This is going to be the first of possibly two long rides for this season.

Google Maps says this ride should take about 7 hrs 13 mins, however, with all the stops for gas, lunch, rest, and pictures at the passes, it’ll probably be more like 9.5 to 10 hours long (longer for those starting outside of COS).  In order to not get home too late, we’ll be starting a little earlier than normal.

We’ll head south from COS along Hwy 115 to Penrose then ride west via Hwy 50 to Canon City, over Monarch Pass, and onto Parlin.  About 3.5 miles after Parlin, we’ll take CO 114 south to North Pass.  We’ll take pictures of the pass for those interested in participating in our Colorado 50 Pass challenge.  From there, we’ll continue through Saguache and up Hwy 285 to Poncha Pass where we’ll take another stop for pictures at that pass.  From there, we’ll continue north along Hwy 285 to Johnson Village where we’ll turn onto Hwy 24 and take that all the way home.

The longest stretch between gas stops will be about 150 miles.

Stopping points:

• Canon City: Initial rest stop
• Salida: Gas, and lunch stop at Subways
• Parlin: Rest stop
• North Pass: Stop for pictures
• Poncha Pass: Stop or pictures
• Poncha Springs: Gas stop
• Hartsel: Rest Stop
• Woodland Park: Rest stop