| Snowy Range Loop |
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A long 295 mile ride through Virginia Dale, the Snowy Range Road (Routt National Forest), and back into Colorado and the Roosevelt National Forest. The initial part of this ride has you going through Virginia Dale which is in the northern most part of Colorado on the way to Laramie, Wyoming. Legend has it that Jack Dale, who was a notorious outlaw in the late 1800’s robbed a bank in Laramie, Wyoming of $80K in gold. He supposedly stashed his loot somewhere in the hills around Virginia Dale. To this day, it has never been found (you might want to keep a look out along this road for a reflection or an unusual rock formation (X marks the spot!)). Also on this route, you travel through Centennial, Wyoming which was the inspiration for the famous novel of the same name (which later became a mini-series). The last part of the ride has you tackling the twists and turns of Hwy 14 through the Roosevelt National Forest between Walden and Fort Collins.
Total distance = approximately 295 miles
Details: From Fort Collins, take Hwy 287 north to Laramie, Wyoming. In Laramie, take Hwy 130 west until it meets with Hwy 230 (approximately 70 miles). Turn left and take 230 south to Riverside. In Riverside, follow 230 south to Walden, Colorado (230 will change to Hwy 125 when you enter Colorado). In Walden, turn left on 5th St., go 4 blocks and turn right on Washington St. (Hwy 14). Follow Hwy 14 all the way back to Fort Collins.
Suggested gas stops include Laramie, WY, Riverside, WY, and Walden CO (unless you think you can make it on a tank of gas from Ft Collins to Riverside (145 miles), and again from Riverside back to Ft Collins (148 miles).
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