Colorado - Manitou Springs

BikeSAG · Jul 6, 2016

Leaving next week for a motorcycle trip to Colorado. Will be setting up camp in Manitou Springs. Four of us going on 2 bikes. Having never been to this area any suggestions on must do or see? Thanks.

Jeff Klarich · Jul 6, 2016

Take a run to the top of Pikes Peak (14,000 feet) it will be cool at the top so dress a little warmer but the view is amazing.
Also the ride to Estes Park is worth the ride, kind of a cool town to visit in the mountains.
Stay clear of Boulder, yuppie dope smoking college town and the traffic is terrible.
The ride to Cripple Creek is great and close to Manitou Springs. It's an old mining town with lots of casinos.

BikeSAG · Jul 6, 2016

Thanks Jeff. Cripple Creek is on the list and maybe south to see the Royal Gorge via the western route. I've been told the gravel road on the upper half of pikes peak can be hard on the tires.

Jeff Klarich · Jul 6, 2016

Black top road all the way to the top of Pikes Peak. The parking lot at the top is gravel but not bad.
Haven't been to the Royal Gorge yet but I hear it's an area to see.
The million dollar highway is down there as well and is suppose to be a great ride. You can google it and look at the photo gallery.
I'm going to make the southern trip myself this fall.

D.Bradfield · Jul 6, 2016

If your gonna go to Estes park, keep on going and ride through the national forest over to Grand Lake. See lots of big Elk, Mule deer, grizzly and moose . It's a very nice ride and plenty of stops to look over the edge and take pictures. Better than Pikes Peak in my opinion. I've been up that way on three different occasions and love riding through the national forest. Colorado Springs at the foot of pikes peak is a nice town to visit and hang out.

dbmg · Jul 6, 2016

This may help:
http://www.visitcos.com/manitou-springs

GaBoy · Jul 7, 2016

Jeff Klarich said:
Take a run to the top of Pikes Peak (14,000 feet) it will be cool at the top so dress a little warmer but the view is amazing.

Pike Peak is a must!! Best days to go are Tuesday and Wednesday...less traffic to deal with. Royal Gorge is great also, you can't ride across the bridge, but the views are amazing. One other place you may enjoy is Seven Falls. It's seven waterfalls in succession.

No matter where you go, be prepared for weather. We were there in early June and dealt with Thunderstorms, Snow (top of Pikes Peak) and a hail storm. Temps at the summit of Pikes Peak in then were in the 50's. You will definitely enjoy the trip!!

BikeSAG · Jul 18, 2016

Had a great ride and time. 12 hour ride going to and returning home. Weather was dry all week but a little warmer than normal in the Manitou Springs area. So much to see and do we are already planning a trip back. Bishops Castle was really interesting, worth the stop if you're in the area.

The 2007 Heritage ran great, rode really smooth two up and fully loaded. Averaged 43 MPG with the best of 50 MPG on the leg from Boise City OK to Lamar CO.

Who says you can't tour on a Cruiser? Wife was comfortable with no complaints.

Here are some pics and videos.