The MadMap Rides...         (The 'Other' Rides)

WeSTOC is known for it's great riding opportunities. In fact, the primary decision on where to hold WeSTOC revolves around whether or not the location has great rides!

WeSTOC XI is certainly no exception to this rule! If you like tight twisties, monster sweepers, spectacular scenery and huge elevation changes... this is the place for you!

While you are certainly welcome to do so, it's not necessary to cross the Continental Divide to find the best rides. The road to Mt. Evans, the highest paved road in North America at 14,258 feet above sea level, is less than an hour away. While it does have a number of tight 180-degree switchbacks, it's not a difficult technical ride, even two-up, but you will still need to pay close attention. Watch out for the numerous mountain goats and big horn sheep, they seem intrigued by motorcycles. Fuel-injected bikes will have no problem with the altitude, nor will the modern carburetted bikes, the latter will just need to carry a few more RPM's. (If going to Mt. Evans, see note on ride #5, below)

If you have a Golden Eagle or Golden Age pass, bring it. Otherwise a 3-day pass is available for just $3 at the entrance. It will also allow you into Rocky Mountain National Park and Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuously paved road in North America. There are also deer along all these roadways...again, pay attention and avoid blind-turn banzai runs.

Trivia: Colorado contains 75% of the land area of the U.S. with an altitude over 10,000 feet.

 

MadMap Ride 1 - America the Beautiful - 217 Miles

The view from Pikes Peak is said to have been the inspiration for the song, 'America the Beautiful'. Enjoy the sweeping panoramas as you circle Pike National Forest and then wind your way along the north for of the South Platte River.

Warnings: Use caution during inclement weather on the portion of the loop between Schaffer Crossing and Sphinx Park; the road is well-graded dirt.

Directions: Exit the Marriott parking lot, take a right. Turn right at the light and another right onto the westbound I-70 ramp. Travel west on I-70 West. Stay right and merge onto C-470 East. Ride 8 miles to exit on US 285 South. Pass through Conifer and then left on Jefferson CR 126. (FYI: Clearview shop is about two blocks to the right of this signaled intersection). Continue to Deckers, where the road joins US 67 South. Turn right on US 24 West, and follow it 10 miles to the Florissant Fossil Beds. Turn right on CO 9 North in Hartsel. Go 18 miles and turn right on US 285 to Fairplay. Continue on US 285 through Jefferson, Bailey and Pine Junction to return to the Marriott in Golden via C-470 and I-70 east.

Maps, Directions and Data Files (rev 3)

MadMap Ride 2 - Short, Sweet and Sassy - 73 Miles

The memories will linger long after you've finished this short ride, which will whisk you along the winding curves of Coal Creek Canyon and then send you sailing through the sweepers along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. The ride winds down to a twisty run through Golden Gate Park. You'll have plenty of time left to tour the Coors Brewery in Golden.

Warnings: Watch for stray wildlife, water, rocks and even ice on the mountain roads; beware of sand and loose gravel along the switchbacks.

Directions: Exit the Marriott parking lot, take a right. Turn right at the light and another right onto the westbound I-70 ramp. Travel west on I-70 West. Exit onto US 40 and then onto US 6. Follow US 6 North to US 93. Head North on 93, then take Co 72 west up the winding curves of Coal Creek Canyon, through Wondervu, Pinecliffe, and on to the junction with CO 119. Turn right and follow into Nederland and go completely around the traffic circle to return in the direction you came. When you reach the turn for CO 72, stay straight for CO 119 on through Rollinsville. Turn left on CO 46 for the winding curves through Golden gate Park. Turn right on CO 93 and then back to US 6, then US 40 and finally West on I-70 to return to Golden and the Marriott.

Attractions: Enjoy a meal on the deck of the Sundance Cafe and Lodge on the southern outskirts of Nederland or the Wondervue Cafe in Wondervue on Hwy 72 of the return leg. Both places are biker friendly, have good food and indoor/outdoor dining.

Maps, Directions and Data Files

MadMap Ride 3 - Riding High - 106 Miles

(Note: The last 5 miles (of 15) of road to the Mt. Evans summit will be closed for the season starting Tues. 9/5/06, according to CDOT.)

This high altitude loop takes you on a fabulous ride up Bear Creek Canyon and then along the highest paved road in North America. The ride down is a twisty run through the towering peaks lining Clear Creek Canyon. Finish off the adventure with a stop in historic Idaho Springs.

Warnings: Look for signs 'Motorcyclists Use Caution' as you begin up Bear Creek Canyon. Hazards include bicyclists, sand, rocks and some decreasing radius turns.

