Touring - Any Ideas on Touring Colorado?

[COLOR=royalblue][B]Hi Everyone,

I am looking for any ideas on Colorado touring. I live in Illinois so I do not climb a lot of hills unless I go to Missouri. Myself and two friends are contemplating Colorado this summer. We do not want to carry bags on our bikes. We are looking for ideas on shuttling our gear from one motel to another, about 2-3 days riding(40-50 miles a day). Is there anyone who can solve the logistics problem for us, because we only want to drive one vehicle. We are looking at the Boulder area, this is not cut in stone (no pun intended).

Thanks,
silveradoboomer

The most economical solution would probably have one person drive the vehicle in support each day.Or check with outfitters(backpacking/outdoor stores)in the area and they can probably supply you with or refer you to a fairly reasonable shuttle provider. Personally I think it would be a crime not to do a loaded tour but don't let me influence you as I'll envy you either way.

I would only encourage you to stay in the front range region, and north,middle, and south parks. Further west is dry, butte and plateau country, and not that scenic. This is especially true of the million dollar highway, which I think is an overrated canyon road crawling with Winnebagos and wannabees. But the Parks region is gorgeous!

roughstuff

How about a MTB tour? www.sanjuanhuts.com
It's an amazing ride from Telluride, CO to Moab, UT...you won't regret it!

A good, inexpensive ride is the Bike Tour of Colorado. You can find it under a Google search. You camp and can make it as inexpensive as <$300 for seven days and about 400 miles of riding. Good people and a fun ride that will challenge your lungs and climbing ability. I live at the Jersey shore, so I visited family in Colorado Springs and Durango for two weeks of riding before the real ride. I probably would have died without it. Have fun! It was great.

Thanks for the information.

We have all purchased new light weight bikes and do not want to add any more weight to our rides than we already have by not getting up from the supper table earlier. One of us could drive support, but that would defeat our purpose of riding together.

Finding someone to shuttle our extra clothes for a fee is probably the best way. Any input on this would be appreciated. The Boulder or Loveland area looks nice. But if you know someone in another mountainous area of Colorado that would do this I am all ears.

Thanks,
Silveradoboomer
:beer:

Originally posted by silveradoboomer
[COLOR=royalblue][B]Hi Everyone,

I am looking for any ideas on Colorado touring. I live in Illinois so I do not climb a lot of hills unless I go to Missouri. Myself and two friends are contemplating Colorado this summer. We do not want to carry bags on our bikes. We are looking for ideas on shuttling our gear from one motel to another, about 2-3 days riding(40-50 miles a day). Is there anyone who can solve the logistics problem for us, because we only want to drive one vehicle. We are looking at the Boulder area, this is not cut in stone (no pun intended).

Thanks,
silveradoboomer

When you say th "Bouilder Area" I am not quite sure what you mean?? Boulder is near the foothills, and, except for pretty dangerous Boulder Canyon up to Nederland, does not offer any distinctive scenic beauty.

Here is a thought.

Station yourself at a motel in Granby. One day ride out to Walden and back. Another ride to Rocky Mountain National Prak and enter on the west entrance. Another day do Winter Park, Fraser and Berthoud Pass. Another day go to Steamboat, making a full loop on 9 to 131 to 134 to 9. Another day to Kremmling and south to Frisco and back.

These are all gorgeous rides. If wanted you can drive your car a little to adjust for riding distance.

For a long 7 day trip, either Tour of Colorado or Ride the Rockies.

Originally posted by DnvrFox

Station yourself at a motel in Granby. One day ride out to Walden and back. Another ride to Rocky Mountain National Prak and enter on the west entrance. Another day do Winter Park, Fraser and Berthoud Pass. Another day go to Steamboat, making a full loop on 9 to 131 to 134 to 9. Another day to Kremmling and south to Frisco and back.

These are all gorgeous rides.

I can personally vouch for these routes. I toured them by MTB on my trip from Moscow, Idaho to Denver. ('99) It is a beautiful area! Just be prepared for all weather! I got hit with a "light blizzard" in Grand Lake on Sept 28, so I was blocked from riding Trail Ridge Rd in RockyMt N.P. but it's supposed to be amazing. Bethoud and Rabbit Ears Pass(among other) will definitely test your legs & lungs!

Stay within North, Mid, or South Central Colorado. You'll climb but you'll feast your eyes. You may want to do check out Crested Butte, Durango, Great Sand Dunes NM, and Gunnison NP areas. They're supposed to be sweet!.. If you can pick one area, I would do RockyMt N.P area.... it's a National Park for a reason!

I'll eventually get back to CO and cycle the whole shabang.