Rainbow Trail July 2011 - Postponed until Sept

[GregsGSXR]

****Postponed until September, Dates TBD*****

For the ADV crew.....

Looking at doing a 3 day trip from Littleton (SW Denver) to the Westcliffe area to ride the rainbow trail. Depart Friday ? ride to the hotel (the long way), ride the trail Saturday, and maybe hit the trail Sunday again before heading home. This will probably end up being a +800mi ride round trip. I did the trip last year in 2 days and it was pretty brutal, thats why I am taking the extra day this time. It is a technical trail so keep that in mind. You know your abilities and your bike and there are a few threads here about the trail. This is just a feeler to see who might be interested. We may be able to get a group rate on a hotel if enough people are going.

I will update this post with information as I have it

Staying - TBD
Route - TBD
Info - http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-san-isabel-national-forest-hiking-colorado-sidwcmdev_066062.html (http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-san-isabel-national-forest-hiking-colorado-sidwcmdev_066062.html)
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230362&highlight=rainbow+trail (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230362&highlight=rainbow+trail)
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234764&highlight=rainbow+trail (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234764&highlight=rainbow+trail)

[GregsGSXR]

Rather than updating this over and over again......

Details (http://www.5280dualsport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=737)

[Dr. Joe Siphek]

following this...

one question tho...why not camp, and save some dough?

[Reyven]

Might want to keep an eye on the Duckett Fire. As of last report, had burned 1000 acres and was 0% contained. Burning 11 miles northwest of Westcliffe, near Rainbow Trail.

Im not sure if this will/would affect any camping you have in mind.


edit:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2306/ website for fire info. 1800 acres so far. currently 1 mile west of Hwy 69

[Sean]

I've heard that Rainbow is not big bike friendly. Mostly single track, right?

[Vehicle 1]

I would love to do something like this. I'll look into it and see... but as of now I am an optimistic maybe.

[Aracheon]

This is about the time I wished I had a larger fuel tank and a cargo rack on the DRZ.

[Dr. Joe Siphek]

^^^ :imwithstupid:

[Bashed]

I've heard that Rainbow is not big bike friendly. Mostly single track, right?



The southern end is atv wide and fairly smooth. The farther north you get the more babyhead's and tecnical it gets. GSXR Scott and I did from 285 going south last year and both myself and my bike overheated. I consider myself an average/above average sigletrack rider and it kicked me in the nuts. This was on my trail setup CRF450. From 285 north it looks pretty smooth. This trail is not for the meek.
Greg, I might be up for this if I can get some time off work.

[GregsGSXR]

This is still tentative. I may be doing a 2 day instead of 3 depending on my work situation (could be changing - I'll find out next week) I will keep everyone updated on my status. Last year I was unprepared on the DRZ and I ended up bailing down to the town after about 2 hours of riding the trail.... It has some pretty tight switchbacks and I didnt have good tires on my bike, lots of crashes and it stopped being fun. I have since re-geared and I have a brand new set of tires that are going on if I end up making this. The people I was with were on a DR650 and a KTM520 they were doing fine but it is slow going with all of the rocks on the trail.

[GregsGSXR]

This is an idea of what the trail looks like

[Vehicle 1]

Cool Greg, yeah let us know asap, so I can ask for that Friday off or not... If you end up doing two days, are you changing the milage/route or are you going to stick with the original plan?

[GregsGSXR]

Cool Greg, yeah let us know asap, so I can ask for that Friday off or not... If you end up doing two days, are you changing the milage/route or are you going to stick with the original plan?

I will know by the end of this week. The routes will be the same down and back, just less of the trail if its only 2 days.

[GregsGSXR]

Updated first post. Due to unforeseen circumstances I have to put this off until September (maybe late August). Job stuff. I will update when I can. Sorry.

[bodhizafa]

This is about the time I wished I had a larger fuel tank and a cargo rack on the DRZ.

Now you got plenty of time to get a tank...... no need for racks....