Gunnison or Buena Vista?

[AzDesertRider]

I have narrowed it down to Gunnison or Buena Vista CO. for my last nights stay before we roll into Golden on the 4th. Any advise or experience with these two towns?

[ChucksKLRST]

I have narrowed it down to Gunnison or Buena Vista CO. for my last nights stay before we roll into Golden on the 4th. Any advise or experience with these two towns?

You will want to stay in Gunnison, as Buena Vista is only about 3 hours from Denver. Riding over Monarch Pass early in the morning is very inspiring. It will also still give you enough time to ride to the top of Cotton Wood Pass just outside of Buena Vista, and still get into Golden at a reasonable hour. Be aware that only the east side of CottonWood pass is paved but it is a great ride up and down, early before the tourist start up. Gunnision is a larger town. Rooms will be easer to find.

If it were me I would leave out of Gunnison early, say sun rise, and have breakfast in Buena Vista.
Than ride to the sumit of CottonWood Pass and then head into Golden, arriving about 3 to 4 oclock in the afternoon. :03biker: but that is just me.

Attached are pictures at the summit of CottonWood

[Putt]

I agree with Chuck, Gunnison is a easy days ride from Denver...

Putt..

[AzDesertRider]

Thanks Guy's. It's great to hear from someone with first hand knowledge. I did find a better deal on a room in Gunnison that will add to my Choice Privilege member points. How bout the ride from Cortez to Gunnison? Planning on going though Silverton & Montrose.

[ChucksKLRST]

Thanks Guy's. It's great to hear from someone with first hand knowledge. I did find a better deal on a room in Gunnison that will add to my Choice Privilege member points. How bout the ride from Cortez to Gunnison? Planning on going though Silverton & Montrose.

It is a nice route over the Million Dollar highway, but I would take 145 out of Cortez to Telluride. Have lunch in Telluride and then take 62 over to Ridgeway then 550 into Montrose. Only becouse I want to stay away from the tourists coming out of Durango to Silverton. Second choice for me would be east on 160 to South Fork than over 149 to Lake city to 50 into Gunnison. All three are great rides, but my choices are off the Main 550 route. The other routes are more of secondary roads. Again I have ridden all of these routes before, numerious times.
Take your pick, You can't go wrong.:03biker:

[AzDesertRider]

Coool,

I'm writing this stuff down. (ok cut n paste)

Thanks Chuck.

[Putt]

One thing, If you have never taken "The Million Dollar Highway" (550) from Durango to Ouray, you have to do it at least one time... Either on your way
to WeSTOC or on your way home... Pretty impressive stretch of road..


Putt...

[AzDesertRider]

I have heard tails of the Million Dollar Highway, but did not realize that it was the 550 & I would be so close. Now it's back to mapsource to pound out a few more route options.

Thanks Putt.

[ChucksKLRST]

Coool,

I'm writing this stuff down. (ok cut n paste)

Thanks Chuck.

Bob, was it you who rode your V-strom to Westoc last year becouse of bad Flang Drive bearings on your ST?

[AzDesertRider]

Bob, was it you who rode your V-strom to Westoc last year becouse of bad Flang Drive bearings on your ST?

Yes, I had to take a V-Strom to WeSTOC last year:eek:

Really looking forward to taking the ST to such an event!