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DIRECTED RIDES |
Bishop's Castle Ride
Miles:
Approx. 397
Day and Time: Sunday
Duration of
Ride: Total Time - Picture,
Fuel & Food 11 Hrs. Driving Time - 8.0
Hrs.
Description
of Ride:
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 visiting
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.
You may have
visited this castle in years past but Jim
is constantly building and adding to his
master piece. From year to year many
changes take place.
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
vtx2up@aol.com
Link to Bishop's
Castle
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Link to PDF Map File |
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Breckenridge Loop Ride
Miles:
219
Day: Sunday
Duration of Ride: Total Time - Pictures,
Fuel and Food 7.0 hrs. Driving
Time - 4.5 hrs.
Description of Ride:
This ride will start by
taking you out 470 to US 285. 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 Loveland 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
vtx2up@aol.com
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Link to
PDF Map File |
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Curves &
Canyons Ride
Miles:
192 miles
Day:
Sunday, Monday
Duration of Ride:
Total Time -
6.5 hrs. Driving Time - 4.5 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 a
popular mountain gambling area. 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 Nederland and then
back to the canyons taking Boulder Canyon
back to to 93,
6 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
vtx2up@aol.com
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Link to
PDF Map File |
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Danny Dietz
Memorial Ride
Miles:
21 to the Memorial
Day:
Wednesday
Duration of
Ride: Dedication 11:00 AM
Description
of Ride:
Updated Info 6/27: We
will be staged and ready to pull out of the La Quinta
parking lot at 9:00 AM SHARPE. The PGR ask that we be at
the Community School for the Gifted, staged and ready
by 10:00 AM. From the Community School we will leave as
one group to the Danny Dietz Memorial for the 11:00 AM
dedication.
This will be
a very special ride and ceremony.
Our
Colorado Patriot Guard Riders - PGR will lead this short
ride to the Memorial for the dedication.
Danny
Dietz was killed in Afghanistan June 28, 2005. He is the
only Littleton resident known to have died in action in
current Middle East conflicts. In September, 2006, the
Dietz family accepted the Navy Cross on Danny’s behalf.
The Danny
Dietz Memorial has received many protest from some who
say the memorial statue below based on the picture to the right
is placed too
close to a school. These protestors felt a gun in his
hands, even though he was a soldier who lost his life in
the service of his country was inappropriate.
Because
of these protests the Patriot Guard and other local
patriots have decided to attend in force the July 4th
dedication of this memorial to Danny Dietz.
The Danny
Dietz Memorial Sculpture will be dedicated at a formal
ceremony July 4, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Berry Park
extension, 5507 South King Street.
The
ceremony will feature speeches by Secretary of the Navy
Donald C. Winter; the Admiral in charge of Naval Special
Warfare; United States Congressman Tom Tancredo; Medal
of Honor recipient Mike Thornton; and Tiffany Bitz,
Danny Dietz’s sister. Littleton Mayor Jim Taylor will
emcee.
An honor
guard from the Denver Navy Operational Support Center
will present the colors and F-16s will fly overhead to
start the ceremony. The benediction will be delivered by
Pastor Larry Herrera. At the conclusion of the ceremony,
the sculpture will be unveiled.
Parking
will be available at Centennial Elementary, Goddard
Middle School, Bowles Grove Park and the Arapahoe County
warehouse at 5251 S. Federal Boulevard.
Story details for the Memorial can be found here...
Danny Dietz Memorial
If you have any questions on this ride or
route email them to
vtx2up@aol.com
After this ride and dedication BigDwg will
lead a ride to the 9-11 Memorial in
Broomfield for those interested. Contact him
during the ride briefing at the La Quinta
hotel.
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Five
Pass Ride
Miles: Approx.
322
Day:
Tuesday
Duration of
Ride: Total Time - Picture,
Fuel & Food 9.0 Hrs. Driving Time
- 6.5 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.
Redesigned this year, you will see breathtaking
views passing through some of the finest
mountain scenery, mountain towns, and ski resorts in
Colorado. This year the 5 Pass Ride will travel over Kenosha,
Red Hill,
Trout Creek, Tennessee,
and Vail Pass.
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
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
vtx2up@aol.com
Link to Tennessee Pass
Link to Kenosha Pass
Pass
Elevations & Distance
Tennessee Pass: 10,425' - 8 miles
Kenosha Pass: 10,001' - 15 miles
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Link to
PDF Map File |
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The
Gambler's Ride
Miles:
115
Day:
Tuesday
Duration of
Ride:
Total Time - TBD Driving Time - 2.5 Hrs.
