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Thread: Who can do a 3 day ride?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Updated: The Devil's Spine. April 2012

    Updated: 4/22/2012
    Set date, updated weather conditions, fuel cost since gas is now $4/gal. 4/22/12 - Posted mapquest route, removed Indi pass on day 3 as it's not yet opened.

    The CSC Secret Squirrels presents: The Devil's Spine!

    U.S. Route 491 / 191, formally known as U.S. 666 also known as The Devil's Spine, is a section of highway that straddles both New Mexico and Arizona, containing over 1,100 corners in a 95 mile loop beginning and ending in Alpine, AZ. The Devil's spine is arguably one of the most technically challenging roads in North America.

    The Spine itself is just 6% of the total route. The entire route is designed to take you through many of the absolutely best motorcycle roads Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona have to offer.

    Full Disclosure.
    This is a difficult ride and not for the beginner rider. This trip will test your abilities. Plan on 3 days of riding 12 hours (possibly more) and covering in excess of 500 miles per day.

    Dates April 27-29, 2012. Currently (as of 4/22) the weather forecast is mixed. We're likely to see some rain in Colorado but overall sunny and warm conditions in New Mexico/AZ. Forecasted highs for Clifton, AZ (the hottest part) are 90+ degrees. In Colorado we'll probably see tempts in the low 50s. The backup date is the weekend of May 4th through 6th.

    The towns I'm checking on weather are:

    Gunnison, CO
    Montrose, CO
    Ridgeway, CO
    Telluride, CO
    Cortez, CO
    Gallup, NM
    Alpine, AZ
    Clifton, AZ
    Grants, NM
    Durango, Co
    Ouray, CO


    Make sure that you have room in your bags to fit any layers you'll strip off.

    Pro Tip #1 Pack Advil (ibuprofen). This loosens your joints, prevents cramps and overall makes your ride much more comfortable. I take 800mg (4 pills) before every ride.

    Pro Tip #2 Make sure your tires have plenty of tread life left and can handle up to 1600 miles. Running out of tread means ending your trip early. Trust me on this one.

    __________________________________________________ _


    Difficulty level: Intermediate.

    The spine itself is quite challenging but can be safely traversed by riding your own ride. I can't emphasize this enough. Crashing is one thing, crashing 800 miles from home is another.

    The other 94% of the route is a mixture of typical Colorado mountain sweepers and flat south western desert. If you haven't been through the Navajo Nation before, then you're in for something... different. More on that in a second.

    The real challenge comes from endurance. We have a lot of miles to cover and only 3 days to do it.

    Total mileage: - 1,600 give or take.

    Complete route:


    http://mapq.st/yPCDGJ

    Day 1: - Colorado Springs > Montrose > Gallup
    http://mapq.st/xaCNos

    Day 2: Gallup > Alpine > Clifton > Reserve > Grants
    http://mapq.st/xh4J3n
    Breakfast in Gallup, Lunch in Alpine (we'll hit Alpine for a second time after completing the spine) - then ride to Grants, NM for the night and dinner.

    Day 3: Grants > Durango > Montrose > Colorado Springs
    http://mapq.st/xcKPM1

    Lunch in Durango or Silverton or Ouray. It's 260 miles from Grants to Ouray and 237 from Grants to Silverton. Durango is 190 miles from Grants.

    Sunrise @ 6:09am
    Sunset @ 7:48pm



    Day 1: Buena Vista > Montrose > Cortez > Gallup, NM - 500 miles.

    7:00 AM meet at Jan's Restaurant in Buena Vista for breakfast and a pre-ride briefing. Buena Vista is roughly 100 miles (2 hours) from both Denver and Colorado Springs.
    Departure at 8:00 AM.

    Jan's Restaurant

    304 US Highway 24 S Buena Vista, CO 81211

    (719) 395-6940


    As always I'll provide detailed maps, emergency contact info and words of encouragement.

    As we get closer to Gallup we'll be going to the Navajo Nation. If you've never seen their mountains, well... they're a little different then what we have in Colorado. Definitely cool. You'll see this by the end of day 1.





    Day 2. Ride The Spine!

    Gallup, NM> Alpine, AZ > Clifton, AZ > Alpine, AZ > Grants, NM

    The Spine is basically 95 miles of this.



