I'm planning to do a CDR in September and I'm looking for suggestions and possible riding partners. The plan is complicated as my bike in already in Arizona. I plan to fly to Tucson and then ride my DR650SE up a modified CDR route to St Mary, Montana and then back to Tucson, park it, and fly home. I've got several CDR tracks/routes from various websites but I'd like to work out a ride that's no rougher than 2-track forest roads - no ATV or single-track stuff. I figure I can do this ride comfortably in 2 weeks, but time isn't a restriction for me. Probably the only way this would work is if someone else already has a bike already in AZ (or a rental), but that's unlikely, so it'll probably mean everyone driving there and trailering their bikes, and then driving back. I know a few ODSC'rs have expressed interest in this type of ride (and some have actually done it, with Cliffshore Adventure's help) so if anyone if seriously thinking about it let me know and we'll see if something can be worked out. Bob DR650SE DR350SE
Bob I would go with you but, will be in Germany for part of September. You may encounter snow in the passes through Colorado.
So let's go in August I've been in Colorado a few times in the summer and there is NO GUARANTEED date for all the passes to be open - at the best, August and September give the most opportunities. I was thinking about going to Europe to do the Edelweiss Alps Touring Centre trip in September (only date still open) but I thought I'd do the CDR instead as the RV'ers, etc have finished their vacations and roads in the popular areas (Beartooth Pass, Going-to-the-Sun Road, etc) aren't bumper to bumper. Dates are flexible. Bob
Just returned from my trip. Not quite what I hoped for, but still very good. I decided if you can't go from one end of the CDR to the other, then at least go across it as often as you can ... I started and finished in Tucson (where my DR650 was parked) and most of my riding was in Colorado, but I managed side trips to Moab, Monument Valley NP, 4 Corners (CO, NM, AZ, UT), Rocky Mountain NP, and the San Juan Mountains (Ouray, Telluride, Ophir Pass, Million $ Hwy, etc). Just over 5000Km in 11 days. Bob DR650SE 2-DR350SE
Looks like it was still a great ride. Did you do it solo? Were any of the pass a problem. I hope to get down there in the next season or two. RR
Wow, looks like a great trip Bob! I would like to do that someday. Have you posted up the entire ride with more photos somewhere by any chance? Hardy
I couldn't find anyone with the time available to do a 3 week rideso I did it solo. The downside of that was I had to promise my wife I wouldn't go off-road - which is really the whole point of being in Colorado. However, I've had previous trips there that were almost fully off-road and done most of the good high altitude passes (Black Bear, Imogene, Engineer, Cinnamon, Ophir, Pearl, Tincup, Mosquito, etc) so I focused this trip on the good paved passes. There was no snow anywhere I rode, but it can be unpredictable. On the return leg from Georgetown to Durango it was snowing lightly on the Guanella Pass at 11,699' but nothing was staying on the road surface. If you plan a trip try to do it around late August as you have the best chance of all the passes being open. Bob
I stopped doing ride reports many years back, but I still try to post the more interesting rides on my Picassa web album. I'll probably have the photos up there in a few days. Bob
Hey Bob, I just come across your post. Did you ended up doing the ride? If yes do you have any gps maps you could share? I am planning a ride in July in Romania, but I would like to do Colorado, Utah, in August or September. Please let me know. Thanks, Ioan
I did go riding, mainly in Colorado, and crossed the CDR several times but wasn't able to do the actual CDR from Mexico to Canada. It's really tough to do a long point-to-point ride in the USA without complications in getting to and from the start and finish points. I don't think I'll get another chance at the CDR, but I'm sure I'll be back in CO, UT and hopefully MT/WY before I quit DS riding. In fact, one of the guys I went with to CO & UT in '09 wants to go again in late summer this year, so there may be another trip in the planning soon! I've got lot's of tracks and maps for those areas - some my own tracklogs, and lots from other sources - that are available for sharing. What type of trip are you planning? ADV (mainly paved and gravel roads), DS (ADV + Forest Access roads, Jeep roads/trails, minimal single track) or mainly Trail Riding (full offroad, extreme rough, single track)? Pity you don't live west of the GTA - the next 3rd Wed meeting at the Mohawk Inn, Campbellville may have people attending that are interested in a trip like you want. Bob
Thanks Bob, I am looking for forest roads gravel stay as much off payment as possible however I am not looking for extreme stuff. I will keep in touch. Ioan
