Category: Touring

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Southwest and Northwest Colorado – Gunnison

Three DayTour to Gunnison and Glenwood Springs

Cottonwood Pass, Gunnison, Black Canyons of the Gunnison, Colorado National Monument, Glenwood Springs and Independence Pass were the destionations on this 3 day tour in Colorado. This tour covered areas of the Southwest and Northwest Regions of Colorado, AND I did all the planning, mapping, and reservations from This Website!

DAY 1

I left Monday morning for Gunnison, CO and I decided to take the scenic route over Cottonwood Pass. I’ve never been over this pass and it was a great ride. I left from Lakewood, CO and jumped on HWY 287 South, went over beautiful Kenaosha Pass and down to Fairplay. From Fairplay I stayed on HWY 287 to US-24 West to Buena Vista. I think I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again, if you get the chance to visit Buena Vista and the surrounding area, I highly recommend it. There are several hot springs around, hiking and biking trails, and abundant scenery. Here’s a link to check out all that Buena Vista has to offer (https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/buena-vista). From Buena vista take HWY 306 to Cottonwood Pass.

Down From Summit
Cottonwood Pass-Summit
Overlook at Cottonwood Pass

It was a beautiful ride up to the summit, very little traffic, and it wasn’t very cold either…a perfect ride!

From Cottonwood Pass to Gunnison, CO is a great ride through the Gunnison National Forest. I’ve never taken this route to Gunnison before and if you have the time for the scenic route, I would highly recommend it. I noticed a great deal of camp grounds along this route, so if you enjoy camping, I’m guessing you could find a very nice spot.

Denver_to_Gunnison_via_CottonwoodPass

I stayed at the Roadway Inn in Gunnison. It is located outside the downtown area, very quiet, the hot tub was very nice and they had breakfast, not a sack breakfast to go like I had a week ago in Alamosa. The reason I mentioned this is because it seems the hotels are starting to become more accommodating as time goes on since the COVID-19 shutdown and breakfast is getting better as well.

DAY 2

Today is one of my favorite rides that goes through the Curecanti National Recreation Area and takes you by the Gunnison River and Blue Mesa Reservoir along Highway 50. Someday I’m going to stay in the Gunnison area to go fishing for a couple days.

Take HWY-50 to HWY-92 which will take you through a scenic ride up to Hotchkiss and Delta, CO. In Delta I jumped on HWY-50 which took me into Grand Junction where after a few left turns got me onto Glade Park Rd / Monument Rd which turns into Rimrock Dr in Colorado National Monument.

Gunnison to Glenwood Springs via Colorado National Monument

 

Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument

After exploring Colorado National Monument I headed to Grand Junction Harley Davidson to get challenge coins for my collection.

Grand Junction Harley Davidson

This is my collection so far!

Collection

After getting my new challenge coins I saddled up again and headed to Glenwood Springs and checked into Glenwood Springs Inn. These rooms, at least the one I stayed in, was a fresh remodel and very nice.

While I was in Glenwood Springs I had to visit and soak in the hot springs, so I went to the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool and relaxed in the pool for an hour before they closed. It made me feel like a millions bucks and helped me sleep like a baby! It was just a short walk from the hotel to the hot springs and it was a beautiful evening for a walk. Again, since COVID-19, there are certain rules you need to follow while at the hot springs (at the time of this post), so be sure to have a mask and plan on social distancing .

Glenwood Springs Hot Springs
Day 3

The hotel had breakfast in the dining area but it was only single serving and individually wrapped items, no eggs, meat, or waffles due to COVID-19 restrictions.

After breakfast I packed up and decided to go over Independence Pass, the oposite direction I did on my way home from Alamosa the week before, because the scenery is very different from another point of view or coming from a different direction or angle. I’m glad I decide to go over Independence Pass because the weather was perfect, the scenery was Amazing, and summit was not crowded…this visit was better than the first!

As you may remember, from my previous post “Motorcycle Tours in 2020 / South Central Colorado“, we get to Independence Pass via HWY-82. We will pass through Snowmass and Aspen before we start the ascent to the summit.

Glenwood Springs_to_Denver_via_IndependencePass

I took my time on the summit of Independence Pass this time. I walked up the path to the look out points, took pictures and video, and watched a guy try to get a parasail in the air.

Independence Pass Summit
Independence Pass Summit
Independence Pass Summit
Independence Pass Summit

From Independence Pass I headed down to Twin Lakes and hopped onto HWY-24 toward Leadville, CO. In Leadville I picked up HWY-91 for a beautiful ride toward Copper Mountain. Then I caught I-70 East to HWY-6 and went over Loveland Pass, the round about way back to I-70 East to Denver.

Wrap Up

This was a great tour, great weather, and some of the best scenery! The hotels I stayed at were very accommodating, comfortable and clean. The restrictions from COVID-19 still have a grip on tourism but it seems to be getting better as time moves on. The road through Colorado National Monument was amazing and the pictures do not do it justice! Glenwood Springs Hot Springs was fantastic and the sun setting on the mountains while I soaked my road worn body was amazing! The ride over Independence Pass, going a different direction than I did last time, really made this ride a New Ride because everything looks completely different.

