Motorcycle Rider News Road Trips

Colorado Scoot: Telluride

Colorado Scoot

By: Diana Rowe

If your summer plans don't include pointing your fenders north to the 70th annual Sturgis Rally, consider exploring Telluride and the San Juan Mountains. You'll get the wind in your hair and miles on the odometer when you travel 365 miles to southwest Colorado and experience some of the most amazing scenery in the state.

For my recent 4-day road trip, Telluride was in for a treat, when two of my best (and hottest!) biker mamas and one husband agreed to join me and my man for a road trip from Denver to southwest Colorado. It is really all about the journey, scooting south on US-285, a doable ride for even beginners, gentle curves and vistas stretched out for miles especially when you ride up Kenosha Pass.

(For more details on the US-285 S ride to Fairplay, please see Page 4 Ladies Run)

NOTE: Make sure you gas up in Fairplay because the long stretch of open road to Buena Vista is a windy bitch!

Your ride from Buena Vista to Telluride is stunning. After Salida, you'll ride over Monarch Pass into Gunnison. Highway 50 will wind around Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park passing the Blue Mesa Lake and come into Montrose. Then you'll head up to Telluride.

We lucked out! The June weather couldn't have been more perfect, high 90s in Denver 70s in the San Juan Mountains. Telluride sits at 8,750 feet above sea level, and the entire town is designated a National Historic Landmark. Even though we're from the Mile High City (Denver), the uphill walks reminded us that the air is thinner here.

At the heart of San Miguel County are two unique communities: Telluride and Mountain Village. These two towns are connected by a free gondola, the only transportation system of its kind in North America, so when you're not fly fishing, hiking, biking or any other number of summer outdoor activities, at 8,750 feet above sea level, Telluride is a brimming historic picture book, complete with clapboard storefront houses, shops, B&Bs and hotels.

Telluride is a perfect home base, as there are multiple day trips in several directions. The San Juan Mountains in this area are brilliantly colored in crimson, purples and grays. There are multiple mountain passes that rise above 11,000 feet. Telluride is rich in historical architecture and mining lore.

Other highlights near Telluride is Mesa Verde National Park, the towns of Ouray, Silverton, and Durango, Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Anasazi Heritage Center, Mount Sneffels, Wilson Peak, Mount Wilson, El Diente Peak, Mount Eolus, and Lizard Head Pass.

DAY RIDE:Colorado scoot

Our favorite day trip was from Telluride to Durango. Hop on the scoot and head toward Dolores, via CO-145, just over 60 miles. It's an easy mountain ride - which passes by the famous mountains that are pictured in Coors commercials. Right outside of Dolores, you'll turn left onto CO-184, then left onto US-160. To head to downtown Durango, turn left onto US-550/Camino Del Rio. Allow all day to really enjoy the scenery! This is probably one of my favorite Colorado scoots!

Watering hole stops:

Fairplay

• O'Bregan's Pub (see Ladies Run of Colorado article for details)

Buena Vista

Montrose

• The Red Barn - another winner any meal - including breakfast! www.thelocalbiz.com/Colorado/Montrose/redbarn.htm

Telluride

  • La Cocina de Luz (main street Telluride) serving casual regional Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, including breakfast. It's organic, sustainable, free-range and locally grown ingredients include many vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Trust me - this is the best Mexican food I've ever had! Margaritas are amazing and fresh! www.LaCocinaTelluride.com

  • Steps away from the gondola in Telluride, the fine dining at Cosmo at Hotel Columbia, is an opportunity to treat yourself. Try their fresh sushi rolls, followed by surf and turf, and a great selection of wine by the glass. www.cosmotelluride.com

Dolores(between Telluride & Durango)

• The Hollywood Bar & Grill Eat & drink with the locals at this 100-year old bar in Colorado, including deer heads on the wall. Another fabulous and affordable food stop! www.hollywood-bar.com/

Durango

• El Patio Bar & Grill, 600 Main Street, downtown Durango, the best rooftop bar.

Motorcycle-friendly hotels in Telluride

HOW TO GET TO TELLURIDE: Ride to C-470 & US-285 S exit. Go south on US-285 to Buena Vista. Make a slight left at US-24 W/US-285 S, and continue riding to just outside of Salida, staying on US-285 S. Turn right at US-50 W through Gunnison and Montrose. Outside of Montrose, take the US 550 S Highway into Ridgway. Right on CO-62W will bring you into Telluride.

TOTAL MILES: 365 miles +/- depending on where you begin.

TOTAL TIME: If you ride hard, with minimal stops, allow at least of 7 1/2 hours. If you want to enjoy your ride, allow for 10+ hours.

 

Originally Printed in the July 2010 Issue

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