78 Shadow Mtn. Dr Northwest from US285 to 73:
This 12 mile section takes you through some nice relaxing twisty sections of road. Watch out for other vehicles as there are plenty of driveways off of this road. You do go through a nice empty section through the "Arapaho National Forest", see pictures below. Note that this road has many names.

Photos of along 78: 1, 2

65 from 74 to I70:
This road is only 2.5 miles long but was still a blast to ride. No traffic, and pretty twisty.

119 North from I70 to Nederland:
Early on this 28 mile road is pretty busy with traffic going to Black Hawk where a lot of Casinos are located. Once past Black Hawk the road becomes pretty empty with not much around you. The road is smooth, and flows pretty good with easy to ride sweepers. Watch out for wildlife. Also note the gas station I saw in Nederland looked closed, maybe due to something going on in town as there were a lot of tents setup, and people walking everywhere.

72 North to 7:
22 miles of emptiness till you hit 7 and head up to Estes Park, CO. Just like 119, this road will make your day. A very fun road and well worth hitting it up.

7 North to Estes Park, CO:
20 miles of wilderness to Estes Park, CO. There are many trail heads off of this road (Twin Sisters, Longs Peak, Lily Mountain).

34 West from Estes Park through RMNP to US40:
This is a 63 mile section of road, that takes you through the "Rocky Mountain National Park". It cost $20 per person. I have an annual pass and my brother in-law pulled up to my right and the ranger never asked him for ID, or money, or if he had a pass. I just showed mine and we went through.

The speed limit in the park is like most National Parks pretty slow so thus that 63 miles could take you many many hours to ride/drive. Although not being one to follow speed limits to a "T" I think it took us an hour or maybe slightly more to get through the park. Sorry for the lack of photos and the weather was getting nasty and we did not plan to go on such a long ride so we only stopped for the restrooms and I got a few shots of Elk. See photos below.

This road is very twisty, and lacks any real guardrails on most of it. Also there are signs that warn you on how the weather can change without notice. Probably best to be prepared when you head through here. This would be well worth the $20 if I had to pay it.

Photos of Elk in the RMNP: 1, 2

US40 to I70:
52 Miles of interesting road. The real excitment starts as you get closer to I70, and the road becomes very twisty, with slow switchbacks that never seem to end. The pavement was in pretty good shape except for some of the switchbacks which had a ripple effect to them. Also you are at 10,000 plus feet so it can be a lot colder then down below on I70. So remember to wear layer, after all this is CO and it can rain, snow, or be 90+ degrees outside every changing from one valley to the next.

82 from Balltown, CO to Aspen, CO
This 42 mile section of road takes you up just past 12,000 feet. As you head up the road from the east the road is in pretty good shape. There can be a lot of traffic from motorhomes to other riders so the going can be slow. There are many areas to park and take in the dramatic views of the mountains and valleys. At the peak there is a huge parking lot, and plenty of out houses and people all lined up. You can take a short walk to an overlook and get some great photos. As you head west fromt he peak (downhill) the road gets rough, and there can be water crossing the road from one of the many small waterfalls. Also watch out for the rocks that can be in the middle of the road. This road is also popular with the bicycle crowd so watch out for them too. The road into Aspen is down to one lane with a flagger (I turned around as it would of been pointless for me to wait just to turn around in 2 miles at Aspen). Overall this is a pretty fun road to ride, so check it out.

Photos of along 82: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

11 Near Cripple Creek to 9
I got to say this 23 mile section of road has to be some of the best riding around these parts. Some paper maps show this as partly paved, and my Garmin Zumo 550 GPS showed this as all being dirt. You will be touching pegs down in the twisties. A holiday weekend and I only saw 2 other vehicles on this stretch of road, a very nice change. So now everytime I head to Cripple Creek I will be including this as a must ride section. This is a 5-star road for the sportbike crowd.

103 Loop near Mt. Evans
This 31 mile section of road goes up to 10,500 feet so it can get pretty cold. The road is smooth, and there are plenty of pull offs for photos. This is the road you would take to Mt. Evans (Worlds Highest paved road). Mt. Evans was not open when I did this loop, unlike Pikes Peak it is not year round so call before heading out to see it. Remember to get gas too, because there is nothing along this section and I'm not sure how long the road up to Mt. Evans is. Better safe then sorry.

