San Antonio to Colorado trip (July 2016)

[retiredusaf]

Hi All
I'm planning a bike trip up to Colorado this July. I will be there from 1-9 July. I'll be staying in the Vail area...and plan on doing wagon wheel trips from that location while im there. Does anyone have any suggestions on sites to see or roads to ride? Thanks in advance



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[mr-roboto]

Just south of where you are staying are some excellent paved roads to start your exploration...

RB

 

[delbuort]

Hi All
I'm planning a bike trip up to Colorado this July. I will be there from 1-9 July. I'll be staying in the Vail area...and plan on doing wagon wheel trips from that location while im there. Does anyone have any suggestions on sites to see or roads to ride? Thanks in advance



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If you're interested in bumping up by a month you're still invited on our ride up through CO to the Grand Tetons. We're not sure if we're going to come back down to Bryce Canyon, UT and the Grand Canyon yet but, we'll have good riding anyway. My kickstand will be up 27 May and meeting the other guys on 28 May.

 

[tshelfer]

RB's map is right on. Hwy 149, from Gunnison to South Fork, is probably my single favorite Colorado road, both for the road itself and for the sheer beauty. Last fall, I discovered 114 that runs between US 50 (just east of Gunnison) and Saguache. I was in a Jeep pulling a trailer, but I've earmarked that road for my next bike trip.

I-70 eastward from Glenwood Springs (and through Glenwood Canyon) is probably the most enjoyable interstate you'll ever ride, plus it's an absolute marvel of engineering. When you see it, you'll understand.

Just east of Vail, there's a very nice triangle to ride. From I-70, south on 24 and over Tennessee Pass, into Leadville. Leadville is a cool and unpretentious little town to stop for lunch and souvenirs. Then northeast on 91 and over Fremont Pass, and back to I-70.

Invest in a Butler motorcycle map and it'll show you all these roads and more. Frankly, there are so many fun, scenic roads in the general area that your biggest challenge is prioritizing. Wish I could be there. Have fun & post lots of pictures.

 

[kickstand~prophet]

Have you been there before? I like Reds map also like Tim. 149 is a great road to ride on smooth and long sweeping turns. I do very much enjoy 50 from Durango to Montrose. I think it is a must for every Colorado trip. Are you going thru New Mexico to get there? If so I have some road ideas that you will enjoy. Also are you trailering or riding the whole way? The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is worth checking out if you have the time. The road on the back side is also way neat. KP

This might help or give you ideas. This is a trip Tim and I did last year. Some of the same areas Red outlined in his map.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104161

If you want another place to hang your helmet instead of Vail. I enjoyed this motel.
http://www.google.com/url?url=http:...ggUMAA&usg=AFQjCNHKimd6n4ph9VKpulCbPm45zZDo4w

 

[retiredusaf]

Just south of where you are staying are some excellent paved roads to start your exploration...

RB

RB
Thanks for the reply. This will help out a lot!

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[retiredusaf]

If you're interested in bumping up by a month you're still invited on our ride up through CO to the Grand Tetons. We're not sure if we're going to come back down to Bryce Canyon, UT and the Grand Canyon yet but, we'll have good riding anyway. My kickstand will be up 27 May and meeting the other guys on 28 May.

Delbuort
That was my original plan but my work schedule is preventing me from going earlier. Your trip is pretty epic my man. I wish I was going with you. Are you guys camping along the way still? I just ordered a bunch of gear from amazon

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[retiredusaf]

RB's map is right on. Hwy 149, from Gunnison to South Fork, is probably my single favorite Colorado road, both for the road itself and for the sheer beauty. Last fall, I discovered 114 that runs between US 50 (just east of Gunnison) and Saguache. I was in a Jeep pulling a trailer, but I've earmarked that road for my next bike trip.

I-70 eastward from Glenwood Springs (and through Glenwood Canyon) is probably the most enjoyable interstate you'll ever ride, plus it's an absolute marvel of engineering. When you see it, you'll understand.

Just east of Vail, there's a very nice triangle to ride. From I-70, south on 24 and over Tennessee Pass, into Leadville. Leadville is a cool and unpretentious little town to stop for lunch and souvenirs. Then northeast on 91 and over Fremont Pass, and back to I-70.

Invest in a Butler motorcycle map and it'll show you all these roads and more. Frankly, there are so many fun, scenic roads in the general area that your biggest challenge is prioritizing. Wish I could be there. Have fun & post lots of pictures.

Great advice. I'll definitely invest in a Butler map. I'm pretty excited about this trip....even more than my ride to Vegas last year

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[delbuort]

Man...that's too bad. We lost one but picked up another. We're back to three now. We are camping the whole way still. I did have to get some new gear from Amazon too. I took my old tent for a test spin a couple weeks ago and got wet when it rained a bit. It was 15 years old anyway so it was expected.


