CMA HeartBeat June 2021 | Page 12

RECOMMENDED RIDES

RECOMMENDED RIDES

Miles 235 Riding Time 5.25 Attractions San Juan Mountains Lizard Head Pass Dallas Divide Red Mountain Pass Molas Pass Coal Bank Pass Restaurants Enterprise Bar & Grill ( Rico ) Maggie ’ s Kitchen ( Ouray ) Golden Block ( Silverton )
Million Dollar Saloon ( Durango H-D )
By MARK Heid

WHAT makes a motorcycle ride memorable ? Is it being out in the midst of some of God ’ s finest creations ? Could it be the lean of the bike and the curve of the road as you negotiate twist after turn ? Maybe it ’ s riding with a group of friends and experiencing new roads and destinations together . Possibly , it ’ s following a historic route that explorers carved out long before you came along .

Well , have I got a ride for you . It combines all of the above and so much more . The San Juan Mountains are home to over three hundred peaks above 13,000 feet , and the San Juan
Skyway is a 230-mile loop traversing the very best of this Colorado high country . Durango is a great starting and ending point . To ride the whole route will take you over five hours , even if you don ’ t stop for a photo or a meal , and that is highly unlikely . But don ’ t rush it because this truly is a bucket list trip .
Head west out of Durango on Highway 160 for 26 miles to Mancos . Here you catch the 18-mile Highway 184 cut across to Dolores before turning north ( right ) on Highway 145 , once again joining the Skyway . Continuing north for 62 miles will take you across 12⎪June 2021⎪shop . cmausa . org