DC to Ft. Collins, CO - Most scenic route inquiry

[bobfromva]

Hey Guys....will be going to Ft. Collins in mid October for a week. Would love to find out if anybody has done this trip (perhaps Denver). I would really prefer to minimize my highway driving. I do need to make a stop in Iowa to pick up my wife....she will be flying from here to there to meet up with me. If anybody has any experience with this route, it would be great. Also, would be interested in getting your thoughts about what the weather may be and or any other obstacles I might run in to. Also...any special prep for the bike. Thanks again. Bob

[Chiba]

I'd be tempted to just head west on US 50.

Weather in that corridor can be pretty volatile in the summer - tornadoes in the midwest & thunderstorms, but they cover them well locally so it shouldn't be too hard to keep up with the forecasts.

Bike prep... check the tires, change the oil. Go!

--chiba

[lionlady]

Anton Largiader turned me onto Rt 36 for my ride to Denver, last summer.He and Meridith have family in Denver, and they take 36 when they ride out that way.

It runs from Indianapolis westward to Denver (saw a sign posted that said something along the lines of "Route 36 - the fastest route from Indianapolis to Denver"). Nice road, little traffic, pretty scenery, and a town every 30 miles or so if you want a break. It crosses the Mississippi at Hannibal, MO, which was a really cool town to have lunch.

The plains closer to Denver were absolutely amazing.

P

[Joints4sale]

I just did this last week, but I took the slab as my goal was to have more time in the rockies. I took I-64 to I-70 on the way out to Denver. On the way home I wanted to avoid Kansas so when I left Ft. Collins I took I-76 up into Nebraska then I-80. It can get very HOT on the plains and be aware of approaching thunderstorms. I saw some very impressive hail damage to cars. It took me two days out and two days back. If I had two weeks then I would consider rt. 36.

[lionlady]

I just did this last week, but I took the slab as my goal was to have more time in the rockies. I took I-64 to I-70 on the way out to Denver. On the way home I wanted to avoid Kansas so when I left Ft. Collins I took I-76 up into Nebraska then I-80. It can get very HOT on the plains and be aware of approaching thunderstorms. I saw some very impressive hail damage to cars. It took me two days out and two days back. If I had two weeks then I would consider rt. 36.

Oh, really? We did Rt 36 in three days (left from Columbus, OH, and picked it up west of there). Anton/Meridith do the trip from Charlottesville, VA in two. That's why he recommended it. A nice pace, without having to deal with the superslab.

P

[Joints4sale]

Oh, really? We did Rt 36 in three days (left from Columbus, OH, and picked it up west of there). Anton/Meridith do the trip from Charlottesville, VA in two. That's why he recommended it. A nice pace, without having to deal with the superslab.

P

If you only have one week to spend away from work or whatever then 3 days out and 3 days back only leaves you with one day for CO. I would love to avoid the slab but I don't think that you could maintain a high average speed on the back roads. I had even contemplated a "Bun Burner Gold" on the way home but I was just to tired to do that. To do 1500 miles in 24 hours you have to average 75mph for 20 hours of driving with 4 hours for rest and stops.

Anyway, enough hijacking of the thread.

Spend some time with Google Maps and look for something that suits you and your needs.

[ObiWan]

Hey Erik,

Well, a few weeks ago when I set out, I took a different route:

I rode down to meet up with my friend in Birmingham. The next day, we rode I-20 to Ft Worth, TX to see another friend. The next day, we rode north to Oklahoma City to meet my Dad for breakfast (he was working there). From OKC, we rode 287 all the way out the OK pan-handle and up the CO Grassy Plains to US Rte 50 over to Pueblo and then up to Colorado Springs to have dinner with my uncle (Dad's brother).

So, 3 days via a long route, but fun none-the-less.

After that, we took US Rte 50 west. To Salida, CO and up through the Rockies... And on from there...

While in CO, we missed a hail storm by about 20 minutes, but did not miss the NASTY thunderstorm in the Springs. Thankfully though, we were at my Uncle's house and the bikes were in the garage!

[bobfromva]

Outside of Google maps, is there a good resource for mapping? I went onto mapquest last night, its kinda difficult to figure out. I am almost tempted to "just go." My plans are a bit flexible, but I do need to be in Ft Collins on October 17th. I would like to figure on a 10 day trip (2 or 3 days in Ft Collins)...so that gives me about 3 1/2 days each direction. I am not real fond of long distances, but I figure I could comfortably do about 4-500 miles per day.

[ObiWan]

Outside of Google maps, is there a good resource for mapping? I went onto mapquest last night, its kinda difficult to figure out. I am almost tempted to "just go." My plans are a bit flexible, but I do need to be in Ft Collins on October 17th. I would like to figure on a 10 day trip (2 or 3 days in Ft Collins)...so that gives me about 3 1/2 days each direction. I am not real fond of long distances, but I figure I could comfortably do about 4-500 miles per day.

MS Streets and Trips works well. Maybe someone who has the software can "program" a route and e-mail it to you for your GPS?

Or you can use the "Old School" Trip Planner, the MAP system I always carry the Rand McNally US Atlas and use it frequently to decide what roads to take.

[bobfromva]

....good idea. I have the old BMW Navigator II so I am not sure how to program routes. I was even thinking of contacting AAA to see if they could do a Trip Tik for me.

[Yellowjacket]

....good idea. I have the old BMW Navigator II so I am not sure how to program routes. I was even thinking of contacting AAA to see if they could do a Trip Tik for me.

That is a part of your membership benefits and an excellent idea. I have requested Trip Tiks before the GPS days and were happy with the info. I also carried or bought maps along the way as needed.

Have a nice trip!