Colorado tour

gman47 · 02-26-2015, 09:38 AM

We're planning a tour of Colorado for our annual tour. I have a route mapped out and would like someone from there to give a look-see and maybe some advice/comments.

Thanks, shelly!! The route I've chosen takes into account many factors: the number of riders (10-12), likes, don't likes, don't cares and time on the road. So here's the route:

June 6, Sat. Grand Junction, Co. to Cortez,Co. 233
Day 4 Rt. 50E to 141S to 145S

June 7, Sun. Cortez, Co. to Salida, Co. 282
Day 5 Rt.160E to 550N to 50E

June 8, Mon Salida, Co. to Carbondale, Co. 238
Day 6 Rt. 50E to 9N to 24N to 82N

June 9, Tues. Carbondale, Co to Salina, Ut 335
Day 7 Rt.133S to 92W to 50/70W

Thanks in advance for any advice or comments

dshelly · 02-26-2015, 11:33 AM

Go ahead and post your route on here. I'm sure between all the guys on here, someone has ridden where you plan to go.

usranger74 · 02-26-2015, 09:27 PM

While I live in NE, I have spent the last 4 yrs ridding CO as I have a Son living in Cortez. It is hard to find a bad road or ride.

1. Make sure you take some cold/wet weather ridding gear. In early June you could see snow both on the road and on you.

2. You might be a little ahead of family vacation time. But, a lot of the more popular CO roads are often chocked with RV and slower moving vehicle. While the scenic values are very high the "ridding" value might wane a bit.

3. Lots of wildlife on the roads. Elk, bear, deer, RM Sheep, Doll Sheep etc.

A. If I follow this route the way to stated it. "June 6, Sat. Grand Junction, Co. to Cortez,Co. 233
Day 4 Rt. 50E to 141S to 145S" I can tell you that it is one of my all time favorite rides. Most folks who ride CO would not or do not take this route. The 141 section will have little traffic. Very few RVs. Great riding. The last half of the 141 S will take you through red rock country. On 145s look out for road overwash if it has recently rained or is raining.

B. June 7, Sun. Cortez, Co. to Salida, Co. 282 Day 5 Rt.160E to 550N to 50E - US550 has outstanding scenic values. But traffic can be high with RV and 18 wheelers that could lug down to 10-15 MPH with traffic backed up. If I were going to Salida from Cortez I would stay on US 160 and cut north on CO 149. Scenic value, while high, will be less than US550 but the ride value will be much better. ALSO US 50 from Gunnison to Salida has a lot of traffic(RV and Truck). If it were me, I would take CO 114 out of Gunnison then US 285 North - good scenic value and far less traffic.

C. June 8, Mon Salida, Co. to Carbondale, Co. 238 Day 6 Rt. 50E to 9N to 24N to 82N. Good ride. The 9N part I am willing to say is a hidden jem. Great MR riding road. 82 N is an outstanding ride to the Pass. After that I don't care for the ride to Carbon. Just me. To much traffic. To much urban living.

D. June 9, Tues. Carbondale, Co to Salina, Ut 335Day 7 Rt.133S to 92W to 50/70W - - I will be doing the same ride a few days before you. I have not been on a MC on 70 past Grand Junction. But I have done it in a car dozens of times. If you have the time I would take the following ride off of I 70. Go south on UT 128 to Moab then north on US 191 back to I 70. There is Gas and Food at Green River, UT.

I hope this helps. Enjoy the ride

cactusjack · 02-26-2015, 09:45 PM

I respectfully disagree, Bill. 550 is the Million Dollar highway - everyone should ride it at least once.

usranger74 · 02-26-2015, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I respectfully disagree, Bill. 550 is the Million Dollar highway - everyone should ride it at least once.

No disagreement CJ. If it were my first time that what I would do as well, based on its reputation. But, it's no were near the ridding vale of CO 149 and US 160 to 149 is a very nice ride as well.

waterman · 02-27-2015, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I respectfully disagree, Bill. 550 is the Million Dollar highway - everyone should ride it at least once.

Quote:

Originally Posted by usranger74

No disagreement CJ. If it were my first time that what I would do as well, based on its reputation. But, it's no were near the ridding vale of CO 149 and US 160 to 149 is a very nice ride as well.

550 is a must do but 149 has some stunning riding as well.

gman47 · 02-27-2015, 09:54 AM

Thanks for the great info. I usually try to follow the " green dots" as much as possible, have never been disappointed.