I’m hoping that this COVID-19 issue continues to get better and I can take a tour outside Colorado soon, but I think my next trip will be in the Northwest and North Central regions of Colorado while I wait out the travel conditions.

I will be posting my tour to Pagosa Springs, Durango, Red Mountain, Molas Pass, Million Dollar Highway, Ouray and Grand Mesa in the very near future, so be sure to Follow me (by e-mail) and Like me on Facebook to get notifications about updates, tours, and destinations.

 

Be Safe, Have Fun and Ride On!

Short Shot

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Motorcycle Tours in 2020 (Year Of COVID-19)

The Year of COVID-19

This is the year life as we knew it came to and end! But it was also the year that people found new ways to “live”. Some found new hobbies, some found new jobs, some found new friends and some found new homes but we ALL were locked down and shut down around the world The Year COVID-19 Hit! What did You do? Me? I hopped on my Harley and I Rode!

Texas Tour

Okay, Texas is really hot and really humid and you might think your tires are melting to the asphalt while riding, but there are plenty of things to do and places to go where you can beat the heat and enjoy what Texas has to offer!

California Coastal Tour – Bucket List Ride

Riding the California Coastline has been on my bucket list for decades and this tour did not disappoint.

An Over-Night Getaway – Craig, CO

Sometimes I just need to go for a ride and to get away to check out something new for a couple days so I headed Northwest to see the Dinosaur National Monument and ended up rolling down the Tarantula Highway!

Read the full post and all about “Tarantula Highway”

Three Day Tour to Pagosa Springs and Ouray Colorado

This journey will take you through the Southwest Region where I stayed the night in Pagosa Springs and then the following day rode to Durango, Silverton, and stopped in Ouray, CO for the night. The next day I took the long way home (the best way) and went into the Northwest Region through Grand Mesa. I planned, mapped, and reserved hotel using all the resources from this website!

Read the full post at “Southwest and Northwest Colorado – Pagosa Springs”

Three Day Tour to Gunnison and Glenwood Springs Colorado

Cottonwood Pass, Gunnison, Black Canyons of the Gunnison, Colorado National Monument, Glenwood Springs and Independence Pass were the destionations on this 3 day tour in Colorado. This tour covered areas of the Southwest and Northwest Regions of Colorado, AND I did all the planning, mapping, and reservations using all the resources from this website!

Read The Full Post “Southwest and Northwest Colorado”

South Central Colorado

South Central Colorado has some great places to visit, Alamosa is one of them. This is the first over-niter I’ve been able to do since the COVID-19 lock-down. The Great Sand Dunes have just Re-opened so I thought I’d go check it out. The hotels are open, I stayed at the Best Western, and some restaurants are open with restrictions. I did all the planning, mapping, and reservations using all the resources from this website!

Read the Full Post “South Central Colorado”

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Canyon Rides Near Denver

Early Season Rides

Scenic motorcycle rides minutes from Denver are a great way to get a relaxing ride in during spare time. There are 6 spectacular canyons that are easy to get to and fun to ride on the front range mountains of Denver. But riding in Colorado in the early Spring season can be a challenge. Spring time still brings snow, ice, sand, rock slides, mud slides and wildlife challenges to be on the alert for. Believe me, you do NOT want to hit some sand when you are in a switchback curve! Also, you never know what is around the corner, rocks/boulders, animals, ice, water, mud, etc., and it’s best to just expect there’s going to be Something there rather than it’s it’s going to be clear during this time of year. The weather in the mountains is very unpredictable and you can get caught in very cold temps and snow all the way through May and into June sometimes in the higher elevations! The foothills, passes and canyons may be passable and great rides during early season riding, but, Rider Be Aware!

Rides Near Denver

Once we are past the early season riding and weather patterns get a little more consistent, it will be sunny in the morning, start clouding up by or shortly after noon, rain a bit around 2 – 3 pm for about an hour or two, then clear up for the rest of the night! This is a typical pattern for Colorado in the summer and this is when we can make some getaways for short rides in the mountains that are near the Denver Metro Area.

Golden Gate Canyon and Clear Creek Canyon

Golden Gate and Clear Creek Canyon

This is a nice 1.5 hr ride and about 45 min. round trip from Golden, CO. This route goes up Golden Gate Canyon, through historic Black Hawk, CO and then down Clear Creek Canyon. Golden Gate Canyon has several places to hike, bike, camp, fish or just picnic. Black Hawk is a gambling town now just up the rode is historic Central City, CO which is also a gambling town now. There are a lot of old mines and historic buildings in the area and you can also ride the Central City Parkway all the way I-70 to Idaho Springs, CO. This route continues through Black Hawk down Hwy-119 which hooks onto Hwy-6, Clear Creek Canyon back down to Golden, CO. Clear Creek Canyon has been under a lot of construction to create scenic walk/bike trails along the creek, so there are several places to stop and enjoy the beauty.

