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Exit Tours MC
Adventure Ride on the Continental Divide
16 competent riders from all over the Country participated in a 4-Day Exit Tours Motorcycle Club Adventure ride over 11+ passes, in the Heart of the Rocky Mountains on the Continental Divide.
The weekend after the 4th of July in ’23.
The Divide Ride staged and parked from the secure Colorado Springs Airport, from Friday to Monday. The ride covered over 750 miles and had over 70,000 feet in cumulative elevation gain in 4 days. On the last day there was an option to ride up Pikes Peak, which several guys took advantage of.
The Ride started in Colorado Springs and headed out of town on old stagecoach & railroad lines around the east and south side of Pikes Peak.
Then transitioned to dirt roads close to the Bighorn Sheep Canyon and up the Arkansas River Valley.
From the Front Range of Colorado to the historic old Railroad & mining town of Salida. Salida has more historic old building footage remaining than any other Colorado community. Salida was the mountain headquarters for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in the Heart of the Rockies from around 1890-1994. Salida was also the division point for the Narrow-Gauge Railroad Circle around the Rocky Mountains, and a hub for mining activity from the 1860s to the 1940’s.
Day 1 in the afternoon of the ride we camped and staged at the Drift-In, and rafting put-in on the Arkansas River. With a bar & grill and plenty of room to set up tents, right next to the raging Arkansas river. Over half the gang chose to Lodge up the road on soft beds.
Day 2 of the Divide Adventure Ride was the longest at almost 230 miles. Over 5 high mountain passes. Over Ute Pass, an old Racetrack back in the day, ala Pikes Peak, to Trout Creek, Weston, Independence and Hagerman Passes. The Day 2 destination was to the highest city in the Country, Leadville.
First off on Day 2 was Aspen Ridge, after a visit to the historic Smeltertown Smokestack.
Aspen Ridge is a 2-track jeep road on top of the Mosquito range of mountains, again along the Arkansas River Valley.
The loop then went up and over Trout Creek Pass, which had 2 Railroads come over it in the late 1800’s. Over Weston Pass, which was known as the Road to Riches to Leadville as a stagecoach line, before the Railroads. Up Independence Pass and over the Continental Divide on the 3rd highest paved Pass in the country, and one of the Top 10 Scenic By-ways in the Country.
Independence Pass was also the longest stretch of pavement on the Divide Ride, to lunch in the iconic ski town of Aspen. Where the local scenery is spectacular.
From Aspen, the ride went past the Dallenbach Ranch (Colorado 500 HQ’s), up the Roaring Fork River valley, to the old Colorado Midland Railroad line over Hagerman Pass. A persistent Snowfield on the top of Hageman Pass had not yet been plowed, leading to a 2 track shortcut around the snowfield.
The ADV Ride on the Divide was the first ride over Hagerman Pass in ’23.
After descending from Hagerman Pass, and a fun loop around Turquoise Lake past some old silver mines near Leadville, it was time for a Club provided Prime Rib dinner in downtown.
Leadville as mentioned above, is the highest city in the country at just over 10,000 feet above sea level. In the late 1800’s it was the 2nd largest city in Colorado with over 30k silver miners and residents. Today the population is around 5k hardy folks.
Day 3 covered 7 passes, more passes than any of the other 3 days.
With an option to ride over Mosquito Pass, the highest Pass in the country you can ride over that goes somewhere.
There was only one high mountain paved pass on Day 3 from Buena Vista, and 6 passes in the Dirt.
Dirt roads, creek crossings, old mining and railroad towns were the order of the day.
The day finished off with a jaunt over Marshall Pass. The first Railroad line over the Continental Divide in Colorado, now converted to a forest road with spectacular views.
Day 3 again ended on the river, near the Big Bend of the Arkansas, where the river turns to ‘Exit’ the mountains. Adult libations and a campfire were enjoyed by all on Sunday night.
Day 4 on Monday headed around the West and North sides of Pikes Peak. Through spectacular green high-mountain Plains.
The ride then dropped down to the South Platte River on the old Colorado Midland Railroad line thru 11 Mile Canyon.
From Lake George, a man-made lake on the South Platte, built by the railroad for ice before refrigeration, the ride continued around the north side of Pikes Peak.
Through the town of Florissant. Famous for its Redwood Trees fossil stumps from a volcanic explosion 30M years ago.
Then over locals only backroads to the town of Divide. And onto more twisty dirt and paved roads to the city above the clouds, Woodland Park.
After beverages and Lunch in town, it was decision time.
Up and down Pikes Peak, or up and over Rampart Range Road and down to the Garden of the Gods.
From Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs at the base of Pikes Peak, the ride was not quite yet finished. One more old Railroad line and its corresponding tunnels to Cheyenne Canyon, then past Helen Hunt Falls to the Broadmoor Hotel, the Iconic old Hotel that sponsors the now car only race up Pikes Peak.
4 days, 750+ miles, 70k feet in cumulative elevation gain. No major crashes, no flats and a good time was had by all who participated in July.
Look for V2 on September 7-10 ‘23 of this 4th annual Club Adventure Ride.
