This ride will take you through arguably the most beautiful sections of the Rocky Mountains as you follow a circular path through southwestern Colorado. You will pass through historic mining towns, national parks and forests and world-class ski resort areas. On this trip you will see the San Juan Mountains, home to many of Colorado's elite group of 14,000 foot mountain peeks. Along the way you will see red-rock canyons, lush river valleys, hot springs and majestic mountain peaks and an area known as the 'Switzerland of America.' Bottom line is GET READY TO BE TAKING A LOT OF PHOTOS ON THIS TRIP!!!.
Some nice curves and an enjoyable road (more so on the Utah side)
Spectacular scenery and rock formations and wonderful deserted motorcycle roads. A 240 mile tour through some of the best roads in Colorado. Starting on State Route 141 heading north from Nucla, this amazing mountain road rivals any of the great roads in the US but is much less known and much less busy, indeed it is in fact, very remote. Spectacularly scenic beautiful Red Rock formations and little towns add to the charm of the road. Care should be taken when riding this road after heavy rain as it can become flooded. After reaching Grand Junction, take I70 for about 10 miles and exit onto Colorado State Highway 65. (the Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway) This great road between Mesa on the north and Cedaredge on the south side of the Grand Mesa, the largest flat top mountain in the world. After that, from Orchard City follow the road east, then south via state highway 92 to Black Mesa. The southern part of this road another particular highlight. ( Image: Colorado State Highway 65 ; Credit : Wikipedia Jeffrey Beall )
Truly excellent road that has everything a road bike rider would want, great views, excellent surface, little traffic and sweet curves.
Steep, blind and dark in places thanks to the canyon, this spectacular road is not for the faint hearted. 20% descent in places with sheer walls and switchbacks, what a road!
Take I-70 exit 62 south. Accesses (see) Grand Mesa Byway Loop at Colorado State Highway 65 (southbound) or Plateau Creek Canyon ride back to I-70 exit 49 (northbound). A few very tight corners. CAUTION: NO GAS AVAILABLE IN THE TOWN OF MESA.
This is a day-trip loop that can be ridden either direction east from Grand Junction via I-70 or south out of Grand Junction via US 50. The sweet part of the ride is Colorado State Highway 65 (the Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway) between Mesa on the north and Cedaredge on the south side of the Grand Mesa, the largest flat top mountain in the world. If you and your bike are up to it, there are also a few dual sport and off-road side and alternate routes along the Byway. The ride peaks at about 10,600 ft elevation at the Mesa/Delta County line. A major side route is the Land's End Rd. Cutoff, a partially paved 14 mile access to the viewpoint overlooking the Grand Valley and Grand Junction. Adventurous riders can short-circuit the loop by accessing Hwy 50 from Land's End via a steep switchback gravel road running west off the edge of the Mesa (not recommended for big road bikes!). The main (paved) Byway route between Mesa and Cedaredge is approximately 65 miles long over the top of the Mesa and suitable for all bikes and moderately experienced riders. The ride approaching Mesa from I-70 exit 49 on Hwy 65 is in Plateau Creek Canyon - many tight/decreasing radius corners and extremely scenic - hard to keep your eyes on the road! CAUTIONS: Especially in Plateau Creek section - you wil be sharing the road with large oil/gas field service trucks, steep grades with switchbacks up onto and coming off of the Mesa, watch for occasional rocks and gravel on paved surfaces, wildlife including Moose and Elk on the road, large elevation changes, occasional summer thunderstorms with severe lightning and sleet and/or snow even in July - check the weather, conditions can vary markedly between the north and south sides of the Mesa, and THERE IS NO GAS AVAILABLE IN MESA (north side - there is gas in Cedaredge).
A dead end route with spectacular views, seasonally closed. Great riding if you find yourself around these parts.
Very little traffic, this lost highway has the wonderful Douglas pass in the middle of it containing nice sweepers and switchbacks.
Good selection of sweepers and a few tighter turns. Can be occasional rockfalls, otherwise really good.
Great views, excellent corners. Nice ride.
Excellent road, great scenery, lovely curves = great fun.
Nice riding, many corners and the amazing Cliff Palace to see.
Nice mix of good scenery on the NM side then nice curves on the CO side.
Through the indian reservation, with some turns and many places to gas it.
Long straights, fast bends through the Indian Reservation and across into Colorado
Spectacular gravel trail. Views to die for
Winding up to the monarch pass, this road can be busy but includes so great sweepers
The road through the Colorado National Monument is south and west of I-70, with entrances near Grand Junction and Fruita, and appears as a very faint curvy line at the left edge of the map image. This is twisty two-lane desert mountain road overlooking deep red rock canyons with extraordinary eroded landscapes of balancing rocks and hoodoos. Great campsite overlooking Grand Junction along the northwest section of the road.
Leave from Grand Junction on Highway 50 before turning right on Colorado Highway 141. This road will take you through the spectacular red rock scenery of the Unaweep Canyon. A truly memorable experience.
A route well worth taking. Especially between Silverton and Ouray; this section is exceptional in both road and scenery. spectacular.