Colorado riders, any recommendations?

**verrucktaxe** · 11-18-2010, 09:11 PM

I did North Carolina last year, so next year i'm heading west. I'm planning on riding from TX to Ft. Collins, CO in the late spring (once the sand on the roads is gone) to run the Rockies. I'll leave it at one of my sisters' places when i fly home, then fly back to get it in the fall and ride some more. Hopefully i can line up a booksigning in between and have an excuse to get 3 separate riding trips in while the bike's out there.

Does anyone out there have any mapped out road routes they've found and enjoy in the Loveland/Ft. Collins, or even Denver area? I'd like to have some days mapped out before i get there so i spend time enjoying the roads and not trying to find where to ride.

Thanks for any suggestions!

**1000RR** · 11-18-2010, 09:18 PM

Tough to go wrong in Colorado. My rides are usually in SW Colorado and sometime South-central. But from Denver, you'd just want to make your way West/SW and there's plenty places to go.

The challenge is that you might still have a bit of crap on the mountain roads in the Spring time

**verrucktaxe** · 11-18-2010, 11:02 PM

I almost asked if you live out there, looks like you're in NM? Last time i drove to CO from TX i went up I35, but looked like going over on I10 and up would've been a cool drive through your state.

Sis's both live in Ft. Collins/Loveland 70 mi. north of there, so would like to stay somewhat close to there, but have an old college buddy in Denver so will shoot that way at some point too. Any specific towns or points you've found extra fun?

Both ducati dealer and bmw/aprilia guy told me not to go too early in the spring or the roads will have debris. I know in NC you don't want to go too late in the year or you end up with wet leaves on the road either, but i don't think leaves would be a concern as much in the Rockies.

Should be a fun trip if i make it there w/o any tickets. Thank you Valentine 1!

Depths_of_Mind · 11-19-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verrucktaxe

I know in NC you don't want to go too late in the year or you end up with wet leaves on the road either, but i don't think leaves would be a concern as much in the Rockies.

Should be a fun trip if i make it there w/o any tickets. Thank you Valentine 1!

Aspen leaves... EVERYWHERE... however, not much rain so it isn't SUCH a big deal. There are some pretty nifty canyons and such right on the outskirts of Denver. Colorado Springs realy doesn't have much unless you go up into the mountains.

**1000RR** · 11-19-2010, 03:35 PM

NM is a great compromise for weather, mountains, and twisties. Not the beauty of Colorado, but not too far from it when you get into the North Central part of NM. Plenty of great roads/twisties to have day runs on. Similar w/Colorado though, careful too early in the season - left over road crap from winter. We don't have near the issue of Aspen leaves as Colorado does (usually early Sept.), but there are spots.

Make a big loop for your trip to Denver... head West from Loveland toward Estes Park, then pick your route from there. Check out Mapquest... GREAT looking roads out there, some lakes, plenty of mountains, canyons, twisties! Then just make your way over to Denver.

**verrucktaxe** · 11-19-2010, 04:52 PM

excellent. looking forward to it. may put off leaving for there until about mid May. sounds like any earlier might add unnecessary obstacles. maybe memorial day timeframe.

NM might be an area to check the next year. sounds like some great roads and not as far as CO. mapquest said 22 hrs, i made it in 18 with one of the old porsches years ago, see what i can do with a radar equipped s1k.

colobeamer · 11-21-2010, 10:43 AM

Greetings

I've been thrashing the Colorado canyons since 1979. I live in Golden, just 10 miles West of downtown Denver, and you will want to ride Peak-to-Peak, which you can access through two of the most beautiful canyons on earth. Golden Gate and Cold Creek Canyons. Both are accessed off Hiway 93 - which is another gorgeous ride from Golden to Boulder. Peakto-Peak is Golden, to Nederland to Estes Park, with mountains topping 14,000 feet and vistas found no where else, I promise. Ft. Collins is basically 65 miles North of Denver off I-25, a boring asphalt drive, so you want to thing about riding anything West of I-25 in the foothills. I picked up my S1000RR in April of this year, & if you come out in the spring I will be happy to show you my "backyard."

**verrucktaxe** · 11-21-2010, 01:14 PM

Outstanding! if i make it out for a book-signing or something before i bring the bike out, i might check some of this out on 4 wheels first, o.w. i appreciate the tips and will definitely get ahold of you when i schedule my trip. looking forward to it and really appreciate the tour guide offer!

**gely** · 12-23-2010, 10:42 AM

I'm going to be in Colorado Springs next week. Driving from Minnesota and wondering if I should bring the s1k this time of the year? If your in the area , please reply asap. I can ride whenever its 45deg+ and dry.

**1000RR** · 12-23-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gely

I'm going to be in Colorado Springs next week. Driving from Minnesota and wondering if I should bring the s1k this time of the year? If your in the area , please reply asap. I can ride whenever its 45deg+ and dry.

The highs are gonna barely hit the 45+ you mentioned... and if you head up in the mountains, it likely will be a bit less. Doesn't look like it's gonna snow though. However, the Rockies have had some storms come through, so the roads could be crappy too (sand & crap)...