impatient
07-06-2004, 10:53 PM
I will be making my way from Texas to Oregon in a week or so. I would like to break the drive up with some scenery and a possible 2.5-3 hr. ride. Am looking for a couple of suggestions. Kind of a jump out of the car, hop on the bike, ride, come back to the car, do the solar shower thing and hit the road again.
This trip, I am thinking of veering off 25 at Pueblo toward Salida, Buena Vista, then Twin Lakes, over Independence, thru Aspen to Glenwood Springs. Well, looks good on paper anyway. I'm sure it will be scenic from Twin Lakes on, not sure of anything before that. So first off, I guess I should be open to suggestion on routes, but keep this in mind: I am trying to get to Oregon, not spend too, too much time on meandering roads that don't at least kinda lead to Grand Junction. And I don't want to wait til GJ to ride, because it might just be 100 degrees out there in Fruita.
Now some caveats: I'm from Texas, so give me a break on the high altitude stuff; no 3000 ft vert climbs, nor do I have any real desire to ride at 10,000+ ft. I haven't really done my homework, so I don't know if it's possible to find a great ride, basically on the route (above), that isn't 2.5 hrs of climbing followed by 15 minutes of screaming descent, 75 miles off the highway, or at 12,000ft. I will probably have spent only one nite at moderate altitude (~Raton) before my first ride, so have mercy on my lungs and blood vessels. I am accomplished, but not looking to kill myself..I will have plenty of time in Oregon for that.
In the past, I have gone thru Denver,several times, spent several days, and have ridden the Elk Meadows, 3 Sisters, Mt. Falcon, Buffalo Creek kinda stuff, even Bergen Peak, White Ranch, Golden Gate Canyon, Mountain Goat, all very nice in their own way (well, 3 sisters was my least favorite).
BUT, for this trip, skip the likes of Bergen Peak, White Ranch, Golden Gate, and M. Goat, since I will be "new" to the altitude, and like I said, not looking to kill myself on the 1st day of a long vacation. Maybe on the way back at Labor Day. Frankly, Buffalo Creek would be adequate, being not too rough, more rolling, and scenic (at least it was before 2002...haven't seen it since 01), but like I said, I'm trying the "southern route" this time. And, not too southern...unless I get some serious persuasion, I think Crested Butte and Durango are too out of the way.
I saw something about Rainbow near Salida, maybe good, maybe too high, maybe boring and touristy, I don't know, what do you think?. I will try to call the bike shop in Salida for advice, but, thought I would hit the message boards as well.
I'll be asking similar questions about riding just east of Salt Lake City (Heber City, Park City, etc) or maybe north toward Logan if any of you are familiar with that area too.
PS, going alone, so no shuttle opportunity, and, as if it mattered, I will be on a 4" F&R travel bike, and don 't mind a little terrain challenge...I'm just being a bit wimpy on the altitude thing.
Anyway, thanks for any advice!
This trip, I am thinking of veering off 25 at Pueblo toward Salida, Buena Vista, then Twin Lakes, over Independence, thru Aspen to Glenwood Springs. Well, looks good on paper anyway. I'm sure it will be scenic from Twin Lakes on, not sure of anything before that. So first off, I guess I should be open to suggestion on routes, but keep this in mind: I am trying to get to Oregon, not spend too, too much time on meandering roads that don't at least kinda lead to Grand Junction. And I don't want to wait til GJ to ride, because it might just be 100 degrees out there in Fruita.
Now some caveats: I'm from Texas, so give me a break on the high altitude stuff; no 3000 ft vert climbs, nor do I have any real desire to ride at 10,000+ ft. I haven't really done my homework, so I don't know if it's possible to find a great ride, basically on the route (above), that isn't 2.5 hrs of climbing followed by 15 minutes of screaming descent, 75 miles off the highway, or at 12,000ft. I will probably have spent only one nite at moderate altitude (~Raton) before my first ride, so have mercy on my lungs and blood vessels. I am accomplished, but not looking to kill myself..I will have plenty of time in Oregon for that.
In the past, I have gone thru Denver,several times, spent several days, and have ridden the Elk Meadows, 3 Sisters, Mt. Falcon, Buffalo Creek kinda stuff, even Bergen Peak, White Ranch, Golden Gate Canyon, Mountain Goat, all very nice in their own way (well, 3 sisters was my least favorite).
BUT, for this trip, skip the likes of Bergen Peak, White Ranch, Golden Gate, and M. Goat, since I will be "new" to the altitude, and like I said, not looking to kill myself on the 1st day of a long vacation. Maybe on the way back at Labor Day. Frankly, Buffalo Creek would be adequate, being not too rough, more rolling, and scenic (at least it was before 2002...haven't seen it since 01), but like I said, I'm trying the "southern route" this time. And, not too southern...unless I get some serious persuasion, I think Crested Butte and Durango are too out of the way.
I saw something about Rainbow near Salida, maybe good, maybe too high, maybe boring and touristy, I don't know, what do you think?. I will try to call the bike shop in Salida for advice, but, thought I would hit the message boards as well.
I'll be asking similar questions about riding just east of Salt Lake City (Heber City, Park City, etc) or maybe north toward Logan if any of you are familiar with that area too.
PS, going alone, so no shuttle opportunity, and, as if it mattered, I will be on a 4" F&R travel bike, and don 't mind a little terrain challenge...I'm just being a bit wimpy on the altitude thing.
Anyway, thanks for any advice!