September 12, 2008 at 4:50pm – About 1000 miles of open road lay ahead. Tomorrow morning we leave at 5am to ride around Colorado on some of the most scenic roads in the state. I’m not the average motorcycle tour rider as I will be lying on the tank most of the way. I ride a 2008 R6 now. I did this same route in May of 2008 on my older 1999 R6 and didn’t encounter any serious soarness. Expect lots of pics this time and more details about the route.
1052 miles to be exact.
September 13, 2008 – We left Saturday morning at 6:00am and went strait to I-25 in hopes of getting out to HW 285 quickly. The weather was perfect but at that time of the morning it was freezing on bikes. My hands and face were the coldest they’ve ever been. We stopped twice for gas on our way to Buena Vista. We met up with a couple from the springs at our routine coffee stop, Bongo Billy’s. Definitely stop if you are on this route. Right on the edge of town if you are coming off 285.
After a long stretch down 285 and 17 on our way to the Sand Dunes we stopped in Hooper… the last stop before the 1.5 hour stretch to the Dunes. We were told the only place we could pick up a 6 pack was to cut back 19 miles to 285 in Saguache. If you find yourself anywhere near the Dunes and would like a taste of civilization before you camp out in the sand head to Saguache and find The Oasis. Incredible burgers, a liquor store next door, and a gas station and grocery store across the street. We had a peaceful night under a full moon at the Dunes as we managed to get a fire going after hiking to the top of the tallest Dune. Not an easy task as there is no collecting firewood. Buy your wood early as the hours very.
September 14, 2008 – The next morning we decided to head south to Chama, New Mexico for a change of pace. Previously we had continued on HW 160 to Pagosa Springs going over Wolf Creek Pass. Both routes are very enjoyable on a motorcycle. I think I enjoyed taking HW 17 through Chama more though. The rode sweeps through some very nice scenery as it caresses the Rio Grande and some historical train tracks. The ride back north to Pagosa Springs was interesting. The road is pretty strait compared to the stretch to Chama and apparently it is an unspoken commonly known rule that the true speed limit is double that of what is posted. Most everyone was doing 90 to 100 mph.
From Pagosa Springs we head west on HW 160 towards Durango. This night we stopped in Bayfield about 40 miles east of Durango and headed north to Vallecito Lake. The way to Vallecito isn’t very clear, I suggest stopping at a gas station in Bayfield to get more accurate directions. The campgrounds in this area close fairly early (early September) so it may pay to check in advance. We were fortunate enough to find one campground on the lake that still had the exit gate open and we were able to stay the night. Gorgeous campgrounds with plenty of driftwood for a fire.
September 15, 2008 – The next morning we took a back road from Vallecito lake into Durango. We arrived late morning and NEEDED breakfast. And not Sonic’s all day breakfast. Something good. If you are ever in this area and craving a hearty breakfast check out “CJ’s Cafe” off of College and 8th ST. The biggest breakfast I’ve ever eaten. After digesting we headed towards Montrose via the Million Dollar HW (HW 550). The road had been freshly paved and painted. This stretch is one of the funnest but requires even more concentration with slick surface. Our last night we stayed in the Black Canyon about an hour outside of Gunninson off HW 50. An almost unknown campground exist at the bottom of the 16% grade leading down to the damn at the base of the canyon. It’s known as the East Portal. It is more beautiful in the spring but still a must stop. Even if you aren’t camping the views are worth it.
September 16, 2008 – We woke up, had some camp french press coffee and headed up to the rim. A very fun 7 mile road that hugs the canyon with several photo ops. Starving we began the journy through the rest of the Black Canyon area that HW 50 goes through to Gunnsion. With the though of yesterdays breakfast still fresh in my mind, I only hoped we could find something comparible. It pays to ask the locals, at our first stop we heard about “The W Cafe”. This one is right where 50 intersects Main St. There’s a bike shop and a coffee shop next door. The biscuits were the size of grapefruits! No joke. Not sure which breakfast was better, all I know is that I wouldn’t be able to ride if I ate like that every morning. So good folks 
The drag back home was exahsting. Again we stopped in Buena Vista for Bongo Billy’s coffee. The stretch of road isn’t really all that bad and there are at least 3 fun passes but we were horses heading home to the stable. Ready to wash up.
This will probably be the last time we do this loop for awhile. We are looking at making a loop out to Zion, UT next year. Next time we do this loop we know exactly where to stay and where to eat. Hopefully you do to.
Pics to come next!
