Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

                                   Colorado

Colorado SR 92 (2007)- You can find this highway just west of Crested Butte.  Very challenging road, very high elevation, and a good surface.  The mountains in the area are more arid than those in the south.  A really fun road and no traffic.

U.S. 550 "Million Dollar Highway" (2007)- One of the most scenic roads in America, this road is pure magic south of Montrose.  High mountain bluffs, green valleys, and colorful peaks are everywhere.  Good curves but the surface is bad in many places.  The winters are harsh here, and summers always bring the ever present road crews in for repair. 

Colorado and Kansas SR 96 ( 2001)- If any road ever typified the area it was home to, this highway does.  If you want a feel for the Midwest take a ride on it.  I rode this highway out of the Rockies and into the Great Plains.  I enjoyed passing my way through the "elevator towns" along this route.  In between towns, feel free to sing and and watch the farms go by.  A great road for the soul.

U.S. 160  out of Durango, Colorado (2001)- Any road in the beautiful Rocky Mountains is a candidate for favorite road. Just so happens this was the route of choice that day. I rode it up to swirling snow covered peaks, and into the lower valleys.  Always surrounded by breathtaking landscape.  The road is a twisty peg scraper so beware.

Colorado SR 109 (2002)- Picture this.  It is late afternoon and you are riding a 700+ mile day.  You have been in the mountains, twisting, and leaning for 300 miles.  You fight your way through several cities and their accompanying traffic, then find yourself on SR 109.  I found myself in that exact situation, and 109 was the cure for what ailed me.  Long, fast, quiet, and scenic through the Comanche Grassland.  It is a good road just for being alone with your thoughts, and after a frantic morning in the mountains, it felt good to ride lost in thought.  Not all roads have to be twisty to be fun.

Colorado SR 14 (2004)-  By looking at my list you can see I've spent time in Colorado, and why not?  The state is the heart of the Rocky Mountains, a guarantee to find a perfect road.  I love this road.  SR 14 treats you to awesome Rocky Mountain valleys, snow capped peaks, and granite canyons.  The diversity of the highway matches the greatness of the scenery.  The curves run the gamut.  Switchbacks, long downhill sweepers, tight 45s in the canyons.  I don't know if this little highway, smothered by vast mountains is not the greatest of all time.  It has so much beauty you want it to last forever.  I stopped several times to enjoy clear Rocky Mountain air and water.  Everyone needs to experience the thrill of dropping out of the Rocky Mountains into Fort Collins.  To emerge out of the canyons into a bright sun.  But that is not all.  Come down out of the mountains east of Fort Collins and sample the Great Plains.  Relax yourself as you ride along, cleanse your mind of the clutter of everyday life as you zip along the empty highway.  Population density is only a few per square mile, so lots of room to stretch your bikes legs.

Colorado 149 (2005)- Another beauty of a road through the Colorado Rockies, I've had the good fortune to dissect Colorado a number of times on back roads, and each time I've been treated to special highways and scenery.  Route 149 is smack in the middle of some the state's highest mountain peaks.  Pristine valleys, and snow capped peaks treat your senses, while the road tests your reflexes.  The curves are plenty, and give you all you want.  I backed off from any hooligan riding to enjoy the views.  The highway follows the Rio Grande for many miles which adds to the visual overload.  A great ride and a great road.

Colorado 145 (2005)-   This road takes you out of the San Juan Mountains to the deserts of Utah.  Over Lizard Head Pass, rolling past lakes and tall peaks, the road snakes and curves past Telluride.  Steep climbs and descents are common between Telluride and Dolores.  All the challenge you want.  North of Telluride, the road loses elevation and becomes a great through the canyons, before moving back up to the dangerous and challenging curves of Paradox Mountain.  Please use caution in the Paradox area, there are long drop offs if you miss, and the area is very remote, meaning if you go over,  likely no one is going to see you.