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[retiredusaf]

Have you been there before? I like Reds map also like Tim. 149 is a great road to ride on smooth and long sweeping turns. I do very much enjoy 50 from Durango to Montrose. I think it is a must for every Colorado trip. Are you going thru New Mexico to get there? If so I have some road ideas that you will enjoy. Also are you trailering or riding the whole way? The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is worth checking out if you have the time. The road on the back side is also way neat. KP

This might help or give you ideas. This is a trip Tim and I did last year. Some of the same areas Red outlined in his map.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104161

If you want another place to hang your helmet instead of Vail. I enjoyed this motel.
http://www.google.com/url?url=http:...ggUMAA&usg=AFQjCNHKimd6n4ph9VKpulCbPm45zZDo4w

This will be my first time in the bike. I traveled there for work a few times when I was in the air force. I'll probably ride the entire way. The only negative is that it takes so long to get out of Texas lol. I want to see Santa Fe NM on the way.....if I can swing it

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[retiredusaf]

Man...that's too bad. We lost one but picked up another. We're back to three now. We are camping the whole way still. I did have to get some new gear from Amazon too. I took my old tent for a test spin a couple weeks ago and got wet when it rained a bit. It was 15 years old anyway so it was expected.


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Man that sounds like a great time. I need to do a test run on my new gear within the next few weeks before it gets too hot.

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[delbuort]

That's the bad part, it's gonna be stupid hot getting out of Texas.


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[retiredusaf]

That's the bad part, it's gonna be stupid hot getting out of Texas.


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I know right. It was over 100 degrees last year when I rode from here to Roswell. Took forever to get out of Texas. I10 was hot and boring

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[delbuort]

My plan is to ride to San Angelo on the night of the 27th then meet the other guys in Snyder on the 28th then onto Amarillo. Should cut down the time I'm in the sun I guess.


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[Kscheel72]

Just no easy (comfortable) way to get out of Texas. Unless it's February or dark out. If you make it to Santa Fe, which is gorgeous, a less expensive, but still downtown hotel, that we stay at is the Hotel St. Francis.

Head north on 285 to 503 (Chimayo) to 76 to 75 to 518 in to Taos. 522 north turns into 159 all the way to 160 then you get to decide......North or West.

Of course 84 to Pagosa Springs doesn't suck either

My thoughts.......

 

[gixxerjasen]

I'm quite jealous. Wish I could do another Colorado trip this year. Already did one motorcycle trip in September and took the kiddo skiing last month.

You need to keep up with this.

http://www.cotrip.org/map.htm

Road closures in Colorado are almost more common in the summer than in the winter. Summer is construction time and that means blasting. This causes road closures during the day very often. When I was up there they were closing off the entrance to the million dollar highway from Ouray going south for blasting during the day Mon-Fri. I had to do a few reroutes due to that map telling me what was closed and what wasn't.

Lots of places in Colorado you could find closed and have to go a long way back around to get where you were going, which can equal a really long day in the saddle.

Also, if you haven't been, plan for less miles than you think you can do. Aside from stopping to see stuff, those twisty mountain roads at altitude will suck it out of you. I've got my IBA plate on my bike but 350 miles a day up there was kicking my butt. Something to consider.

 

[mr-roboto]

I know right. It was over 100 degrees last year when I rode from here to Roswell. Took forever to get out of Texas. I10 was hot and boring

Having ridden out of Texas numerous times on a motorcycle, I have some some important tips...

1. Get a motorcycle cooling vest from your local Cycle Gear store. It can keep you cool for 2-3 hours at a stretch.

2. Pour cold water in your helmet. Then put it in refrigerator and take it out right before you go in the morning. Use a CoolMax head cover under your helmet. This will help wick away the heat and sweat from your head. When you stop for gas, get it wet before putting your helmet back on.

3. The route from San Antonio to Sante Fe is about 700'ish miles and it should take you around 13 hours based on the most common Google map route. If you leave around three or four in the morning, you can be well into Carlsbad, New Mexico by noon and stop for the day if so inclined or push a little further into the cool mountains @ Cloudcroft.

4. I suggest you leave at 3 or 4 in the morning. I highly recommend investing in the brightest driving lights (LED) you can afford. It will substantially illuminate the road and make detecting roadside critters very easy at night.

5. Bring along a hydration pack with ice and diluted with just enough Gatorade to provide energy and electrolytes that will be lost through sweating.

...again, the trick is to leave very, very early.

RB

 

[humanrace]

Pay attention to TShelfer. He does not disappoint. I have taken his advice several times. "Just east of Vail, there's a very nice triangle to ride. From I-70, south on 24 and over Tennessee Pass, into Leadville. Leadville is a cool and unpretentious little town to stop for lunch and souvenirs. Then northeast on 91 and over Fremont Pass, and back to I-70." Since you are so close, It would be a crime to miss this ride.


