Top 5 Places For New Riders In Colorado
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- This week I answer a question I get messages about on weekly basis. "Hi CDS, I'm new to Colorado and was wondering if you could tell me where some good riding areas are for a new rider?" Well here is the best answer I can give you. In this video I cover my top five riding areas I feel are best suited to newer riders. We cover Fire Roads, Tarryall Reservoir, Four Mile North OHV Area, Hagerman Pass and Rampart Range. All of these areas offer a diverse riding experience and each offer new skills to learn and practice while having fun on the trails.
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I took my first dirtbike to rampart this past weekend. The easy rated trails were SO MUCH FUN!
Beautiful & inspiring! Thank-you! Picking up my first dual sport bike in April! I'm so excited!
You would like Pratt Creek in Northern Colorado. It's also referred to as FR 182. I have a video of it on my channel. I've seen a good number of dual sport riders out there! Great video!
EXCELLENT information! I'm a long time rider but new to riding in Colorado and this was great info along with the visuals of what each place looks like - that's key to making up my mind based on my own comfort level.
Very informative, thanks. My kids just moved to the Colorado springs area and I am planning to come out there from Michigan on my BMW adv bike and exploring a lot of these areas.
Thanks - this was a great introduction to the type of riding there is out there! We'll be using this in planning our trip to Colorado this summer.
Awesome man! I'm glad I was able to help! I get this question from people all the time who are taking trips here or just moved here.
Wow! This is just what I’ve been looking for. Thank you so much for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Just bought my wife and I's first DS bike. Can't thank you enough for throwing this up. So can't wait to hit the trails.
Congrats man! Take it slow and figure out good techniques and you'll have a blast.
Sincerely, thank you for creating this video. It was awesome to see Phantom Canyon on your list as it's my first trail riding experience. Love it! Will definitely keep all of these in mind and schedule for the remainder of the year and into 2022. Thank you!
Glad I could help! Good luck, be safe and have fun!
We used to love ripping Phantom on our Harleys, loaded with nomad camping/living gear. I had an FXR and Sportster, but my buddies had Road Kings and softails. Some years the washouts were scary a bit. Lotsa good old mule trails around there and around Cripple Creek in general. PS: Phantom goes a lot faster on my KLR, as do all the crazy passes and Jeep trails we used to proudly ride on our Harleys (while carefully picking our lines and wishing for skid plates).
Very nice video. My job is moving out there next spring. I have raced motocross, cross country, ice raced, road raced, hair scrambled, Enduro raced from: 1983-2013. I now just ride Dual Sport to keep my skills up. I have owned my KLR650 for 28 years. I've ridden it from Atlanta Georgia to Alaska and back primitive camping both ways 5 times now. I'm Truly looking forward to making some new friends, and learning new places to go ride when I get there.
This is my dream! Great video. Looks like you're in Denver area. I'm hoping to get started dualsporting here in SW CO this summer.
Nice mix & scenery! At 63, a fun day for me is anywhere from 50-200kilo`s@old&reliable Honda 250XL. Straight gas + med risk at my age...slowin` down as they say but keeping it upright.
Great tips! Once it warms up I’ll be hitting up these for sure 👊🏼
Totally worth it! If you can get out there you won't be disappointed.
Your videos just keep getting better and better. You sound so relaxed LOL!!
Thanks man! You know, doing voice overs is really hard for me. I can hop on the bike and talk to you guys through the camera all day long with no problems, but as soon as I sit down at the computer and try it gets really tough. I did probably 5 takes of each section on this video and by the last one for Rampart I was totally in the flow and did it in one take. Maybe it's just something I would need to get used to. Until this snow stops there may be a few more videos like this, so I'll keep working on it. Thanks for the compliment though.
What a fantastic video, I want to come to Colorado now and do all of these! The scenery is breathtaking! Thanks for this great video!
It really is a must. You need to plan like two months though to get a good snap shot of all the riding here. It's endless and the views never get old.