Here are some links to get information about Black Hawk and Central City Colorado:
Golden, CO: https://www.visitgolden.com/
Black Hawk, CO: http://site.cityofblackhawk.org/
Central City, CO: https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/central-city

 

Coal Creek Canyon Rd and Boulder Canyon Dr

 Coal Creek and Boulder Canyon

This is a great route if you have a couple hours to spare for a very scenic ride. On this route we are leaving from Golden, head up Hwy-93 to Hwy-72, Coal Creek Canyon Rd, and head West into the mountains. Once you pass through a little town called Wondervu, you’ll start a descent on steep switch back roads into a valley. Take it slow and easy so you can take in some of the breath taking views on this part of the route. Continue on Hwy-72 and the next little town is Pinecliffe, cross over the railroad track and continue up to Hwy-119. Be careful here, this stop sign is on a steep hill and you will make a sharp right turn onto Hwy-119 which will take you into Nederland, CO and by beautiful Barker Meadow Reservoir. There are several places to eat, get fuel, and check out the Dam in Nederaland. Continue down Hwy-119 pas the the reservoir and it become Boulder Canyon Dr (still Hwy-119) which takes you down into Boulder. This is a beautiful drive down through the narrows of the canyon and right along the river with beautiful views. Once you get to Boulder you’ll make a right onto Broadway / Hwy-93 that will take you through the CU Boulder campus area and past the Boulder Flat-Irons on your way back to Golden.

Here are some links to get information about Nederland and Boulder, CO:
Nederland, CO: https://nederlandco.org/
Boulder, CO: https://bouldercolorado.gov/trails-and-recreation

 

Bear Creek and Deer Creek Canyon

 Bear Creek Canyon and Deer Creek Canyon

West of Denver is the small town of Morrison, CO. and this is where the route for Bear Creek and Deer Creek Canyon ride begins. Morrison has many places to eat and is right next to the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater and Park where you can hike and drive through to see some amazing rock formations. The ride heads West on Hwy-72 / Bear Creek Rd and goes through the little towns of Idledale and Kittredge, CO before you get to Evergreen, CO. There are several park along the way that you can hike and picnic to enjoy the natural beauty of this canyon. In Evergreen is where you will pick up Hwy-73 to Conifer, CO. If you’re hungry or want to enjoy some mountain town culture, you should spend a little time in Evergreen before you head up to Conifer. In Conifer you will pick up Pleasant Park Rd, it’s the light before you get to the gas station in Conifer. You’ll make a left and go under the Hwy-285 bridge. Follow Pleasant Park Rd and it will turn into High Grande Rd, then after  a couple switchbacks, the road turns into Deer Creek Rd. Take Deer Creek Rd all the way to Deer Creek Canyon Rd where you will then make a left. Deer Creek Canyon Rd turns into S Turkey Creek Rd and will take you to Hwy-285. Take Hwy-285 to Hwy-8 and back into Morrison, CO. There are a bunch of twisties and beautiful scenery that you will absolutely enjoy on this ride.

Here are some links for more information Morrison and Evergreen, CO. Also be sure to check out Red Rocks Amphitheater!
Morrison, CO: https://town.morrison.co.us/
Evergreen, CO: https://downtownevergreen.com/
Red Rocks Amphitheater: https://www.redrocksonline.com/

 

Be Safe, Have Fun and Ride On!

Short Shot

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COVID-19 and Motorcycle Riding

How to Ride and Avoid COVID-19

Is Motorcycle Riding Legal During The COVID-19 Pandemic?

The short answer is, Yes. You can ride your motorcycle in Colorado. There are still restrictions of groups no more than 10 people gathering and you must still practice social distancing. People from the same household can ride 2 up. It is still recommended that people wear face masks or bandanna’s, wear gloves when touching things, don’t touch your face, and thoroughly wash your hands. If you stop to go into a store or gas station, you’ll still need to wear your face covering. Be aware, there are still gas stations that do not have restrooms open to the public. If you live in any other state, other than Colorado, you need to be sure of any restrictions IN YOUR STATE.

I can’t stress enough, this is only my view and opinion from what I’ve seen, read, and heard from the same State, City, and County officials that you’ve heard it from. But I tell you what, if you have the virus and don’t know it, you give it to somebody else and they get sick or die and it’s traced back to you, well that’s on you! I don’t want to be the person that somebody tries to blame for a virus related death! Is the risk worth the reward? I’m extra careful about keeping my face covered around other people while I’m in public places, I wear my gloves when I get fuel, I stay at least 6 feet apart from others and I wash up and change clothes when I get home! I would recommend the same for my touring buddies! This is all about being safe and avoiding COVID-19 and not spreading the virus while riding.

