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Long Rides
- 10 Hour Range
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5-Pass Ride
Miles: Approx.
379
Duration of
Ride: Total Time - Picture,
Fuel & Food 10.5 Hrs. Driving Time
- 7 Hrs.
Description
of Ride:
This ride is designed to go from pass to
pass, showing you the Rocky Mountains and
The Continental Divide from the top of one
mountain pass to another, giving you
panoramic views like you have
never experienced before.
You will see breathtaking
views passing through some of the finest
mountain scenery and ski resorts in
Colorado. This year the 5 Pass Ride will travel over Kenosha, Cottonwood,
Tennessee,
Loveland and Squaw Passes.
The other rides offer you
some of the same passes, but this ride is
designed to give you pass overload ranging
in elevations from 10K to over 12K feet. The 5 Pass ride will show you
some of the best mountain riding that Colorado has to offer.
Pictures of
previous rides can be found
in the photo gallery. "2004"
and
"2005"
If you have any
questions on this route or ride email them
to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Link to Squaw
Pass
Link to Tennessee Pass
Link to Loveland Pass
Link to Kenosha Pass
Link to
Cottonwood Pass
Pass
Elevations & Distance
Cottonwood Pass: 12,126' - 30 miles
Tennessee Pass: 10,425' - 8 miles
Kenosha Pass: 10,001' - 15 miles
Loveland Pass: 11,990' - 19 miles
Squaw Pass: 9,907' - 32 miles
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Independence
Pass Ride
Miles:
Approx. 385
Duration of
Ride: Total Time - Picture,
Fuel & Food 11 Hrs. Driving Time - 6.5 Hrs.
Stops:
Georgetown, Frisco, Leadville,
Independence Pass, Aspen, Glenwood Springs,
Vail overlook
Description of
Ride: This Ride has it all... You will see
some of the most spectacular mountain
scenery, panoramic views and historic towns
in Colorado. It gives you every type of
riding available from narrow mountain
roads to sweeping canyons. This is a
spectacular ride!
We will leave the La
Quinta going C-470 to I-70. Heading out
I-70 to Georgetown for a brief stop,
continuing on 70 through the Eisenhower
Tunnel, over
Fremont Pass, to Leadville for fuel.
Heading over Independence Pass
(Picture stop) and into Aspen. We will
spend some time in Aspen to
eat and walk the town. From Aspen we
will head for Glenwood Springs and fuel,
back to I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, one of
the most spectacular canyon rides you will
ever take. A brief stop after Vail Pass at
the Vail overlook then we head
back to the hotel.
Pictures of
this ride from previous years can be found
in the photo gallery. "2004"
and
"2005"
If you have any
questions on this route or ride email them
to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
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For detailed route and map -
"CLICK
HERE"
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Royal Gorge / Bishop's Castle Ride
Miles:
Approx. 363
Duration of
Ride: Total Time - Picture,
Fuel & Food 11 Hrs. Driving Time - 8.5
Hrs.
Description
of Ride: There didn't seem to be much
interest in this ride last year so we
dropped it from the rotation. After the
brief hiatus, by popular demand, and
frankly because we missed it, this year we
are bringing it back.
This ride will take a
southern route to show you a different
side of Colorado riding.
With less aggressive
roads you will have a fun filled day
heading south and riding over the highest
suspension bridge in the world,
visiting the
Royal Gorge. Definitely one of the many
wonders of the world.
Next we visit
a place called Bishop's Castle. A very
interesting little place that everyone
should see at least once. A castle, still
under construction and being hand built by
one man, Jim Bishop. Over the last 30
years he has carried in over 1000 tons of
rock and used them to build his castle.
Some say Jim
Bishop is eclectic. Maybe, but most say
he's just crazy. Join us for this ride and
make up your own mind.
Be sure to
check the link below for the history on
this amazing example of what one man can
do.
SPECIAL NOTES:
It is advised to bring
along cash as some of the fuel stops have a
hard time or cannot accept credit cards, due
to there remote locations.
It is highly recommended
that you grab several bottles of water at
the hotel before you leave on this ride. The
southern routes can see temps above
100 and
there is no place to find water. If you
can't carry the water, make sure to ask the
ride leader or a friend to throw in a couple
extra bottles for you.
Bring plenty of sun
screen! This is the second most important
item on your southern packing list. We will
be at an elevation of between 5000 and
10,000 ft. and it is very easy to burn.
