Colorado
Honda CRF300L Rally
July 21 - Aug 9, 2024
2300 miles riding
Drove truck to Flagstaff AZ (Best Western) 516 mi
Drove truck to Cortez CO (Baymont by Wyndham) 290
Naturita CO (Rimrock Hotel) 117
Norwood CO (Norwood Hotel) 148
Montrose CO (Stay Wise Inn Montrose) 150
Lake City CO (G&M Cabins) 128
Gunnison CO (Econo Lodge) 101
Salida CO (Silver Ridge Lodge) 163
Canon City CO (Best Western) 146
Canon City CO (Best Western) 152
Cripple Creek CO (Hotel St Nicholas) 47
Leadville CO (Columbine Inn) 102
Carbondale CO (Days Inn) 185
Craig CO (Best Western) 148
Saratoga WY (Hacienda Motel) 176
Dillon CO (Best Western) 204
Monte Vista CO (Best Western Movie Manor) 173
Cortez CO (Baymont by Wyndham) 175
Drove truck to Twentynine Palms CA (Fairfield by Marriott) 616
Drove truck Home (190)
On Suzuki DRZ400s Motorcycle (Trucked bikes to/from Chama NM. Rode 2,232 miles through NM, CO, WY)
July 22 - August 11, 2018
Itinerary:
1. Flagstaff, AZ (Best Western Pony Soldier Inn) - truck
2. Chama, NM (Cumbres Suites) - truck
3. South Fork, CO (Four Seasons Lodge) 106 miles
4. Salida, CO (Silver Ridge Lodge) 173
5. Gunnison, CO (Rodeway Inn) 113
6. Paonia, CO (Rocky Mountain Inn) 142
7. Rifle, CO (Rodeway Inn) 142
8. Baggs, WY (The Cowboy Inn) 137
9. Saratoga, WY (Hacienda Motel) 96
10. Saratogo, WY (Hacienda Motel) 130
11. Steamboat Springs, CO (Steamboat Mountain Lodge) 126
12. Eagle, CO (Best Western plus Eagle Lodge) 129
13. Buena Vista, CO (Best Western Buena Vista) 92
14. Canon City, CO (Best Westen Canon City) 137
15. La Veta, CO (La Veta Inn) 126
16. Fort Garland, CO (Mountain View Motor Lodge) 120
17. Red River, CO (Copper King Lodge) 144
18. Taos, NM (Casa Benavides) 58
19. Chama, NM (Cumbres Suites) 120 / 2,232 total riding
20. Kingman, AZ (Best Western Wayfarer) - truck
21. Home - truck
During July 14 - August 16, 2020 we rode Suzuki DR-Z400s motorcycles on a 5,845-mile journey along the Continental Divide going north, then the Great Pacific Divide going south. The route was predominantly on dirt and gravel. It was a fantastic dual-sport motorcycle trip!
Daily stops and miles were:
1. Blythe CA (220 miles) BW SureStay Sahara
2. Flagstaff AZ (254) BW Pony Soldier
3. Cortez CO (266) Baymont by Wyndham
4. Ouray CO (139) Ouray Chalet Inn
5. South Fork CO (178) Four Seasons Lodge
6. Salida CO (169) Silver Ridge Lodge
7. Aspen CO (181) Tyrolean Lodge
8. Georgetown CO (148) Georgetown Colorado Hotel
9. Steamboat CO (201) La Quinta
10. Rawlins WY (152) Hampton Inn
11. Lander (160) Rodeway Inn Pronghorn Lodge
12. Pinedale WY (166) Best Western
13. Island Park ID (231) Sawtelle Mountain Resort
14. Salmon ID (201) Super 8
15. Helena MT (235) Days Inn
16. Seeley Lake MT (128) Seeley Lake Motor Lodge
17. Libby MT (184) Evergreen Motel
18. BIKE SERVICE: Change tires, oil, clean air filters in Libby MT
19. Cheney WA (174) Holiday Inn Express
20. Wenatchee WA (181) Best Western Chieftain
21. Naches WA (144) Silver Beach Resort
22. Gov’t Camp OR (189) BW Mt Hood Inn
23. Sisters OR (153) BW Ponderosa Lodge
24. Crescent Lake OR (124) Williamette Pass Inn
25. Ashland OR (165) BW Windsor Inn
26. Weed CA (179) Comfort Inn Mt Shasta Area
27. Mineral CA (153) Lassen Mineral Lodge
28. Truckee CA (163) BW+ Truckee-Tahoe Hotel
29. Pollock Pines CA (128) Westhaven Inn
30. Mariposa CA (167) Miner’s Inn
31. Exeter CA (174) Kaweah Motel
32. California City CA (159) Best Western California City Inn
33. Banning CA (208) Hampton Inn & Suites
34. Home in Southern California (144)
Bikes: 2020 Suzuki DR-Z400s
Tires: Dunlop D606 Rear and Pirelli MT21 front
Luggage: Wolfman Mini Beta Bag
Navigation: Garmin Montana GPS
2,862-mile Dualsport Ride in California,Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada
during Sep 16 - Oct 2, 2020 on Suzuki DR-Z400s Motorcycles
STOPS
01. Blythe CA (230)
02. Chino Valley AZ (179)
03. Page AZ (221)
04. Escalante UT (190)
05. Bullfrog Marina UT (126)
06. Blanding UT (162)
07. Cortez CO (155)
08. Silverton CO (101)
09. Norwood CO (119)
10. Green River UT (167)
11. Price UT (119)
12. Price Loop (121)
13. Manti UT (129)
14. Cedar City UT (178)
15. Caliente NV (131)
16. Boulder City NV (165)
17. Palm Desert CA (260)
18. San Diego CA (101)
When should I ride in Colorado?
Planning dual-sport motorcycle rides across multiple states requires balancing weather conditions to avoid snow, cold temperatures, and other seasonal challenges. Below are recommendations for the best months to ride in Colorado—while avoiding snowfall, unmelted snowbanks in high mountain passes, and temperatures below 45°F, or excessive heat. These suggestions focus on optimal riding conditions, considering elevation, regional climate variations, and typical weather patterns
Colorado
Recommended Months: June, July, August
Details:
June: High passes (e.g., Imogene Pass) start opening, with 50s-70s°F. Snow lingers early but clears by mid-month.
July: Best month—60s-80s°F, all passes open. Afternoon thunderstorms possible but manageable.
August: Warm and dry (60s-80s°F), though late-month storms increase. Snow-free until September cold fronts.
Avoid: October-May (heavy snow, sub-45°F).
Recommended Best Month: July
Summary: Colorado’s Rockies hold snow in passes like Independence Pass until June. July ensures melted snowbanks and 60s-80s°F weather, perfect for dual-sport routes. August works too, but afternoon thunderstorms increase. Earlier months are too cold and snowy, and fall brings early freezes.