I’m not sure and won’t really speak about dirt riding or back country riders on dirt bikes or ATV’s. From what I’ve seen and heard, there are still a lot of closures to public, state and national forest areas. It is best to call or check the official website of the area you want to ride. A couple weeks ago I rode through Red Rocks (paved roads) and this week, they have it closed off. So be prepared to change direction or plans during this time of uncertainty.

Also remember, just because there is less traffic on the roads and more breathing room, doesn’t mean we can be speeding and driving recklessly! This is the time of the year when people are getting out on their motorcycles and our numbers are growing but those driving cars and trucks aren’t watching for us yet. I am surprised how much speeding I hear on the roads near my home!

Motorcycle Riding To Other States?

As quoted directly from the CDC.GOV website, “The COVID-19 outbreak in United States is a rapidly evolving situation. The status of the outbreak varies by location and state and local authorities are updating their guidance frequently. The White House’s Opening Up America (Official document- https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/) plan means some parts of the country may have different guidance than other areas. Check with the state or local authorities where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination to learn about local circumstances and any restrictions that may be in place.” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html)

So, what it boils down to is you can travel across state lines At Your Own Risk, but you better check the state, city and county’s you’re traveling into for any restrictions before you leave. Don’t travel if you’re sick! If you get sick while you are traveling, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent spreading the infection. Some medical facilities may be closed or overwhelmed with patients in areas that you’re traveling as well. If you are planning an over night stop, be sure to check if there are hotels/motels open in the area before you leave. Also, there are many local, state, and national parks that may be temporarily out of service. The planning and preparation for traveling long distance on a motorcycle is very important to begin with, now it’s going to be critical! Me, personally, as bad as I want to start traveling, I will not do it… yet! I don’t want to get stranded somewhere that has a major outbreak while I’m hundreds of miles from home! There are plenty of places nearby where I can get my wind therapy!

Motorcycle Riding To/From Neighboring Countries?

Well, let me put it this way, you should check before you try! From what I’ve seen, Canada and Mexico still have closed borders. All I can really find is that everyone is saying “Essential Travel Only”.

Canada’s official website states specifically “How COVID-19 is affecting applications to visit, work or study in Canada; If you meet the criteria for the travel exemptions, and you want to apply to come to Canada, there are changes to the application process. Learn more (and be sure to read the #1 footnote at the bottom of the page). You can travel to Canada only if you are exempt from the travel restrictions and are coming for an essential purpose”.

Wrap Up

It is not Illegal for you to ride your motorcycle in Colorado or even out of state. But you would be going against the request for “only essential travel”. Is getting wind therapy “essential”? It is for me! There are a lot of things you can do to and places to go that you can be safe, keep distance and still reduce your chances of getting the virus, but it is everywhere, so travel at your own risk. Check out my Shopping, Resources and Tools page for great get away ideas.

As I said earlier, this is only my view and opinion based on what I’ve seen, heard and read. I’ve provided many links to data for you to check and decide for yourself if you want to go for a ride or not.

At the time of this post, Colorado was entering into a “Safer at Home” phase that eased up on some parks, cities and counties but there are still restrictions for restaurants, bars and other businesses, so check for any news or changes before you head out on the road. Remember, you don’t want to be surprised and get turned around or get a fine for being somewhere you shouldn’t be.

Stay Healthy, Stay Safe, and Ride On!

Short Shot

 

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Short Shot Tours

Some Colorado Motorcycle Tours I’ve done

If you’re looking for some great Colorado Motorcycle Touring destinations, let me point you in the right direction. I’ll show you some rides that are a couple hours or a full day and some that are a couple day’s (at least) that will satisfy you needs for saddle time, wind therapy and scenery.

I’ll breakdown some of the places I’ve gone and give you route’s with times, distance’s and stops

Here is a great Fall Season Day Ride:

I-70 to Georgetown to Guanella Pass Rd (381)

Over Guanella Pass to 285 south (right)

Over Kenosha Pass to Fairplay to Hwy 9 (right) 

Over Hoosier Pass

Through Breckenridge to Squaw Mountain Road (right – around Dillon Res) to Hwy 6 (right)

Over Loveland Pass to I-70 east back to Golden

4 Pass Fall Colors
4 Pass Fall Colors

Here is a Great 3 Day Tour:

Montrose, Ouray, and Durango for theWeekend!

Day 1 – Golden to Montrose: 4 h 37 min (254 miles)

Day 2 – Montrose/Durango/Dove Creek/Montrose: 6hr 45min / 328 miles

https://goo.gl/maps/ggWPysLqeJF2

Day 3 – Montrose to Golden: 6 h 40 min (346 miles)

This is just a very small sample of the many tours I’ve taken in Colorado. I will show you routes that are close to Denver along the Rocky Mountain Front Range, I’ll show you places Up North, Down South, East and West that will just fill your senses!

Have you ever rode your motorcycle over a 10, 11, 12,000 Ft pass before? I have done many and let me tell you, there is nothing like reaching the summit of one and seeing the view to be had! Ears are popping, the air is thin, and the temperature will be chilled, but you’ll barely be able to pay attention to it because of the raw beauty that will before your eyes! It’s like being on top of the world!

