This tour is especially good for those who came to CO from the east...you will head over Hoosier Pass south to Fairplay in Southpark. Visibility is typically over 60 miles. Hwy 285 twists its way down to the Arkansas River and Buena Vista (good coffee at Bongo Billies). On north on 24 and west past Twin Lakes and a lovely forested area that may already have aspen quaking yellow, up Independence Pass. The wide open high meadows narrow to extremely narrow twisting road down to one of the USA's wealthiest villages, an old mining town called Aspen.

The wealth has spilled downhill in spurts towards Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. Upon heading east on I-70, the spring’s pool will be on your left as you enter Glenwood Canyon, one of the more impressive natural canyons around, and an even more impressive interstate roadbed. At Gypsum, the Colorado River winds northeast towards Kremmling and Grandby, and I-70 takes you on another wealthy valley that leads another 40 miles to Vail. There are 17 championship courses surrounded by multi million dollar homes accessed along this stretch to Beaver Creek and the sheep pasture of 1963 called Vail. If you choose to stop for conveniences, stop at West Vail exit 171. If you want to see the heart of the village, stop at the main village, go east to the parking garage, and walk across the covered bridge to the center village area. You will promise yourself to come back.

You are now about 55 miles from Breck over Vail Pass to Copper Mtn, to Frisco and return. A long ride, but much of it is Interstate.

Same as the Aspen - Glenwood ride above, except: At Aspen, return east over Independence Pass, then north on 24 to Leadville then 91 to I-70 at Copper Mtn. This takes out a ton of miles and allows one to experience a number of different high altitude passes and mining villages. Options would be to take 24 north from Leadville to Minturn, joining I-70 west of Vail and return.

This ride takes Swan Mtn Road on the south side of Lake Dillon past Keystone Resort (another very classy resort) up Loveland Pass with its inviting twisties and vast vistas. Down to I-70 and east to Idaho Springs (pop. 45000...in 1895). Then up Chicago Creek on 103 winding steadily up to Echo Lake. At the Lake, we pay $3 per passenger and head on up to the top of Mt. Evans. There may be elk, probably deer, Mountain Sheep, and Mountain Goat growing a beautiful white coat for winter. At the parking lot you will see about six motorcycle painted parking spaces! What you don't have to do to find one of those! There are toilets, some shelter and a ten minute walk up the last two hundred feet to the very top, with great views...or you can pass, and return to Echo Lake...slowly, watching for animals and cages watching for animals.

East from Echo Lake over Squaw Pass we have options...if short on time, turn left to I-70 and west to return to Breck. If you have a bit more time, and I'm leading, I'll show you some gorgeous homes and neighborhoods with about a 9-mile diversion ending in Evergreen...a good place to find lunch.

South from Evergreen we wind to Conifer and 285 west over Kenosha Pass to Fairplay, Hoosier Pass and a big cold beer.

A very favorite ride of most Colorado sportbikers, this run has it all. Heading south from Breck over Hoosier to Fairplay to Hwy 285, down to Poncha Springs and up sweet Poncha Pass. After the pass, the valley opens up as you head for Saguache and Hwy 114. This stretch is moderately twisty with some of the prettiest ranch land going. Hwy 50 is reached about 10 miles east of Gunnison. West, thru Gunnison plus 25 miles gets you a turn over the dam onto Hwy 92. Along the way you follow the shoreline of Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water…not very impressive to most of you!

Hwy 92 offers the pilot a wonderful challenge of continuous twisties and the pillion a nail-biting 30 minutes of fabulous beauty. One side of the road rises with rock outcroppings and aspen; the other drops off 1500 to...deep as hell itself. Beyond the canyon one can see the start of the San Juans at Ouray. Continue west as far as you like. As you leave the canyon, the road serves farming areas. I prefer to turn about and back to Hwy 50, thru Gunnison and over Monarch Pass. Reaching Hwy 285, north to Johnson’s Corner give the option to head north on Hwy 24 via Leadville, Copper Mtn, Frisco and Breck loop, or turn east and continue on 285 to Fairplay, then Hwy 9 to the hot tub.

Options include taking a shorter ride by doing Monarch Pass out and back, and blowing off Leadville loop. One could also continue to Carbondale then either I-70 from Glenwood, or Independence Pass if you have time.

Another ride where an early start is recommended, South on Hwy 9 over Hoosier Pass to Fairplay and east on Hwy 285. After Kenosha Pass the winding but excellent condition 285 takes you to Pine Junction (stoplight) and south on Hwy 126 to Pine and Deckers. After Deckers, join Hwy 67 for a delightful run to Woodland Park. Woodland Park is a good place for gas and convenience. A short run east on Hwy 24 (keep it slow on this stretch, though one would like to rocket down the twisty four lane) to Cascade, follow the signs to Pikes Peak Toll Road. You will travel about 9 miles before reaching the toll station. If in a group, park in the lot, and have a representative go to the tollbooth and buy all the tickets, distribute, and they will let you all go by in a group. There may be lines, but if you got an early start, probably not too bad.

The Pikes Peak toll road ascends the mountain on good paved road, then turns to gravel. It is graded and watered regularly, so the conditions change, but are always good. The only condition to watch for is traffic on the switchbacks. Let other vehicles clear the switches before you get there. They not only turn 180 degrees, but they also climb. Keep a 10-15 mph steady speed and the LT takes them well. The top portion of the road will demand the constant attention of the rider, though the vistas will be compelling. Stay on the hardpack roadbed and all will go well to the top where conveniences are available and a stop of 30 minutes will be worth it. Yes, the LT starts and runs well at 14,000 feet!

Retracing your tracks back to Cascade and Woodland Park, follow 24 to Hartsel and Hwy 9 to Fairplay and a good cigar.

Options include a short run into Colorado Springs and numerous attractions (Garden of the Gods, Air Force Academy and a dozen others) but most are tough to include in a one-day run that includes the top of Pikes Peak.

This "must do" ride heads north on Hwy 9 to Frisco. Here on can take the "dam road" to Dillon (more fun), or use I-70 to Dillon. North on Hwy 9 on the very pretty and fishable Blue River, past Green Mountain Reservoir to Kremmling, then east along the Colorado River to Grandby on Hwy 40. Dodge the bulldozer and turn north on 34 to Grand Lake. Drag Main Street of Grand Lake to see the village…its beautiful! Then north and enter the park. Dig out the annual "National Parks Pass" and enjoy. There is only one area that is not double yellow from here to Estes Park. There are several major and some minor pull out areas, but don’t expect the RV’s to use them. This road is special, so try to spend a bit of time at the top.

At Estes Park, if you’ve not overloaded on trinkets, pick up Hwy 7 (NO, not 36) south and set back to enjoy another lovely big sweeper-massive scienics road south to I-70 along the east side of the front range. Turn right on Hwy 72 past Ward (practicing Hippies) to Nederland (richer practicing Hippies), past the frozen dead guy, and join 119 to Black Hawk. Black Hawk has casinos, so have a ball keeping Colorado green if you have the time. The remaining journey is 119 south to Hwy 6, a hard right and join I-70. The road to Breck is I-70 and Hwy 9, but Loveland Pass and Swan Mtn Road can be thrown in if you have oxygen to spare.

This is a long ride with many things to see. I recommend the clockwise route in that it stays low until Grand Lake, and keeps you counter to heaviest traffic.