Going riding Saturday
Great video big thanks for sharing. Im in texas but looking forward to getting out to colorado to ride soon. Never been there
Omg calorado is so beautiful i love living here and cant wait to get my first bike
I’m beyond happy that I came across this video! You’ve told me just about everything I would ask for a new rider to go and get some experience. Thanks!!
Glad it was helpful! Have fun and be safe!
@@ColoradoDualSport
Quick question? does your bike have to be street legal to ride platte river Rd or Tarryall reservoir??
@@michaelvickers89 Platte River Rd yes, the ohv trails at Tarryall no, just an ohv sticker.
Rule of thumb is that all forest roads you have to be plated. If it has a trail number then no.
@@ColoradoDualSport
👍
I used to live in Rampart. During weekdays I practically had the place to myself! Great riding there!
Good picks. These have all been done on Harleys, so easily doable on actual dirt bikes. Weekdays are best. Thanks!
Thanks for this video! I needed something like this
Any time! Hope it helps!
Man excellent video! I’m a newer rider and started off on a bit more gnarly trails then I was wanting too, lol, & this video would have helped a ton! Very well done!…. Ps. I’ve been an outdoor guide & will share certain hidden gems like Rampart but always keep a few of ur most favorite trails treasured luck away especially with how much Colorado is getting blown up! Lol
Thanks man! I actually started the channel pretty much the same week I rode a a bike for the first time. I found that no one had really done a great job filming trails, so that was my original focus for the channel. Also to show my riding progress. I'm glad people still find these videos helpful.
Great info, thanks for sharing
Yep, still need to ride Colorado with a dirt bike. That Rampart Range looks amazing every time you show it! Hope the weather gets better and the snow melts soon for ya bud!
Yes you do man! Rampart trails are awesome, but can get gnarly quickly if it rains or there is a major washout. I've been to spots where the trail just disappears down a 6 foot cliff where there used to be a trail. Gotta be very careful out there.
Great stuff, thanks man.
Great info vid, I really want to ride in Colorado now!
Thanks Troy! Set up a trip man, you won't be disappointed.
+ColoradoDualSport looking at 2017 for Colorado since this year planning on Black Hills
great video man! que buen video, I want to ride all that, tks.
Thanks dude! Glad you enjoyed it. Lots more to come!
This is the video I've been waiting on! Would love to take a week or so off and come out there to ride. Thanks!
Thanks man! Yes, I get asked this question allllllll the time. It'll make my life easier just to send the link to a video which explains much better then I can in text in a message.
+ColoradoDualSport Did ya ever look into the Rever app? All the guys in my local dual sport group are using it. You can either plan rides out on a map and sent them to your GPS or your buddy's. Or use it to track you while you ride. Either way you can share your rides with anyone your friends with on Rever. Most of us just use the free version and it's awesome!
This was fantastic. Thank you
Awesome videos, CDS!
Thank you!
Great info bro.
thank you! i just got my first dirt bike and haven't even picked it up yet from the dealer and already was psyching myself out of the purchase! lol
nice episode
be good to see this continue-- the trail at 10:10 looks fun
Thanks man! I get asked that question a lot. Now I can link people to it instead of typing it all out.
@@ColoradoDualSport which trail was that? I just did the exact opposite of what you suggested. First time out on my new bike went out to rampart alone lol made it out alive somehow
lucky you have maps that grade the trails, looks amazing.
LOL! The map for Rampart is mainly just to keep you from getting dead. Normally where Hermit and I ride there are no maps, we just know the trails, or don't and GPS track our breadcrumbs.
Very nice. Love the more open trails with distant views. You sure have some high altitude riding there. Cheers :)
Thank you! Yep, some trails here go up to 14,000ft above sea level. It truly is an amazing place to ride. Now I just wish it was Spring/Fall weather all year long. Just skip the hot summer and the cold winter snow.
+ColoradoDualSport
Yes, no winter or super-hot summer, just comfortable temperatures. That not asking too much is it? Our terrain here in B.C. offers as much elevation gain on the trails, but we begin lower down. Not on such a high plateau as Colorado. I'll see what I can do about eliminating the extremes in seasons; I'll make a few phone calls ;)
Thanks for these! 👍✌️
hey CDS thanks for the tip man ....colorado is on my mind
Any time brother! You really need to get out here and ride. It's second to none.
