Originally Posted by BoilerUpXFire
BC, Have you ever driven the Dragon?? I only ask because Even (itsky) drives usually 2x a year all the way from CO to the Dragon. I am sure CO has some unbelieveable roads, but putting the Dragon/Hellbender to shame? I think not (it is listed on every list of the worlds best roads to drive I have seen, never seen CO mentioned). And as Doc said, we do hit it pretty hard out there, and as far as safety goes, the Dragon is about the only 'public' road I would even think about doing this.
BoilerUpXFire,
Yes, I have actually ridden (motorcycle) on the Gap before.
I've also spent some quality time on some other roads near the Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee border that were also really, really tasty, and much less crowded too, and enjoyed those, thoroughly. Highway 28 is my personal favorite, to be honest. That road is a kick in the pants.
And I know a whole lot of people to travel vast distances to go to the Gap, and hang out with groups of similar people, and have great times. Itsky is definitely one of those willing to travel to have a good time with good friends. I think just about every forum I'm on for cars and motorcycles has at least one get together at Deals Gap every year. If I attended all of them, I would have to get a second job just to afford it all.
And even though you haven't heard of the roads here in Colorado from your driving tourism books, doesn't mean that they don't exist. Colorado doesn't get the tourism dollars to promote anything other than its ski resorts, to be honest. Some of the roads are only open during the prime section of summer, like Trailridge. Here's a link to Trailridge, to give you an idea what we have here, that I'm sure you've never heard of (it even has a map of the road):
Rocky Mountain National Park - Park Area: Trail Ridge Road
Here's a link from GORP. While there, click on the link for the San Juan Skyway. That is also another gem we have here in Colorado, near Ouray.
Top 10 Scenic Mountain Drives: Trail Ridge Road, Colorado | GORP.com
Then we have the more local stuff, that's capable of curling your toes.
In fact, the Ducati Monster forum is having their yearly get together again at Ouray in early August. They've been doing this for several years now instead of going to the Gap.
I'll throw some more roads out for you to research on your own time, whenever you're curious:
Squaw Pass (Route 103)
Golden Gate Canyon (Highway 46)
Lookout Mountain
Boulder Canyon (Highway 119)
Lefthand Canyon
Peak to Peak Highway (also known as the Pothole to Pothole) (Highway 72)
Coal Creek Canyon (Highway 72)
Clear Creek Canyon (Highway 6)
Flagstaff Road
Poudre Canyon (Highway 14)
Big Thompson Canyon Road (Highway 34)
I could go on and on.
If you were completely insane, you might be able to do all of those in one day.
I say best to break it up into 3 days. Amazing roads, that are all vastly different, and all offer incredible views and thrills.
Much better than just going to one place, and driving one road, with hundreds of other people seeking the same thrill. Plus, with the massive elevation changes on some of these roads, your car is getting as much of a workout as you are.
Bring water, lots of water.
But, no one, other than the Ducati group, wants to come to Colorado for driving fun.
That's fine too, as it means the roads are always wide open, and undisturbed for us locals to enjoy.
I wrote another book.
Hope you aren't too upset about that.
Like I've said before, I'm a driving and riding enthusiast.
This is all fun to me.
BC.