Hitting up Royal Gorge on Monday - How's this route look?

[Generic]

Here's our current plan:
Saturday Afternoon - Denver to the Springs via Deckers and Woodland park
Sunday - Pikes Peak Hill Climb
Monday - Springs-->Florence-->Canon City-->Skyline Drive-->Royal Gorge-->Bishop's Castle-->Pueblo--> Class with Nick-->Denver

Route for Monday - https://goo.gl/maps/Ebcoq

Any recommended changes or roads we should hit on the Gorge-->Bishops loop?

Thanks!

-Murdock

[Frankie675]

Going up through Woodland Park and heading South through Cripple Creek and continuing south to 9, just west of Canon, would be a better ride, but also quite a bit longer than just straight shooting it to Canon on 115.

[Generic]

So like this? https://goo.gl/maps/gVZW8

It actually doesn't add too much ride time at all and I agree, it is much nicer, thanks!

[Jmetz]

I really need to learn how to make a damn google map.

[Generic]

I really need to learn how to make a damn google map.

I just put in my major destinations, Holiday Inn, Royal Gorge, Canon City and then Pueblo then just click-drag to the roads you want.

[Jmetz]

Thank you. I was trying custom from scratch and was having a hell of a time.

[Clovis]

So like this? https://goo.gl/maps/gVZW8

It actually doesn't add too much ride time at all and I agree, it is much nicer, thanks!

Yes, that's the route I would do. I would skip the Skyline in Canon City though. It's very short and nothing to write home about.

Not sure if you need to go to Pueblo or not but if not, I would consider taking highway 50 to Salida. There's a good 40 miles of very fun canyon riding... fun as long as you're comfortable passing cars.

[Frankie675]

So like this? https://goo.gl/maps/gVZW8

It actually doesn't add too much ride time at all and I agree, it is much nicer, thanks!

I'm just trying to clarify incase google maps was a bit deceptive

It doesn't look much longer on the map, but 115 is a quick straight shot. It's simple to jump on I25, go through a few stop lights and be on 115 cruising. (btw 115 is not that exciting) But going up 24 and hitting every stop light, slowly making your way through woodland park hitting every stop light, and then riding over a mountain pass to cripple creek adds on a considerable amount of time. I honestly think you'd be in penrose by the time you've made it through woodland park and just starting to head towards cripple creek. Then you're still looking at at least another hour before getting to Canon. Shit, it almost took me an hour to get to Woodland Park from N. Academy on a weekday without traffic 2 weeks ago, about the same time it's takes me to get outside Canon using 115. But it's definitely the better ride if you have the extra time.