Durango trip - August 18th and 19th

[Clovis]

Hey CSC!

This coming weekend is forecasted to be perfect riding weather in the South West! Ie no rain!

If I can get at least 2-3 others to come, I'll host a ride to Durango.

I was just there yesterday and the roads are pristine. This would be my 4th run to Durango this year. I almost feel like a local.

Total route is around 1000 miles since there are 3 different ways of getting there. I'll choose the best one based on weather, all though currently everything says mostly sunny to sunny.

Cost is $200 or less which is fuel, lodging and food.

Day 1: http://mapq.st/OoSknF

Day 2: http://mapq.st/RJ8Lu2

My route is to start and end in Colorado Springs but if you're in Denver, don't fret as the mileage is the same. We can arrange to meet either in South Colorado Springs or in Buena Vista.

Hotel:

Iron Horse Inn -- A family suite (3 bed and 1 sleeper sofa) is $139.00 a night divided by 3-4 people.

If you want to come, please reply here!! Again, I need at least 2 others to come to split hotel cost. Durango hotels are rediculously expensive due to being a tourist/college town so it's only reasonable if you get a family suite and split the cost.

Otherwise, I really hate paying $90 for a barely 2 star hotel that anywhere else would cost $45.

I'm not talking about the Iron Horse Inn, they're pretty good now.

[Clovis]

Or alternatively 1 other person to split a hotel with. I'll add some pictures to entice you!

[Jmetz]

I'll be doing part of your trip on my way out on Friday.

[HOTCARCASS]

Yeah hear is the route im doing to Durango next weekend. Im leaving from Loveland going n past Steamboat to craig. Then heading s and going through palisade etc. Ill post my route maybe we can work out a way to do it together.

[Clovis]

Send me a link to your route and I'll see where we can meet up. Usually the Denver and NoCO group comes to Buena Vista but let's see how far out of the way it is.

[HOTCARCASS]

Ok. http://goo.gl/maps/XEs6g

[HOTCARCASS]

Send me a link to your route and I'll see where we can meet up. Usually the Denver and NoCO group comes to Buena Vista but let's see how far out of the way it is.

I am heading out to a road that I haven't done yet this year. Several years actualy. Road 13 out of Craig and then 141 out of Palisade to Telluride. I think I heard something about a festival in Palisade. I will meet you in Durango and sky is the limit for the Ride home. I would like to Rock 550 and 133 home. See what you can come up with.

[Jmetz]

Funny, looks like we'll all be cover portions of the same roads as each other just missing by a short time.

[Clovis]

I'll be doing 550 and 133 to carbondale before turning towards aspen on the ride home.

[HOTCARCASS]

Yeah Cool I'll meet ya in Durango and Ride most of Day 2 with ya. I'll proly hit 134 and 131 Back over trailridge to Loveland home.

[Sean]

Ok. http://goo.gl/maps/XEs6g

If I can make two suggestions?
1. After you hit Rifle, take I70 to HWY65 (or 45 1/2) and then go south. Then 92 west to 50, back north and jump back on your route. I don't think it would add that much time and would be a whole lot nicer of a ride.

2. Unless you have a reason to go to Cortez, I'd try and top-off in Telluride and bypass Cortez with HWY184.

It's a shame that you have to take I70 all the way home.

Looks like a good ride!

[HOTCARCASS]

If I can make two suggestions?
1. After you hit Rifle, take I70 to HWY65 (or 45 1/2) and then go south. Then 92 west to 50, back north and jump back on your route. I don't think it would add that much time and would be a whole lot nicer of a ride.

2. Unless you have a reason to go to Cortez, I'd try and top-off in Telluride and bypass Cortez with HWY184.

It's a shame that you have to take I70 all the way home.

Looks like a good ride!

excellent suggestion i will do this. You never know which county roads are paved by looking on maps. So tips like 45 1/2 could really add a sweet little nibble of the cookie.

[longrider]

Ok. http://goo.gl/maps/XEs6g

Another suggestion for more fun and less interstate (if you have time); When you get to Carbondale turn right and go thru Aspen and over Independence pass to Hwy 24. Go north through Leadville, then take Hwy 91 north. This will put you on I70 just west of Frisco.

[Clovis]

I can help you with that as well. I'll bring my ipad with me and we can plot out a return route for you. I've been on 90% of the colorado rural mountain roads.

I'd like to get at least 1 more person to join us, preferably someone that would leave from the Springs so I can have a riding partner.

Clovis

[Sean]

excellent suggestion i will do this. You never know which county roads are paved by looking on maps. So tips like 45 1/2 could really add a sweet little nibble of the cookie.

45 1/2 is fun. Tight, technical and some blind corners. Keep the pace in check, as there are a few decreasing radius corners.

[HOTCARCASS]

Appreciate it!!

[HOTCARCASS]

[QUOTE=longrider;692317]Another suggestion for more fun and less interstate (if you have time); When you get to Carbondale turn right and go thru Aspen and over Independence pass to Hwy 24. Go north through Leadville, then take Hwy 91 north. This will put you on I70 just west of Frisco.[/QUOTE
I rode Indy last last week and by that point im gonna tag 131 and 134. Indy is NUTS! I left some blackies and met a marmot. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Clovis]

Rain is now in the forecast for Lake City but it pretty much rains there every day. I think I've been through Lake City all of twice and not gotten rained on and both of those times were in the pre-monsoon season.

I'm thinking for my route a double black canyon -- head to Bunea Vista and up Indie pass to Aspen and Carbondale, down 133 to Crawford and through the Black Canyon to Highway 50 to Montorse and then 550 down to Durango.

It's <500 miles. This is the reverse of my route home that I'm planning.

Still looking for 1 more to go! With 3 we can get a family suite (3 beds).

[FZRguy]

Try here for lodging.

Durango Lodge
150 E. 5th Street
970-247-0955

If you want to take scenic back roads to Pagosa, try below. SR 240 is Florida Rd east out of Durango. Directions are off maps I used when I organized bicycle tours in the area. It is 86 miles compared to the 60 miles via US 160. Or just do the first leg to 160 for not much time diff...240 is a nice ride.

The tour continues east today to Pagosa Springs, el. 7150'. We backtrack the Day 3 route out of Durango a couple miles, then head east on SR 240 and south on SR 234. We cross US 160 and the road changes to SR 172. In Ignatio, take SR 151 east across the Los Pinos River to Arboles. In Arboles, SR 151 turns NNE up the Piedro River valley by the Navajo Reservoir and the Chimney Rock Archeological Area. US 160 takes us the last 17 miles into Pagosa Springs.

[HOTCARCASS]

Motel 6 allowed me to roll sasquach in last night. Heading to eat a peach and then off to durango.

[HOTCARCASS]

Pics from my trip to meet Clovis in Durango. Road 141 was Epic. Technical for hours and
triple digit sweepers for hours.

[HOTCARCASS]

141 continued

[HOTCARCASS]

141 continued

[HOTCARCASS]

141 continued.