of Mount Evans (the tallest road in America, which just happens to close 2 days after I get to Boulder, so that will definitely be the 1st thing we do). Any other suggestions though of roads to take, or places to see? Thanks everyone!

PS I was planning on purchasing AAA roadside assistance coverage again before I leave, but just curious if anyone knows of anything else that is similar to AAA, but maybe a little cheaper or a better value? Thanks again.

I am planning on heading to mt evans from MN this weekend also. I am trying to beat the road closing. If you see a guy with a yellow helmet and a blue R1150rt come by & say hi!

[jobooth321]

Great weather out here right now. Little warm, but if you're up in the mountains you'll be fine. Like previous posts, any mountain roads and any canyon roads. Sometimes I purposefully get lost. Just head into the hills and start enjoying the turns!

Oh, bring your rain gear.

[ColumbiaBMW]

@Wayne, I couldn't find the radiator so I just poured a gallon of antifreeze into the gas tank, that should work right?

@Odieman, I'll definitely check out the Peak to Peak highway, it's funny I never knew there was a great road there because I always make a trip to Lyons when I'm in the area for some Dale's Pale Ale, and pinball!

@Gypsy, the Million Dollar Highway looks incredible! Thanks for the suggestion.

@Bluegrass, we're going to try and go up to Mount Evans Scenic Highway on Sept 5th, I'll keep an eye out for you.

@jobooth, my rain gear is already packed. In fact, my entire bike is pretty much already packed, now I'm just counting down the days at work this week until I can get on the road. The plan is to meet my friend in St. Joseph, MO this Saturday morning at the house where Jesse James was assassinated. After a quick tour of the house and museum we're going to get on Highway 36 all the way across Kansas. I'm sure we'll have to camp or get a hotel somewhere around Oberline or Norton KS, but then we're back on the road Sunday to finish the ride to Boulder. I'm sure we'll take it easy Sunday night, and then the really exciting riding begins on Monday! Thanks for all the suggestions, we're going to try and push ourselves to see as much as possible in the week I'm out there. I'll definitely post a ride report with pictures, but don't expect any photos like Gypsy's!

PS I just decided to go with AAA again for roadside assistance. I googled a few other options for a while, and most other companies only tow up to 35 miles. Whereas AAA gives me one tow up to 200 miles.

[Ric]

Indepence Pass

[Dr. Strangelove]

but just curious if anyone knows of anything else that is similar to AAA, but maybe a little cheaper or a better value? Thanks again.

If you have Progressive insurance you can tack it on for very cheap, iirc $7/year ???

and they will take you to the nearest BMW dealer. Double check that, but that's what it was a couple of years ago when I added it.

Yes, Co 92 on the N rim of Black Canyon.

There was another thread recently about the same topic; you can prob search and find it.

JOhn

[ColumbiaBMW]

If you have Progressive insurance you can tack it on for very cheap, iirc $7/year ???

and they will take you to the nearest BMW dealer. Double check that, but that's what it was a couple of years ago when I added it.

Yes, Co 92 on the N rim of Black Canyon.

There was another thread recently about the same topic; you can prob search and find it.

I did look into that before (as I do have Progressive), but decided against it for some reason. Not sure why, maybe I'll look into it again tonight. Also, I just remembered about that previous thread this afternoon after I had already posted this, sorry about the repost but I still appreciate all the suggestions.

[f4tweet]

I love to go 50 West. Go down into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. 550 South to 62 West to 145 South. Stop at Telluride for lunch and continue to Rico, where in the 70's it was where the hippies lived, hence they were called Rico Freako's. Go to Cortez and then go East. My dream ride. If you come back North through Duango, don't miss the Million Dollar Highway (550) thru Silverton and Ouray. Happy Trails.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I love to go 50 West. Go down into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. 550 South to 62 West to 145 South. Stop at Telluride for lunch and continue to Rico, where in the 70's it was where the hippies lived, hence they were called Rico Freako's. Go to Cortez and then go East. My dream ride. If you come back North through Duango, don't miss the Million Dollar Highway (550) thru Silverton and Ouray. Happy Trails.

big ditto on all that...agree fully

And Black canyon is seen best from 92

[duegi]

Oops, almost forgot, when in Boulder be sure to stop by Lucile's for breakfast at least once. Beignets are a must along with the chicory coffee. http://www.luciles.com/

[dmk]

+++++ 1 on Independence Pass - From just south of Leadville to Aspen. Think its Rt 52, not sure. But views that rival some of the Rockies best. Just gorgeous Alpine viewing. Did it in July and want to go back

[spoon]

Well I hate to tell you this, BUT, you will have to move to Northern Co. it will take several years to see all there is to see. Trail Ridge Road is close to Boulder and a must see. All of the other roads are great. Even the plains have things to offer. Make sure you have good rain gear and a camera. Then tell us about the trip.

[JML]

I'm sorry I wasn't here a few weeks earlier on this thread. I'll put my recommendation for next time. If you're going to do Mt. Evans, go the "back" way through Evergreen, instead of I-70 to Idaho Springs. Take Bear Creek Road (Colorado Road 74) and Upper Bear Creak Road (Colorado Road 74/475) to Squaw Pass Road (Highway 103) to the base of Mt. Evans. 103 is the same road you take south from Idaho Springs, but taking it east from Evergreen and Kittredge is far superior. Instead of being trapped in a canyon, you're doing twisties along the side of a mountain, so the views are far better.

This is a picture I took from the road a few years ago.



Any of the canyon roads that get you from Highway 93 to Peak to Peak (Highways 119 and 72) are great fun, but they don't have the views that you get from 103.