(light long sleeve shirt helps a lot)
Pictures of
this ride from previous years can be found
in the photo gallery.
"2003" and
"2004"
If you have
any questions on this route or ride email
them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Link to Bishop's
Castle
Link to Royal Gorge
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For detailed shorter route and map -
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For detailed longer route and map -
"CLICK
HERE" |
Steamboat Springs Ride
Miles:
Approx. 430
Duration of
Ride: Total Time - Picture,
Fuel, & Food 10.5 Hrs. Driving Time -
7 Hrs.
Stops:
Granby, Steamboat Springs, Walden &
Loveland
Description of
Ride: Admittedly a long ride, but
you will not be disappointed. You will see
some of the most spectacular mountain
scenery and historic towns Colorado has to
offer.
We head out C-470 to I-70 and catch Hwy 40
through Empire which sets at the base
of Berthoud Pass. Over Berthoud pass
which is full of
switch backs and twisties with views above
timberline beyond what you would expect to
find in northern Colorado.
Through spectacular mountain scenery and
towns like Winter Park, Granby and Hot Sulphur Springs you head towards Steamboat
for lunch. Steamboat is primarily known as
a ski town but is actually a sportsman
paradise. Hot air ballooning, fishing, Pro
Rodeo, you name it and Steamboat has it.
After lunch you will head back over Rabbit
Ears Pass a non aggressive
pass with sweeping corners. Muddy Pass is
next on the agenda where you will see some
panoramic views of meadows and the
Continental Divide as you ride toward
Walden for fuel. After fuel and a break we
head out over Cameron Pass and through
Poudre Canyon. With the river beside you,
canyons and twisties a plenty, just when
you can't take anymore you break off on CR
27 for a roller coaster ride to Masonville.
Masonville on to your last stop for fuel, the
land of love! Loveland Colorado for fuel and a
straight shot out I-25 back to the hotel.
Pictures of
this ride from previous years can be found
in the photo gallery.
"2005",
"July 02" and
"July 03"
If you have any
questions on this route or ride email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Link to Steamboat
Springs
Link to Berthoud
Pass
Link to Rabbit Ears
Pass
Link to Poudre
Canyon
Link to Cameron Pass
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Trail Ridge Loop
Ride
Miles:
Approx. 268 miles
Duration of
Ride:
Total Time - Picture, Fuel, & Food 9.5
Hrs. Driving Time - 6 Hrs.
Stops:
Nederland, Estes Park, Trail Ridge Road
Summit, Granby, Winter Park
Description
of Ride:
This ride is one of our favorites and has
become a standard in our schedule each year.
Once again we’re going through Rocky Mountain National
Park and to the top of Trail Ridge Road.
After a few brief stops here and there for
pictures and viewing the wildlife we’ll go down the
back side and over the Continental Divide.
Departing
from the hotel,
we will head toward Golden via C470.
We’ll pass through Blackhawk and Central
City on Hwy 6. Pick up Hwy 119 into
the trendy mountain town of Nederland. We will continue north on the “Peak to Peak”
Scenic Byway into Estes Park.
We’ll have an early lunch, get some fuel,
then enter the Rocky Mountain National Park,
(park entrance fee of $10 per person
required). A climb to the summit of
Trail Ridge Road will follow. We’ll
continue down the west side of Trail Ridge
Road, cross the Continental Divide and into
the Grand Lake. We’ll continue south
on Hwy 34 into Granby, then pick up Hwy 40
into Winter Park. We’ll have a brief
stop for fuel and snacks, then up and over
Berthoud Pass. We’ll get on I-70 and
head back toward Denver, south on C470, and
back to the hotel.
Pictures of
this ride from previous years can be found
in the photo gallery. "2003"
and
"2005"
If you have any questions on this route or
ride email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Link to Trail Ridge
Road
Link to Peak-to-Peak
Highway
Link to Estes Park
Link to Winter Park
Return to Ride Index
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For detailed route and map -
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Medium Length Rides - 6 Hour Range
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Breckenridge Loop Ride
Miles:
208
Duration of Ride: Total Time -
Pictures, Fuel and Food 6.5 hrs. Driving
Time - 4 hrs.
Description of Ride:
This ride will start by
taking you out 470 to Deer Creek Canyon for
some leisurely twisty canyon roads just to
get you warmed up and in the mood for what's
ahead. Soon you will intersect with US 285
to get into the full swing of things.
