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As an old man who has ridden Colorado and the West since the '60s, I'd like to mention a few little gems... Hwy 69 from Walsenberg to Westcliffe and onto Canon City (either road) is STUNNING...Hwy 141 from just south of Grand Junction through Gateway and onto Naturita is STUNNING also... And Hwy 114 from Saguache to Gunnison is an enchanting ride... All are 'roads less traveled' which adds greatly to their pleasure.
From a guy who has been riding in Colorado for 25 years, agreed! I will also add Hwy 285 from Denver to Fairplay, and any of the canyons between Peak-to-Peak Highway and the front range (in order from north to south: Hwy 7 from Raymond to Lyons, Lefthand Canyon from Ward to Altona, Boulder Canyon from Nederland to Boulder, Coal Creek Canyon from Nederland to Leyden, Golden Gate Canyon from north of Black Hawk to Golden). Plus Glenwood Canyon is pretty amazing too!
@@vics-videosThanks for the reply, I grew up in Boulder during the 50s/60s, bought a Norton Commando in 1970 and ripped through those roads MANY times, I remember running up to Nederland and back if I had half hour to kill, It was great in those days with the FAR less traffic...One of my favorite 'day rides' has been running to the top of Mt Evans, it seems I did it at least once a year for some 25 or so years, haven't been riding for over 15 years...cheers
@@markmark2080 Round trip from Boulder to Nederland and back in 30 minutes??? You were hauling a!@#$ !!! :-) I love Mt. Evans too! Great spot for a picnic!
@@vics-videos YES, those were weekday afternoons, almost no traffic, I was just out of the Navy and 'played' for almost a year. The Peak to Peak Highway and South St Vrain had new asphalt, it was pure bliss, of course I was a young and foolish...
Rented a Harley from Denver last month and spent a week touring Colorado. Some of the high passes were still snowed in but honestly every road I travelled was just fanatastic. Went from Montrose down to Durango along Hwy 550 was just amazing! That one day’s riding, in itself, was worth the flight from Australia
I spent a week riding in Colorado last year. Independence Pass was by far my favorite. The oneway section against the rocks is incredible. Thanks for the video good one.
Folks I live in Colorado and glad I found your channel last year. Based on your great recommendations I could add the Independence pass and the million dollar Highway to my adventure list. I can’t even express how much fun it was. Just know you folks do an amazing job and I can’t thank you guys enough for the brilliant work you do. Cheers to another riding season!
from Chama, new mexico to wolf creek pass to south fork to Creed to Lake City to Montross and then to Telluride and then to Moab, Utah using highway 46. Enjoy
US 160 from Pagosa Springs to South Fork, it is about 45 miles there are water falls it goes over wolf creek pass with snow on the mountain peaks and runs along a stream for many miles going down into South Fork.
I live in south Fork and enjoy the ride up to Wolf Creek pass several times a week on different bikes over the years! That road is 'made' for motorcycles!
A route that blew me away was Hwy. 149 going North out of South Fork. Did an up and back to Lake City in the fall when the colors were at their peak, it was epic!! Great video, thanks...
coming that way this May/June from BC Canada, via Oregon Coast to Fort Bragg, east to Lake Tahoe, South to Yosemite east to Hanksville, Moab, Monument Valley (again) Cortez, Silverton and all these roads before heading to Beartooth Pass (again).
I would avoid I80 to Tahoe. Try to take US 50. But not on Friday, Sunday afternoon. The to And from Reno traffic is deadly. Really. OR from Fort Bragg go through Grass Valley to Tahoe.
I have been going to CO since 1991 to ride the mtn's. I have rode every cool paved road Denver & west. CO never disappoints I always try and stay for 2 weeks. This year going to start doing the unpaved roads. Love your channel
You recommended taking the Mt Evans road from 'late spring' until fall. Don't even think about trying to get to the top until July. And if you go in the summer, get up and down early. The thunderstorms that build in the afternoon during Colorado monsoon season (mid-July to about September 1) would be miserable and downright dangerous (lightning) to get caught in on a bike. Late August to first week of September is your best window to try to ride the really high Colorado roads before the snow begins to fly up there.
