July 18 - 500+ mile loop in a day: Denver - Gunnison

[Zviffer]

UPDATE:

Day: Wednesday July 18
Time: KSU 7:00 AM
Meeting location will be sent by PM to interested participants.


I'm looking to ride this loop on July 18 and wanted to gauge interest for accomplices. The final date will be set according to the schedule of the first confirmed participant and I will update the thread accordingly. Anyone wanting to join the ride must post up or PM me. In a group, we will be riding the Pace, but because of the distance covered, this is for experienced riders only.

Also, suggestions for minor route deviations are welcome if there are better, twistier (paved) roads along the way.

[BC14]

Hwy92 is always a good addition to a loop in that area. Granted, it will shorten your trip, but it's worth it.

[Jmetz]

The map for me is just a bunch of lines, not snapped to roads.

[Zviffer]

Revised route:

[Zviffer]

Hwy92 is always a good addition to a loop in that area. Granted, it will shorten your trip, but it's worth it.

Good suggestion. The portion to Delta and Montrose on my original route looks rather uninteresting from the lack of squiggly lines on the map, hence Hwy92 looks pretty inviting (not sure how I overlooked it initially).

[Zviffer]

The map for me is just a bunch of lines, not snapped to roads.

That's odd unless you're on a mobile device. What [obscure] browser are you using?

[Jmetz]

Google maps for iPhone. Who uses a computer anymore?!?

[kawasakirob]

That's a great route, but if you don't mind a suggestion, if the weather is good, cottonwood pass(pick up in BV) is well worth it. The route up will be paved and the short distance down will have firm dirt but it is sooooo worth it. The route between points F and E would change but that's it. Just a suggestion. Have a good ride!

[Zviffer]

That's a great route, but if you don't mind a suggestion, if the weather is good, cottonwood pass(pick up in BV) is well worth it. The route up will be paved and the short distance down will have firm dirt but it is sooooo worth it. The route between points F and E would change but that's it. Just a suggestion. Have a good ride!

Thanks for the tip. If the weather is good, Cottonwood Pass will be part of the route.

[Wrider]

Fair warning for anyone wanting to join him from the Springs, 24 is closed just east of Wilkerson in both ways due to a sinkhole.

[Zviffer]

24 is closed just east of Wilkerson in both ways due to a sinkhole.

Link to CDOT alert: http://cotrip.org/roadConditions.htm...lert&id=146299

[Clovis]

I do a very similar route several times a year. Twice last week actually!

I'm interested.

[sfarson]

You have a good ride planned. FWIW, rode Cottonwood and the Taylor River Canyon today to Almont. Not a single vehicle in front the entire east ascent of Cottonwood. The hard packed dirt descent down the west side, no problem. BUT, there is a serious construction zone in the Taylor River Canyon. It is long, one lane (long waits for oncoming traffic to make transit), a pilot car is followed, and a water truck keeps thing delightfully wet and muddy in places. Took 45 minutes for the eight miles or so of construction.

[osiris]

Hey, I'm down for the 18th/19th. Depends on the final setup. But definitely down for a longer ride.

[Zviffer]

I'm interested.

Let me know when you're confirmed and which day you prefer. So far there are two of us going and either day works for us.

[Clovis]

Oh sorry, I didn't look at the dates. I was assuming this would be on the weekend.

Oddly enough I am planning on doing this next Saturday or Sunday.

[303R6]

I'm interested in this ride! I'm not an "experienced rider" but not a noob either. Either day would work for me. If I can tag along.

[Zviffer]

I'm interested in this ride! I'm not an "experienced rider" but not a noob either. Either day would work for me. If I can tag along.

Hi 303R6,

Thanks for your interest in this ride. The "experienced" criteria has to do (in part) with the endurance aspect of the ride more so than skill/quickness. The in-the-saddle time on this ride is likely to be 11+ hours. We will only be stopping for short breaks at each fill up, some quick scenic photos and perhaps a quick lunch. So this is not your typical weekend social group ride. If you've done long days like this before, or you have enough seat time on your bike to know you could, then you are more than welcome to join.

Regarding the pace, I will be riding at a rather brisk pace in the twisties. Perhaps your skill level will allow you to safely keep up, or perhaps not. If not, then it is imperative that you do not push yourself beyond your limits in attempting to keep up. I do not ride fast in the straights (what's the point?) and I will wait for slower riders in between sets of corners. Experience has shown that the difference in times between the fast riders and the slower riders is usually only a few minutes. I'd rather spend those extra minutes for you to safely catch up than spend the rest of the day on some remote stretch of road waiting for an ambulance / tow truck to arrive. Thus, while you don't have to be a fast rider to join on this ride, you have to be "experienced" enough to know better than to exceed your skill. If so, then by all means join in. I think it will be an awesome riding day.

Let me know if you are confirmed. Since we are all flexible on the day, I'll check the weather forecasts along the route and decide based on that.

[osiris]

What time are you wanting to leave? I'm assuming around 7-8a. Get back in the evening around 5-6p?

[FZjake719]

Man, i've been on a route very similar to this and it is an excellent ride. If i werent in Wisconsin visiting fam id definitely be game.

Enjoy the ride fellas, keep it safe!

[Zviffer]

What time are you wanting to leave? I'm assuming around 7-8a. Get back in the evening around 5-6p?

Correct. I prefer to leave around 7 AM.

[Giraffe]

Wednesday pref.

[Zviffer]

UPDATE:

Day: Wednesday July 18
Time: KSU 7:00 AM
Meeting location will be sent by PM to interested participants.

[dr.oldsjr]

Sounds like a blast! Jealous of those that can ride like this mid-week.