Top 5 Motorcycle Rides in Northern Colorado

For those of you who go by this whole "riding season" thing, it's here, sort of. With the weather getting nicer, here are some great rides for the newbies in Colorado.

Those of with motorcycles who live along the Front Range here in Colorado are very fortunate. I have ridden pretty much all over the country in more states than I can count on both hands and both feet. With all the riding I have done over years, I still think some of the best rides are just miles from where we live, no joke.

Here are my Top 5 favorites.

1. Poudre Canyon to Walden - The ride up Highway 14 starts outside of Fort Collins off Highway 287 as you head towards Laramie. Just turn West at Ted's Place on Highway 14 and twist on the throttle. The scenery is spectacular through the canyon but don't forget your cold weather gear as it can still get chilly any time of the year going over Cameron pass. Continue on to Walden, enjoy some lunch and head back home.
2. Stove Prairie Road - Stove Prairie connects Highway 14 to Masonville. This ride can be done from Highway 14 or from Masonville off Highway 34. From Loveland, take Highway 34 West out of Loveland towards Estes Park and then turn North when you see the sign for Masonville. At Masonville, turn left where the road ends on Buckhorn Road and enjoy the ride. About half-way, you come to Stove Prairie School which is where the road turns into Stove Prairie Road and you will continue North until it ends at Highway 14. Turn West and you will end up going over Cameron Pass and into Walden or turn East and head down the canyon back into Fort Collins. (If you are pressed for time you can turn East there at Stove Prairie school and ride down Rist Canyon which will drop you out at LaPorte and back into Fort Collins.)
3. Peak to Peak Highway - The Peak to Peak is probably the best ride around but to do it right, it will take you all day. Take Highway 34 West out of Loveland and head up to Estes Park. In Estes, go South on Highway 7. Continue West on Highway 72 into Nederland. From there you can head East down Coal Creek Canyon or continue on Highway 119 into Central City and then continue on to I-70 before heading East back into Denver.
4. Left Hand Canyon - This is another one of my favorite rides. To go up the the canyon, get yourself to Lyons which is just West of Longmont. Just before you get to Lyons, you will turn South on Hwy 36. Head south until you see the signs for left hand canyon and just follow that up until you see a road to the left. Take that and continue on up. The road will eventually drop you out on Highway 72 (Peak to Peak) where you can go South to Central City or North to Estes Park.)
5. Coal Creek Canyon - If you do the Peak to Peak ride and short on time, head down Coal Creek Canyon from Nederland. To get there just continue South out of Nederland on Highway 119 and then turn East on Highway 72 down the canyon through Pinecliff.

I didn't mention Rocky Mountain park because that is a ride that is beyond the Top 5 and a ride any motorcycle rider will know about. Going up over Trail Ridge out of Estes Park may not be for beginner riders but the ride up and over into Granby is one of my all-time favorites. If you have any questions, just send me an email and I'll be happy to answer them.