Which Route?

[blufjr]

I will be riding from the north, coming down CO 139: Should I take CO 141-62-550-84 to Taos or should I take 50-149-160-285? I really like tight twisties for miles and miles. I need the exercise. I also prefer nice backroads without LEO. I would link them together but that puts me in Taos way late into the dark. TIA.

 

[beemerdons]

I will be riding from the north, coming down CO 139: Should I take CO 141-62-550-84 to Taos or should I take 50-149-160-285? I really like tight twisties for miles and miles. I need the exercise. I also prefer nice backroads without LEO. I would link them together but that puts me in Taos way late into the dark. TIA.

Ken, if pinhead does not see this soon, just send him a private message; Dave is our Colorado Scenic Roads Expert!

 

[BwanaDik]

139 is outstanding! A couple of RR around here recently that show some pictures of Douglas Pass. Flat and straight between Grand Junction and Montrose on 550, also the high possibility of heavy tourist traffic between Ridgeway and Durango. IIRC, Wolf Creek Pass on 160 south of South Fork is pretty spectacular. Go 149 to 160 to 84 then 64 to avoid 285. Ridden thru both areas the last couple of months, I'd probably go with "Plan B".

 

[Spud]

As said, 139 is a GREAT TIME!

Here's a pic of Douglas Pass I took in July:

I took the 141 down and cut over to Durango. 141 is an awesome road, but it definitely takes time to ride. The 550 also--slow going. Lots of traffic, and I saw a lot of cops patrolling that road. It is spectacular though...

 

[pinhead]

I will be riding from the north, coming down CO 139: Should I take CO 141-62-550-84 to Taos or should I take 50-149-160-285? I really like tight twisties for miles and miles. I need the exercise. I also prefer nice backroads without LEO. I would link them together but that puts me in Taos way late into the dark. TIA.

This might be a little too ambitious for a single day, but if you have two days to play with, here's what I'd do: Clicky

 

[blufjr]

I will be riding from the north, coming down CO 139: Should I take CO 141-62-550-84 to Taos or should I take 50-149-160-285? I really like tight twisties for miles and miles. I need the exercise. I also prefer nice backroads without LEO. I would link them together but that puts me in Taos way late into the dark. TIA.

This might be a little too ambitious for a single day, but if you have two days to play with, here's what I'd do: Clicky

I had all of that except for SR65. It is now added and therefore I will do the whole thing. Thanks.

 

[Spud]

I will be riding from the north, coming down CO 139: Should I take CO 141-62-550-84 to Taos or should I take 50-149-160-285? I really like tight twisties for miles and miles. I need the exercise. I also prefer nice backroads without LEO. I would link them together but that puts me in Taos way late into the dark. TIA.

This might be a little too ambitious for a single day, but if you have two days to play with, here's what I'd do: Clicky

I had all of that except for SR65. It is now added and therefore I will do the whole thing. Thanks.

It's worth adding...

Report back and let us know if you think there's a better set of twisties ANYWHERE!

 

[SkooterG]

Well, I am going to have to disagree with Senor Pinhead. His route is fantastic, no argument there. However I like some other roads better.

One of his favorites is 114 and it is an awesome twisty road with no traffic. However one of my top 5 roads is CO141 from just SE of Grand Junction to Naturita. One of my other Top 5 is the Million Dollar Highway, US550 from Ouray, to Durango. If you have never done this road before, you MUST do it. It needs to be on everyone's bucket list. Ride from Durango to Pagosa Springs is pretty good too.

Here's what I would do: Clicky

If you have done 550, then you could instead route through Telluride.

 

[pinhead]

one of my top 5 roads is CO141 from just SE of Grand Junction to Naturita. One of my other Top 5 is the Million Dollar Highway, US550 from Ouray, to Durango. If you have never done this road before, you MUST do it. It needs to be on everyone's bucket list. Ride from Durango to Pagosa Springs is pretty good too.

That's another good route suggestion. He should get to do both since I assume he has to ride home, too. Personally, I've just had too many bad experiences with traffic tie-ups (think lines of RV's and semi trucks) on 550, so I naturally avoid it. If you've never ridden it, it's definitely a must-see.

I am going to have to disagree with Senor Pinhead...

And what's a senor?

 

[Big-D]

And what's a Senior? (Repaired)

He is trying to say that even though you're only 40, you are still an Old Fart!! :haha: :bleh: :bleh:

 

[pegscraper]

That is part of our ride plan.

We are riding up from SoCal to Zion

Then to Torrey via 12

and across to Durango via 24E, 95, 160

then to Taos 160E, 84S, 64E

We've done 550 many times and will do it again (up and back) since we will be in Durango 2 nights. :yahoo: :yahoo:

 

[Big-D]

Here's what I would do: Clicky :taunt:

It looks as though Skooter shares the sames thoughts as Bust!!

 

[blufjr]

Thanks guys, this has really helped. Here is my current thinking and planned route: Clicky

If that doesn't work (didn't for me) try pasting this:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=

103355230431093896045.00048e97e7c8a9b4c650e

 

[Spud]

That is part of our ride plan.We are riding up from SoCal to Zion

Then to Torrey via 12

and across to Durango via 24E, 95, 160

then to Taos 160E, 84S, 64E

We've done 550 many times and will do it again (up and back) since we will be in Durango 2 nights. :yahoo: :yahoo:

I'd suggest stopping in here in downtown Durango...

https://www.ladyfalconburgh.biz/beers.html

 

[pinhead]

I'd suggest stopping in here in downtown Durango...
https://www.ladyfalconburgh.biz/beers.html

Yum! Filing that one away for future reference. :drinks:

 

[Bugnatr]

Well, I am going to have to disagree with Senor Pinhead. His route is fantastic, no argument there. However I like some other roads better.
One of his favorites is 114 and it is an awesome twisty road with no traffic. However one of my top 5 roads is CO141 from just SE of Grand Junction to Naturita. One of my other Top 5 is the Million Dollar Highway, US550 from Ouray, to Durango. If you have never done this road before, you MUST do it. It needs to be on everyone's bucket list. Ride from Durango to Pagosa Springs is pretty good too.

Here's what I would do: Clicky

If you have done 550, then you could instead route through Telluride.

OK Skoot, what is your favorite road?

For me it's Hwy 120 in CA from 395 to Benton Hot Springs. Medium to high speed sweepers near Mono Lake and the woops toward Benton will have you laughing in your helmet plus really great scenery all the way.

No doubt CO 141 is in my top 5. I have only ridden it once going north where you described so on this trip to Taos I will ride it north to south with my rebuild from GP last month. Yes!!

I would suspect 139 to Taos will be a very long day with any of these fun routes.

 

[Bungie]

That is part of our ride plan.We are riding up from SoCal to Zion

...

Zion is on the route were taking from WCR to SW-FOG. But were headed for the Grand Canyon (North Rim) after. So much to see.. so little time..

 

[Big-D]

I'd suggest stopping in here in downtown Durango...
https://www.ladyfalconburgh.biz/beers.html

Yum! Filing that one away for future reference. :drinks:

That link is pretty cool! Kind of reminds me of Old Chicago with all of the different beers they offer. They even have Moose Drool.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Follow the yellow brick road.