4 mile north is a great place to go fast! Been living and riding there for 25 years.
I need to spend about a month out there with you and explore all these places on the Tractor. That would be a ton of fun eh?
Better yet, you could just move in next door :-) You know the door is open any time you want to come out brother! The bed down stairs is always waiting.
eveRide I would love to ride with you someday,. hope you can make it back to Colorado. Rampart is an awesome place as you know. I will be riding in Moab on July .. I can wait to get to Utah
Very cool from So Cal , maybe one day I could make it out but we have a few cool spots down here like Hungry valley . Dove springs , jawbone canyon , Cal city , Randsburg and many more , I like riding motocross with the YZ 450 or Duel sport with the plated XR 400
lots of great trails!
Thanks! Hope you get to enjoy them.
Great video! Thank you for recording it. Curious which trail in Rampart Range you were showing?
You can't go wrong with any riding around my hometown of Leadville!
Love it out there! Beautiful country and trails everywhere!
Sign me up! It's tough to ride here in AZ when the weather gets hot. Protective gear and 105 degree heat don't mix well.
Yeah I can imagine! I know that Ares0909 used to ride all winter then disappear in the summer.
Good advice about not going to Rampart Range on the weekends. It's gets so annoyingly crowded... Maybe I should try to piece together a video of some of my favorites, too. the problem is, I haven't ridden many of them since I started recording and making videos.... I guess I should go do that :D
I think Frag and I are going to plan one of those trips you and I spoke about a few months ago to go do Four Mile etc. He's got the big boy KLR and can pack mule I'm sure.
Thanks so much man I couldn’t find a good place to ride
Glad you enjoyed it! Have fun and ride safe.
Great top 5 picks!
Thank you Mr.Bacon!
Best skiing, great riding trails, hiking, scenery, what a place! And I'm stuck in NJ, with a fat governor :(
Oh man. I know that feeling all to well. Maybe try and get over to the water gap for some camping?
I hit the slopes in the catskills and VT a lot. Doesn't even come close to the Rockies. Enjoy!
Good video. Just moved to Colorado Springs last summer. Hope we can ride together sometime this year
Awesome man! Welcome to CO. I can be a bit of a Hermit when it comes to riding. Must be some guy I ride with a lot rubbing off on me, but I do try to do at least one group ride a year. Keep an eye on the channel and I'll post it up.
Spot on!
Great videos. I really enjoy all of them. Quick question. I live in Lake Tahoe. My 74 year old Dad and I are doing a road trip on KTM 350 EXC's in a week. He hasn't ridden in 30 years so need easy riding with great views. We are going to hit some of the passes in your video on 5 best places for new riders in CO. I assume Four Mile North and others on your list are snow free at this time? Also, do you have any suggestions of easy trails/passes in Park City and/or Moab with nice scenery?
Hey Jeff. The high country gates don't open unit June 15th and that is on the condition that the trails are passable. Four Mile will most likely be snow free. As for Moab, Chicken Corners, potash rd and Schafer Trail/ whit rim are amazing. Hope you have a great trip man.
Hey CDS,
Your videos inspired me get out and ride after years away from motorcycling which has been especially therapeutic since I can't surf any longer (no beaches in Co ha)! I went to 4mile and hagerman the past two weekends and both were awesome. Hagerman had some snow so I couldn't make it to the top but the baby heads were so fun... yes speed was my friend and 4mile was super flowy like you said.
The commute out to 4mile is kind of rough after a few times out, so do you have any other ride recommendations near the metro area or OHV books to get? Looking for something similar but a bit closer.
Cheers,
Jared
Check out dakan road near rampart. Link it using RRR to the road that goes to rainbow falls. Go out to the pavement from rainbow falls and make a left. Run that to hotel gulch (the turn is near the forestry office and doesn't look like you should be there, but you can. Ride that back up to RRR and take dakan or any of the other "non trail" roads back down to Denver. That was one of my favorite loops. If that's to short, go across and find trail creek rd that leads to all kinds of awesome. The roads are new rider safe, but the trails can get difficult. Same as rampart.