I live in Loveland Colorado. I've been riding Colorado canyons for decades. I can think of several rides you missed. But pouder river canyon, rist canyon, stove prairie canyon. There is an entire conection of canyons, loops, and twisty riding spots within an hour of me.
Well done and all great rides. One that you might add - Colorado Springs to Divide, turn south on 67 to Cripple Creek and on down to Victor Colorado - Old mining town. Between Cripple Creek and Victor, there is a short section of very tight twisties that is like riding a roller coaster. My buddies and I have been know to go back and forth on that section several times just for the shear fun of it! You can also keep going out of Cripple Creek to the southwest on Cty Road 1 and pick up Colorado 9 toward Guffy - that has some exhilarating twists and turns. Happy riding!
FYI, to all riders planning to ride the Trail Ridge Parkway.......it is stunning but there is a catch that will impede to trip. To gain entry into the park you must have a "Timed Entry Pass" before they'll let you enter. That happens at both ends of the park. The Estes entry has a visitor center, gift shop, and restaurant to wait at until the time for your entry. I found this out the hard way and had to wait 1.5 hrs to gain entry. At lease I had a place to eat and was dry cause it started raining, but the wait was well worth it for the ride!!!
Mt Evans was perhaps my favorite 'day ride' back in the '80s and '90s when it was free, best route is to start at Bergen Park, near the I-70 exit to Evergreen and enjoy twisty 103 going uphill, when coming down, head for Idaho Springs and enjoy the larger sweeping curves... The same thing holds true on Trail Ridge Road, it's best on a motorcycle traveling eastward from Grand Lake to Estes Park because the switchbacks on the west end are more fun going up and the view on top is better too. I've enjoyed those roads many times on several great bikes, my first 'motorcycle' ride on Trail Ridge was in '61 with my best friend on a Cushman Eagle on our first 'motorcycle' trip at the age of 14.
Great Video! I have been on most of these rides and find them amazing. However, I haven't been on Hwy 65 and 92 and hope to check it out this summer. Thanks for the great suggestions! Another ride I have been on that I found really enjoyable is the loop from Salida that takes you over both Monarch Pass and Cottonwood Pass (great day trip from Salida). I have a goal of riding over all 60 paved Colorado passes. So far, Trail Ridge (Rocky Mtn National Park) is my favorite. Thanks again for the great video!
We only had the chance to ride the MDH (550) and is one of our top 3 in USA… But damn, Colorado has a lot to offer! We really need to go back and spend some time there… 🤘🏼😝🤘🏼
From a guy who has been riding in Colorado for 25 years, I would add the rides added by 'markmark2080', plus add Hwy 285 from Denver to Fairplay, any of the canyons between Peak-to-Peak Highway and the front range (in order from north to south: Hwy 7 from Raymond to Lyons, Lefthand Canyon from Ward to Altona, Boulder Canyon from Nederland to Boulder, Coal Creek Canyon from Nederland to Leyden, Golden Gate Canyon from north of Black Hawk to Golden), and Glenwood Canyon (east of Glenwood Springs) is pretty amazing too!
Great video guys!! All great roads as well!! One of my favorite roads in Colorado and in the US as well is Hwy 141 between Naturita, CO and Gateway, CO. This stunning, sinding road through many high stone canyon walls is like riding through a mini Grand Canyon. Then as a wonderful treat at the end in Gateway you can have a great meal at the resort and tour the amazing car museum they have.
Hwy 145 from Cortez to Telluride then Hwy 62 to Ridgeway. From there you're back to 550 (the million $ hwy) I burnt up a set of rear brake pads and wore out a rear tire on that route.
Won't always know where the Elk are on Trail Ridge. Start early enough and they hide in the shadows in the lower elevation section from the West. Hit a spike at 7 AM with my VFR800 riding under the park speed limit as I passed into a grove of trees (still dark with sun in my eyes in the meadow) to find two dozen elk total mostly on the sides of the road. Sadly ruined the rest of the 'Trail for me which was mylast day of mountain riding on a total 21 day trip. Still made it 1200 miles home thanks to duct tape and zipties!