    Bring your A game! We'll grab breakfast and then it's 150 miles to the Alpine, AZ and the start of real fun. The route begins and ends in Alpine, AZ. Route goes clock-wise.



    Immediately following the Spine we'll stop somewhere for lunch and collectively decide where to go. The two primary options are Grants, NM or Socorro, NM.

    What's the difference you ask? Grants is north and puts us through Durango, The Million Dollar Highway, Hwy 50's triple digit sweepers and if time allows, The Black Canyon and Independence Pass.

    Socorro takes us through Las Alamos, Taos, The Enchanted Circle and Hwy 12 to La Veta, CO. This route also involved significant portions on I-25 so it's overall quicker. Both routes are within a few miles of total distance.

    We'll play it by ear after the Spine.

    Day 3. The long way home. Approximately 500 miles

    500-650 miles depending on if we do The Black Canyon or not. If you haven't been to The Black Canyon on a motorcycle then you're in for a treat. There is a good reason why this is my favorite day ride.

    Assuming we take the Million Dollar Highway / Black Canyon route, we'll part ways after Independence Pass at Hwy 24. Go left and you hit Leadville and Denver. Go right and you hit Buena Vista and Colorado Springs. It's 100 miles to either destination from this point.

    Estimated Cost - $250-300

    1700 miles / 45mpg = 37.8/gal of fuel @ $4.00/gal = $151 in fuel cost
    Lodging - 2 per room @ $30-35 each per night, 2 nights = $60-70
    Food - $25/day x 3 days = $75
    Last edited by Clovis; Mon Apr 23rd, 2012 at 02:03 AM. Reason: Updated info

  2. #2
    Senior Member Yearly Supporter Nooch's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    You might be a very special kind of addict Clovis!

  3. #3
    Senior Member BC14's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Quote Originally Posted by Clovis View Post


    For those of you unfamiliar with the Devil's Highway (or loop, or triangle.. it goes by many names). It's 1100 corners in 95 miles.


    See below for a detail of the devil's highway.


    I did this road in Aug(part of a 2450 miler), and it was great. Very nice area, but was quite warm entering Clifton(~106). Didn't realize there were that many corners, but yeah, it was twisty.
    Last edited by BC14; Wed Oct 12th, 2011 at 05:07 AM.
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    Senior Member Cornfed's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    I applaud your long distance trips and envy the flexibly you must have at work. I love 3 day road trips, unfortunately work doesn't understand that more days off means more productivity during days on. Ill get some vacation time saved up and be right beside you during your road trips.
    Last edited by Cornfed; Wed Oct 12th, 2011 at 06:19 AM.
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    Senior Member Ninja2's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Unfortunately, I cannot take time off right now.
    Thank you for sharing the route and information about Devil's Hwy though. Looks like a lot of fun and certainly something to consider for next year, potentially with a stop in Durango and going over Wolf Creek, and all the other fun roads in SW CO. If you decide to go, take pics!

  6. #6
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    This coming weekend has a great forecast. Tempting, tempting!!

  7. #7
    Member sfarson's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Clovis, Great to see your longer ride adventures and plans. Ahhh... the memories that are collected.

    Your plan involves three loooong days in the saddle, and to make it happen you're going to have some serious droning. Essentially, from Colorado Springs all the way to just north of "G" on your map, it is mostly two wheeled zzzzzzz. Wide, open, and mostly straight. From the "G" north all the way to Cortez, more of the same. But then again, if you only have three days, then the only way to ride the great Coronado Trail/U.S. 191 north out of Clifton is to have the long drones per your map.

    When I burn the miles getting to a great riding destination, I look to see ("Well since I'm already here"), if it is worth spending an extra day by riding more involving roads while still getting to the destination roads. So, if you can find that extra day, consider alternatives from Santa Fe towards Clifton, AZ...

    http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=I-...a=6,11&t=m&z=8

    Blast to Santa Fe, then ride sweeping NM14 throught Madrid (Can see the Wild Hogs diner there (built for the movie) if this holds an interest), then continue south and ride the great Sandia Crest Scenic Byway to the top, overlooking Albuquerque. This road is considered the pre-eminent sporting ride in the Albuquerque area, and all of central NM for that matter. It is a major hoot. Continue south per the Google Map link. I give you then two choices... ride to letter "J" and continue on sweet roads to Clifton, or head further south to the letter "L" on the map (if you have the time). NM 152 west to Silver City/Bayard is considered one of the finest riding roads in all of NM. Last, U.S. 191 north out of Clifton is a dementedly twisting thing as you note, but for your expectations, the curves tend to be blind, gritty and slow. The further north you go the pavement improves, as does the riding imo. My riding friends and I all agreed... the best part of 191 is from Hannaford Meadows up to Alpine.