I will take you on rides to the top of Mt. Evans and Pikes Peak that are over 14,000 ft above sea level, and I will take you to the beautiful valleys below so you can experience the vast beauty of Colorado like I do. Well, I’ll do the best I can to make you feel like you’ve been there, but in order to really experience and enjoy Colorado you’re going to just have to come out here and visit!

There is a lot more to come! Check back soon and check back often!

Be Safe, Have Fun and Ride On!

Short Shot

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Group Touring

Motorcycle Group Touring

Riding in a group is very different from riding by yourself. Though the rules of the road are the same, the procedure and etiquette are not.

Speaking From Experience

As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been riding for a long time and I have organized, planned, lead, and managed group tours with the HOG Chapter for several years. We have training manuals and conduct training for group rides on a regular basis. No matter how much you plan and prepare, you can almost always count on something going wrong. No matter if it’s a wrong turn, construction or accident detours, motorcycle breakdowns, or weather, the objective is to get the group to the destination safely. The riders that assist with the tour, like the Leader and Sweep and the helpers (Road Captains) in between, take a lot of responsibility and put a great deal of work into a group tour, so following these procedures and etiquette will make their job much easier.

Riding in a Group

  1. Pre-Ride Meeting
    1. When conducting this meeting you will explain where you’re going, the route you’re taking and stops you’re making. Procedures to be followed such as stagger riding positions, spacing, passing procedures, hand signals, etc., will also be discussed. The person conducting the meeting will advise the group of the person in charge of the ride and who will be assisting. It is very important to be sure all attending riders are clear and comfortable with all the procedures and etiquette. If possible they should provide printed maps and directions in case the group gets separated.
  2. TCLOCK (Tires and Wheels, Control Levers, Lights and Battery, Oil Levels, Chassis, and  Kickstand)
    1. This is the Acronym for the physical safety check that should be performed on motorcycles that will be in operation during the ride. (link-http://frederickhog.org/tips/tclock.htm).
    2. If your are operating a motorcycle you should be doing this regularly and especially when going on a long tour.
    3. It is the motorcycle operators responsibility to be sure the motorcycle is up to date with scheduled service and it is in safe operating condition.
    4. If a motorcycle is not safe and will create a hazard to themselves, their passenger or to other group members, they may be asked to join another ride after the motorcycle has been repaired.
  3. Who’s Leading and Who’s Sweeping
    1. The leader of the group should be trained and experienced for this position as he/she will set the pace, be the eyes for the group, and make decisions and modifications to the ride for the safety of the whole group. He/she will also try to keep the group together and provide hand signals to be passed back to the rest of the group.
    2. The Sweep should also be trained and experienced as they are responsible for keeping a watchful eye over the group for issues such as safety, reckless behavior, and to assist if there is a breakdown.
    3. With large groups there may be Mid Group riders that are designated to assist with breakdowns, directions, and safety issues also.
  4. Tools, Med Kits, and Supplies

    1. I would recommend that Every rider who operates a motorcycle should always carry these items with them.
    2. In the chapter I ride with, we require Road Captains to carry these items as part of their responsibility for their position in case somebody is in need.
    3. Some groups ride with other cars or trucks called “chase vehicles” that carry tools and supplies for riders.
  5. Rules of the Road
    1. Just because you’re riding in a group it does not mean you can disregard the rules of the road. Stop at stop signs and red lights and obey speed limits.
    2. The Leader, the Mids, and the Sweep will try to keep the group together by slowing down, pulling over or communication with the group.
    3. Covered in the Pre-Ride Meeting, there is a procedure if you do get split from the group, which is usually communicated via radio, cell phone, text, or visible stop locations.
  6. Hand Signals
    1. These should be covered in the Pre-Ride Meeting to make riders aware of the procedures to be followed will on the ride.
    2. Here is a link to a website that has animated hand signal instructions: https://www.motorcyclelegalfoundation.com/motorcycle-hand-signals-chart/
    3. It is important to pass the signals back to the riders behind you as soon as possible.
  7. Fuel, Food, and Restroom Stops
    1. This is also covered during the Pre-Ride Meeting as part of the route you will be taking.
    2. Usually the Leader will pull through a gas station or parking lot to keep everybody moving and them all off the road for safety. Follow the Leader and don’t stop, pull into a gas pump or park until all riders are safely off the road.
    3. Unless this is a planned lunch stop, these stops are usually a quick stop, so you can get back into formation and get back on the road to keep time schedules.
  8. Riding Positions

    1. This will be covered during the Pre-Ride Meeting also and should be followed in order to keep the group safe and keep it together.
    2. There are three ways to position in a group, Side by Side, Single File, and Stagger.
    3. The safest group positioning is stagger with at least 2 seconds following the rider directly in front of you, 1 second from the rider diagonal from you.
    4. Single file positioning is usually used when riding a lot of curves (twisties), narrow roads or bridges, and when there a pedestrians or bicyclists on the side of the road.
  9. Communication
    1. Fortunately we live in a technology world and communication has become a whole lot easier.
    2. CB Radios and Cell phones are easy to use on a lot of motorcycles these days with the ability to connect with Bluetooth headsets and microphones or the old fashioned wired solutions.
    3. If none of the methods above are available, there is always hand signals.
  10. Post Ride Meeting
    1. I recommend having a meeting with everybody after the ride to
      1. Advise of dinner or other event plans.
      2. Discuss meeting times and locations for the rest of the tour.
      3. It is also a good way of getting feedback from the group as to how they felt the ride went and get any suggestions or comments they may have.