Photos of 103 (Mt. Evans Loop): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

County 611 out of Boone to Yoder, CO
This 45 mile section of road on my paper map looked mostly paved except what seemed to be a 5 mile section in the middle. Seeing as I did not want to take I25 back to the Springs area I decided to check this out. What simple seemed like it should of been 5 miles turned out to be about 20 miles of unpaved very soft dirt/rock mixture. The southern section of of Boone, CO is paved and is pretty nice, and a shame it is not paved all the way through to Yoder, CO. The northern section is also a nice lined road, although slightly more rough and tore up although it looked to have been patched not that long ago. I do heed warning to anyone thinking about going this route on a street bike. If you are on a Dual Sport or plated dirt bike this road is a gem. You are really out in the middle of no where. Good luck and be carefull, as help might not be coming any time soon on this section of road.

Photos of County Road 611 (Boone, CO to Yoder, CO): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

69 From Westcliffe to US50
This 24 mile section is a great cruiser style road. Because of the sweeping corners it can be fast paced, but being a main road I would not want to not think cops don't patrol it so it is for those looking for a relaxing outing. Westcliffe offers you BBQ, and gas stations.

67 South out of Canon City, CO to 96
This 12 mile section starts out straight as you go by the Prisons. And is a rolling road through the farmland towards the mountains. Watch out there are some tight corner son this section at the end of long straights so do heed warning to the signs.

96 Heading West from 67 to Westcliffe, CO
This 26 mile section starts out straight as you turn off of 67 but soon becomes a really fun road. After you pass the turn off for Bishop Castle 96 turns into a fast paced sweeping style of road all the way to Westcliffe, CO.

Photos of 96 from 67 to Westcliffe, CO: 1, 2

Royal Gorge Loop (Canon City)
The eastern section of this 12 mile loop is pretty well kept. It can be slow going as tourist like to go in their RV's and check the Gorge out. I believe it is $24.95 to walk around, which includes a trip down to the bottom of the Gorge in a rail car. For $34.95 you can get a season pass good for 1 year which I recommend because I have already gone 3 times and plan to go a bunch more. With your ticket cost remember you are able to drive/ride across the bridge. Most people do not realize this. So thus once you cross the bridge, remember to park on the bridge and get a photo of your bike you then can loop back out to US50. The Western section of road is not as well kept up, and is rough in sections with pottholes, so becareful and go slow.

Photos of Royal Gorge: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Mesa Verde National Park
It will cost you $10 to get into this park, but it is well worth it. The National Park passes are the best buy at $80 and get you into all the National Parks around the country. This route was about 30 miles long, and yet the whole thing was not open. This is a good days ride in itself. The Guided tours are $3.00 each and you will need to reserve your spot the day before most likely as it gets booked pretty quick. The tour of "The Palace" takes one hour and you will be hiking down and back up again. The roads offer many views, with pull offs. There is a lot of rental RV traffic, so expect a lot of idiots driving around up there. Also considering it is May, it was in the 70's so I could imagin this place getting pretty hot in the summer time so pack a lot of water. Roads are smooth so enjoy.

Photos of Mesa Verda National Park: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

50 West of Salida to Montrose, CO
This is a very nice ride, just remember you are on 50 which does have cops (State Troopers), and they seemed to like to work in teams as you come down the curvy mountain roads. It is hard to to speed as the roads are so nice but I would not go above 5-10mph over the limit. Just sit back and relax and enjoy the great views you will have from this section of road.

