From: tsmarti@uswest.com (Martin) Subject: Colorado Roads -- [ From: Robert Wilson * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] -- Sean in Ft. Collins & all GTSers My preliminary itinerary for an annual trip with 3 other bikers looks like we're going to Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park, Colorado area (from Manitoba, most likely down through the Black Hills area) Starting June 14. Any must ride roads (it's 4days travel to/from area and 3days in area) keeping these timelines in mind. Thanks, Robert -- Robert Wilson neelin@escape.ca YES, there are several must ride roads. Get your maps out and check if you can get to any or ALL of the following: 1) Just south of Grand Junction, Highway 141 going to Naturita. This road is made for GTS's. The longest stright away is about 1/4 mile. Everything else are high speed sweepers with great visibility. 2) Going south out of Naturita, highway 145 through Telluride to Cortez. Some of the most beautiful country along with great twisties. 3) South of Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, highway 133 over McClure Pass down to Paonia (where BMW holds their annual Colorado rally). Then south on 92 through the Black Canyon. 4) Going south from Gunnison, highway 149 through Creede to Pagosa Springs. Highway 285 is a nice ride, but it is loaded with cops. The same is true with highway 40 to the north. Any and all of the above roads will be a religious experence any make you want to move to Colorado. Tom Martin Broomfield CO -------------------------------------- > Anyone stayed in Estes Park or nearby motel, etc. with a place to recommend > (5 middle aged guys!) let me know. I'll phone my wife 204-943-5942 when we > arrive in Estes Park, and tell here where we're staying if I don't prebook > from one of your recommendations. That way you can call her and find out > where we are, to find us if you are so inclined. I lived most of my life in the Ft Collins area, so this is "home" to me. I spent many weekends in Estes Park, but pretty much either a) camping, or b) in a friend's cabin (most often). So, I have little to advise about specifics. A couple of points, though: First--this is tourist town big-time. Motels ought to be booked in advance unless you WANT to camp. Things can be full. Nearest not in Estes is likely Loveland [explain to your wife that you're staying there! :)]. The Stanley Hotel is the "famous" property in Estes. It was where they filmed "The Shining" with Jack Nicholson et al. Pricey, I've not stayed there, has a reputation of being good. I'd avoid unless you and your wife want to do a romantic getaway sometime. Be absolutely sure to ride over Trail Ridge Road and down into Granby. I'd stop up top and look around the tundra. Impressive, but expect the Winnebago crowd to be out in force. There's now a "gift shop" at the top where you can get a great deal on a rubber tomahawk. :) The Allen's Park loop would make a good day trip. So would Granby to Georgetown. But I70 is a freeway. Yuck (IMHO). You could avoid the interstate by getting off quickly and coming up through Black Hawk and Nederland. Black Hawk is now a gambling town (and Central City) and that's too bad. If you can get away to the Leadville area, things are more fun. Independence Pass will impress. Route 24 is pretty cool. But you're getting away from Estes Park at this point. If you're heading up the canyon from Loveland (Big Thompson) you can get off on an obscure road in Drake, and take the Devil's Gulch road. It is pretty twisty and has a couple of first gear corners. Won't have as much traffic, comes out right at the Stanley Hotel. (BTW--trivia time. Stanley Hotel is the "Stanley Steamer" family, old hotel from turn of century.) >From there where? Any chance you'll end up in New Mexico, even the northern part of the state? May as well close with the opening--I'm envious! Enjoy! Phil Benson