Wrap Up

Touring with a group of people that share the same interest in motorcycles and have the same passion for the brotherhood and sisterhood is only fully appreciated if you ALL get to the destination safe and alive. Group Touring is fun and exciting but if we don’t follow the group procedures and etiquette we are putting the group, the tour and the people around us at risk.

One last thing, there are other motorists on the road with us that may get aggravated with a group of motorcycles and become aggressive toward us, but you have to remember, they are bigger and heavier and they will win. They may need to get to an approaching exit, they may need to change lanes, they may want to pass us…be courteous, be patient and give them the right of way because it’s not worth the fight!

Short Shot

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Colorado Motorcycle Tours

Touring Colorado

Colorado canyon tours and mountain pass tours has been the best part of touring Colorado, for me, but Colorado is rich in history, it has some of the best skiing in the world, has hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating, and I have done a lot of that too! From old mining towns, ghost towns and ski towns to all the unique restaurants and Brewery’s in this state, I would be surprised if anybody could get board visiting here.

I love Colorado! Well, it’s getting more and more expensive every year, it’s getting very crowded, and like any other state, we have our challenges here, but when I ride into the mountains and visit my favorite destinations, it becomes a perfect state again! Even the mountains get crowded on the weekends and holiday’s, so when I take my time to tour, I try to do it during the week and not during a holiday!

As I’ve mentioned, I ride a Harley, and when you own a Harley, you can join the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and join a chapter. I belong to a couple HOG chapters, but the one I ride with the most is the Denver Chapter HOG. I know there are other riding organizations and motorcycle clubs that may better fit your taste or style, it all depends on what you’re looking for in a riding group. I like to ride and the Denver Chapter rides a lot! I was a Head Road Captain for three years and I’ve planned and lead a whole bunch of rides. I’ve been able to experience a lot of Beautiful, interesting, and Historic places in Colorado with the chapter that I may not have not visited on my own. If you haven’t checked out a riding group or organization yet, I’d say give it a try, it’s a great way to meet like minded people and make life long friends.

Now, did I mention, I love Colorado? I’ve toured up to the NE (Sterling, CO), SE (Lamar, CO), NW (Dinosaur, CO) and the SW (four corners) corners of Colorado and a lot of the in-between! There are still a ton of places I want to see but the places I’ve been, have been nothing short of AMAZING! I’ve seen things from Cliff side Dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, CO to old Gold Mines in Cripple Creek, CO (Gambling town also). I’ve been to Bents Fort in La Junta, CO and Bishop’s Castle in Rye, CO just to name a few.

The best areas of Colorado, in my opinion for scenic roads, is Northwest and Southwest Colorado, North central and South central Colorado. Eastern Colorado has several attractions also, but when it comes to riding in Colorado, the mountains are the best! Here is a very handy and interactive website that makes it very easy to find places to go and things to see in Colorado broken down into 5 sections, which I mentioned above, it’s called Colorado Directory, https://www.coloradodirectory.com/. If you would like to when to visit based on events and activities in Colorado… https://rove.me/to/colorado#Jul11-Jul20. Also, here is a great link for all the Mountain Passes in Colorado, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mountain_passes_in_Colorado.

Northwest Colorado is known for Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Snowmass, Grand Mesa and Grand Junction.

-Highway 40 you can take a beautiful ride to Dinosaur and check out Dinosaur National Monument (https://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm)

-From Dinasour, head South down Highway 64 and 139 to Grand Junction area to ride around Colorado National Monument on Rimrock Dr. for some spectacular views! (https://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm)

This tour around Colorado National Monument can be a pretty hot ride in the summer time, so be sure to drink a lot of water and fluids while enjoying this amazing attraction.

-South of Grand Junction you can pickup Highway 141 for an awesome ride around Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/dominguez-escalante-nca)

Southwest Colorado is known for Crested Butte, Durango, Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Ouray, Pagosa Springs, Silverton, and Telluride, CO.

-From the Grand Junction area, continue down Highway 141 to 491 into Cortez, CO. I’ll admit, there is nothing that really interests me much about Cortez, but not far from there is Canyons of the Ancient National Monument, in the Mesa Verde area (https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/canyons-of-the-ancients), where you will find the ancient cliff dwellings. There are roads through the whole site and a lot of places to stop and see the views, hike, picnic, and even take tours of the cliff dwellings. It is a must see in SW Colorado!