145 S of Placerville to Cortez, CO
For the most part this road is nice till you get down out of the Mountains then it gets a little boring. There is gas in Placerville and gas in Cortez. Also Telluride is up along this road too, which has gas, and food and a small town feel to it. Expect to pay $$$ for gas, food, and lodging. Rustco an Itialian resturant in town was nice, and has over 500 bottle of wine, from $10 a glass to $4,800 a bottle. The wife and I both got Pasta she got the special at $29.99 and mine was $19.99. Very good food, but they are small portions and it is debatable whether it was worth the $$$$$. Also lodging is very expensive, expect to pay $200 for a normal room or $500 a night for the 1 Bedroom Suite. We stayed at "The Hotel Telluride". Also note that the town is on off-season which means very few shops are open for two months (April 6th to about May 22nd). however if you are just riding by I still recomend in stopping and checking it out

US 160 West of Durango to Alamosa, CO
On my paper map this road is listed as scenic. It is just a main road with a lot of traffic on it that you got to deal with. I found nothing scenic about it US 160. In fact I found it quit a bore and let down. Really no fault of the road, as there are not many roads that go west and east in CO and this ones runs across the southern section for the most part. See as you are most likely going to HAVE to take this road to explorer the good ones off it, it plays a role in your travels around CO. Just don't expect anything special because it has scenic dots on the map.

285 South and 17 South to Alamosa, CO
This section is so flat and straight you will get bored very fast. However there are a few attractions along this section you could check out like the UFO Watch tower which will be ont he left hand side as you are heading north. Or the Alligator farm that will be on your right that you can buy tickets and go see. Also the"Great Sand Dunes National Park" is just east of 17. I guess one positive side to this section of road is that you will be able to pass people very easily and get to try out your bikes top speed.

550 South of Ridgway to Durango, CO
This road is pretty famous and is called the "Million Dollar Highway". Where the name comes from in unknown but one thing is for certain you will be hanging on to dear life as you carve your way through the mountain passes. In May this area can still see quit a bit of snow and the weather can be iffy, also there will be a lot of sand in the roadway which makes it that much more scarrier. You will have great views from this road so stop often to take a break from being stuck behind another RV. You will go over Red Mtn. Pass @ 11,008 ft., Molas Divide @ 10,910 ft., and Coal Bank Hill Pass @ 10,640 ft.

Photos of US 550: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

105 North out of Monument, CO
This is a nice sweeping road, that runs along the front range. Very relaxing, and you will be tempted to speed, I would recommend against it. I have seen cops along it every time I have taken it. A few times they were sitting there shooting radar waiting to nab someone. Check out O'Malley's Steak Pub on the south section across from Palmer Lake, hard to miss the place as you will see motorcycles all along the roadway on the weekends. I hear they have a great burger.

11 Southeast Out of Castle Rock, CO heading toward 83
This is a slow going road, spee dlimit I believe was 35mph along much of this road. Not a bad road, but not the best that CO has to offer. This section of road is about 11 miles.

83 South of Franktown, CO
The 30 Mile section of this road is in the upper plains located southeast of Denver, and will take you all the way to Colorado Springs. You might get to see some bison, as you go through one of the many sweepers on this road. I also recommend checking out "Castlewood Canyon State Park" along this road. Allt he time sI have taken this road I have yet to see police, what you will see a lot of is other motorcyclist enjoying this road. A great was to advoid I25, and I believe it ends up being faster with no stress or headaches like you otherwise would receive by taking I25.

12 South of 160 Near La Veta, CO
This 69 Mile loop on CO 12 (Highway of Legends) will take you through the San Isabel Nation Forest, Cuchares Pass, Past Trinidad State Recreation Area, and back to I25 ending in Trinidad, CO. Near La Veta there was some resurfacing being done. The road was smooth, and there were a few restrooms in San Isabel National Forest as you weave your way along this backroad. Traffic should be lite, as there are no large Cities near other then Trinidad, CO. There is even a ski area up in these mountains, so at times it can be cold.

126 South of 285 Silver Springs, CO
This 25 Mile section of road will satisfy all your needs and wants. From Decker, CO (67) northwest to 285. On this road you will mostly be in the "Pike National Forest", and can go all the way south to Woodland Park, CO.

Photo of 126: 1

77 South of 285 Jefferson, CO
This is a 42 Mile adventure in dodging potholes. Although at one time this was a nice road through the high plains and mountains it has been neglected. If you are a diehard backroad explorer then go for it, there is little to no traffic, and for the most part this road goes through "Pike National Forest". This road goes by the name Tarryall Rd or County Road 77. You will be dumped out just west of a town on US24 called Lake George, CO