So I've got a need to be in Longmont the 21st of Sept so I figured why not make a long weekend out of it and go see the park and ride the trails around it. I'll leave on the 18th and be back on the 22nd so it's kinda short for 1000 miles each way so I need some local advice on trails to ride while I'm there. I'll be on the klr so some dirt, gravel and mountain passes would be a great way to break her in on her maiden adventure.
so I just went hunting on google maps and came up with this... http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sad....749434,-106.180115&spn=1.476046,2.471924&z=9 doable in a weekend, less than 500 miles, seems like it'd be real easy with plenty of time to see things. Anything stand out as not passable or something that I should definitely see while I'm there that's not on the map? I was also considering throwing frying pan road in there instead of S.R. 82 through aspen and such. I have no idea what the road is like except it's a less maintained one then 82.
In the middle of August we had a Latin America Rider Rally in Rocky Mountain National Park. We camped at about 8,500 feet. It snowed. It was very cold. When it was raining the temps were around 40. At night it got much, much colder. I think the rule-of-thumb is that the temperature drops about 4 degrees for every 1000 feet that you climb. But with mountains and micro-climates, things can be very variable. The passes above us were snowed-in and closed for a few days. When they re-opened the pass, there was A LOT of snow next to the road.
You've got a great route there, as long as it doesn't snow. I haven't been keeping close track of the frozen stuff on all those passes but you have some notorious passes in your route, such as Iceberg on Trail Ridge Road. It can be snowing on Trail Ridge, through RMNP in July. I know, it's happened to me. Independence Pass SE of Aspen, to Twin Lakes, could be similar. But, if you don't run into the snow flurries, you can't beat your route. Kremmling to State Bridge is a fine, big, broad, county dirt road. No problem. From McCoy, I've taken the Colo River Road, which is also a dirt road you could drive your car on and it follows the mighty Colorado as do the tracks for Amtrak. You can wave at the touristas in their dome cars. That road goes to Dotsero and connects with I-70 there. I'm not familiar with the road you've got that goes down to Eagle. Also not familar with some of the other dirt roads. If it is nice weather, it could be a superb ride you got laid out and just about anywhere you go in that neck of the woods will make you understand why we consider it motorcycle heaven.
so my buddy on the sport tourer is out. That means the duals sports can play a bit more. I was thinking instead of 82 through Snomass and aspen, to take frying pan road. I did a google search but came up with nothing. What is this road like? Up and down pavement, dirt, gravel? Also, I've never been to Either of those ski areas, worth stopping by in September?
Never been on Frying Pan Road but I don't think you'd have any problem.... assuming, again, that it doesn't rain or dump some snow.... all a possibility above 8000-9000 feet at this time of year. The weather is your major factor out here in the fall. Aspen is, of course, much more than a ski area. It is a place for the uber rich but is just frickin beautiful country and the town is cool, but expensive. I don't know that there would be much to see at the ski area proper, unless you just want to see them, take a hike or rent a bicycle or .... There are several ski mountains, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Snowmass is up the road a ways. If the Aspen trees are turning yellow by then it will be gorgeous up there or just about anywhere in the Colorado high country, but you are going into some of the prettiest areas of all, IMHO. Take your camera.
and so my other riding partner canceled on me today. Oh well, looks like I'm solo, but if anyone wants to come out and ride, it'd be cool.
I live in Longmont and wouldnt mind taking out the DRZ. I know some trails in the area and there are a bunch of others I havent done that I want to check out. There is also a ride and camp out going on that weekend around webster pass.