Planned Ride

[Spud]

The weekend after this, I'm planning a little 3 and a half day solo escape. Never done Colorado, so here's what I've come up with. I'll post a ride report when done. BTW, have new Bridgestone BT023 GT Specs just mounted last night, front and rear. This should be fun! :clapping:

https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source...mp;num=10"]

 

[TellurideFJR]

Sure, pick a weekend when I have to work! One minor route change is recommended. Take 141 from Whitewater (just south of Grand Junction) to Gateway and through Naturita on your way to Telluride. You will be glad that you did. Gas, food and some quite nice lodging is available in Gateway at the resort there. The first 30 miles from Gateway to Naturita is heaven, and the rest is really good too!

 

[FjrVfr]

I hate both you guys. God, how I miss Colorado.

When you pass through Montrose be sure to take a trip over to the Black Canyon, ride the rim and ride down to the dam/river. It's magnificent (and my favorite place on Earth).

Have a wonderful trip (you bastard!).

 

[phroenips]

you're on the wrong side of the state, otherwise I'd offer to meet up with you for a little ways.

Oh, and if you can manage it, don't stop in Rawlins, WY...worst piece of shit town I've ever been to. Starting with the extremely "nice" and "happy" employees everywhere (and by "nice" and "happy," I mean "rude" and "miserable") to the lack of working bathrooms (I had to go to four different bathrooms before finding one that wasn't destroyed, clogged up, or disgusting).

 

[Denver_FJR]

Nice route.

At the end of June I came back from Yellowstone on 287 via Teton Natl Park and down through Lander. There was a bit of road construction between Teton and about Dubois. Not sure how much they've completed since then but something to think about. It was a drag... lot's of crap on road, lots of construction vehicles, dump trucks, etc, and just bad road surfaces in general.

 

[twodogs]

Oh, and if you can manage it, don't stop in Rawlins, WY...worst piece of shit town I've ever been to. ...).

Agreed. Bad food, bad service, bad people, no redeeming quality I could see. And, I know others who have the same opinions.

But, why is it such a shithole?

Bill

 

[Spud]

Thanks for the route suggestions (that's part of why I post). And yes, I've already booked a room in Rawlins. I'm staying in Rock Springs WY the first night (leaving late afternoon after work), Durango the second night, then Rawlins the third night. I think I'll be so damned tired after the Durango to Rawlins ride that I won't care about the town, as long as I can get some dinner and have a bed...

I'll post pic's and experiences of everyone's favorite town.

 

[pinhead]

Take 141 from Whitewater (just south of Grand Junction) to Gateway and through Naturita on your way to Telluride. You will be glad that you did. Gas, food and some quite nice lodging is available in Gateway at the resort there. The first 30 miles from Gateway to Naturita is heaven, and the rest is really good too!

When you pass through Montrose be sure to take a trip over to the Black Canyon, ride the rim and ride down to the dam/river. It's magnificent (and my favorite place on Earth).

Good suggestions if you have the time. Maybe something like this <clicky>. Have fun!

 

[Spud]

I'm liking these suggestions, but wonder about distance on my middle two (full) days: according to Pinhead's google route, I'd be at Day Two: 514 miles, about 10 hours 15 min, Day Three: 509 miles, about 10 hours. I'm not scared to do 500 in a day, but sometimes on twisty mountain roads, throw in traffic, it can be hard to cover that much (unlike blazing on a slab...)

For those of you that know those roads, what kind of speed can I expect to average? I'm not the world's fastest rider, but I do pretty well, and typically don't stop much except for gas or a quick pic...

 

[TellurideFJR]

For those of you that know those roads, what kind of speed can I expect to average? I'm not the world's fastest rider, but I do pretty well, and typically don't stop much except for gas or a quick pic...

You will not have trouble keeping a 50+mph average.

 

[Success30]

Hey Spud,

I live in Durango CO, and I would recommend that you slightly alter your route ... Swap your destinations for Durango and Dolores. The ride is much better if you travel north bound on the Million Dollar Highway (From Durango to Ridgeway).

If you prefer to go southbound, the road travels on the east side of the ridges, so be prepared for riding on a road with no shoulder or guardrail on your side ... If you like to sight see and want to build a little padding to your ride, I would go northbound.

Let me know when you are comming for sure, and I would be happy to ride with you up to Silverton ...

Godspeed!

 

[BwanaDik]

Gone yet? When you go thru Grand Junction, BE SURE TO GO THRU Colorado National Monument! We just did and it's spectacular! A little known Monument but well worth the visit. I think the road thru the Monument is about 25-30 miles but an excellent run. Sort of a cross between Bryce and Grand Canyon