US 285 is a unique highway as it only serves
the southern part of Colorado and ends where
it intersects with I-25. Mostly 4 lanes, US
285 is known for its sweeping corners and
the ability to get a good head of steam and
really cook. On 285 you
will find great curves
and elevation
changes with Crow Hill, Kenosha
Pass and South
Park.
We take 285 to Fairplay where we top off our
fuel tanks and eat at the Front Street Cafe
for an intimate lunch.
After lunch we leave Fairplay heading up Hwy 9 through Alma over
Hoosier
Pass into
Breckenridge for a little walk around town.
Next we look for Swan Lake Road through
Dillon with a trip over Lovleand Pass.
Back on I-70 we look for the C470 junction
and back to the hotel.
Pictures of
this ride from previous years can be found
in our photo gallery.
"2003" "2005" &
"End of Summer"
If you have any questions on this ride or
route email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index
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For detailed route and map -
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Curves &
Canyons Ride
Miles:
175 miles
Duration of Ride:
Total Time -
6.25 hrs. Driving Time - 5 hrs.
Description of Ride:
The name of this ride says it all. It
showcases a series of canyons just northwest
of Denver. We will run up and down the
canyons in a fabulous combination of curve
after curve. You will see lots of twisties,
elevation changes, hair pin corners and
panoramic views. What a great way to
experience the canyons of Colorado.
We will follow C470 around to the foot hills
and Golden. From Golden, we will be heading
up Clear Creek Canyon to 119 where we go
through Black Hawk and Central City, two
popular mountain gambling areas. We pick up
the Peak to Peak Highway for a few miles and
come down Golden Gate Canyon to 93 and then
right back up Coal Creek Canyon. We will
take a break and grab a bite to eat at a
nice little restaurant in Wondervu and then
back to the Peak to Peak Highway heading on
to Nederland. Just passed Nederland, we
will go through Boulder Canyon, back to 93,
and C470 heading back to the hotel.
Pictures of this ride can be found in
our photo gallery.
"2005"
If you have any questions on this ride or
route email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index
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For detailed route and map -
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Garden of the God's
Cave of the Winds Ride
Miles:
145
Duration of Ride: Total Time - Pictures
and food 5.75 hrs. Driving Time -
3.75 hrs.
Description of Ride: This ride starts
out on the highway but quickly heads for the
back roads. Taking Hwy 85 toward the Springs
you pull into the Garden of the God's.
Filled with the wonders of nature, the
Garden of the Gods was dedicated in 1909 and
is a free city park. An abundance of plant
and animal life can be found though out its
1,340 acres, as well as the magnificent red
sandstone rock formations for which the park
is best known. From here your next stop is
Cave of the Winds.
Caves such as
Cave of the Winds have
many show caves offering extended spelunking
or caving. If you are interested in caving,
these tours are an excellent place to start.
Caving tours give you a chance to experience
spelunking in a safe and controlled
environment.
This is a great activities filled short
ride, you can't go wrong.
Links to
"Cave of the Winds"
and
"Garden of the Gods"
If you have any questions on
this ride or route email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index |
For detailed route and map -
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Mt. Evans
& Black Hawk Ride
Miles:
175
Duration of Ride:
Total time - Pictures, Fuel and Food 8.0
hrs. Driving Time - 4.5 hrs.
Description of
Ride:
Kiss the Sky on
this ride.
You can't get any higher than this, with an
enjoyment factor in the fourteens. 14K that
is!
We will start at the
La Quinta Hotel and take you around the
southwest suburbs of Denver on C470. We will
leave 470 at the
Wadsworth exit to head up Deer Creek Canyon to
High Grade Road. Then we will cross
over through Conifer and Evergreen. At Squaw Pass Road,
we will make a left and enjoy a
beautiful ride packed with twisties up to
Echo Lake for refreshments and a brief rest
stop.
At Echo Lake, we will
continue on up to over 14,000 ft. to the top
of Mt. Evans! (Toll $3.00 p/p) What's at
the top you may ask? Just a parking lot, a
rest stop, some mountain goats and a
breathtaking view of the world that you just
don't find in many places!
After all the pictures are taken we will head back down the mountain
to Idaho Springs for fuel and head to Black
Hawk for lunch and a brief walk around town.
After lunch we take a quick scoot out 119 to Golden Gate
Canyon before heading back to La Quinta.