If you ride Mount Evans to the peak, note, the road half way up is in extremely poor condition. Also, there is not only a fee (National Park Pass will cover it), you also need to book a timed entry fee online or risk not being able to go up. I lucked out and was allowed to go if I promised not to stop. Just up and down. Also note! Not only is an entry fee required for the Rocky Mountain NP, a timed entry booked online IS required. (For entry from 9am to 2pm). The park staff will NOT let you in without a booked time online. After riding 3000 miles I was not allowed to pass and enter the park at 10 am even though I did have an annual pass. Many people were being turned away. Looking online, they had not released times for the following two days yet and only 3 days out. I tried entering from Estes Park. With a timed entry booked online, I would recommend entering from the west side and riding the RMNP. The vehicular traffic coming out of the park on the west side down to I-70 is insanely long and you will be in stop and go traffic for 20-30 min just trying to get back to I-70 on the west side. Also, try to stay away from I-70 in the Denver area at all costs. Extremely busy and slow going. The heat this July makes it very uncomfortable to ride the Million $ and San Juan and unfortunately had to be omitted from my trip. I did book Pikes Peak for $15 plus $2 for a timed entry (need both). The road is in fantastic condition and it was a great experience. Tip, book the first timed entry of 8-10am and show up at 7:45 am (opens at 7:30). You won’t have to wait more than a couple of cars to enter and there won’t be the traffic and busses yet going up. When leaving the traffic was backed up just trying to enter.
All are great. Also there is guenella pass, pikes peak top just like mount evans and much much more. Colorado is very scenic and fun place to ride motorcycles
Great video. Lived in Grand Jct. for 15 years. Had opportunity to ride all these routes (3 on bicycle). San Juans are my favorite. Would add Colorado National Monument from GJ to Fruita. Beautiful red rock monoliths (like parts of Utah). For the very adventurous, there are numerous jeep roads. Black Bear from Red Mtn. Pass into Telluride is my favorite. Do not attempt this with your Gold Wing! Experienced only!
Another awesome Colorado road is Hwy 145 from Telluride west to Gateway onto Westwater on 141 Another is Hwy 145 Telluride SW to Dolores Co Ride safe Ride lots! Telluride makes the best base IMHO All sorts of day loop rides from 200- 500+ miles
Great video, but as a native to Colorado, forget about riding through Rocky Mountain National Park. In the summer it isn't even fun because of the traffic. Cars, SUVs, motorhomes, trailers full of side by sides, camper trailers-you name it. EVERYTHING is blocking the road. Even an occasional moose. There are too many other good roads in this state to fool around with that ride.
@@GreatMotorcycleRoads I was thinking more about the riders and the need to concentrate. The highest roads in the Italian / Swiss Alps are at 8000ft. I’ve done the Grand Canyon area at 9000 but was wondering whether pushing a Harley around at 14000 was a significant challenge bearing in mind they say an airliner needs to descend to 10000 if you lose cabin pressure. From wiki:- They tried to take a straight route into Chile over the Guallatiri active volcano. This attempt was hampered by severe hypoxia after climbing to about 16,000 feet (4,900 m); each had taken a Viagra tablet before the climb, to try to prevent high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Lack of oxygen also reduced each of their cars' effective power; May's car could produce no more than 20 bhp. At 17,200 feet altitude (3.26 miles, 5,240 metres, where the air pressure was about half an atmosphere), they stopped and appraised their current medical state. All three were displaying clear signs of altitude sickness and as the road was continuing to climb, the trio decided it was too risky, and so turned back and took a lower route. 😎😇
Tourists and the Californians that have moved into the Front Range have ruined RMNP, and Independence pass. I used to ride these 40 years ago and be the only one on the road. Traffic jams in RMNP are total Bull Shit. Never going back. And Aspen used to be a nice little town, now it is overrun by Billionaires and Millionaires. All of the real estate listings are by Suthobes.
Colorado is a special place to me, for many reasons. But, my bike is carbureted and that keeps me from riding the high altitude roads . Nice video with great roads though !
Been on most of these roads, beautiful stuff but not very technical. I will say that the section of Independence Pass from Aspen to the summit sucks. It's actually nerve-wracking too effin narrow for the amount of traffic it gets. I'd suggest to those who want to ride it, ride from the south to the summit and turn around. Aspen is a clusterfvck.
