US 550 - The Million Dollar Highway
Motorcycle Trip Summary:
Jackie and I have done several motorcycle trips to Colorado to meet up and ride with Jackie's brother, Ash. Our last visit in 2015 was based in Ouray. We loved riding in the area so much we decided to base in Ouray again for several days and invited Ash to join us.
Intrigued by the rocky unpaved mountain passes we came on bikes suitable for tackling the terrain - BMW 1200 GS's and a KTM 1090. The were a blast both on and off road.
We then moved on to the canyons west of the mountains spending a night in Grand Junction. From Grand Junction we crossed the Grand Mesa and took the long way to Aspen exploring more canyons on the way.
Details of this trip follow....
Jackie and her GS at Independence Pass
The Plan
- July 7, Sat. - Fly to Denver from North Carolina.
- July 8, Sun. - Hang out with Jackie's brother in Denver
- July 9, Mon. - Pick up bikes, head for Ouray
- July 10,Tue. - Million Dollar Highway to Durango and back
- July 11, Wed. - The off road Alpine Loop in the high mountains
- July 12, Thu. - Loop west through Telluride
- July 13, Fri. - CO 141 loop to Grand Junction
- July 14, Sat. - Grand Junction to Aspen
- July 15, Sun. - Aspen to Denver
- July 16, Mon. - return bikes, hang out in city
- July 17, Tue. - Fly from Denver to NC.
Wayne Busch in Mancos, CO
The Best Motorcycle Roads on this Trip
US 550 - Million Dollar Highway
CO 141 - Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Road
CO 145 - Lizzard Head Pass
CO 65 - Grand Mesa Scenic Highway
CO 92 - Black Canyon of the Gunnison River
CO 133 - McClure Pass
CO 82 - Independence Pass
US 50 - Monarch Pass
CO 103 - Mt. Evans Scenic Bypass
CO 74 - Bear Creek Canyon
The Alpine Loop
Bird Camp Road
Ash Brooks atop Engineer Pass on the Alpine Loop
Where We Stayed
Denver - Stayed with family
Ouray:
Ouray - Beaumont Hotel
Grand Junction:
Aspen:
Hotel Durant
Cozy rooms in an informal, woodsy hotel offering free Wi-Fi & breakfast, plus an outdoor hot tub.
Cozy rooms in an informal, woodsy hotel offering free Wi-Fi & breakfast, plus an outdoor hot tub.
CO 141 - Jackie loved the ride, the heat, not so much.
Notable Places Where We Ate And Drank
Sedalia
Denver
Check Out Terminal Bar | Terminal Bar Denver
One of the best wine and beer bars offering the best burgers in Denver, Terminal Bar also offers a weekly Retro Happy Hour.
https://www.terminalbardenver.com/
Ouray
Ouray - Ouray Brewery
Ouray's Original Brew Pub & Restaurant - Ouray Brewery
Ouray Brewery is a family owned restaurant and brewery in the heart of Ouray, Colorado, serving award-winning beers and pub-style American cuisine. Enjoy a unique restaurant atmosphere with our roof top dining or overlook our brewery.
https://www.ouraybrewery.com/
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Thai Chili Ouray | Ouray, CO 81427 | Menu
Food Takeout from Thai Chili Ouray, best Lunch Specials, Salads, Thai Takeout in Ouray, CO
Lake City
Menus for Southern Vittles - Lake City - SinglePlatform
Good old southern cooking!! specializing in fried fish, shrimp and chicken. also added this year is more BBQ. come check out our new menu items!
http://places.singleplatform.com/so...
Naturita
Aspen
Aspen - Ajax Tavern
Ajax Tavern
AJAX TAVERN - AT THE BASE OF ASPEN MOUNTAIN
Say “apres-ski,” and most people picture something strikingly similar to Ajax Tavern – glamorous yet easy. You can see Ajax Tavern’s sun-drenched, mountainside patio from halfway up the mountain – a simple target for lunch or cocktails. Arrive and let the people-watching begin; there’s no better seat in town.
Located at the base of Aspen Mountain and next to the Silver Queen Gondola, Ajax Tavern is the restaurant in Aspen for casual fine dining in an unbeatable atmosphere. The Tavern comes to life at lunch, and the party rolls on well into the night. If you go no further on the menu, try the truffle fries and Ajax double cheeseburger – they have earned their reputation.
AJAX TAVERN - AT THE BASE OF ASPEN MOUNTAIN
Say “apres-ski,” and most people picture something strikingly similar to Ajax Tavern – glamorous yet easy. You can see Ajax Tavern’s sun-drenched, mountainside patio from halfway up the mountain – a simple target for lunch or cocktails. Arrive and let the people-watching begin; there’s no better seat in town.
Located at the base of Aspen Mountain and next to the Silver Queen Gondola, Ajax Tavern is the restaurant in Aspen for casual fine dining in an unbeatable atmosphere. The Tavern comes to life at lunch, and the party rolls on well into the night. If you go no further on the menu, try the truffle fries and Ajax double cheeseburger – they have earned their reputation.
Silverton - Handlebars Saloon
Silverton
Telluride
Brown Dog Pizza
Casual outpost offering a variety of pizza styles along with burgers, sandwiches, salads & wings.
Casual outpost offering a variety of pizza styles along with burgers, sandwiches, salads & wings.
Grand Junction
The Rockslide Brewery and Restaurant
Bustling microbrewery with mug club for locals, pub food, two daily happy hours & trivia nights.
Bustling microbrewery with mug club for locals, pub food, two daily happy hours & trivia nights.
Grand Junction - Il Bistro
Il Bistro Italiano
Homey chef-owned bistro offering Italian comfort food & a wine list with local vineyards noted.
Homey chef-owned bistro offering Italian comfort food & a wine list with local vineyards noted.
The Bikes We Rode
The Bikes - Ouray
BMW 1200 GS - Jackie (Rental)
BMW 1200 GSA, BMW 1200 GS - Wayne (Rental)
KTM 1090 - Ash (Personal)
KTM 690 - Ash (Personal)
Bikes Rented from:
Colorado Motorcycle Adventures - Denver
Things I learned on this trip -
Plan your Colorado motorcycle trip to avoid riding into / out of Denver on weekends - Especially holiday weekends. If the weather is nice everyone heads for the mountains. Traffic can get brutal.
The rides are long - When you link them together to form the most convenient loops you're often on a day ride.
It's hot in the summer - Not the best time to ride the canyons.
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- 13 2018
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