Ride Report - Telluride/Durango

[Matrix]

Its ride report season! A friend and I took off for two days of mile eating fun. Our intent was to ride roads in the SW side of the state that neither of us had hit before. A quick note for those of you that are ADD, start checking fire reports as they can seriously alter your route.

Day 1 (Friday) was awesome with roughly 460 miles. Lunch in Telluride, and with the blue grass festival in town it made for some interesting scenery. Roads were great and traffic was a non-issue. Durango was also a cool place to stay. We ended up at the Best Western Mountain Shadows and it worked out perfect. Durango brewery is right down the street and we found a cool patio bar called Home Slice that served pizza and beer. What else do you need!!

Route: https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=D...mra=pr&t=m&z=7

[Matrix]

Day 2 was less exciting. We started off heading up to Ouray from Durango. Up until 5 miles north of Silverton the road was fantanstic. A little cool to start the morning but not cold. Its at the five miles north of Silverton that things turned bad as it was massive chip seal. It got so bad that we ended up turning back five miles south of Ouray at the suggestion of the local tar slinger. Note to anyone heading to that road anytime soon, STAY AWAY! It needs a few months to bake in.

Day 2 route (with NM): https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=D...mra=ls&t=m&z=7






We saw a sign around Bayfield that Wolf Creek pass, our desired route back, was closed due to fire. We pressed on to Pagosa Springs with our fingers crossed but when we arrived the pass was still closed. Break out Google maps and our best alt route is into NM and HWY 17. Not a bad road but a lot further south then we wanted to go. In hindsight, it wasn’t all bad because I probably wouldn’t have ridden this route any other time.

All told, 1010 miles over two days. No drama, no tickets, and no issue. Just a good time out on the open road logging the miles.

[Clovis]

Serious? They chip sealed million dollar highway? Guess that road is done for the year, shame I only got to ride it once this season (and it was awesome as always).

[Clovis]

Sonofabitch!

http://www.coloradodot.info/news/201...dollar-highway

[asp_125]

We were there a few weeks ago and I guess they were just getting started. We encountered chip seal and loose gravel from the waterfall overlook a couple miles south of Ouray all the way into town. FAIL.

[Jmetz]

I need to start getting my overnights on.

[asp_125]

I need to start getting my overnights on.

Josh after you do some rides on the western part of the state, you'll never be satisfied with the roads in the Front Range again.

[Jmetz]

Josh after you do some rides on the western part of the state, you'll never be satisfied with the roads in the Front Range again.

Already have and totally agree!

[Matrix]

Josh after you do some rides on the western part of the state, you'll never be satisfied with the roads in the Front Range again.

Its always fun to road trip to new places. But its a little disappointing that they ruined the best destination road in the state. I will give it a shot in a year or so after it bakes in but I doubt it will be the same anytime soon.

I have heard great things about hwy 141 so I will add that one to the list to try and get to this year.

[longrider]

If chip seal is done right it is usually rideable a couple weeks after the final seal coat is applied. The seal coat is the key, if they just spread the rock on the tack coat it takes a year for the loose stuff to work off.

I typically hit the western slope for a 3 or 4 day ride every other year and still have not ridden everything. Matrix, you have to ride 141! A non-riding highlight if you have any interest in classic cars is the museum in Gateway.

[Jmetz]

I have heard great things about hwy 141 so I will add that one to the list to try and get to this year.

Horrible road. Stay away.

[Matrix]

Matrix, you have to ride 141! A non-riding highlight if you have any interest in classic cars is the museum in Gateway.

Is this the portion of 141 you are referring to?

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=T...mra=ls&t=m&z=8

[longrider]

Is this the portion of 141 you are referring to?

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=T...mra=ls&t=m&z=8

Yes it is, but unless you want to see Montrose or Delta I would take this route: http://goo.gl/maps/IwW7F

[PurpleFox]

georgeous photos! what scenery! over 1000 miles in 2 days?! That to me is an insane amount of miles!

[texlurch]

Well I plan to hit 550 south from Gunnison end of July, so I guess we'll see how the chip seal is doing.. may have to figure out a re-route to get down to Cortez.

[One-ops]

How did that chip seal end up being??
Planing a trip in june to include the 550.
550 comes out of gunnison?
Was thinking about trailering to gunnison and spending 3-4 days riding ending back in gunnison

[Nick_Ninja]

You have never been there huh? Do you have any clue what snow plows do to chipseal?

[One-ops]

Nope and nope.

[kawasakirob]

How did that chip seal end up being??
Planing a trip in june to include the 550.
550 comes out of gunnison?
Was thinking about trailering to gunnison and spending 3-4 days riding ending back in gunnison

Why Trailer? There's just as many sweet roads getting there as there are once you get there.

[One-ops]

Yeah I might have to rethink that after lookin through some ride threads on here. Never been on a trip longer then a day trying to figure out how to plan everything.

[kawasakirob]

Planning would be the same as if you were trailering down. Maybe throw in a more scenic twisty route : ) Saddlebags and a tank bag for all your stuff...which shouldn't be much for a short jaunt like that. You can do eeeet

[Matrix]

Sport touring is some of the most fun I have had on two wheels! It's the absolute best way to see big chunks of the country. As you mention, there are some good threads on this board that help. But here is another: http://www.cosportbikeclub.org/forum...highlight=6600

One of the biggest fears of sport touring is having an issue (mechanical, crash, tire puncture). It helps to have good equipment and be a member of the AMA where roadside assistance is included. Worst case, you end up having to spend a few days waiting on your bike to get repaired after a tow truck drops it off at the nearest dealer. Not the worst outcome.

A big part of the fun is the planning. Finding the perfect roads, way points, points of interest and so forth. My advice, get out there and try it!!

[Drano]

The only trip I'd trailer would be to the Devil's Highway. Talk about 2 days of crap for one day of fun.

[Clovis]

The only trip I'd trailer would be to the Devil's Highway. Talk about 2 days of crap for one day of fun.

More like two half days of crap for 2 full days of fun

I hear you though, the ride between Southern Colorado and Springerville, AZ (about 25 miles north of Alpine) sucks. 300 miles each way of long rural indian roads that may or may not have giant pot holes. Using a trailer however means skipping all of the fun Colorado roads.