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Last Update:  07/20/2010

Sightseeing Out of Frisco

Near Frisco and the Holiday Inn -- Lake Dillon

Frisco, Colorado -- A Great Place for Seeing Northern Colorado

NOTE:  We will not have any "organized" rides at Rockies-Gold 2010.  As at R-G 2007/2008, it is recommended that you meet folks at night, talk the rides over, and perhaps decide that you want to do the ride together.   Some of our Colorado rascals (or others) may want to lead a particular ride -- they can organize that ride as they desire, either in advance via the GL1800riders site or in Frisco.  Smaller groups for the rides (6 bikes or less) are highly recommended.

For 2010, Rockies-Gold has moved from Montrose to Frisco -- although everyone loved the great riding out of Montrose, quite a few folks wanted to be located this year so that they could ride the roads of northern Colorado.  It was also decided to hold the gathering in mid-September so that folks might see some of the fall colors in Colorado.  We might be a little early for peak colors, but there should be some color at the higher elevations.  To travel later increases the risk of early snow on the Colorado Passes -- it is still a possibility in mid-September, but if a storm moves through it should not last long and any snow on the roads would melt quickly.

Frisco, located in the center of the Summit County ski area, is a great place to locate for riding many of the great roads and seeing the awesome sights of northern Colorado.  Rocky Mountain National Park and many of the higher passes in Colorado are readily accessible on day rides out of Frisco -- you will not be disappointed.

Several day-trips are easily accessible from Frisco.  You may choose to do each ride as presented, or you might want to do a variation where you only do part of a particular ride.  As much as you can, you may want to choose your day-rides in advance to allow you to take-in areas that you did not include in your ride to and from Frisco -- a little planning can go a long way.  If you have never ridden in northern Colorado previously, then Rocky Mountain National Park is one ride that you definitely want to include.  The 100K ride makes for a long day, but provides a unique opportunity to ride passes that total more than 100,000 feet elevation -- all in one day, and with beautiful scenery.  The Butt-Kicker (also knows as The Taste of Colorado and WingNutZZ' favorite ride) allows for a real taste of the variety of Colorado, with high mountain passes, the beauty of the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, lots of sweepers, and lots of twisties -- this is a ride not to be missed. 

Since most of you will be coming to Colorado from other parts of the country, you will need to travel through other parts of Colorado in order to get to Frisco.  To assist in your planning you should take a good look at the Frisco Rides, but also take a good look at the Montrose Rides included in this site.  If you have never ridden the Million Dollar Highway (San Juan Skyway) or the Unaweep-Tebaguache Scenic Byway, both in western Colorado, you may want to include them in your travel plans.   The "Montrose Rides" page provides information on other routes in Colorado that you might wish to include in your travels.  If you have never ridden the Million Dollar Highway (San Juan Skyway) or Unaweep, you may want to include them in your travels.  If you have a couple of extra days beyond those that you will be spending in Frisco, you might spend them in Montrose -- from this location you can hit most of the great mountain roads that are located in southwestern Colorado.

Ahhh, so many great roads -- so many choices.  There just is not enough time.  Colorado:  Life is good!!!!

Safe Riding

Riding safely is always of paramount importance, but particularly at Rockies-Gold 2010.  Group riding can be a challenge, but particularly so in the mountains and canyons of Colorado.  You are responsible for your own safety.  If you are riding in a group and they are riding at a pace or style that is beyond your capabilities or comfort-level, safely drop-out of the group (let the tail-gunner know that you are not having a problem, but are just dropping back).  Before coming to Rockies-Gold please read the safety guidelines available via the link below.

Group Riding and Rider Safety

Rides out of Frisco

Other Maps and Descriptions at Colorado Directory

GPS Data Files:

[NOTE:  Since some GPS units cannot invert the route from that planned, each of the routes is provided in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, marked by the name followed by a CW (clockwise) or CCW (counter-clockwise), ie "100K CW" and "100K CCW" -- hopefully this will be helpful.]

[NOTE:  After downloading these files to your computer, you need to re-calculate the route in MapSource or your software before transferring them to your GPS.]

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Garmin GPS data file with all Frisco Routes and Waypoints (should work in most Garmin GPS units, but you will need to have your GPS recalculate the route using these points.

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Click here to download a GPS Exchange data file with all Frisco Routes and Waypoints (should work in most GPS units, but you will need to have the GPS recalculate the route using these points)

[click on the name on the map, or on the links below]

[click on the name on the map, or on the links below]

Google Earth -- You might want to use Google Earth to view the areas for the rides -- very good and very interesting, and free!

bullet   100K Ride:  Ten passes totaling more than 100,000 feet of elevation -- 435 miles
bullet   RMNP:  Rocky Mountain National Park, including Trail Ridge Road -- 243 miles
bullet   Butt-Kicker:  The best of Colorado scenery and riding -- 414 miles
bullet  Poudre Canyon:  One of the more beautiful river canyons in Colorado -- 350 miles
bullet   Independence:  Independence Pass is not to be missed; plus Glenwood Canyon -- 250 miles
bullet   Pikes Peak:  A ride to the top of Pikes Peak, 14,110 feet, overlooking Colorado Springs -- 280 miles
bullet Steamboat:  A nice ride to Steamboat Springs and perhaps on to Steamboat Lake -- 268 miles
bullet Canyon:  Up and down the canyons of the Front Range -- can you say twisties? -- 404 miles

 

A Couple of Unpaved Roads Worth Consideration

The following routes include a couple of unpaved sections, but they may be worth your consideration -- the Kebler Pass ride goes through some of the most beautiful Aspen in all of Colorado.  Both unpaved sections are treated for dust and this results in them being pretty hard-packed except for areas in the corners where some gravel kicks loose -- if it is a beautiful day and it has not rained recently (DO NOT DO if there has been recent rain), then you might want to consider these rides as they include some beautiful Colorado scenery, especially with the Fall colors.

bullet   Kebler:  Awesome Aspen country (fall colors) -- 320 miles
bulletKebler:  Kebler travels through some of the largest Aspen stands in Colorado and can be magnificent when the Aspen are turning golden.  Route includes Fremont Pass, Leadville, Arkansas River, Cottonwood Pass, Taylor Reservoir, Taylor River (awesome riding), Crested Butte, Kebler Pass, McClure Pass, Glenwood Canyon, and Vail Pass.  320 miles (53 are unpaved).
bulletTwo unpaved sections:
bulletWest side of Cottonwood Pass dropping down to Taylor Reservoir -- 13 miles
bulletCrested Butte to Paonia Reservoir via Kebler Pass -- 40 miles

 

bullet   Cottonwood:  Beautiful ride to Taylor River and beyond -- 286 miles
bulletCottonwood:  Cottonwood (also part of the Keebler route) provides some unique opportunities for seeing the Aspen in their Fall color, along with some great riding.  Route includes Fremont Pass, Leadville, Arkansas River, Cottonwood Pass, Taylor Reservoir, Taylor River (awesome riding), Monarch Pass, South Park, and Hoosier Pass.
bulletOne unpaved section:
bulletWest side of Cottonwood Pass dropping down to Taylor Reservoir -- 13 miles

Other Great Colorado Rides  -- click here

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Check these out to help you plan your ride across Colorado to Montrose