I grew up in Colorado riding dirt bikes and spending time in Estes Park from time to time (but never taking a bike up to Estes). It wasn't until I was out of the military & in my 40's and living in Cheyenne, Wy., that I finally took the canyon up to Estes on the back of a bike. The Big Thompson Canyon is a ride unto itself. Estes Park is a must to stop and hang for a rest. Then take in Rocky Mountain National and/or the Peak to Peak. Those are just two of my favorites to ride anytime I can. I hope to hit the others you spoke of soon with the wife. One thing about the peak to peak, there are a couple of small towns along the way that aren't much more than roadside burger & beer spots. There's nothing like spots like that to complete the experience of these scenic roads!
I've ridden all of these multiple times - my house is on the Peak to Peak - but here's a few other rides that are as good if not better; Cottonwood Pass (Buena Vista to Almont, Cameron Pass ( Hwy 14 west of Fort Collins to Walden), Hwy 141 from Gateway south to Naturita - probably the best ride in Colorado, but due to it's remoteness, not too many get there.
Start on 50 in Utah which turns into Interstate 70 and follow it to I-25. Yes, 70 is an interstate, but it’s mountainous, curvy and some of the most breath taking scenery in the state.
I hate to argue but I think Hwy 145 Dolores to Telluride is the the San Juan Skyway. It's marked as such. I've never heard 550 being part of that. Anyway, if you're in the area, making a loop Durango-Dolores-Ridgway-Durango is a must ride. I've rode 550 in both directions many times. It never gets old. Just be sure to bring all your gear. It gets cold and hail or rain is always a possiblity.
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As an old man who has ridden Colorado and the West since the '60s, I'd like to mention a few little gems... Hwy 69 from Walsenberg to Westcliffe and onto Canon City (either road) is STUNNING...Hwy 141 from just south of Grand Junction through Gateway and onto Naturita is STUNNING also... And Hwy 114 from Saguache to Gunnison is an enchanting ride... All are 'roads less traveled' which adds greatly to their pleasure.
Right on! Thanks for the recommendations, we will have to check those routes out!
From a guy who has been riding in Colorado for 25 years, agreed! I will also add Hwy 285 from Denver to Fairplay, and any of the canyons between Peak-to-Peak Highway and the front range (in order from north to south: Hwy 7 from Raymond to Lyons, Lefthand Canyon from Ward to Altona, Boulder Canyon from Nederland to Boulder, Coal Creek Canyon from Nederland to Leyden, Golden Gate Canyon from north of Black Hawk to Golden). Plus Glenwood Canyon is pretty amazing too!
@@vics-videosThanks for the reply, I grew up in Boulder during the 50s/60s, bought a Norton Commando in 1970 and ripped through those roads MANY times, I remember running up to Nederland and back if I had half hour to kill, It was great in those days with the FAR less traffic...One of my favorite 'day rides' has been running to the top of Mt Evans, it seems I did it at least once a year for some 25 or so years, haven't been riding for over 15 years...cheers
@@markmark2080 Round trip from Boulder to Nederland and back in 30 minutes??? You were hauling a!@#$ !!! :-) I love Mt. Evans too! Great spot for a picnic!
@@vics-videos YES, those were weekday afternoons, almost no traffic, I was just out of the Navy and 'played' for almost a year. The Peak to Peak Highway and South St Vrain had new asphalt, it was pure bliss, of course I was a young and foolish...
Rented a Harley from Denver last month and spent a week touring Colorado. Some of the high passes were still snowed in but honestly every road I travelled was just fanatastic. Went from Montrose down to Durango along Hwy 550 was just amazing! That one day’s riding, in itself, was worth the flight from Australia
Sounds like an awesome ride, thanks for the feedback!
Pikes Peak is now paved, and Garden of the Gods are both a stones throw from Colo Springs.
I spent a week riding in Colorado last year. Independence Pass was by far my favorite. The oneway section against the rocks is incredible. Thanks for the video good one.
Thanks! Agreed that’s one of my favorites as well. The views are incredible up there
I’m fortunate enough to ride these on a regular basis. Fantastic.
Is the roads good for any type of bike?😁
Cottonwood pass is now paved between Buena Vista and Almont. Epic ride during the summer months.
Thanks for the info!