Description
of Ride:
This ride will
be a short ride hitting a few twisties up Golden Gate Canyon to
Black Hawk for lunch and an afternoon of Gambling.
If the
chips aren't falling properly head back down the hill
early.
This ride
idea came from and will be lead by Chicago Spike of the
Wisconsin Illinois VTX Owners - WIVO's.
If you have any questions on this ride or
route email them to
vtx2up@aol.com
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Link to PDF Map
File |
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Garden of the God's /
Manitou Cliff Dwellings Ride
(Cave of the Winds)
Miles:
208
Day: Tuesday
Duration of Ride:
Total Time - Picture,
Fuel & Food 6.5 Hrs. Driving Time
- 3.0 Hrs.
Description of Ride:
For this ride we
will keep you off the super slab as much as
possible. You will enjoy a relaxing
ride down Hwy 83 to Colorado Springs and have
plenty of time to enjoy Garden of the
Gods, Manitou Cliff Dwellings and possibly
Cave of the Winds, if the crowds are not too
heavy.
At the time of
this writing we are trying to negotiate a
group rate and showing at these locations to
eliminate the long summer lines.
Links to
"Garden of the Gods"
If you have any questions on
this ride or route email them to
vtx2up@aol.com
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Link to
PDF Map File |
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Horsepower
Hill Ride
Miles:
191
Day:
Monday
Duration of
Ride:
Total Time - Picture,
Fuel, & Food
6.75
Hrs. Driving Time - 4.25 Hrs.
Description
of Ride:
The infamous
and world renowned HORSE POWER HILL is
best experienced at a spirited pace.
On this
4 1/2 hour ride you will go
through historic
mountain towns like Woodland Park, Deckers,
Buffalo and Pine seeing twisties carved
through the Pike National Forest with
Buffalo Creek and the South Platte at your
side. From Pine you head down US 285 where
the ride will take you north to Evergreen and a trip
down Bear Creek Canyon.
This year we
will have two different versions of the ride. One as
described above will be lead by AMS Medic and crewed
by CO Riders.
The second
version will eliminate the scenery and stops for a quick
scoot over Horse Power Hill - twice and then back to the
hotel. This version is NOT FOR THE INEXPERIENCED RIDER
and will be at a faster pace than the ride listed above
including about 3 miles of dirt road. .
If you have any questions on this ride or
route email them to
vtx2up@aol.com
Pictures of Ride
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Link to
PDF Map File
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Mt. Evans with a Curve Ride
Miles:
175
Day: Wednesday
Duration of Ride:
Total time - Pictures, Fuel and Food
7.0 hrs. Driving Time - 4 hours
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
Morrison Road exit to head up Bear Creek Canyon to
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.
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
vtx2up@aol.com
Link to Mt. Evans
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Link to
PDF Map File |
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Old Fart's Ride
Miles:
110
Day: Monday
Duration of Ride:
Total time
- Pictures and Stops 6.25 hrs. Driving Time -
3.0 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 Tiny Town.
The oldest kid size village and railroad in
the U.S.
Tiny Town Railroad
After
leaving Tiny Town, we will head up North
Turkey Creek to Evergreen and down Bear
Creek Canyon to Morrison. A stop at
Dinosaur Ridge is in order for the Old
Farts.
Discover Denver's Dinosaurs at Dinosaur
Ridge - An outdoor museum in Morrison,
Colorado
From there
we will head down the hill and across the
road to 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. We will
eat lunch at the park.
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
back to the
hotel for a group picture and bike games.
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
vtx2up@aol.com
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Link to
PDF Map File |
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Ride N Raft Ride
Miles:
Approx. 290
Day: Wednesday
Duration of Ride: Ride, fuel,
lunch and raft trip - 12 hours, driving time
5.5 hours.
Description of Ride:
Riding, white water and wild life what more
could you want? Depending on the departure
time of the rafts, you will traverse Hoosier
Pass on the way to rafting.
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 Hwy 285. If we missed Hoosier
Pass on the way, we will follow the route
home.
The cost for a half day of rafting will be
$48.00 for each adult. ($44 plus tax)
Pictures of this ride can be found in our photo gallery.
"2005"
One of the infamous WIVOs, Get R Done, says
this trip is a must do. So he is
putting it together for 2007. If you
are interested, send a quick email.
There will be a signup sheet at the hotel.