Rampart has great trails for more advanced riders, too. Maybe mostly for intermediate/advanced riders, but my son, grandson, and granddaughters learned there.
Hi, great footage. Can you please create a map path for some of these trails? I'm having a hard time finding exactly where these trails are :(
Great video! I’m planning a trip to Denver the week of July 4th. Do any of you have recommendations for renting dirt bikes? Or possibly buying a cheap one? Thanks!
Great video.
I know this question will really come down to rider skill but for the size of thr trails at Rampart Range do you think the big bikes would fit? I'm thinking KLR 650, BMW GS 800/1200 etc.
I'm sure smaller bikes will be more fun but for guys like me doing cross country tours on KLRs and adventure types.. will they physically fit? Some spots in your videos you and Hermit seem to be squeezing the DRZs though. Even Hermits WR looks big. =)
I know your answer would be opinion and as mentioned mostly rider skill effected but figred I'd ask.
Awesome video!
can't wait for the snow to melt so you can get more footage.
The answer there is a very grey area. There are some place at Rampart where Xena will just barely squeak through, but the majority are just fine. In my 3 years of experience up there I have seen one KLR650 on those trails and he was in our group. He was riding 5x harder then the rest of us who were on DRZ's and smaller. My answer is I would avoid it unless you know the trails and are seriously good on a big bike in pea gravel. There are so many other places to explore that are made to be big bike friendly that it's not worth the risk at Rampart. That's my honest opinion.
+S Freak77 Like CDS said, a skilled rider can navigate a KLR in Rampart, no problem. a GS800 or 1200 would be way too much though. You could get into serious trouble on some of the harder trails up there like Devil's Slide or Scotty's rock, and it straight up wouldn't fit on some of the singletrack (770/Skeleton trail)
Looking at moving to loveland. Everything ive seen and read about it looks perfect. Is there plenty of land to ride around that areA?
Do you have any trail videos around the Glenwood springs / Yampa / Meeker area ?
Rampart Range looks awesome. It's now on my list.
Haha! Just take heed to what I said. I mean every word of it and anyone else who rides there will echo it.
Take a quick look at a couple of my videos and let me know if it's tougher than those trails. Gamet36
wonderful video! thank you for the list. I am headed to Colorado with my DRZ next summer. I have been watching a lot of your videos to gauge the intensity of the roads I am interested in. You seem to hit the ones I want to ride, and the area that I will be. Thank you!!
oh, and also nice that you have moved to PA. (For me at least), because it is closer to my home, and you are riding the Allegheny, which is another area I am planning to hit next summer and fall! Ride on.
very nice, thank you
Any time! You can always tell when I get tired of answering a question over and over LOL I just link the video to the next person. Makes my life so much easier. You should see how many times I've sent the "how do you guys talk to one another" link to the coms video.
Nice video. Thanks! Suggest saying forest service roads. They are not really fire roads.
This Hermit guy sounds hilarious. Trying to keep rampart a secret. I almost fell out of my chair. It's only on the stay the trail map, multiple websites and all over UA-cam. But seriously, it's a great place to ride on a weekday. I been going a lot more sense the floor closed lefthand.
hay man i have been to all of those trails you need to try red cone it is really challenging but really fun go check it out
Hey man, thanks! I have a red cone video in the archive, check it out. That was one tough trail.
4 Mile, could not have said it better myself. It is a trek to get there thus camping overnight is how I usually ride that area. I like the difficult single track loop on my trials bike (trail 1425 I think) Rampart, ah yes, just ride that mid week OR camp and get up at dawn and ride before the ATV's awake from their slumber which is about 10:00 am.
Yeah, I really need to get back out to 4 mile and explore a bit more. I want to do some moto camping in that area this coming summer. Haha ride before 10am.... you must be a farm boy.
+ColoradoDualSport Oh yes, early morning just after sun up is the best time to ride, Rampart that is. I saw a huge bear once at that time over on 676 way down south when I was riding alone. It was as big as a small car. Lucky it was more afraid of me and my 2 stroke engine than I was of it. I had thought at the moment that it was a large rock until it began to move.