You can ride the road to this if you get there before 9:00 AM. After that you have to take the bus. The Maroon Bells outside Aspen. This scene is at the end of Maroon Creek Road.

Part of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon that Shelfer mentioned.

Hanging Lake, a short hike off I-70 in Glenwood Canyon.

If you ride 92, you probably should ride over to the south rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It’s a gold road on Butler Maps and the canyon is a must see. On step back and 1600 feet down.

Looking down.

 

[gixxerjasen]

If you ride 92, you probably should ride over to the south rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It’s a gold road on Butler Maps and the canyon is a must see. On step back and 1600 feet down.

If you hit the black canyon...and you must, then this shot is required.

I'd also recommend allotting some extra time and take some hiking boots. Lots of trails and places to explore. Get off the bike and get out there. I wished I'd had more time and better boots for walking.

 

[retiredusaf]

Just no easy (comfortable) way to get out of Texas. Unless it's February or dark out. If you make it to Santa Fe, which is gorgeous, a less expensive, but still downtown hotel, that we stay at is the Hotel St. Francis.

Head north on 285 to 503 (Chimayo) to 76 to 75 to 518 in to Taos. 522 north turns into 159 all the way to 160 then you get to decide......North or West.

Of course 84 to Pagosa Springs doesn't suck either

My thoughts.......

Excellent thanks! Yea July will be brutal. Hopefully the ride will go fast...but I doubt it

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[retiredusaf]

I'm quite jealous. Wish I could do another Colorado trip this year. Already did one motorcycle trip in September and took the kiddo skiing last month.

You need to keep up with this.

http://www.cotrip.org/map.htm

Road closures in Colorado are almost more common in the summer than in the winter. Summer is construction time and that means blasting. This causes road closures during the day very often. When I was up there they were closing off the entrance to the million dollar highway from Ouray going south for blasting during the day Mon-Fri. I had to do a few reroutes due to that map telling me what was closed and what wasn't.

Lots of places in Colorado you could find closed and have to go a long way back around to get where you were going, which can equal a really long day in the saddle.

Also, if you haven't been, plan for less miles than you think you can do. Aside from stopping to see stuff, those twisty mountain roads at altitude will suck it out of you. I've got my IBA plate on my bike but 350 miles a day up there was kicking my butt. Something to consider.

Great advice! I heard that some of the high mountain passes are sometimes closed until mid july....unbelievable. I'll definitely keep my eye out for it.

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[retiredusaf]

Having ridden out of Texas numerous times on a motorcycle, I have some some important tips...

1. Get a motorcycle cooling vest from your local Cycle Gear store. It can keep you cool for 2-3 hours at a stretch.

2. Pour cold water in your helmet. Then put it in refrigerator and take it out right before you go in the morning. Use a CoolMax head cover under your helmet. This will help wick away the heat and sweat from your head. When you stop for gas, get it wet before putting your helmet back on.

3. The route from San Antonio to Sante Fe is about 700'ish miles and it should take you around 13 hours based on the most common Google map route. If you leave around three or four in the morning, you can be well into Carlsbad, New Mexico by noon and stop for the day if so inclined or push a little further into the cool mountains @ Cloudcroft.

4. I suggest you leave at 3 or 4 in the morning. I highly recommend investing in the brightest driving lights (LED) you can afford. It will substantially illuminate the road and make detecting roadside critters very easy at night.

5. Bring along a hydration pack with ice and diluted with just enough Gatorade to provide energy and electrolytes that will be lost through sweating.

...again, the trick is to leave very, very early.

RB

RB outstanding! Will do! I was hurting last September when I left San Antonio for Roswell.

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[retiredusaf]

Pay attention to TShelfer. He does not disappoint. I have taken his advice several times. "Just east of Vail, there's a very nice triangle to ride. From I-70, south on 24 and over Tennessee Pass, into Leadville. Leadville is a cool and unpretentious little town to stop for lunch and souvenirs. Then northeast on 91 and over Fremont Pass, and back to I-70." Since you are so close, It would be a crime to miss this ride.


You can ride the road to this if you get there before 9:00 AM. After that you have to take the bus. The Maroon Bells outside Aspen. This scene is at the end of Maroon Creek Road.

Part of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon that Shelfer mentioned.

Hanging Lake, a short hike off I-70 in Glenwood Canyon.

If you ride 92, you probably should ride over to the south rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It’s a gold road on Butler Maps and the canyon is a must see. On step back and 1600 feet down.

Looking down.

Oh wow. Nice pics! I'll definitely take that advise. I just ordered Butler maps from amazon

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[retiredusaf]

If you hit the black canyon...and you must, then this shot is required.

I'd also recommend allotting some extra time and take some hiking boots. Lots of trails and places to explore. Get off the bike and get out there. I wished I'd had more time and better boots for walking.

That is one sweet shot. I'll be posting some pics once I return

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[philipbarrett]

Subscribing here...great advice so far.