If you have any questions on
this ride or route email them to
vtx2up@aol.com
Link to Four Corners
Rafting
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Link to PDF Map File |
Walk in the Park Ride
Miles:
219
miles
Day: Sunday
Duration of Ride: Ride, fuel,
lunch and walk - 12 hours, driving time
5.0 hours.
Description of Ride:
This ride has a new twist for us, to show
you Colorado from a Texan's perspective
This ride will take a quick hop down the highway to
Estes Park for a visit in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Our friend AMS Medic wants to show you his favorite
National Park in a way you never seen before.
You will leave the bikes
in the park for brief time while you venture out on a
few short nature trails to see a side of the park few
people ever see.
Joe and crew have a great
picnic lunch planned with awesome views of scenery and
wildlife. This Ride, with a new perspective is a one you
don't want to miss.
There is a fee of $10.00
per person to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. These
tickets are good for 7 days so please return them to Joe
and he will share them with others that may enjoy a
visit to the park later in the weekend.
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Link to PDF Map File
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SELF-DIRECTED RIDES |
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Carter Lake
(A Self
Directed Ride)
Miles:
Approx. 167
Day and Time:
All Days
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 $5 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
vtx2up@aol.com
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Link to PDF Map File |
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Deer Creek Canyon
(A Self
Directed Ride)
Miles:
Approx. 125
Day and Time:
All Days
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.
If you have any questions on
this ride or route email them to
vtx2up@aol.com
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Link to PDF Map File |
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Evergreen /
Conifer
(A Self
Directed Ride)
Miles:
Approx. 82
Day and Time:
All Days
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 seeping
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
vtx2up@aol.com
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Link to PDF Map File |
Independence Pass
(A Self
Directed Ride)
Miles:
Approx. 385
Day and Time:
All Days
Duration of
Ride: 6 Hrs.
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 will leave the La
Quinta going C-470 to US 285.
Heading out through Turkey Creek Canyon
through Buena Vista over Independence Pass and into Aspen.
Spend some time in Aspen to eat and walk
the town, looking for Don Johnson and
Goldie Hawn. From Aspen head for
Glenwood Springs. and back on I-70 through
Glenwood Canyon, one of the most
spectacular canyon rides you will ever
take.
If you have any
questions on this route or ride email them
to
vtx2up@oal.com
|
Link to PDF Map File |
Steamboat Springs
(A Self
Directed Ride)
Miles:
Approx. 430
Day and Time:
All days
Duration of
Ride:
7 Hrs.
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.
Head out C-470 to I-70 and catch Hwy 40
through Empire which sets at the base
of Berthoud Pass. Over Berthoud full of
switch backs and twisties with views above
timberline beyond your expectations.
Through spectacular mountain scenery and
towns like Winter Park, Granby and Hot
Sulphur Springs 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
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 to your last stop for fuel, the
land of love! Loveland for fuel and a
straight shot out I-25 back to the hotel.
If you have any
questions on this route or ride email them
to
vtx2up@oal.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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Link to PDF Map File |
Trail Ridge Loop
Miles:
Approx. 268 miles
Day:
All days
Duration of
Ride: 6 Hrs.
Description
of Ride:
A ride to the top of Trail Ridge Road
and then down the
back side and over the Continental Divide.
Departing
from the hotel,
you will head toward Golden via C470. You
will pass through Blackhawk on Hwy 119 and
continue into the trendy mountain town of
Nederland. This is home to the “Frozen
Dead Guy”. You’re probably better off
not asking!! You will continue north on the “Peak to Peak”
Scenic Byway into Estes Park. 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. Continue
down the west side of Trail Ridge Road,
cross the Continental Divide and into the
Grand Lake. Then south
on Hwy 34 into Granby, then pick up Hwy 40
into Winter Park. Have a brief stop
for fuel and snacks, then up and over
Berthoud Pass. Next get on I-70 and
head back toward Denver, south on C470, and
back to the hotel.
If you have any
questions on this route or ride email them
to
vtx2up@oal.com
Link to Trail Ridge
Road
Link to Peak-to-Peak
Highway
Link to Estes Park
Link to Winter Park
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Link to PDF Map File |
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Two Canyons
(A Self
Directed Ride)
Miles:
Approx. 121
Day and Time:
All Days
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.
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 head on back to the hotel.
You will find many places to pull of, take
in the mountain air and look around.
If you have any
questions on this route or ride email them
to
vtx2up@oal.com
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