02-26-2015, 09:38 AM	#1
gman47 Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Elk Grove, Ca. Posts: 187	Colorado tour We're planning a tour of Colorado for our annual tour. I have a route mapped out and would like someone from there to give a look-see and maybe some advice/comments. Thanks, shelly!! The route I've chosen takes into account many factors: the number of riders (10-12), likes, don't likes, don't cares and time on the road. So here's the route: June 6, Sat. Grand Junction, Co. to Cortez,Co. 233 Day 4 Rt. 50E to 141S to 145S June 7, Sun. Cortez, Co. to Salida, Co. 282 Day 5 Rt.160E to 550N to 50E June 8, Mon Salida, Co. to Carbondale, Co. 238 Day 6 Rt. 50E to 9N to 24N to 82N June 9, Tues. Carbondale, Co to Salina, Ut 335 Day 7 Rt.133S to 92W to 50/70W Thanks in advance for any advice or comments __________________ When you come to the fork in the road ..... take it! Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by gman47; 02-26-2015 at 12:41 PM. Reason: update
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02-26-2015, 11:33 AM	#2
dshelly Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgrade, MT Posts: 2,824	Go ahead and post your route on here. I'm sure between all the guys on here, someone has ridden where you plan to go. __________________ Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger 2014 Harley Ultra Classic 2007 1600 Nomad (Black) Shellenberger Machine Belgrade, MT Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter) VBA # 2395
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02-26-2015, 09:27 PM	#3
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	While I live in NE, I have spent the last 4 yrs ridding CO as I have a Son living in Cortez. It is hard to find a bad road or ride. 1. Make sure you take some cold/wet weather ridding gear. In early June you could see snow both on the road and on you. 2. You might be a little ahead of family vacation time. But, a lot of the more popular CO roads are often chocked with RV and slower moving vehicle. While the scenic values are very high the "ridding" value might wane a bit. 3. Lots of wildlife on the roads. Elk, bear, deer, RM Sheep, Doll Sheep etc. A. If I follow this route the way to stated it. "June 6, Sat. Grand Junction, Co. to Cortez,Co. 233 Day 4 Rt. 50E to 141S to 145S" I can tell you that it is one of my all time favorite rides. Most folks who ride CO would not or do not take this route. The 141 section will have little traffic. Very few RVs. Great riding. The last half of the 141 S will take you through red rock country. On 145s look out for road overwash if it has recently rained or is raining. B. June 7, Sun. Cortez, Co. to Salida, Co. 282 Day 5 Rt.160E to 550N to 50E - US550 has outstanding scenic values. But traffic can be high with RV and 18 wheelers that could lug down to 10-15 MPH with traffic backed up. If I were going to Salida from Cortez I would stay on US 160 and cut north on CO 149. Scenic value, while high, will be less than US550 but the ride value will be much better. ALSO US 50 from Gunnison to Salida has a lot of traffic(RV and Truck). If it were me, I would take CO 114 out of Gunnison then US 285 North - good scenic value and far less traffic. C. June 8, Mon Salida, Co. to Carbondale, Co. 238 Day 6 Rt. 50E to 9N to 24N to 82N. Good ride. The 9N part I am willing to say is a hidden jem. Great MR riding road. 82 N is an outstanding ride to the Pass. After that I don't care for the ride to Carbon. Just me. To much traffic. To much urban living. D. June 9, Tues. Carbondale, Co to Salina, Ut 335Day 7 Rt.133S to 92W to 50/70W - - I will be doing the same ride a few days before you. I have not been on a MC on 70 past Grand Junction. But I have done it in a car dozens of times. If you have the time I would take the following ride off of I 70. Go south on UT 128 to Moab then north on US 191 back to I 70. There is Gas and Food at Green River, UT. I hope this helps. Enjoy the ride __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505 Last edited by usranger74; 02-26-2015 at 09:58 PM.
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02-26-2015, 09:45 PM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	I respectfully disagree, Bill. 550 is the Million Dollar highway - everyone should ride it at least once. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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02-27-2015, 09:54 AM	#7
gman47 Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Elk Grove, Ca. Posts: 187	Thanks for the great info. I usually try to follow the " green dots" as much as possible, have never been disappointed. __________________ When you come to the fork in the road ..... take it! Last edited by gman47; 02-27-2015 at 09:58 AM.
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