So what is the weather like in Denver, CO?

[Big IV]

and what is the weather like in Denver, CO at the end of October typically? Is it still rideable then?

A buddy the other night said he was thinking of buying a new motorcycle and that he had found a deal on a bike (classic friend of a friend scenario).

We had been picking on this guy for having a great bike and not riding it (he'd never ridden more than 100 miles a day before he started hanging with us). He's had bikes on and off for years, but he never really clocked much time (or distance).  He said he was thinking about buying a nearly new BMW GS to add to his stable. (He owns 6 bikes and doesn't ride them! Poor bikes).

We were sitting around, drinking his beer, and telling him that if he bought a bike that was made to ride he would be obligated to ride it. We pointed out that if it ran he shoudl ride it home. We offered to drop him off when he went to pick it up. This buddy said that he couldn't ride it home because it was in Denver, CO and we're all the way over here in NC. 

So how rideable is it in Denver CO at the end of October?

He has six bikes that he barely rides (although he is starting to) so I doubt he'll try to ride that GS home. In fact, he has six bikes and barely pausing before buying another so chances are he can afford to ship the bike. But it did leave me curious about how the weather in Colorado was that time of year. I'm betting it isn't the type of weather that I'd like. I''m so spoiled to mymodert NC weather which is genearlly ridable.

[Big Rig]

I fly into Denver quite often, end of October weather, you could have sunny and 80 and the very next day you could have 20 and blizzard like conditions...the trick is to get as far away from the mountains as possible in the first day...midwest get chilly (30) in the mornings, but if the winds are behind you and it does not rain, you will see some pretty nice country coming east...

[Big IV]

I've never been that far west on a bike before (or heading that far east on a bike before).

It was one of those things. We were all sitting around shooting the bull. We were making fun of that buddy for not riding his stable of bikes and he popped up asking questions about a bike he wanted to buy. We started ribbing him about not riding. He asked if anyone at the table could ride the bike home. We all said we could (and I think most of us could even without the late night and beverages speaking for us).  Two of the younger guys are unemployed and immediately volunteered their services. Why not. If he'd buy the ticket. They're good guys but he's not known them long.

He turns to me and asks if I could do it. He's known me for a while and knows the good and bad of my driving record and he's trusted me in the past.  So he turned to me.  Sure, if I had time off from work I think I could ride that far. October would make it more of a challenge, but I didn't worry about that because I didn't think it would come to anything after the sun came up.

I was curious how serious he was. I emailed him today to see if he was still going to buy the bike now that he'd sobered up thought about it some more.  He emailed me back and told me that he had in fact called the guy to buy the bike, however he didn't think it was going to work out.

The seller is going through a divorce and wanted to get rid of the bike to not deal with it. Before that had happend the wife/ex-wife's lawyer has already contacted him about the arrangement to split the funds.  So to make a long story short the seller is no longer offering a great deal, but is now going to sell the bike at book value. My buddy isn't interested in it enoguh to go for book value.

Oh well.  I would have liked to see Colorado. I'll just have to bump it up the list of travel destinations...probably for a spring or summer ride sometime.

[Big Rig]

There are plenty around here that have been to Denver and those hills around that area...they can fill you in, but the run to the west coast is also on my bucket list..14 more years until the boys head to college...and if the Mrs. wants to join me, I will be hitting all 49 states...with the Valk I hope...

[rockrat]

As said, it could be sunny and maybe 70 and it could be 10degrees and 6 inches of snow and 60mph winds.   Usually figure Halloween for the first snow here on the Western side of Colorado, and Denver can get nailed a week earlier.   Actually, they are saying maybe snow for Denver this weekend

[Brovietnam]

I have been riding here in the Denver area all year long, when the roads aren't icy, for years.  I am 64 and have worn out a lot of motorcycles in all these years.  Sometimes the weather is in the sixties and sometimes we might have snow.  This time of year you never know.  Also, don't rely on the weather men, women or person.(I am trying to cover all the possibilities)

Usually if we get any weather it is only for a day or so and we can get a thirty degree temperature flucuation in one day.

[F6CTrider]

Just rode up to Walden this week end (10-3, 10-4) to catch some of the colors.  Day started with 26 degrees and ice on the bikes(not mine, covered).  Finished day in Denver at 60+ degrees.
Like Brovietnam or any local will tell you, from October through April, all bets are off.  They are predicting snow for the Rockies / Phillys game later this week!

If your friend rides so seldom, I doubt he has or wants to buy the cold weather gear that might be NEEDED.  Are they REALLY up for a LONG ride back?         Ship it.

That being said, if his schedule is flexible enough, snow usually melts off in a day and October through the midwest would be great.  

[Jay]

I live in Woodland Park, work in Colorado Springs.  Last night's ride home started with a cool 50 degrees, cold rain halfway home, and snow flurries and 39 degrees in Woodland Park.

[Big IV]

F6Trider,
actually my friend seldom rides but has a lot of gear. He owns several bikes and has appropriate gear. It is an odd thing. No, he wouldn't be ready for a long ride like that, especially in that weather. I was considering letting myself be volunteered. I can pack enough cold weather gear.

From Denver Co to Denver NC is about 24 hours according to mapquest. I figured if I split it into several days of moderate to heavy hours on the road I could make it in a few days. 

Unfortunately that entire deal fell through.

I was about to start finding him deals in Colorado to see if he'd fly me out to deliver anything else, but now my work schedule is shifting so I won't have four days together to be on the road for a while.

Co sounds like fun. Ya'll make it sound great. It will deff be on my list for the future. 

Thanks all.

[MarkT]

I live 25 miles SE of Denver metro at 6590 ft and ride year round.  Winterizing not needed here.  Can ride every week even in January but not every day.  When it snows, it's gone pretty quick thanks to the intense sun.  Watch for sand on the road Oct - April but they don't use salt.  Good place for electric gear, especially if your ride goes after sundown - temp drops a lot at night thanks to the low humidity, clear skies and high altitude.  I just love plugging in and turning the dial rather than having to use a bulky jacket and haul around layers of sweats and the like in my bags.  We get about 320 days of sunshine a year per the Chamber of Commerce - I do almost all of my errands on the Wing or the Valk even in the winter.  Don't expect to ride over the passes in the winter unless you check road conditions with the highway patrol and check the forecast right before you leave.  Some passes close for the season depending on the weather - usually by Labor Day - like Independence into Aspen and of course Trail Ridge & Mt Evans (not really a pass).