Colorado Rider's Guide (Motorcycle Guide)

People who have never visited Colorado, and the unadventurous who have, think of it as just steep green forested mountains, ski slopes and froo froo wine bars. Yep, thats true but there is a lot more to the Centennial State that conventional citizens thank fully ignore. Few places cram such geological topographical and cultural diversity within its borders. The arid and windswept Western Slope is sparsely stubbled with sagebrush and stunted evergreen. Southwest, lofty red, gold and lavender banded sandstone towers shoot out from crumbled remains of eroded outer layers. To the south, North Americas tallest sand dunes dare you to sink your toes into their soft backsides and climb to their tops. Sandwiched in between are indeed soaring mountains, gurgling streams, thick evergreen forests, alpine meadows and canyons carved into jagged granite...and froo froo wine bars. Through this splendor is wound network of seriously entertaining paved roads. Some have roots tracing back to wagon trails and stagecoach routes. All connect the different Colorados to each other. In a single day a rider can climb a steep, frigid pass, sweep through the wildflowers of an alpine meadow then drop down into a sweltering desert. Chapters 1 and 2 are general descriptions of Colorado and its riding. Chapters 3 through 7 describe our favorite hubs, Gunnison, Woodland Park, Grand County, Durango and Meeker, give dining and lodging suggestions then route, map and rate different day rides from them. Chapters 8 through 13 map and rate the best motorcycle routes connecting the hubs. Chapter 14, Around the State in Eight Days maps out a serpentine route over the best motorcycle roads the state offers. Chapter 15 is Favorite Roads.