Folks I live in Colorado and glad I found your channel last year. Based on your great recommendations I could add the Independence pass and the million dollar Highway to my adventure list. I can’t even express how much fun it was. Just know you folks do an amazing job and I can’t thank you guys enough for the brilliant work you do. Cheers to another riding season!
Awesome! Thank you!
Try Antonito, Colorado to Chama, New Mexico on highway 17. Try it.
from Chama, new mexico to wolf creek pass to south fork to Creed to Lake City to Montross and then to Telluride and then to Moab, Utah using highway 46. Enjoy
Thanks we will check those routes out!
Thanks for the shout out! Lots of fantastic roads to ride here in Colorado, endless really.
Yup
You got it!
@@GreatMotorcycleRoads I maintain in Colorado, nothing beats Cottonwood Pass out of Buena Vista (to the Taylor Reservoir)
@@MotoBeemer A few other comments have said the same, we will be adding that route to our website
@@GreatMotorcycleRoads very nice. I've shot a few videos on the road itself. Super fun
Planning a ride for next year and have never been to Colorado. Thanks for sharing these amazing roads. Looking forward to an amazing trip.
Awesome, thanks for the feedback!
I live an hour north of Denver and an hour south of Cheyenne Wyoming. I would be more than happy to take you on some epic canyon rides.
US 160 from Pagosa Springs to South Fork, it is about 45 miles there are water falls it goes over wolf creek pass with snow on the mountain peaks and runs along a stream for many miles going down into South Fork.
Very nice we will check that route out, thank you
I live in south Fork and enjoy the ride up to Wolf Creek pass several times a week on different bikes over the years! That road is 'made' for motorcycles!
A route that blew me away was Hwy. 149 going North out of South Fork. Did an up and back to Lake City in the fall when the colors were at their peak, it was epic!! Great video, thanks...
Will have to check that route out, thanks for the feedback
coming that way this May/June from BC Canada, via Oregon Coast to Fort Bragg, east to Lake Tahoe, South to Yosemite east to Hanksville, Moab, Monument Valley (again) Cortez, Silverton and all these roads before heading to Beartooth Pass (again).
Right on!
I would avoid I80 to Tahoe. Try to take US 50. But not on Friday, Sunday afternoon. The to And from Reno traffic is deadly. Really. OR from Fort Bragg go through Grass Valley to Tahoe.
Very well put together ride recommendations! I’m impressed!
Thank you!
One of my buckets list
Super video!
I have been going to CO since 1991 to ride the mtn's. I have rode every cool paved road Denver & west. CO never disappoints I always try and stay for 2 weeks. This year going to start doing the unpaved roads. Love your channel
Very cool!
As a Colorado native & fellow biker, I can confirm this list!
thank you sir!
You recommended taking the Mt Evans road from 'late spring' until fall. Don't even think about trying to get to the top until July. And if you go in the summer, get up and down early. The thunderstorms that build in the afternoon during Colorado monsoon season (mid-July to about September 1) would be miserable and downright dangerous (lightning) to get caught in on a bike.
Late August to first week of September is your best window to try to ride the really high Colorado roads before the snow begins to fly up there.
Good points thanks for the feedback!
Hey, I Love Colorado, the have so beautefull Motocycles Roads😊
yes sir
I live in Loveland Colorado. I've been riding Colorado canyons for decades. I can think of several rides you missed. But pouder river canyon, rist canyon, stove prairie canyon. There is an entire conection of canyons, loops, and twisty riding spots within an hour of me.
Right on, thanks for the recommendations. We will check those out!
I rode Independence Pass last summer and it was fantastic! One of my favourites while riding through Colorado.
thanks for the feedback!
Hey Anthony - did ya recognize the bikes on the Independence Pass portion of the video?
Well done and all great rides. One that you might add - Colorado Springs to Divide, turn south on 67 to Cripple Creek and on down to Victor Colorado - Old mining town. Between Cripple Creek and Victor, there is a short section of very tight twisties that is like riding a roller coaster. My buddies and I have been know to go back and forth on that section several times just for the shear fun of it! You can also keep going out of Cripple Creek to the southwest on Cty Road 1 and pick up Colorado 9 toward Guffy - that has some exhilarating twists and turns. Happy riding!