    If you go be sure to look for the Arrow Tree on the west side of 191 up towards Hannaford. It makes you think and ponder.. "How the..." I hope it is still there. The massive Arizona wildfire this past spring torched all you see in this pic, and great defensive stands were made to save the towns of Alpine and Vernon before the fire continued east, sweeping over 191 and on into NM.


  8. #8
    Senior Member Matrix's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Tempting...very tempting.
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  9. #9
    Keeper of The Great White Buffalo Site Admin
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Three day ride sounds in order. I would like to be in that area ridding for sure. Tempting



  10. #10
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    wish i could... i wonder if my boney ass would survive????

  11. #11
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    I don't think my lovely, caring, understanding and gracious will let me do another over night trip this weekend so it's looking like 2012.

    Steve, are you going to be in the area around April/May next year?

  12. #12
    Gold Member madvlad's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    I'll be up for next year for sure
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  13. #13
    Senior Member Matrix's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Quote Originally Posted by Clovis View Post
    I don't think my lovely, caring, understanding and gracious will let me do another over night trip this weekend so it's looking like 2012.
    haha Bailing on your own ride? Just giving you a hard time. But, this is starting to sound like a really good ride.

    Modified route starting from Denver...Comments on this route?

    http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=de...&via=5&t=m&z=6
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  14. #14
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Quick update.

    Currently the plan is to do this mid to late April 2012, so about 5 months from now.

    Weather in Colorado can be a weee bit cold but in New Mexico/Arizona it will be mid 80s. You don't want to do this trip in the middle of summer because then it will be in the low 100s.

    We'll be relatively close to the Grand Canyon (and I've never been) it would be a shame not to add that in. Here's an idea.

    http://mapq.st/vUV4ql

    This route is 2,223 miles so that would be at least 4, possibly 5 days. There are shorter options as well (that still include the Grand Canyon) - this route takes us into Utah and the roads look squiggly (aka fun).
    Last edited by Clovis; Sun Nov 13th, 2011 at 06:49 PM.

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    Member Fumet5uNo's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Ok next year I'm a go I was thinking u wanted to do this like now

  16. #16
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    I would skip Grand Junction and drop down into Carbondale and go through the Black Canyon to Montrose. Super fun times on that road.

    Quote Originally Posted by Joew4505 View Post
    haha Bailing on your own ride? Just giving you a hard time. But, this is starting to sound like a really good ride.

    Modified route starting from Denver...Comments on this route?

    http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=de...&via=5&t=m&z=6

  17. #17
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    I can't this year, it's getting to be kind of cold in the mountains =P

    Quote Originally Posted by Fumet5uNo View Post
    Ok next year I'm a go I was thinking u wanted to do this like now

  18. #18
    Member Fumet5uNo's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    cold... its never to cold hahaha

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    Member johne303's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    I want to go on this epic ride in the summer. My hands go number after only about 1 hour of riding. What can I do to prevent this?

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  20. #20
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Maybe some weighted bar ends for the handle bars? They can reduce vibration.

    Quote Originally Posted by johne303 View Post
    I want to go on this epic ride in the summer. My hands go number after only about 1 hour of riding. What can I do to prevent this?
    Last edited by Clovis; Mon Nov 14th, 2011 at 07:34 PM.

  21. #21
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Quote Originally Posted by johne303 View Post
    I want to go on this epic ride in the summer. My hands go number after only about 1 hour of riding. What can I do to prevent this?
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  22. #22
    I know how to spell it, I just forgot the other "h". Heater's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    In for next year!! Post as soon as dates are locked down and time off will be demanded Thanks for posting the route.
    Go big or go home




  23. #23
    Local jerk Yearly Supporter
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    *giggle*

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    Gold Member madvlad's Avatar
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    Re: Who can do a 3 day ride?

    Quote Originally Posted by grim View Post
    *giggle*
    Roflmao... Epic
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