On Monday
we may offer a shorter route to make sure we
are back at the hotel in time for bike games
and BBQ!
Pictures of
this ride from previous years can be found
in the photo gallery.
"2003"
"2004" and
"2005"
If you have any questions on
this ride or route email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Link to Mt. Evans
Return to Ride Index
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For detailed route and map -
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Old Fart's Ride
Miles:
100
Duration of Ride:
Total time
- Pictures and Stops 4 hrs. Driving Time -
2.5 hrs.
Description of
Ride:
Leave your AARP card at home! On this particular Monday, being an "Old Fart" has
nothing to do with age, it's a state of
mind.
When you ride a cruiser, sometimes you just
need to cruise, look around and enjoy the
scenery. If that's what you're looking for,
this is the ride for you.
This will be a slow paced ride with plenty
of stops for those who want a leisurely
Sunday ride on Monday morning.
We leave
the hotel taking Deer Creek Canyon for
leisurely back roads and canyon cruising
heading for our first stop at Red Rocks
Park.
This is the northern version of Garden of
the God's filled with red rock formations
and an amphitheater that some of the biggest
talents have played over the years.
Exiting the
park we take 93 to Hwy 6 toward Golden for a
fun little scoot up and over Look Out
Mountain. With panoramic views of the
foothills and ultra lights flying above we
make another stop to see the
"Historical
Western Museum and Buffalo Bill Cody's" last
resting place.
Dropping us
out on I-70 we head west for Genesse Park
through
Evergreen and pick up Hwy 74 for more canyon
riding and back to the hotel.
Pictures of
this ride from previous years can be found
in the photo gallery.
"2005"
& "Motorcycle
Maniac"
If you have any questions on
this ride or route email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index |
For detailed route and map -
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Special Rides |
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Million
Dollar Ride
The "Big O" to Durango
Miles: Approx. 810 with 380 Day 1 & 430
Day 2
Duration of Ride:
Total Time
Pictures, Food and Fuel 22.5 hrs. Driving
Time 18 hrs.
Description of
Ride: This will be the first overnight
ride offered on our July Ride schedule. Even
with the logistical issues, it has not
deterred us from making this possible.
This area is spectacular and offers some of
the most scenic and fabulous riding
available. It will be difficult even in two
days to see what this part of Colorado has
to offer but we will do our best.
Pictures of this area from previous rides
can be found in our photo gallery.
"Million Dollar
Highway" and
"End of Summer Ride"
If you have any questions on
this ride or route, email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index |
For detailed route and map -
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Pigtails & Pipes Ride
Miles:
Approx. 210
Duration of Ride: Total Time -
Pictures, fuel & food 6.5 Hrs. Driving time
- 4.25 Hrs.
Stops: Georgetown, Fairplay, Bailey
Description of Ride: This Ride was
offered on our July 2006 schedule as a
Ladies Only Ride. Well behaved
women seldom make history or have much fun!
In Colorado we make sure they make history
and have fun to boot! .
From the hotel you will go south on
I-25, picking up C-470 west to I-70. Once
on I-70 and heading for the mountains, the
scenery and fun begins. A brief stop in
Georgetown for a break and back on I-70
where just before
Frisco you pick up SR 9. Once on 9
go through Breckenridge looking
for Fairplay to top off the tanks and a
great lunch at the Front Street Cafe.
The roads and scenery have been great but
after lunch they get amazing! You will
settle in for one of the best areas there is
to ride. Out of Fairplay you take 285
with its slow sweepers through the valley
following the Platte River and amazing
mountain riding all the way back to Bailey
for your next break. Back on 285 to C-470
and the hotel for for another great Colorado
Short Ride!
Pictures of this
ride from previous years years can be found
in the photo gallery.
"2005" and
"End of Summer 2005"
If you have
any questions on this route or ride email
them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index |
For detailed route and map -
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Ride N Raft Ride
Miles:
Approx. 290
Duration of Ride: Ride, fuel,
lunch and raft trip - 11 hours, driving time
5.5 hours.
Description of Ride:
Riding, white water and wild life what more
could you want? We will ride the back roads
via US-285 to Buena Vista for a rustic local
lunch.
Then off to the rafts we go for a trip on the
Arkansas River through Browns Canyon. This is a
Class III trip including 7 major rapids, is
considered moderate and novices are welcome.
Shear granite cliffs and wildlife are all part
of your journey down river.
