Midrsv Posted October 26, 2009 #1 Posted October 26, 2009 I'm beginning to plan our big trip for next summer and we're planing to ride through Colorado again. Our plan is to ride from Santa Fe to Durango and on north the Rocky Mtn National Park. I need some advice on our route from Durango to Ridgeway. While I would like to make the complete loop of highways 550 and 145 but that would require backtracking. So my question is which route is the best ride if you can only go one way? Through Mesa Verde to 145 and on to 62 or just straight up 550? On the map 550 looks more interesting. Dennis
flb_78 Posted October 26, 2009 #2 Posted October 26, 2009 Not familiar with that, but if you're going through Southern CO, hit the highway of legends. I did an iron butt through there and plan on going back next year to take my time and enjoy it. http://www.sangres.com/shol/ http://www.trinidadco.com/Main/HighwayofLegends.asp
Guest tx2sturgis Posted October 26, 2009 #3 Posted October 26, 2009 No help from me on that one, but you might want to take 160 thru Pagosa Springs and Wolf Creek Pass. Scenic.
Tom Posted October 26, 2009 #4 Posted October 26, 2009 Spectacular..Awesome..Breathtaking..on 550...Just ride and enjoy probably the most spectacular scenery in the country.
Midrsv Posted October 26, 2009 Author #5 Posted October 26, 2009 Thanks for the input. There are just too many roads in that area to ride. We only have about 6 days to ride while in the area and I'm trying to limit each day to about 175 to 200 miles in order to have time to look around. We plan to come into CO from the south through Santa Fe and then head back east through Denver. Our wives will likely fly into Albuquerque and we'll pick them up there and then drop them at Denver airport on our way back. So we're trying to plan the best 6 days between those two airports. Dennis
McBrush Posted October 26, 2009 #7 Posted October 26, 2009 Spectacular..Awesome..Breathtaking..on 550...Just ride and enjoy probably the most spectacular scenery in the country. Have to agree with this, even though I only saw a small piece of 550. I came across 50 to 550 and south where I stayed in Ridgeway, but took a ride to Ouray where the scenery was getting to be breathtaking. Unfortunately I ran out of time and turned around there and went back to Ridgeway, The next day I rode across 62 and 145 to Telluride, then took 145 to Cortez. That was a nice ride, long smooth downhill run out of elevation, but I'm sure 550 would have been the more scenic choice. (Town of Dolores had the most expensive gas I saw on my 5700 mile trip!) I would guess that for breathtaking views and more challenging roads through elevation, 550 is the way to go. Anyway you cut it, it's going to be a great ride through Colorado! Just pick one and go, otherwise your head will do this -
1sttenor Posted October 26, 2009 #8 Posted October 26, 2009 Spectacular..Awesome..Breathtaking..on 550...Just ride and enjoy probably the most spectacular scenery in the country. Exactly right! As far as I'm concerned the only better scenery (maybe) in North America than that ride is Banff/Canada1. There are few words for the ride from Ouray to Silverton or vise-versa. You wont be sorry. PM me if you would like a few routes in the area. I've got several.
Naked Rider Posted October 26, 2009 #9 Posted October 26, 2009 550 is a nice rode we came through there in a truck with a 30'5th wheel. there was a lot of switch backs that scared the wife but it was a nice veiw if i remember right i think from Durango to Grand juction there were about three to four diffrent swithbacks and watch out for the wind.
dmoff1698 Posted October 26, 2009 #10 Posted October 26, 2009 I haven't been able to make 145 yet but I came through 550 about two months ago. From Durango to Ouray is some of the best riding I've seen. From Ouray to Grand Junction is flat and straight. Hammer down...not much to see. Everyone absolutely must ride through the Colorado National Monument at Grand Junction. If you don't have religion when you get there, you will when you leave. That stuff don't get created by accident. Another suggestion. Eight miles east of Montrose is Black Canyon of the Gunnison Monument. If you like the Grand Canyon, you'll like Black Canyon. Ride the rim and make a lot of the pull-outs. On the way back out of the park take the road down to the Dam. It's a second gear ride for sure. Total round trip from Montrose about 30-40 miles and well worth the day.
Midrsv Posted October 27, 2009 Author #11 Posted October 27, 2009 Thanks for the input. I wish I didn't have to wait 9 months to leave. Dennis
Tom Posted October 27, 2009 #12 Posted October 27, 2009 I will add one more thing..take a day off in Ouray and rent a jeep and take the...roads,(Pigtrails,not much of a road but need 4wd) The jeep rental places can guide you in the right direction. Not accessible on a Venture,dirt bike,YES. It is WELL worth the money to rent the jeep as you will go to the top of the mountains there and some are over 14 thousand feet. Search yuo tube for some fantastic video,just search ouray,co black bear pass. DO NOT RENT THE JEEP IF SCARED OF HEIGHTS AND T I G H T places!
1sttenor Posted October 27, 2009 #13 Posted October 27, 2009 I will add one more thing..take a day off in Ouray and rent a jeep and take the...roads,(Pigtrails,not much of a road but need 4wd) The jeep rental places can guide you in the right direction. Not accessible on a Venture,dirt bike,YES. It is WELL worth the money to rent the jeep as you will go to the top of the mountains there and some are over 14 thousand feet. Search yuo tube for some fantastic video,just search ouray,co black bear pass. DO NOT RENT THE JEEP IF SCARED OF HEIGHTS AND T I G H T places! That too!
Midrsv Posted October 27, 2009 Author #14 Posted October 27, 2009 I checked out some of the Black Bear Pass videos. I don't think I could even walk up there much less jeep. I would lose my cookies riding with these guys... [nomedia= ] [/COLO"]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia]
Bummer Posted October 27, 2009 #15 Posted October 27, 2009 No question. There's a stretch south of Silverton that's called The Million Dollar Highway. Wow. And if you get a chance, stop in Durango and ride the train up to Silverton for lunch. Wow.
91nwl Posted October 27, 2009 #16 Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) 550 from Durango to Ouray is a must. There is a really nice Best Western in Ouray. Take 62 and 145 over to Telluride and spend a little time. 141 up to Orchard Mesa. 50, 92, 133, 82 to Aspen. Spend time. 82 over Independence Pass and 24 up to Leadville. 91, 70 and 40 to Granby. 34 to Estes Park. 7, 72, 119, 70 to Denver. This is a really great route and there will be some left over for your next trip. Edited October 27, 2009 by 91nwl Lost some text
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