CHEROKEE NC, 2018 Rally info....

[F6Bster]

FOR THE Colorado guys, one of the routes I am working on is to go south from Gillette Wy. and follow the below Google map link to Cortez,

https://goo.gl/maps/1bwUqswpMTt, does it seem feasible, are their a lot of unpaved roads in the national parks any problems w/my route in August... ? Thanks in advance.

If you stick with this route you might want to consider hitting Devils Tower since you will be so close. If not, then I would suggest heading south on US-85 out of the Black Hills. A little shorter and more interesting than going over to Gillette, and you'll make the trip just as fast. Guernsey and Ft. Laramie are interesting areas from the days of the wagon trains. The Register Cliff Monument is some interesting history.

Ride from Laramie down to Walden is very nice up over the mountain, and -125 over Willow Creek Pass down to Granby is a very nice ride also. I would consider getting off I-70 at Copper Mountain, riding to Leadville to Twin Lakes and over Independence Pass (awesome) to Aspen to Carbondale, and then -133 over McClure Pass as you have planned (great road with lots of sweepers). Rest of your routing is great.

No dirt roads on the route you have selected from the Black Hills and I think you will really enjoy it. I have ridden all of those roads.

B'ster.

[choptop]

Thank you F6Bster !!!!!!!!

Been to Devils tower a few times during the many Rally's.

[Az Wingrider]

Choptop,

F6Bster is right on with his advice and your route is very solid. His advice about riding from Twin Lakes to Aspen over Independence Pass is very good, that is a great ride and the pavement is good. As you get closer to Aspen the road becomes narrow so watch out for cages. Also I would advise topping off with gas in Gillette because it is 115 miles to Douglas with no gas.

Looking good
Az wingrider

[choptop]

Choptop,

F6Bster is right on with his advice and your route is very solid. His advice about riding from Twin Lakes to Aspen over Independence Pass is very good, that is a great ride and the pavement is good. As you get closer to Aspen the road becomes narrow so watch out for cages. Also I would advise topping off with gas in Gillette because it is 115 miles to Douglas with no gas.

Looking good
Az wingrider

Funny story, spent more time and frustration getting google map to get me from Leadville to Aspen, wasn't happening till I noticed that that road is closed from Oct - May and that must mean Google won't let me plot a route threw Independence pass at this time. Thanks for the heads up on the road and the gas !

[choptop]

Funny story, spent more time and frustration getting google map to get me from Leadville to Aspen, wasn't happening till I noticed that that road is closed from Oct - May and that must mean Google won't let me plot a route threw Independence pass at this time. Thanks for the heads up on the road and the gas !

New route has me heading SW from Sturgis on 85, and then over to Laramie. I will gas up as much as I can. Have a lot more reading and info gathering to do !

[jm21ddd15]

Just pulled up Independence Pass on Google terrain and zoomed in, damn, quite a road !

Good morning, Chop. Enjoy that ride, but be sure to bring some warm clothes! Most likely a bit of snow in the peaks. My ride thru the Beartooth pass, last June, was miserable. 35 degrees, sleet, snow, and high crosswinds. Hope you don't have that stuff.

[Az Wingrider]

If you do ride Independence Pass be sure to check out the Aspen Airport on the west side of town. I have never seen so many private jets in one place in my life. They will be parked on the field wing tip to wing tip, It is amazing the amount of money in that small resort town.