-From Cortez, CO you can take Highway 145 to Telluride, CO or you can take Highway 160 to Durango, CO. The ride down Highway 160 is not one to write home about, though, Durango, CO is a must visit when in the area.

-Riding up Highway 145 is a very scenic ride to Telluride, CO. You should definitely visit the town of Telluride, the mountain range is breathtaking and this small mountain ski town is a must see!

-The other option of course is to ride Highway 160 down to Durango, CO then head up Highway 550 and ride through Silverton and Ouray, CO then take a jaunt over to Telluride, CO.

-From Telluride, head up Highway 145 to highway 62 to the town of Ridgeway, CO. I have not stayed in Ridgway yet, but from there you have the option of heading North or South on Highway 550. Head South and you’ll experience Ouray, CO, The Million Dollar Highway, Silverton, and Durango, CO. From there you can head East and visit Pagosa Springs, which has some of the best natural hot springs around, then up through Alamosa, CO to see the Sand Dunes, which is more of the South Central region (which I’ll cover next). If you head North, you will see Montrose and Delta, CO where you can ride Highway 50 to Gunnison, CO, Ride a loop around the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National, all of which are spectacular views and a tour to plan for. From there I would head East to Gunnison, CO where you will see stunning views of the Gunnison River and Blue Mesa Reservoir!

South Central Colorado is known for Alamosa, Buena Vista, Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Cripple Creek, Pikes Peak, Pueblo and Trinidad, CO.

-From Walsenburge, CO, on I-25, West on Highway 160 will take you up to Alamosa, CO. Just before you get to the Alamosa area, you will reach The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Reserve (https://www.coloradodirectory.com/nationalparks/sanddunes.html).

-North of Alamosa, CO, Via Highway 285, ride up to Pocha Springs and Buena Vista, CO. You can then head NW to Leadville, Vail and Copper Mountain or head NE toward Fairplay and Breckenridge, CO…either direction you go, you will definitely enjoy the scenery! Have you ever heard of the show South Park? Well, you can visit South Park while in Fairplay.

If you’re in or near Colorado Springs you need to check out Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, and make a trip up the paved road to the 14,115 feet above sea level on Pikes Peak.

If you’re in or near Pueblo, CO I would definitely recommend you go to the Pueblo Reservoir and the Pueblo Zoo.

-I feel the best way back home, to the Denver metro area, is straight up Highway 285. There is usually less traffic and it’s a much more scenic drive than I-70 or I-25.

Wrap Up

Believe it or not, I’ve been on ALL THESE ROADS! Amazing rides, Amazing beauty, and Amazing memories! I would and most likely will be on these roads again in the future to Tour Colorado!

I could go into a great deal more detail and go On and On and On about places to go and places to see, and I probably will, but for now I think I’ve given you a good idea of what Colorado offers for the Motorcycle Touring Enthusiast!

Cliff Dwellings in Mesa Verde, CO https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm
Telluride, CO_May 2019_https://www.tellurideskiresort.com/events-activities/activities/

 

Million Dollar Highway – Ouray to Silverton, CO https://www.colorado.com/scenic-historic-byways/million-dollar-highway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado_2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If  you’re planning a trip to Colorado I would be happy to help…Leave me a reply below or shoot me an e-mail at glenn@motorcycletouringenthusiast.com and I will do what I can! But for now, I will bring as many resources to this site as possible to help people find what they are looking for in Colorado.

Have Fun, Be Safe, and Ride On!

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Destination Touring

How to Prepare for a Destination Tour

In this article I’m going to talk about Preparing to go on a Motorcycle tour. As you may already know when you’re out on the road, it’s all about the man (or woman), the machine, and the elements. We have a destination in mind, we have the route planned out, we have the stops figured out, and we have even checked the weather, now the prep before Kick Stands Up (KSU). I’m going to talk about Preparing your Motorcycle, what to Wear or Not Wear, and of course Packing for the trip.

Prepare for the Ride

My motto is and always will be Safety First. Safety is going to be achieved by making sure your motorcycle is ready to roll, knowing your route and planning for the unexpected, and finally, getting enough rest.

First of all, I have to admit, Getting Enough Rest, for me, is easier said than done! When I’m getting ready for a ride, I get very excited and anxious and that usually means I have a hard time sleeping. This is one of the most difficult things for me to do because I have got a million and one tasks to take care of before I can even think about going to bed. Most likely I will lay in bed and think about what I may have missed. Here is how I try to handle this issue.

1. Make a check list that consists of:

A) The Route:

Departure Time, Fuel Stops, Lunch Stop, Scenic Stops en route, and the Over-night Stop. Be sure to leave room for variables such as weather, construction, traffic and other possible delays.

B) The Bike:

Comple Scheduled Maintenance along with performing your pre-ride ride inspection or TCLOCK (http://frederickhog.org/tips/tclock.htm), which is checking Tires and Wheels, Control Levers, Lights and Battery, Oil Levels, Chassis, and Kickstand. There are variations of this procedure so use the one that best fits your needs.