Where do you suggest staging at? Taking my kids and we will have 2 atvs and 1 dirtbike and looking at doing at least 1/2 day worth of riding.
Rampart or 4 Mile? Because I would not take kids and ATV's to Rampart with all the crazies unless its during the week.
I started riding at Rainbow Falls trails on an XT250
It's a great little area. The trails need some love from erosion, but some are still fun.
did I just hear a proposal for a dualsport camping adventure at 4 mile north?
Also, I know I'm not super noob anymore, but I still definitely fall in the noob category. I always thought I was just a super nervous and crappy rider on Rampart Range Road (which I am). It never occurred to me that the road surface was part of my issue.
You sir indeed just heard that proposal and now we plan. I can get us there 90% on dirt from my garage.
Let me know the dates, if I can make it, count me in :)
Let me know what you've got open. I'll have to check ye ole' on-call calendar at work to make sure I don't need to trade with anyone. Of course, talking to The Boss at home will be a requirement as well
2-5 would be fun on the AT but 1 is better suited for the 300L Rally. 😁
Hi CDS,
Can you please give me the list of all colorado - Fire Roads. I need longer routes to start riding my - DR650 and get some miles under my tire.
Which fire road is the cave / tunnel. The one in the first part of your video?? Thanks for your video!
I believe that is phantom canyon road. I have a full video for it in the archive. Thanks!
I was about to buy a street bike, but I got a job offer in CO. I typed in "motorcycle Colorado" and this came up. I think I need a dual sport instead now
You won't regret that decision.
Personally I would only hit Rampart on the weekdays. I have had some fun out there. I need to get a bike for trails again.
I couldn't agree more! Hermit and I normally will take a half day and meet up over there and have a blast.
ColoradoDualSport I get weekdays off everyweek which is perfect for going places that normally had loads of people on the weekends
All the new subs that go looking for vintage CDS vids are going to be confused with the old funky techno beat intro.
Nice top 5 now when are you going to make one for Wisconsin? I can't figure out where to ride.
Hahaha! That's why I said be aware that these are old videos and the quality isn't near what it is today". LOL my little warning. Now it's your turn to make a top 5 for Wisconsin! Get to work!
There are a million places to get lost in the Nicolet.
Thank you for this review very good info ... next summer(2020) i go for all summer road trip whit bike r1200gs... do you think this kind of big bike are ok for this kind of trail .. i m not pro rider trails but beginner...
The 1,200GS is very heavy bike for trail riding. Make sure you have a good understanding of basic dirt skills beforehand. Even on easy trails you could get in over your head quickly.
@@ColoradoDualSport THANK YOU FOR ANSWER.
i m gonna tchek for the easy trail... and put some good off road tires when i arrive in Colorado... i like my Karoo 3 ... but it is not make for serious off road... 👍👍👍 thank s
would you say a dual sport is capable of doing almost all trails in colorado?
Cool.
curious about lengths of these and gas
Man! I want to live there soooo bad! If you could come up with a "how to" video about dropping everything (mortgage, small business, pets, etc) in order to spontaneously move to another state, I would appreciate it. Thanks!
Hahaha! If I only knew that video would have been a big hit I would have filmed it when we moved here. Alas CDS wasn't even a thought at that time.
If you really mean it, you have to just do it. Start by looking for jobs. Take a few flights out and look around with a rental car. Then do it.
+Twistygrip KLR The state is full, no more room! ;)
That’s exactly what I did. Listed my house, packed my stuff, closing on my house in Westcliffe in a couple weeks. Now I need to sell my Jeep and get a pair of ktm’s.
Managed a large cemetery for many years. I learned many things, none more important than this... If you are not living the life you want to live, find a way to do it ASAP! Love your family, Love your life, love your self. No one knows how much time they have. There is always a way, sometimes you have to move back to move forward!
Nice!!!
Thank you sir!
