17 Day High Country Self-Guided Colorado Loop Motorcycle Tour in USA via South Dakota

Day 1 (25 miles / 42 kilometers, approximately 0.40 hours riding)

After arriving at Denver International Airport, you’ll be met at the airport and shuttled to your hotel to check in and then to pick up your bike. Today is set aside to allow you to settle in and rest up before the adventure begins tomorrow.

Day 2 (133 miles / 223 kilometers, approximately 3.5 hours riding)

After a great breakfast, set out on the road to get used to your bike and head towards the mountains. Today’s introduction will get you right into the fun of riding the Rockies. Lots of elevation changes, amazing views and 2 >12,000 feet (>3,657 meters) passes will give you a fantastic start to your adventure (one of the peaks is the highest ridable road in North America).

Day 3 (137 miles / 230 kilometers, approximately 3 hours riding)

Today’s shorter day will take you over another >12,000 feet (>3,657 meters) pass with beautiful GoPro scenery and great photo ops. Tight corners mixed with smooth sweepers leads you on to the next amazing view.

Your day ends with an optional soak in hot pools surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Remember to charge those GoPro batteries for tomorrow.

Day 4 (210 miles / 352 kilometers, approximately 3.5 hours riding)

Following yesterday’s short day, today is a perfect balance; riding the rim above deep canyons, cruising along-side white water rivers, stopping for photo shoots and don’t forget your GoPro. Finish the day in a beautiful mountain town.

Day 5 (269 miles / 452 kilometers, approximately 4.5 hours riding)

Cruise the “Million Dollar Highway” as you begin this day. Lots of amazing scenery and photo ops as you ride this famous route. This is a GoPro day. Looping through the Navajo Nation brings you back to your stop for the night.

Day 6: Rest day (30 miles / 50 kilometers)

Today is a free day for you to catch up on all those important things like sorting out photos, writing down all the key points of your tour so far, and even getting that pesky laundry taken care of. Maybe enjoy exploring the local area or visit the “Old Town”.

Day 7 (268 miles / 450 kilometers, approximately 5 hours riding)

Set out in the morning, with no objective other than enjoying the ride. This day will have you cruising along-side white water rivers and stopping for photo shoots. Don’t forget your GoPro today. Between the riding and stops to enjoy the local flavor, you’ll have a great time.

Day 8 (200 miles / 336 kilometers, approximately 4 hours riding)

Head out to visit a local attraction that just happens to be located on a great riding road, before heading North through a beautiful canyon. Riding on a lightly traveled road brings you to one of the most picturesque locations in central Colorado.

Day 9 (129 miles / 217 kilometers, approximately 3 hours riding)

An optional ride to the top of a >14,000 feet (>4,267 meters) mountain combined with some fantastic twisty canyon riding makes today a memorable part of your tour. Have your GoPro and camera’s ready.

Day 10 (175 miles / 294 kilometers, approximately 3 hours riding)

A leisurely short day starts with a relaxed breakfast and an unhurried easy ride over a fantastic >12,000 feet (>3,657 meters) pass on a terrific road.

Day 11: Rest day (30 miles / 50 kilometers)

Another free day for you to catch up on all those important things like sorting out photos, writing down all the key points of your tour so far, and even getting that pesky laundry taken care of again. Maybe enjoy exploring the local area.

Day 12 (179 miles / 300 kilometers, approximately 3.5 hours riding)

Today will take you over the highest through road in North America at >14,000 feet (>4,267 meters). Another GoPro day (there’s a lot of those days, on this tour). On the way, you may see moose and elk in the park, but guaranteed you will see amazing views.

Day 13 (399 miles / 670 kilometers, approximately 7 hours riding)

Setting out on a longer day, you will leave the mountains and ride through wide open prairies, putting you in the middle of the cattle country, famous from the great western movies of last century, ending the day in the “Black Hills”.

Day 14 (282 miles / 474 kilometers, approximately 5 hours riding)

Heading out on a circuit through the Black Hills, stopping along the way to experience the local sights and attractions, brings you to an optional stop at Mount Rushmore. Continuing on through Custer State Park, you will see buffalo and antelope roaming free. A stop to see Devils Tower before returning to your hotel rounds out your day.

Day 15 (30 miles / 50 kilometers)

Another free day. Don’t forget that pesky laundry. Maybe enjoy exploring the local area.

Day 16 (439 miles / 737 kilometers, approximately 7.5 hours riding)

Leaving the Black Hills and heading south takes you through the open prairie that played an important part in the settling of the west. Stopping along the way to see landmarks famous for the days when wagon trains traveled this country, you will make your way to your stop for the night. Today ends with a group farewell dinner.

Day 17 (15 miles / 25 kilometers, approximately 0.25 hours riding)

After a relaxing breakfast, and a short ride, you will drop off your bike and catch your shuttle to the airport. This shuttle ride is filled with talk about the adventure you’ve just had and the fun experienced. If you want to stay on for additional nights, that can be arranged.

Skill level(s) required for this tour: intermediate and advanced

Intermediate:

• can ride for 3-4 hours
• average riding experience
• little assistance required
• comfortable with extreme curves and leans
• average experience with unsurfaced roads
• steep ascents and descents

Advanced:

• can ride for 5-6 hours
• extensive riding experience
• assistance on demand (if required)
• experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
• comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

About the tour

The roads in Colorado and surrounding states are in good condition with light traffic out of the cities. City traffic can be heavy at times. Other than road repairs you will not be required to ride on any unsealed roads.

While this loop can be ridden throughout the summer, if taken in late summer, you will ride through the Fall Majesty of the mountains of Colorado and South Dakota. At this time of year, these areas are well into the cooler weather of autumn, and frosty areas can be found, giving the mountains a bright golden covering as aspen leaves change color.

This tour is approximately 2,950 miles (4,950 kilometers). Note: USA drivers drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Bikes available for this tour

For this tour, you can use your own motorcycle or rent a motorcycle, which is licensed, and safety inspected and verified by the State government. If you decide to rent one from Pohutukawa Motorcycle Touring, the price includes bike rental, excluding insurance or damage waiver or auxiliary equipment such as GPS or optional fittings.

• Motorcycle category A: BMW R1200 RT WC, BMW R1200 GS WC, BMW K1600 GTL, BMW R1200 RT
• Motorcycle category B: BMW 650GS, Triumph Tiger 800 XC, Kawasaki Concours 14

Starting from Colorado, this tour will take you to South Dakota, Nebraska, then back to Colorado.

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Meals are not included in the package.

• Ride to the top three of the highest ridable passes in North America (all in excess of 14,000 feet / 4,267 miles)
• Enjoy a relaxing soak in thermal hot pools
• Ride a wooden bridge over a 400’ deep gorge
• Visit Bear Country USA
• Try to unravel the mystery’s at Cosmo’s

• Printed daily ride guide
• 16 nights accommodation, from day 1 of the tour through to last night of the tour (extra nights before or after can be arranged)
• Shuttles (transfers) to and from hotel, airport and bike rental location
• Access into various attractions such as some national and state parks

• Airfare
• Insurance coverage and damage waivers (bonds) on rental bikes
• Optional equipment add-on’s to rental bikes
• Fuel
• Meals are not included
• Special / optional attractions
• Incidentals and other costs once inside various attractions. i.e. rental of bathing suits or towels

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.