Triumphrat

brandon · 09-05-2006

I wasn't able to find a good forum to post this however this one seem to be the most likely option. I'll be spending five day in denver this month and renting a bike. Does anyone have any suggested routes?

Brandon

voodoo_chile · 09-05-2006

You could pretty much close your eyes and find cool roads around the Denver area. However, just for bragging rights, you should take your bike to the top of Mount Evans. It's the highest elevation public road in the United States.

Shades · 09-07-2006

I don't have a map in front of me but a few good places to see are Nederland, Estes Park, Grand Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park (dress warm for this) and any of the ski areas. Any of these destinations are easy day trips from Denver. If you're looking for more than a day trip, the run to Telluride is great especially if you take in Ouray, Silverton and Durango. Be advised that the temps can be quite cool at elevation and enjoy your trip.

Caffeinated · 09-07-2006

Are you renting a cruiser or a sportbike?

Good cruiser routes are:
HWY 285 from Denver to as far as you want to go.
I-70 west to any number of cool destinations. For example the ride to Central City is cool, then on up through Nederland and into Estes Park, east on HWY 34 to Fort Collins and down HWY 287 back to Denver. Or up HWY 40 over Berthoud pass to Winter Park. Continue on to Granby and turn onto Hwy 34 and go through Rocky Mountain National Park, dress warm.

For a sport bike: From Golden take the Golden Gate Canyon State Park road up into the mountains and get lost for a while. Or Go to Morrison and ride to Evergreen Hwy 74, and then turn on Squaw Pass Road Hwy 66/103 and up Mt Evans. Or Deer creek canyon road off of Kipling south of C-470. On and on ...

As the others said, head west and you can't go wrong. But hurry, it's starting to get cold.
Steve

GeeBee1 · 09-08-2006

Day before yesterday they did close the road up to the top of Mt. Evens due to snow (Yee-Ha here comes winter!). We will see it reopen sometime in late March... I'm formerly from High Point NC and I'm familiar with the Smokies so you may want to see their bigger/younger brothers- the Rockies by heading up north from Denver along the State highways due north through Boulder, than up to Estes Park where you can enter Rocky Mountain National Park for great rides on the main mountain road or any of the lower elevation loop roads, but beware that snow has already started falling and its a ***** to be up in the high country cruising around to run into what will be a multi inch snow dump

Or as Caffeinated said- just heading West on 70 will take you on a grand ride no matter how far you go. Have a great trip!

brandon · 09-11-2006

I'm renting a street bike. I'm really looking forward to the ride and appreciate the advise. Thanks for post on the closure of Mt. Even. We were actaully thinking of goin there. I've been told to bring warm cloths. I can't beleive it's already snowing there. I was riding in 90 degree weather this weekend. Can't wait and thank for the info.

Brandon

ColoradoTriumph · 09-14-2006

Brandon,

One of my personal fav rides is Deer Creek Canyon, a real pretty road you can really "canyon carve" on it. And if you follow the roads right it will take you to the famous tiny town, and then spit you out on C-470. And you can go further up the mountain!!! :razz:

Mojoinco · 09-23-2006

SO, to follow up on the last post:

Look up Googlemaps.com, with Conifer CO as the center.

Take Wadsworth South from C470 (that's the Southwest loop between I70 & I25).

Make an immediate right (West -- a hint, anywhere on the Front Range if you can see the moutains, you know where West is).

Take this road until you get to a 'Y'. That's Deer Creek Canyon. Veer left (South/West).

Take this road for awhile. Keep an eye out for 'Deer Canyon rd'. Turn South.

Ride until you run into US285. If you need to stay around/near town, go under the road (there is a gas station, Loaf N Jug, and a Safeway if you need stuff). Turn right (roughly East); Co 73.

Follow this road until you come to Shadow Mtn Rd. It is only on the West (left side). Take it for a long way. It loops back to join up with CO73 again as Brook Forest rd. Watch for elk and deer (especially on deer creek canyon).

Turn North on CO 73 again, go all the way to Evergreen (large threeway intersection; you must turn here, CO 74). If the day is done, park, look around, go into the Little Bear for good music and atmosphere. Then head East to Denver (this takes you to Morrison; fun road, but well patroled).

If you have the time, go West and follow the road North towards I70. At Bergen Park take Squaw Pass Rd (CO 103). This is the road that will take you to/by Mt Evans. Only the upper part is currently closed, you can still drive part way up it. It closes for weather and for goat hunting season. Even if it is closed, just drive on to Idaho Springs. You can take I70 back, or go a bit West to Fall River Rd (goes North) and see St Marys glacier.

Further West will take you through Eisenhowr Tunnel. Get off at the Loveland/US6/(something pass) exit. You will go to an ~11000 ft pass with parking and modest rails at the top. Be aware of high altitude sickness.

From here you can go on down, take a loop through the back side of Lake Dillon to Breckinridge, then over the pas on the South side of Breck to Alma (a tasty grill there, Alma grill or something). On down from here to US285 at Fairplay. You will now be in South Park, of TV fame!

Head East to get back to Denver.

A completely alternative afternoon route:

Take C470 to Santa Fe Drive (US85) and go South, or I25 South to the first Castle Rock exit (to US85).

Either way, end up in Sedalia. Take the main drag through town (CO67), veering to the right after you leave town. take this to the end of the pavement. This is only 10 or 15 miles. Have a bite, and return to town. Or, take the road on the right for a 4 mile jaunt down good road (worst case, some washboard). When you reach the Platte River, take a left (you will be on pavement from here on out).

Fun, fun, road! Fishing if you like to fly fish. When you rwach the stop sign, you will be in Deckers. Get a pop, relax.

Then take the West road (the south road is being reconstruted). You will be heading towards US285/Pine Junction.

As you drive through BUfalo Creek, there is a 100 plus year old store there (North end of 'town') which has gas pumps, if you are in need (day light hours).

As you go through Pine, watch for the Pine Boutique (wrong name, but you will know what I mean when you see it). That will be 4th street. Take it, turn at Grove street (first right). This will take you up a very good dirt road for ~ a mile to a fun bar/restuarant calle dthe Bucksnort. Bring cash or check (no stinkin' credit cards here). If you are lucky, they will have a 1 man band playing. Has a deck over the stream, etc. You can either go back the way you came, or continue on up the road, which has a variety of road surfaces (all good given the speeds you will be going -- slow, as it's narrow). This will dump you out on US285 East of Pine Junction at Shaffers Crossing.

If you continue on through Pine, you will end up at Pine Junction.

If dirt roads are an issue, just go the reverse of what I have described and return the way you came.

If weather is cold and snowy, the last trip above will be melted first, as they call the US285/Conifer area the 'banana belt'.

Enjoy your trip! And if you are here at the end of next week, drop me a line and I'll be willing to tour guide you some.

Hiltz · 09-24-2006

For a street bike, I suggest Lefthand Canyon to Ward. great sweepers and a 6O's time warp in Ward.