C) Gear and Supplies:

From the helmet on your head to the steal toes on your boots, preparedness and protection are key to a safe, successful and fun tour! I personally bring two helmets, a skid lid type (half helmet) and a 3/4 helmet with a tinted visor because rocks and hail on the face hurts and if it’s hot, I can’t stand having my whole head covered. Protective and comfortable clothing that is suitable for various types of weather that you may encounter. Water resistant, slip resistant, and moisture (sweat) wicking are the features I look for. I also bring some snacks, fluids and carry a little cash for unforseen delays or emergencies.

Check out my Shopping, tools and resource page for all your touring needs.

D) The Rest…GET SOME REST!

I try to eat early and eat well because it helps me sleep, then I get to bed early. I will usually eat and drink what will aid in getting a good nights sleep. Too much water and I’m going to the bathroom all night long. Spicy food will keep me up with heartburn. Beans and rice or too many carbs before bed and, well, you get what I mean. Whatever helps you get a good sleep and wake up with energy and clarity is the objective. As a Motorcycle Touring Enthusiast, we know that being on the top of our game, keeping our head on a swivel, and expecting the unexpected is how we manage a long adventure filled life.

What to Wear or Not Wear

I Believe this is totally dependent on where you live, where you’re going and how long you’re going to be gone. I live in Colorado and we basically have two seasons, Winter and Summer, and of the two, Winter is usually longer. Spring and Fall are usually more like either Winter or Summer…usually Winter. Even if the day or week starts out nice, you can almost guarantee there will be a drastic change in temperatures and/or in precipitation. In other words, I have to dress and plan for cold then hot then wet then cold (again). I’m usually “rotating” clothing in and out of luggage based on time of day and current conditions, which since I live in Bi-Polar Colorado, can be almost a continuous action.

No matter where you live or where you’re going, I do have some suggestions for the type of clothing you should wear. Breathable, water resistant, relaxed fit and for those really safety minded, bright and/or reflective gear. I also do not recommend cotton or wool and I do recommend boots, gloves and helmets. Of course, it is a matter of preference and I will never judge somebody for what they wear or don’t wear. For me, it’s been a learning curve, and what works for me, may not necessarily work for you.

I don’t think I have to talk too much about what you need to bring with you for the trip since that will be based on where you live, where you’re going, how long you’ll be gone and what season you are traveling in. Spring and Fall can change rapidly here in Colorado, especially when you’re leaving from one mile high and heading to the Continental Divide! I dress in layers, wear leather chaps with removable insulation over jean, and usually a leather coat with removable insulation as well. I have to leave room in one luggage compartment for adding, subtracting and rotating gear. I also wear an Under Armor type clothing that has moisture wicking characteristics. This brings me to my last point, what do we need and how do we pack everything that we need for the trip?

Packing for the Tour

Are you riding solo or are you riding two up? Are you riding a trike or are you riding a bike? Are you riding a touring class bike, a street machine, a sport bike or a bike that’s made for on and off-road? Well, obviously, depending on what type of bike you’re riding is going to depend on what and how much you can bring and how you’re packing it.

I ride a 2018 Street Glide that is between a street machine and touring class bike. I consiter it a touring class because it has saddle bags, a fering, windshield, touring seat, cruise control and highway food rests…I can ride this thing for hours on end! I have the ability to add a luggage rack and carry extra luggage bags or I could add a tour pack trunk with a luggage rack on top. I have seen sport bike riders wear backpacks for their gear. Other bikes can add soft bags or hard bags for storage. And then there are some bikes that have quick release and removable storage solutions. No matter what you ride, there is usually some way to carry what you need.

Once you have the storage ability, it’s a matter of how you pack what you’re carrying in a comfortable and safe manner so you can ride, ride, ride until the sun goes down. Remember, just because you can fit it in the saddle bags, trunk or rack, it doesn’t mean it’s safe and comfortable. Also remember that you need to leave room for necessary tools and a med kit.

Remember my motto? Safety First! Your motorcycle has a max operating weight and that weight is based specifically on the bike, make and model, and the composition. Over packing, unevenly packing, and packing too high are all recipies for a mishap or malfunction. The tires, wheels, and frame are also factors for what and how you should pack.

Get familiar with the specifications of your motorcycle and figure out how you are going to pack for a comfortable and safe ride.

Wrap up

Whether you are doing an inner state tour, a multiple state tour or a cross-country tour, How You Prepare for the Tour is what is going to make it fun and exciting and the experience of a lifetime or a tour to forget.

If you properly prepare for the ride, plan what gear and clothing to bring and wear, and be mindful of how you pack your motorcycle for the tour, you will have an adventure and memories to share for years and generations to come!

In my opinion, motorcycle touring is the most exhilarating way to see and experience the sites and that is why I am a Motorcycle Touring Enthusiast!

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