HarleyTechTalk

Could anyone tell me what is the best time to get through Denver? We are going to be passing through in the morning on the 15th and want to time our departure to get in and out as quick as possible. Going I-70 to Rifle Co.

The rush hour is not to bad it's Fri. Sat. mornings you have to be concerned about as everyone is heading into the mountains. if that's when your passing through I'd make it early in the am like 4am

Ardy, during week days, I-70 on the east side of Denver gets busy beginning around 6am, and slows a lot by 6:45 am.  That would be east of I-25.
Weekdays, west of I-25 starts stacking up by 3:30p, and a lot of bumper to bumper by 4pm.  Weekends not as bad, but much the same pattern in/around Denver.

As for weekends/weekdays heading west to Rifle on I-70, if you leave around 6am you will have a nice ride through the high country.  Weekends it starts getting busy around 7-7:30 and a lot more cars to deal with, some who tink that I-70 is their personal race track.

A lot of trucks to watch out for too, especially during the week.  They often only go the limit, or less on the various grades.

Hope you dont get claustrophobic, as Eisenhower Tunnel is over 1 mile long.  There are about 6-7 other tunnels before you get to Rifle, but no big ones, like EH.  If you dont want to go through it, there is an exceptional alternative to take Hwy 6 over Loveland Pass and into Dllon to link back up to I-70.  Its a great, great view and very scenic ride, highly recommended.  Even if you dont mind the tunnel ride, go around it over Loveland, you wont be sorry.

When I head west, I try to hit the C470/I-70 junction by 6:30am, and traffic isnt bad the rest of the way west.  Winter time is different, but I assume you arent riding I-70 this winter.  lol

menace

Reddog, Menace, thanks for the info. We will be going through Denver between 8 or 9 am tomorrow, so traffic shouldn't be to much of a problem. Menace I forgot about Loveland pass. Went up and over back in the 70's...don't quite remember the 70's,  but it's now on the itinerary. Was planning on going north out of Rifle but it looks like the whole of Wyoming is planning a Western Celebration or Rodeo of some sort this weekend, so south it is. Maybe Grand Junction, Gunnison, Pueblo or whatever looks good in between. Thanks again.

Ardy

Ardy, a Western Celebration of Rodeo in Wyoming, huh?  Well, that will draw most of the state, so about 300-400 people, not a big crowd.  lol  Cheyenne Frontier Days starts this week in Cheyenne, but traffic isnt bad for that.  Nothing much in Wyoming draws big traffic crowds.

Anyhow, I-70 will be a little crowded on the east side of I-25 for you at 8-9am.  But, after that it should be okay.  The ride up into the mountains will have a lot of trucks, but traffic will thin out by Idaho Springs or so, for the most part.  Good that its a week day, so not nearly as many cars on the road.

If you dont have a set track to follow, and you head west to Grand junction, you might just take Hwy 50 south to Hwy 550 and all the way to Durango.  Hwy 550 --Million Dollar Highway, as its called.  Goes through Montrose, Ouray and Silverton...awesome scenery--some of the best in Colorado. 

Although, I would bypass Grand Junction and head south at Glenwood Springs and pick up 133 off 82 and cut over McClure Pass to pick up Hwy 50 in Delta, then head south to Durango.  Lots of scenic riding for you, and gets off the super slab.

Once you get ready to come home, Hwy 160 east to 285 then over Hwy 50 to Pueblo is thats your intent.  Or, 285 north to Denver and out east from there isnt a bad ride either.  All depends on time and what you want to see.

If you do the Hwy 550 ride from Montrose to Durango, take the extra miles and head up to Telluride.  Pretty damn yuppy town (too bad), but its beautiful up there.  One of the prettiest areas of Colorado, IMO.

Have fun, ride safe and take lots of pics!

menace

Ditto to Dennis... the Montrose to Durango ride is simply the most awesome ride I've done. I've never said "wow" so many times in just those seeminly few miles. Beautiful and different and probably where "Colorado" got it's name and Mr. Denver got his Rocky Mountain High.

QuoteAlthough, I would bypass Grand Junction and head south at Glenwood Springs and pick up 133 off 82 and cut over McClure Pass to pick up Hwy 50 in Delta, then head south to Durango.  Lots of scenic riding for you, and gets off the super slab.

QuoteIf you do the Hwy 550 ride from Montrose to Durango, take the extra miles and head up to Telluride.  Pretty damn yuppy town (too bad), but its beautiful up there.  One of the prettiest areas of Colorado, IMO

+1   Follow this route and I guarantee it will be a ride you'll never forget.  Some of the best scenery and twisties on the planet. I wouldn't worry to much about Denver if you hit it before or after the rush I-70 stays moving fairly well.

Quote from: 82fxrstroker on July 14, 2009, 10:56:36 AM

QuoteAlthough, I would bypass Grand Junction and head south at Glenwood Springs and pick up 133 off 82 and cut over McClure Pass to pick up Hwy 50 in Delta, then head south to Durango.  Lots of scenic riding for you, and gets off the super slab.

QuoteIf you do the Hwy 550 ride from Montrose to Durango, take the extra miles and head up to Telluride.  Pretty damn yuppy town (too bad), but its beautiful up there.  One of the prettiest areas of Colorado, IMO

+1   Follow this route and I guarantee it will be a ride you'll never forget.  Some of the best scenery and twisties on the planet. I wouldn't worry to much about Denver if you hit it before or after the rush I-70 stays moving fairly well.

++1 ZILLION on the routes above. Just like them Old Milwaukee commercials say:
"It just DON'T GET no BETTER than THIS!"

I recall some pretty danged good grub & PIE at Froggy's Cafe in Delta (if it's still there - we were there in '96 or '97)