Very cool, thanks for the detailed recommendation!
I rode the million dollar highway and independence pass during the world record poker run in 2021. Great riding.
Nice!
OMG! i want to ride in there!!
Awesome
FYI, to all riders planning to ride the Trail Ridge Parkway.......it is stunning but there is a catch that will impede to trip. To gain entry into the park you must have a "Timed Entry Pass" before they'll let you enter. That happens at both ends of the park. The Estes entry has a visitor center, gift shop, and restaurant to wait at until the time for your entry. I found this out the hard way and had to wait 1.5 hrs to gain entry. At lease I had a place to eat and was dry cause it started raining, but the wait was well worth it for the ride!!!
Good tips thanks for the update!
Mt Evans was perhaps my favorite 'day ride' back in the '80s and '90s when it was free, best route is to start at Bergen Park, near the I-70 exit to Evergreen and enjoy twisty 103 going uphill, when coming down, head for Idaho Springs and enjoy the larger sweeping curves... The same thing holds true on Trail Ridge Road, it's best on a motorcycle traveling eastward from Grand Lake to Estes Park because the switchbacks on the west end are more fun going up and the view on top is better too. I've enjoyed those roads many times on several great bikes, my first 'motorcycle' ride on Trail Ridge was in '61 with my best friend on a Cushman Eagle on our first 'motorcycle' trip at the age of 14.
That’s awesome very good tips, thank you for the comment!
Great Video! I have been on most of these rides and find them amazing. However, I haven't been on Hwy 65 and 92 and hope to check it out this summer. Thanks for the great suggestions! Another ride I have been on that I found really enjoyable is the loop from Salida that takes you over both Monarch Pass and Cottonwood Pass (great day trip from Salida). I have a goal of riding over all 60 paved Colorado passes. So far, Trail Ridge (Rocky Mtn National Park) is my favorite. Thanks again for the great video!
Thank you! Will have to check that route out. Looking forward to more of your awesome riding footage!
Breathtaking! I would be hyperventilating on some of those narrow roads with no guardrails. WOW
A fried of mine explains, "There is a significant penalty for failure to negotiate a corner on much of Highway 550." He lives in CO.
The reason for no guardrails is so they can plow the snow off easily
Would love to ride Colorado 😎👍
You have the best motorcycle road videos.
Thank you!
We only had the chance to ride the MDH (550) and is one of our top 3 in USA… But damn, Colorado has a lot to offer! We really need to go back and spend some time there… 🤘🏼😝🤘🏼
Absolutely same here!
From a guy who has been riding in Colorado for 25 years, I would add the rides added by 'markmark2080', plus add Hwy 285 from Denver to Fairplay, any of the canyons between Peak-to-Peak Highway and the front range (in order from north to south: Hwy 7 from Raymond to Lyons, Lefthand Canyon from Ward to Altona, Boulder Canyon from Nederland to Boulder, Coal Creek Canyon from Nederland to Leyden, Golden Gate Canyon from north of Black Hawk to Golden), and Glenwood Canyon (east of Glenwood Springs) is pretty amazing too!
Awesome, thanks for the feedback!
Great video guys!! All great roads as well!! One of my favorite roads in Colorado and in the US as well is Hwy 141 between Naturita, CO and Gateway, CO. This stunning, sinding road through many high stone canyon walls is like riding through a mini Grand Canyon. Then as a wonderful treat at the end in Gateway you can have a great meal at the resort and tour the amazing car museum they have.
Great tips thank you!
Hwy 145 from Cortez to Telluride then Hwy 62 to Ridgeway. From there you're back to 550 (the million $ hwy) I burnt up a set of rear brake pads and wore out a rear tire on that route.
Nice, will have to check that route out!
Another video the Ghost Rider would approve!
Would be honored if he did!
Won't always know where the Elk are on Trail Ridge. Start early enough and they hide in the shadows in the lower elevation section from the West. Hit a spike at 7 AM with my VFR800 riding under the park speed limit as I passed into a grove of trees (still dark with sun in my eyes in the meadow) to find two dozen elk total mostly on the sides of the road. Sadly ruined the rest of the 'Trail for me which was mylast day of mountain riding on a total 21 day trip. Still made it 1200 miles home thanks to duct tape and zipties!