Directions: Exit the Marriott parking lot, take a right. Turn right at the light and another right onto the westbound I-70 ramp. Travel west on I-70 West. Exit onto US 40. Head west on US 40. Exit US 40 to the left onto US 26 South (pass under I-70 and south towards Morrison). Head south on US 40. Exit US 40 onto US 26 South. Continue up and over the hogback and turn left on Jefferson CR 93. Follow it into Morrison and turn right at the light onto CO 8. Go through town and stay straight for CO 74 West towards Evergreen. Enjoy the 20+ miles of curvy road through Bear Creek Canyon. Go through town and stay right to stay on CO 74. Turn left on Squaw Pass Road, towards Mt. Evans (if open). The road becomes CO 103, which you follow to CO 5. Turn left for a 15-mile drive up the highest paved road in the U.S. to Mt. Evans. After reaching the summit, return down to CO 103 and turn left towards Idaho Springs. Cross I-70. Turn right on Miner St. for a cruise through Idaho Springs and back to I-70. Continue East on I-70 to Exit 244 US 6. Follow US 6 along Clear Creek Canyon and turn right to stay on US 6, then to US 40 and finally West on I-70 to return to Golden and the Marriott.

Attractions: Soothe your aches at the hot springs in Idaho Springs.

Maps, Directions and Data Files

MadMap Ride 4 - Rocky Mountain National Park - 215 Miles

You'll be climbing thousands of feet in a matter of minutes as you enjoy the postcard panoramas from the Trail Ridge Road. There may be gold in them thar creeks alongside the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway where the Aspens cloak the hills in a vivid patchwork of autumnal hues.

Directions: Exit the Marriott parking lot, take a right. Turn right at the light and another right onto the westbound I-70 ramp. Travel west on I-70 west to Exit 232 (US 40). Go west to Granby (over the Berthoud Pass). Go right on US 34 East (Trail Ridge Road) into Rocky Mountain Park (Fee required) and then into Estes Park. Continue through Estes Park to CO 7 South (follow signs). Go Right on CO 72 (Peak to Peak Hwy). Approx. 3 miles past Nederland, turn left to stay on CO 72 (Coal Creek Canyon). Turn right on CO 93 (Foothills Rd.). Follow it to 6th Ave East (US 6), then to US 40 and finally West on I-70 to return to Golden and the Marriott.

Attractions: Tour the grand halls of the Stanley Hotel, best known for its haunting presence in Stephen King's "The Shining". Remember that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" so be sure to take the time to explore the great outdoors of Rocky Mountain Park.

Maps, Directions and Data Files (rev 2)

MadMap Ride 5 - Poudre Canyon and North Park - 301 Miles

Once you've put a few miles of Interstate behind you, the rest of the ride is rugged ranges and wide-open spaces through the beautiful Poudre Canyon, into North Park and over the Berthoud Pass. Feel what it's like to ride the wilderness.

Warnings: Road hazards include sand and sometimes snow. Large stretches of CO 125 are open range so look out for animals. Check weather conditions before starting this ride and consider packing extra gear. Check your fuel in Walden; it's a bit far to the next pump.

Directions: Exit the Marriott parking lot, take a right. Cross the freeway overpass on get onto East I-70. Follow I-25 North to Ft. Collins. Take Exit 269, Co 14 West. Jog through town staying on CO 14 West. CO 14 will join with CO 287 briefly; make sure to stay on CO 14 West/ Follow the Cache La Poudre River for several miles and head over Cameron Pass through Gould and into Walden. This is your last gas stop for 50+ miles so make sure you have adequate fuel. CO 14 is joined by CO 125 in Walden: follow CO 125 south, taking you through the wide open spaces of the North Park and down through the sweepers of Arapaho National Forest. You will intersect US 40 just before Granby. Turn left for US 40 East. Continue through Granby, Fraser, Winter Park, and over the wonderful curves of Berthoud Pass. You can then jump on I-70, heading east to Golden.

Attractions: Relax with a meal and some live entertainment at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre in Bellvue.

Maps, Directions and Data Files

Garmin Mapsource File with all Rides

NOTE!! The GPS routes available above were created using Garmin's Mapsource program and the City Navigator North America v7 map database. This is the map database that comes with the Garmin 2610 family of gps devices. If you have an earlier version of City Navigator (v6), or if you own a different gps, or use a different map set with your gps, you must verify these routes before using them!! Due to differences in the various map sets, you <may> get a slightly different route when using the provided routes!! To verify the route, load it into Mapsource, double click on the desired route in the route list, and select 'recalculate route'. Mapsource will then use the route waypoint data and your map database to create the route. <Sometimes> the route you get can vary from the desired route due to differences in the various map databases. Carefully compare the route you get with the routes above. If you do see a deviation from the desired route simply right click on the route and select 'insert route section', then pick a point on the desire road. Mapsource will modify the route to include that road section. You can then upload the route into your gps.

The verification process is an important step if you are using anything other than a 2610 and the v7 database. Even if you upload these routes into a different gps and they <look> correct, be wary! The first time the gps <thinks> you're off route it will perform a recalculation of the route and <may> change the route to <something> different!!