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Up till now this website has focused on paved roads that anyone on a street bike would feel comfortable riding. That has left out a lot of good roads that are unpaved but still no problem to ride, and well worth doing so. This page is devoted to those.
Part of the impetus for this page comes from Larry Matkovich, who runs Larry's Custom Cycle in Canon City. Larry has offered to send me information on "dirty" roads, and he has developed a rating system for them. Here's what he says:
I'll be sending info on some dirty roads, as I have extra time. I will give a rating of 0-5 meaning in good weather with dry conditions. Most require state tags but some are open to OHV. I will probably not send any rated 4 or 5, and very few 3.
0 — Good maintained gravel road, rideable on any bike
1 — Fair gravel road, a bit more skill required, but OK for all bikes
2 — Doable but not recommended for sport bikes, full dressers, some cruisers especially 2-up
3 — OK for standard, and some cruisers (some not recommended), OK for adventure tour, dirt, and trail bikes (1-up recommended)
4 — Recommended for adventure tour, dirt, or trail bikes, 1-up only
5 — Dirt or trail bikes only, 1-up only (not for large adventure tour or dual sport)
Right at the beginning here, all of the roads are this page are going to be those Larry has sent me. As there get to be others I will flag the ones Larry sends as such and include their rating. Click the map for a larger version.
(Fremont#9/BLM/Teller#88),
Canon City to Cripple Creek, AKA Garden Park Road (paved lower Fremont county
section) Raynolds Avenue/Fields Avenue (in Canon City) — approximately 25
miles. Take Raynolds Avenue North from US 50 to Pear. Take Pear one block west to Fields Avenue. Turn North on Fields Avenue (you will stay on this road until Cripple Creek, but the name will change).
You will go about 10 miles on
the pavement before reaching gravel. There are a few points of interest on both
sides of road (also a Colo. DOW shooting range). Also check out Red Canyon Park.
After reaching the gravel you are on Shelf Road. This is a one-lane road
that is cut into the side of a mountain, (originally a stage coach route) about
300 feet above the valley. There is some good scenery and wildlife viewing. (I
have seen bear, mountain lion, deer, elk, and big horn sheep.)
Warning - Road maintenance is sparse. In spring the road may flood (one river crossing) and may still be snowpacked in spots until May or June. Mud may be bad. Check locally (Canon City Chamber, 719-275-2331, is located in Wal Mart parking lot, Fremont County Sheriff, 719-275-5555, usually has local road conditions).
Remarks
- Jim Kleiber wrote with these comments about the Shelf Road, and sent the photo
at left:
My family is a Classic Goldwing group, I myself ride a 78 GL1000
and my twin brother an 81 GL1100. We are two young men of 26 and regularly get
questions on why we ride such old bikes as opposed to newer or even sportier bikes.
This story is a great example of why we ride this unstoppable machine. Honda makes
a great bike that starts EVERY time, and as I recently relocated to Canon City,
I have had a great time exploring some great! riding in southern colorado.
Anyhoo, doing some research on 'Shelf Road' showed full dress bikes not suggested
to ride this road. If you aren't worried about a good cake of dust and some bumps....
This ride was BEAUTIFUL! It took about 5 - 10 minutes to adapt our riding to the
squirrely rear end of the heavy Goldwing on the loose dirt but am so glad we took
the ride. Anyone out there wants to see some true Colorado beauty and actually
up for a ride! instead of a garaged diaper wipe down. This road is a must do at
least once. Some dirt roads are the forgotten haven for motorcycle rides.
(Huerfano/USFS(San
Isabel) #415,#416/Las Animas #48.0,#46.0,#43.7) Cuchara to Aguilar AKA Apishapa
River Road, Cordova Pass — approximately 33 miles.From Cuchara take CO 12 South past the ski area to the top of Cuchara Pass. Turn east on the dirt road (USFS 415, but may also have a Huerfano county number). This road changes number several times but if you stay on the main road at all intersections you should arrive in Aguilar.
This road passes through some scenic mountain areas just south of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area (trail head and parking) and just north of the Spanish Peaks Wildlife Refuge. I have seen deer, elk, small game, fowl, and birds of prey. Eagles and hawks are here but rarely seen! Should also be bobcat, lion, and bear in area. Poisonous reptiles include rattlesnakes and gila monsters (endangered species).
Warning - No winter road maintenance. Road may be impassable due to snow as late as May or June. Fire regulations may be in effect. Call for road conditions:
Huerfano County - Chamber 719.738.1065
Sheriff 719.738.1600
Las Animas County - Chamber 719.846.9285 Sheriff 719.738.2211
USFS
(Pike and San Isabel) 719.553.1400 Hearing Impaired 700.859.1400
(Gunnison
#12) Crested Butte to CO 133 over Kebler Pass — approximately 29 miles.
Gunnison County Road 12 intersects CO 133 coming down off McClure Pass between Carbondale and Hotchkiss. According to Andy Simons, who sent me these photos, it is a "dirt road but suitable for all bikes (well graded and packed)."
Just to check, I did a web search and found another site where they described this road as "suitable for any vehicles." Elsewhere, any comments I found said it was fabulous. I've never been on this road myself but I can see that that is going to have to change. Click on the photos to enlarge them. Don't bother clicking on the map; unlike the others on this page it does not enlarge because there's no need.
