Westward bound...

[Kylenav]

My brother and I are planning our 5K mile trip from Atlanta to Utah.  Wondering if anybody has ridden in the Utah or Colorado area and has any "must ride" roads we need to incorporate into our journey!  Thanks for any input.  We will be out that way early September, if anybody out that way needs an excuse for a trip!

THANKS!!!

[rodeo1]

if utah is as far as you are going you might as well stop at the colorado line, except for the possible canyonland area around moab, utah has less decent rides than any state i have ridden in.

colorado on the other hand is chock full of really wonderful rides, but you must get west of denver first, east of denver is just more of kansas like riding.

i live on the western slope and have ridden every mile of it.

[HotRod]

I would say that you must see Zion if your coming this way,definitely a must,go through there and head up Hwy 89 north to Bryce,then you can back track a little a cut across Hwy 14 west through Brian head/Duck creek area back to I 15,you would not regret this day!

[B]

The million dollar highway/550 Durango to Montrose. Also the 141&145 GrJunction to Cortez; it foes thru some beautiful Canyons. Also gp thru the Rockies National Park & Estez (just west of Ft Collins). There's some nice desolate areas in Utah&Nevada Great Basin... Saw some wild Mustangs out there. BE CAREFUL OF THE OPEN RANGE AREAS! Never know what or how many will cross the road. Enjoy. I LOVE THE WEST! ... If you hit AZ; ck out the Jerome and Black Canyon area; Hwy 89A is a must there.  Did I say I LOVE THE WEST.  .    B

[rodeo1]

B speaks with experience. everything he has reccomended is 900% beter than anything in utah. that zion country is o.k. if you really dig weird looking rocks, but don't hold a candle to the million dollar highway -- not even in the same ballpark.

[HotRod]

B speaks with experience. everything he has reccomended is 900% beter than anything in utah. that zion country is o.k. if you really dig weird looking rocks, but don't hold a candle to the million dollar highway -- not even in the same ballpark.

Whatever,he asked I offered.

[B]

Oops... B's got a FAT THUMB on that blackberry. :s

[Kendall]

In utah hwy 89 and 89a is great and Zion is a life altering experence, also bryce canyon...   Have a Great trip..

[alph]

there are a lot of nice roads out west.  my favorite section of interstate is I70 just east of Grand Juntion Colorado.  driving in the twisting canyon, wife hated it, i loved it!!

[..]

Look up CO and Utah passes and ride the blacktop roads.

http://www.concours.org/co/rtd_pass_bagger.htm

Bethoud Pass CO is worth zipping up and down just for fun
http://www.concours.org/co/pb-berthoud.htm
Loveland Pass si a great substitute for the I70 tunnel
http://www.concours.org/co/pb-loveland.htm

Hwy 149 north from South Fork CO is one of my favorite CO roads. Leads to Gunnison where you will find the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

A ride to the top of Mt Evans is a MUST. Do it in the morning before the clouds roll in to steal away the views.

Utah has a plethora of National Parks worth visiting. Buy the National Parks Passport which will cover 2 bikes.

Here's a cross country route I used.

Roswell - Colorado


Hwy 140 to Canton, Adairsville, North on I 75 to Resaca
Hwy 136 west to I 59 North to
I 24 North to Nashville, Paducah
TL Hwy 62 / 286 to Wickcliffe
TR Hwy 60 to cross Mississippi to Wilson City
TL I 57 to cross I 55 becomes Hwy 60 to Springfield



Hwy 60 / 160 West to
TL I 44 West to EXIT Hwy 96 to Heatonville, Carthage, Gulfton
TR Hwy 171 to Waco, Asbury to CROSS KS state line becomes Hwy 400 / 57 to Parsons, Dennis, Fall River, Beaumont, Leon, Wichita, Dodge City, Garden City,
Cross CO State Line becomes Hwy 50 to Lamar, Las Animas, La Junta
Stay here overnight 590 miles or go further

[mattfidaho]

Poudre River canyon is a fun scenic ride. and then the snowy mountains..
http://www.coloradodirectory.com/poudrerivercanyon/

Or golden then idaho springs, (stop for a soak)  and take the old hwy for a longer slower ride.

there is a Ton of good rides in that area.