Speaking of Torrey...Need Advice Re Denver Area

[marcopolo]

I'm now planning my route etc. to Torrey. At the end of Day 3 I'll be in Hays, Kansas. I'll then take two more days to get to Torrey (780 miles from Hays). In the interests of time I'll be slabbing it (it's a five-day ride for me, one-way).

 

On Day 4 (Tuesday, 13 May) I'll be leaving Hays and heading west on I-70. I'd like to know the best way to cross Denver. Should I just stay on I-70, or loop underneath on the 470?

 

Also, can anyone suggest a place to spend the night (decent motel/places to eat within walking distance) on the other side (west) of Denver?

[Mike T]

Avoid Denver during rush hour if at all possible. If you can do that, then stay on I70. E470 has a bunch of expensive tolls to pay and takes you quite a bit out of the way.

 

Idaho Springs is a nice smaller town with a lot of places to stay and eat. There are also plenty of places off of I70 and in the town of Golden. I have never had to spend the night at any of them (since I live in Boulder) so I cannot give you any specific recommendations.

[Mike O]

I'm now planning my route etc. to Torrey. At the end of Day 3 I'll be in Hays, Kansas. I'll then take two more days to get to Torrey (780 miles from Hays). In the interests of time I'll be slabbing it (it's a five-day ride for me, one-way).

 

On Day 4 (Tuesday, 13 May) I'll be leaving Hays and heading west on I-70. I'd like to know the best way to cross Denver. Should I just stay on I-70, or loop underneath on the 470?

 

Also, can anyone suggest a place to spend the night (decent motel/places to eat within walking distance) on the other side (west) of Denver?

Mark,

 

You're looking at a 9 hour ride arriving in Denver Metro area right at rush hour if you were to leave at 8a from Hays. At 5 p.m. there is NO easy direct route around Denver (the 470 bypass either is bumper to bumper traffic heading west or has expensive tolls on the north side). I would recommend you just stay on I-70 west bound. Most of the time (emphasis on MOST) the traffic stays moving along the I-70 corridor.

 

As for lodging accommodations, Google is your friend. There are economical ones at I-70 and Kipling, or a more expensive Marriott at Denver West Blvd, just a few miles further down the interstate. If you have specific questions, please PM me.

 

BTW, plan on 8+ hours for West Denver to Torrey (if you plan on using I-70)

 

Regards,

 

Mike O

[keithb]

Mark

Based on Mike O's info I would leave Hays at 5am and get through Denver before the rush. Rush hour is no fun in any large city. Especially when you cannot split lanes.

[marcopolo]

Thanks for all the tips. When I'm on the road I tend to leave pretty early, as in dawn.

 

If I can trust my Mapsource mapping software, Hays Kansas to the hotel I've picked just off the I-70 west of Denver near El Rancho/Evergreen is only 575 kms (360 miles), which is a pretty easy riding day for me. Averaging 80 kms/hr, that's about 7 hrs riding time. If all things go well, I should hit Denver well before the mad rush (famous last words).

[Mike O]

Your Mapsource is likely correct (the 9 hours I suggested was from KC - not Hays which is a few hours west). You shouldn't have a problem just taking I-70 as I suggested.

 

Mike O