More Info: advtours.com/divide-adventure-ride-explanation/
July ’23 Divide Ride share photo file: https://photos.app.goo.gl/
More on Exit Tours MC: http://exittours.org
16 competent riders from all over the Country participated in a 4-Day Exit Tours Motorcycle Club Adventure ride over 11+ passes, in the Heart of the Rocky Mountains on the Continental Divide.
The weekend after the 4th of July in ’23.
The Divide Ride staged and parked from the secure Colorado Springs Airport, from Friday to Monday. The ride covered over 750 miles and had over 70,000 feet in cumulative elevation gain in 4 days. On the last day there was an option to ride up Pikes Peak, which several guys took advantage of.
The Ride started in Colorado Springs and headed out of town on old stagecoach & railroad lines around the east and south side of Pikes Peak.
Then transitioned to dirt roads close to the Bighorn Sheep Canyon and up the Arkansas River Valley.
From the Front Range of Colorado to the historic old Railroad & mining town of Salida. Salida has more historic old building footage remaining than any other Colorado community. Salida was the mountain headquarters for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in the Heart of the Rockies from around 1890-1994. Salida was also the division point for the Narrow-Gauge Railroad Circle around the Rocky Mountains, and a hub for mining activity from the 1860s to the 1940’s.
Day 1 in the afternoon of the ride we camped and staged at the Drift-In, and rafting put-in on the Arkansas River. With a bar & grill and plenty of room to set up tents, right next to the raging Arkansas river. Over half the gang chose to Lodge up the road on soft beds.
Day 2 of the Divide Adventure Ride was the longest at almost 230 miles. Over 5 high mountain passes. Over Ute Pass, an old Racetrack back in the day, ala Pikes Peak, to Trout Creek, Weston, Independence and Hagerman Passes. The Day 2 destination was to the highest city in the Country, Leadville.
First off on Day 2 was Aspen Ridge, after a visit to the historic Smeltertown Smokestack.
Aspen Ridge is a 2-track jeep road on top of the Mosquito range of mountains, again along the Arkansas River Valley.
The loop then went up and over Trout Creek Pass, which had 2 Railroads come over it in the late 1800’s. Over Weston Pass, which was known as the Road to Riches to Leadville as a stagecoach line, before the Railroads. Up Independence Pass and over the Continental Divide on the 3rd highest paved Pass in the country, and one of the Top 10 Scenic By-ways in the Country.
Independence Pass was also the longest stretch of pavement on the Divide Ride, to lunch in the iconic ski town of Aspen. Where the local scenery is spectacular.
From Aspen, the ride went past the Dallenbach Ranch (Colorado 500 HQ’s), up the Roaring Fork River valley, to the old Colorado Midland Railroad line over Hagerman Pass. A persistent Snowfield on the top of Hageman Pass had not yet been plowed, leading to a 2 track shortcut around the snowfield.
The ADV Ride on the Divide was the first ride over Hagerman Pass in ’23.
After descending from Hagerman Pass, and a fun loop around Turquoise Lake past some old silver mines near Leadville, it was time for a Club provided Prime Rib dinner in downtown.
Leadville as mentioned above, is the highest city in the country at just over 10,000 feet above sea level. In the late 1800’s it was the 2nd largest city in Colorado with over 30k silver miners and residents. Today the population is around 5k hardy folks.
Day 3 covered 7 passes, more passes than any of the other 3 days.
With an option to ride over Mosquito Pass, the highest Pass in the country you can ride over that goes somewhere.
There was only one high mountain paved pass on Day 3 from Buena Vista, and 6 passes in the Dirt.
Dirt roads, creek crossings, old mining and railroad towns were the order of the day.
The day finished off with a jaunt over Marshall Pass. The first Railroad line over the Continental Divide in Colorado, now converted to a forest road with spectacular views.
Day 3 again ended on the river, near the Big Bend of the Arkansas, where the river turns to ‘Exit’ the mountains. Adult libations and a campfire were enjoyed by all on Sunday night.
Day 4 on Monday headed around the West and North sides of Pikes Peak. Through spectacular green high-mountain Plains.
The ride then dropped down to the South Platte River on the old Colorado Midland Railroad line thru 11 Mile Canyon.
From Lake George, a man-made lake on the South Platte, built by the railroad for ice before refrigeration, the ride continued around the north side of Pikes Peak.
Through the town of Florissant. Famous for its Redwood Trees fossil stumps from a volcanic explosion 30M years ago.
Then over locals only backroads to the town of Divide. And onto more twisty dirt and paved roads to the city above the clouds, Woodland Park.
After beverages and Lunch in town, it was decision time.
Up and down Pikes Peak, or up and over Rampart Range Road and down to the Garden of the Gods.
From Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs at the base of Pikes Peak, the ride was not quite yet finished. One more old Railroad line and its corresponding tunnels to Cheyenne Canyon, then past Helen Hunt Falls to the Broadmoor Hotel, the Iconic old Hotel that sponsors the now car only race up Pikes Peak.
4 days, 750+ miles, 70k feet in cumulative elevation gain. No major crashes, no flats and a good time was had by all who participated in July.
Look for V2 on September 7-10 ‘23 of this 4th annual Club Adventure Ride.
More Info: advtours.com/divide-adventure-ride-explanation/
July ’23 Divide Ride share photo file: https://photos.app.goo.gl/
More on Exit Tours MC: http://exittours.org