Good Rides in Colorado and Vicinity?

[GOTJ]

I'm going to ride to Winter Park, CO from Knoxville, TN toward the end of August for a visit. I plan to use WP as a base for some day trips but might have a 2 to 3-day window for a worthy ride. I expect to be there about 10 days. Any advice or tips would be appreciated. I could spring for a meal or two for a guided tour.

I will be using a Garmin GPS in case any of you have some good routes stored.

TIA,

George

[Talon Six]

Highway 34 between Estes Park and Loveland is a hoot. Everything up there in Summit county is beautiful, however. You'll enjoy it tremendously.

[dd]

hi.
i just spent a week touring colorado (though it was on rented harleys out of denver).
one of the best roads i have ever ridden was route 92 from hotchkiss, CO southeast to route 50.
i highly recommend this, and i can pretty much guarantee you will like it.

other highlights included:
1. route 134 between 131 and 40 (just south of steamboat springs).
2. independence pass on the way from leadville to aspen.
3. route 550 from durango to montrose (especially from silverton to ouray).
4. we loved the towns of telluride and crested butte, which are exceptionally beautiful.

have a great time.
(it would be hard not to).
-daniel.

[AbqDave]

Independence pass from Leadville to Aspen is fabulous. Almost ran over a mountain goat on that road. Aspen is a great town; spend the night. There are campgrounds all along 82 including one just outside the city limits.

Next day, ride up to Carbondale and take 133 down through Redstone canyon. Turn left on 92 and check out the black canyon of the Gunnison. 92 will take you down to 50, where you can turn right to Montrose, and then take 550 over the top, through Ouray down to Silverton and then Durango.

Durango is a good place to stay a day or two, fantastic night life (believe it or not). You can tent camp at the United campground and take the trolley down to main street. You can also find hotels that aren't very expensive.

From there I would take 160 over to Pagosa, and then up over Wolf Creek pass. That will drop you down into the San Juan Valley. Sand dunes monument, across the valley, is worth seeing. From there, 285 to 24 will complete a loop to Leadville.

Do this loop, and then see if you can ever get the mountains out of your head, or your heart.

[ka5ysy]

Oh My God Road above Loveland !

http://www.takemytrip.com/colo/08a.htm

[GOTJ]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the replies and advice. I'm sure they will add to my enjoyment of the trip.