I do not recommend deckers. some high cliffs out there. one wrong move youre in for a big drop. I do recommend tarryall. very flat and easy, no cliffs and enough to pick up speed. Also recommend 211 trail near tarryall trails. some high cliffs though but a lot wider
i just realized you mentioned 211 lol
Got any close to Fort Collins area? Just moved here about 2 years ago and just got a klx250s and only know about the mx track in Berthoud
Oh man, tons! check out staythetrail.org - trailtaker.com and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
I’ll be moving to Colorado from California soon and now I CANT WAIT!!
Looking to buy a DRZ
How's it with the carb driving around denver then heading up to the mountains? I'm new to all this, can you "jet" to compensate for both or do you kind of have to choose one or the other? Thanks!
I had Xena jetted for 10k feet. She ran fine in Denver, no problems, but she ran great where most of the riding is, 8k -10k feet and above.
What is the best town to stay in when writing the more difficult Colorado passes
What area? There are difficult passes all over the state.
Do you have to be on a street legal bike to ride the fire roads? They look like the kind of riding I would love (Like the open trails I have in kentucky). My bike is not street legal however.
Good question. Yes, you have to be street legal to ride anything that isn't a numbered OHV trail.
What about international scout roads
I'm in the Colorado Springs area and looking to do a 1 night solo camping trip to get my feet wet. Any quick suggestions? I am very experienced off road but never really dual sported before.
When are you looking to go? The high country doesn't open until around June 15th. A good testing grounds which is still in reach of home if a complete failure occurs is probably West Creek area. Tons of campsites out there.
Probably early summer when the weather is more predictable. Thanks for the suggestion that is exactly what I was looking for!
Do you ever get stopped and checked for spark arrestors in Colorado?
Any good trails in fort Collins area?
Can i use a cruiser motorcycle in these kinds of places, i would like to explore colorado but i only have honda rebel motorcycle.
No, I would not recommend it for the majority of these places.
do we need ds bikes to ride these trails or can they be motorcross as well ?
Anything labeled FS or forest service road you need a plate. Any OHV area all you need is a sticker.
How do you find fire roads
awesome dude. what I like about your videos is playing them on the big screen (72"). much better than anything netflix offers. keep them coming.
I am honored! Thank you man! You know, I always "proof watch" on my big screen as well. It's only 46", but still lets me see fine detail even better then on the computer monitor.
6/21/2020. How are you doing CDS? I have not heard anything from you since last fall. Has Pennsylvania shut everything down? You guys need to get back to Colorado. I know that it's expensive, but why don't you organize a trip for several people to ride out and back? Take care my friend and stay healthy. Vaughn
Hey man, we're doing good! 2020 has just not been working out for me at all. I've tried and failed at two riding trips already. Hopefully soon I'll be able to get out there and film a bit. I'd love to get back to CO more then you know. Hope you are doing well.
How do we find fire roads? I tried googling and didn’t really see any clear answers for locating them. I live in the grand valley on western Colorado (grand junction area). Anyone have some suggestions for where to start out here or where some fire trails are nearby? Thirsty to get out there and start exploring but am very new to riding! Just got my bike last year and am excited to start riding more scenic roads/trails.
The best way to find them is to look at Google maps, find a green section of national forest and just go explore.
@@ColoradoDualSport Awesome, thanks for your reply! That’s really helpful and super simple. I’ll give that a go here once it warms up!
how do you find fire roads nearby?
You guys are blessed with SUCH beautiful riding! I can NOT wait to get out there! Question- Will the higher passes be open (snow gone) around the first of May?
Unfortunately not. The gates normally open June 15th, but only if they have melted off sufficiently. The high passes are a late summer thing. This year we are getting a lot of late winter snow so that makes things worse. You can always call the ranger districts before heading out and they will tell you what is open.
What time of the year does rampart usually open?
Follow Rampart Range Motorized Management Comity group on Facebook. They are the be all end all for Rampart news.
What bikes do you suggest for riding these types of trails?
That's a big question. What type of bike are you looking into? Narrow down the criteria.
Considering a Honda 450L. I’m about 185 lbs. Main riding experience has been with a CR250 2 stroke at Glamis in California.
Do we need ohv permits to ride on this trail ?
Which one?