Mounting our motorcycles we start the ride home
via scenic US-24 to Colorado Springs then up
Co-83 to the motels.
The cost for a half day of rafting will be
approximately $49.00 for each adult and each
boat can hold a total of 7 people.
Pictures of this ride from
The Colorado VTX Ride in July
can be found in our photo gallery.
"2005"
If you have any questions on
this route or ride, email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
To reserve and pay for your spot on the raft contact
Four Corners Rafting
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Short
Rides - 3 Hour Range
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Carter Lake
Ride
Miles:
Approx. 167
Duration of Ride:
3.5 hours
Description of Ride:
This route is designed to
give you a break from those narrow mountain
roads and aggressive twisties.
It will direct you toward
Loveland, Boulder and Carter Lake via some
great less aggressive back country mountain
roads and then to I-25 for the highway ride
back to the hotel. If you prefer the back
roads over the highway, just turn around and
reverse your direction. I promise you will
be pleasantly surprised how different the
same road looks from the reverse direction.
You will have no problems
finding fuel in the Lyons or Loveland areas.
Carter Lake is the second
largest reservoir in northeastern Colorado
and is the principal storage site for the
Colorado-Big Thompson River. If you chose to
drive into the reservoir a parks pass is
required. Information on Carter Lake can be
found here...
Link to Carter Lake
If you have any questions on
this ride or route email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index
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For detailed route and map -
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Deer Creek Canyon
Ride
Miles:
Approx. 125
Duration of Ride:
3.0 hours
Description of Ride:
This route is designed to
give you a break from those narrow mountain
roads and aggressive twisties. Geared to
less aggressive canyon riding with no steep
drop offs to concern you.
This ride will direct you a
bit west via C470 through Deer Creek Canyon
for some serene canyon riding and head you
south for quiet back country roads, bringing
you back to the hotel via Hwy83.
You say there is nothing
special about this ride and route? Guess
again…quiet canyons, back country roads,
this is a ride you can enjoy without having
to work at it. Wonderful serene little
scoot, even GnA enjoys this ride… with his
hands behind his back!
Deer Creek
Canyon is one of our favorites and you will
see it incorporated in many of our other
featured ride selections.
Pictures of this ride can be found in our photo gallery.
"Deer Creek Canyon"
If you have any questions on
this ride or route email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index |
For detailed route and map -
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HERE"
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|
Evergreen /
Conifer Ride
Miles:
Approx. 82
Duration of Ride:
2.0 hours
Description of Ride:
This is one of our favorite
evening rides either to clear the mind after
a long day or just a quick little scoot to
dinner.
In this ride you are directed
out C470 to Morrison Colorado. This is a fun
little mountain town to walk around or eat
Mexican food and great Margaritas at the
Morrison Inn. These 32 oz. Margaritas are
not to be enjoyed on two wheels! Just down
the road is Red Rocks Park where you can
ride through the park looking at fantastic
natural red rock formations.
Head out Hwy74 through
Kittredge to Evergreen where you will find
the infamous Little Bear Restaurant and bar.
Little Bear is known for its wild nights and
great music.
From Evergreen to Conifer and
on to US 285 a great canyon carving experience
that you see on many of our featured rides.
US 285 is a great road known for its sweeping
corners and the ability to get a good head
of steam and really cook.
If you have any questions on
this ride or route email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index |
For detailed route and map -
"CLICK
HERE" |
|
Two Canyons
Ride
Miles:
Approx. 121
Duration of Ride:
3.0 hours
Description of Ride:
This is one of our favorite evening rides
either to clear the mind after a long day or
just a quick little scoot to dinner.
This ride
is a mini version of the
very popular Curves and Canyons Ride that
you see on our yearly Ride in July featured selection.
In this ride you are directed out C470 to
Hwy 58 and up a wonderful little Canyon
called Golden Gate. You will find great
twisties to be enjoyed at your own pace and
comfort level. Now on 119 and a few miles,
you hang a right and head back in Coal Creek
Canyon. Coal Creek must be experienced with
both hands on the bar! You will find tight
hair pins and fantastic curves to 93 and
then you can head back to the hotel or it
all over again!
You will find many places to pull of, take
in the mountain air and look around.
Pictures of this ride can be found in our
photo gallery.
"Curves and Canyons"
If you have any questions on this ride or
route email them to
cliff@coloradovtxrangeriders.com
Return to Ride Index |
For detailed route and map -
"CLICK
HERE" |
