Epic 12-Hour Loop of Northern Colorado Yesterday.

[Firehawk068]

It was forecasted to be perfect riding weather for Saturday, sunny and warm.  I planned a nice long all-day ride!



I wanted to include as many of the canyons along the Front Range as I could fit in.
I ran Coal Creek Canyon(72), St.Vrain Creek(7), Muggins Gulch(Little Thompson,36), Big Thompson Canyon(34), and Poudre Canyon(14)







Stopped at Horsetooth Reservoir to take some shots along the 4 dams that hold it in.









Hughes Stadium, where the CSU "Rams" play.



A stop for pictures along Poudre Canyon.







I stopped at the "Glen Echo Lodge" in Rustic, and had a fantastic lunch. (it's no "AL's Bar & Grill", but it was a damn good burger!)





Where I found these Words of Wisdom to take with me on the rest of my journey.



CapnRon says to take this advice "With a Grain of Salt" 

They also have Cabins for rent at Glen Echo (hint-hint)



After my belly was full, I continued on the 14 towards Cameron Pass (10,249ft) over the Medicine Bow Range.















With the Medicine Bow Range behind me, I continued on the 14 towards Walden.





From there, I continued on the 14 towards the Continental Divide, Rabbit Ears Range.





I met up with Rt40 at Muddy Pass, and headed south toward Kremmling.
About halfway down Rt40, in a mildly winding section of the road, is where I almost received a "Performance Award"
There was a slow-moving line of about 6 cars/trucks.( I say slow-moving, but they were doing around the speed limit.  )
A "Passing Zone" appeared, so I made my move. The road had some curves in it, but I could see a long way beyond the curves, and there were no cars coming in the opposing lane.
I got by 4 of them, and just as I was about to go blazing by the other 2, the "Passing Zone" disappeared. It was at that instant that I noticed the second car in line was a  County Sheriff.
I quickly got hard on the brakes, and slotted in behind him.  I held my breath for a couple miles, thinking I was surely had for some sort of moving violation.
I relaxed after he eventually passed the first car in line, and sped off down the road. (whew!)

I turned west on Hwy134 at Wolford Mountain reservoir, and headed towards Toponas.



I was getting somewhat low on fuel, and there was no gas in Toponas, so I diverted north for a few miles to Yampa, where I passed by "Finger Rock", which looks like a giant hand sticking out of the ground.



I headed south on Hwy131 to McCoy, where I met up with the most glorious dirt-road I have ever had the FJ down.
The "Colorado River Rd." It was hard-packed, and Fantastic! Some sections of it were 50-55mph on the FJ.
As it's name states, it winds it's way along the Colorado River, and the UP Railroad tracks, from McCoy to Dotsero. It is dirt for about half the length, then turns to pavement for the lower half.
This section was certainly one of the highlights of my ride! 













The Colorado River was flowing quite high with all the snowmelt and runoff (as were all the creeks and rivers I passed on my route)

















I even passed Amtrak's "California Zephyr" on it's journey east from Glenwood Springs.
From this spot they have about a 5-1/2 hour train ride to reach Denver. (I hopped on I-70, and it only took me 2  )



It was an amazing day of Sunshine and Riding!
Total distance travelled = 549 miles
I left the house at 7am, and arrived home at exactly 7pm
The FJ performed absolutely flawlessly, and gave me about 47mpg for the whole day
It was one of the most Epic days of riding that I have ever had!

[Capn Ron]

GREAT ride report Alan!  

That's a lot of miles to click off in one day, but when the roads are twisty and the scenery is that amazing...they don't really seem like miles at all.

So...you're saying that dirt roads can be good?  Hmmmm...Maybe I should try that...  

[Steve_in_Florida]

Nice ride report and great pictures. Thank you!

When can I visit?

Wannago, wannago, wannago!!!

Steve

[Derek Young]

Soooo..... About the place that rents cabins... Any spot for a nice big group campfire?.... Al's bar and grill perhaps???


Derek

[jo-sommer]

Man, you live in a fantastic area to ride!

Thanks for sharing with this great Report and those fantastic pictures!

Greetz Jo

[ribbert]

Great ride and photos Alan, you sure live in a spectacular part of the world.

I love ride reports and photos.

Noel

[1tinindian]

Don't make me go out and do a 12 hour ride amongst the corn fields of Iowa, Alan!

Hey, that's an idea, just to show you guys just how boring the riding in my part of the state really is!

[Derek Young]

Don't do it Leon!

[andyoutandabout]

As long as the wheels are spinning Leon - go on , do it.

[Firehawk068]

Don't make me go out and do a 12 hour ride amongst the corn fields of Iowa, Alan!

Hey, that's an idea, just to show you guys just how boring the riding in my part of the state really is!

Just come on over here Leon!
We've got some amazing routes in CO. 

[Troyskie]

  Even the dirt roads look like highways. Hard packed and in great condition. Beats the hell out of the goat tracks I call roads here.

[Firehawk068]

Even the dirt roads look like highways. Hard packed and in great condition. Beats the hell out of the goat tracks I call roads here.

This one was! 
It was the nicest dirt-road I have ever been on.