If you ride Mount Evans to the peak, note, the road half way up is in extremely poor condition. Also, there is not only a fee (National Park Pass will cover it), you also need to book a timed entry fee online or risk not being able to go up. I lucked out and was allowed to go if I promised not to stop. Just up and down.
Also note! Not only is an entry fee required for the Rocky Mountain NP, a timed entry booked online IS required. (For entry from 9am to 2pm). The park staff will NOT let you in without a booked time online. After riding 3000 miles I was not allowed to pass and enter the park at 10 am even though I did have an annual pass. Many people were being turned away. Looking online, they had not released times for the following two days yet and only 3 days out. I tried entering from Estes Park. With a timed entry booked online, I would recommend entering from the west side and riding the RMNP. The vehicular traffic coming out of the park on the west side down to I-70 is insanely long and you will be in stop and go traffic for 20-30 min just trying to get back to I-70 on the west side. Also, try to stay away from I-70 in the Denver area at all costs. Extremely busy and slow going.
The heat this July makes it very uncomfortable to ride the Million $ and San Juan and unfortunately had to be omitted from my trip.
I did book Pikes Peak for $15 plus $2 for a timed entry (need both). The road is in fantastic condition and it was a great experience. Tip, book the first timed entry of 8-10am and show up at 7:45 am (opens at 7:30). You won’t have to wait more than a couple of cars to enter and there won’t be the traffic and busses yet going up. When leaving the traffic was backed up just trying to enter.
Very good tips! Thanks for the detailed information
All are great. Also there is guenella pass, pikes peak top just like mount evans and much much more. Colorado is very scenic and fun place to ride motorcycles
Very true thanks for the feedback!
Great video. Lived in Grand Jct. for 15 years. Had opportunity to ride all these routes (3 on bicycle). San Juans are my favorite. Would add Colorado National Monument from GJ to Fruita. Beautiful red rock monoliths (like parts of Utah). For the very adventurous, there are numerous jeep roads. Black Bear from Red Mtn. Pass into Telluride is my favorite. Do not attempt this with your Gold Wing! Experienced only!
Very cool, thanks for the recommendation!
Another awesome Colorado road is Hwy 145 from Telluride west to Gateway onto Westwater on 141
Another is Hwy 145 Telluride SW to Dolores Co
Ride safe
Ride lots!
Telluride makes the best base IMHO All sorts of day loop rides from 200- 500+ miles
Yes we have that route on our website. Excellent road! Good tip on Telluride base
Re: Trail Ridge...you need a park reservation if you want to enter before 2 PM
Yes important tip, thanks for the update!
This might Be the place I wanna move😍 Living in Norway at the moment
We love Colorado!
@@GreatMotorcycleRoads Hoping to get my dream bike when I'm down there the Kawasaki H2😇
Thanks for the mention in this awesome video! I appreciate it. Feel free to use any clips from my channel.
Absolutely, you got it
Great video, but as a native to Colorado, forget about riding through Rocky Mountain National Park. In the summer it isn't even fun because of the traffic. Cars, SUVs, motorhomes, trailers full of side by sides, camper trailers-you name it. EVERYTHING is blocking the road. Even an occasional moose. There are too many other good roads in this state to fool around with that ride.
Fair enough. If it wasn’t for those tourists, would be one of the best roads in the country!
Trailridge road requires reservations
Slow groovin BBQ in marble Colorado. Your welcome
Do the high altitudes affect your ability to ride? Top Gear featured Bolivia / Peru and they were supposedly struggling to breath at 16,000 ft.
Some motorcycles may run a bit different, the air does get thin up there on some of those roads
@@GreatMotorcycleRoads I was thinking more about the riders and the need to concentrate. The highest roads in the Italian / Swiss Alps are at 8000ft. I’ve done the Grand Canyon area at 9000 but was wondering whether pushing a Harley around at 14000 was a significant challenge bearing in mind they say an airliner needs to descend to 10000 if you lose cabin pressure.
From wiki:- They tried to take a straight route into Chile over the Guallatiri active volcano. This attempt was hampered by severe hypoxia after climbing to about 16,000 feet (4,900 m); each had taken a Viagra tablet before the climb, to try to prevent high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Lack of oxygen also reduced each of their cars' effective power; May's car could produce no more than 20 bhp. At 17,200 feet altitude (3.26 miles, 5,240 metres, where the air pressure was about half an atmosphere), they stopped and appraised their current medical state. All three were displaying clear signs of altitude sickness and as the road was continuing to climb, the trio decided it was too risky, and so turned back and took a lower route. 😎😇
Tourists and the Californians that have moved into the Front Range have ruined RMNP, and Independence pass. I used to ride these 40 years ago and be the only one on the road. Traffic jams in RMNP are total Bull Shit. Never going back. And Aspen used to be a nice little town, now it is overrun by Billionaires and Millionaires. All of the real estate listings are by Suthobes.
Colorado is a special place to me, for many reasons. But, my bike is carbureted and that keeps me from riding the high altitude roads . Nice video with great roads though !
thanks! there are many inexpensive fuel injected bikes now, maybe worth it just to take on these roads?
We look to do these every year and add Pikes Peak and the Silver Thread👍🏼
Been on most of these roads, beautiful stuff but not very technical. I will say that the section of Independence Pass from Aspen to the summit sucks. It's actually nerve-wracking too effin narrow for the amount of traffic it gets. I'd suggest to those who want to ride it, ride from the south to the summit and turn around. Aspen is a clusterfvck.
thanks for the tips!
If you want gas, food, or a beer in Aspen, take out a 2nd mortgage.
I grew up in Colorado riding dirt bikes and spending time in Estes Park from time to time (but never taking a bike up to Estes). It wasn't until I was out of the military & in my 40's and living in Cheyenne, Wy., that I finally took the canyon up to Estes on the back of a bike. The Big Thompson Canyon is a ride unto itself. Estes Park is a must to stop and hang for a rest. Then take in Rocky Mountain National and/or the Peak to Peak. Those are just two of my favorites to ride anytime I can. I hope to hit the others you spoke of soon with the wife. One thing about the peak to peak, there are a couple of small towns along the way that aren't much more than roadside burger & beer spots. There's nothing like spots like that to complete the experience of these scenic roads!
Thanks for the feedback!
I've ridden all of these multiple times - my house is on the Peak to Peak - but here's a few other rides that are as good if not better; Cottonwood Pass (Buena Vista to Almont, Cameron Pass ( Hwy 14 west of Fort Collins to Walden), Hwy 141 from Gateway south to Naturita - probably the best ride in Colorado, but due to it's remoteness, not too many get there.
Thanks for the tips, will check those out!
Any specific places for the end of this September? Im going in a few weeks with my truck camper and my fz1 on the hauler.
would definitely check the weather forecast before heading up in the higher elevations, Sept can get snow in some of these areas
Start on 50 in Utah which turns into Interstate 70 and follow it to I-25. Yes, 70 is an interstate, but it’s mountainous, curvy and some of the most breath taking scenery in the state.
@@robclasen8158 right on man thanks for the recommendation!
Hwy 14 off of Hwy 287 NW of Fort Collins. I haven’t ridden it on my bike yet, but I plan to this year. Tons of curves and beautiful scenery!
Agreed 14 is awesome!
Should mention that Mnt Evans and Trail Ridge Road both require reservations depending on time of day.
Yes good tip
thanks for the recommendations, i'm planning a trip to my favorite state
Awesome, thanks!
92 is not lightly traveled right now. It is a great ride however, right now hwy 50 is diverting traffic over 92 so, lots of traffic.
Thanks for the feedback good info
I agree, Colorado has some of the best roads! Thanks for using some of my footage, it was fun to see it in your collection!
You got it, thank you!
Im also glad you mixed some of my favorites
Thanks for watching!
Some of those roads you have to make a appointment to even ride them .
I hate to argue but I think Hwy 145 Dolores to Telluride is the the San Juan Skyway. It's marked as such. I've never heard 550 being part of that. Anyway, if you're in the area, making a loop Durango-Dolores-Ridgway-Durango is a must ride. I've rode 550 in both directions many times. It never gets old. Just be sure to bring all your gear. It gets cold and hail or rain is always a possiblity.
will have to double check that, thanks for the info, good tips!