Picture the most idyllic place to ride Adventure Motorcycles and there’s a good chance what comes to mind is something that looks like the Colorado Rockies. Colorado’s combination of majestic snow-capped peaks, lush green valleys and rugged mountainous terrain make it an off-road paradise for Adventure Riders.

Recently, we had an opportunity to breathe the fresh Colorado mountain air when we joined RawHyde Adventures on their High Rockies Adventure Ride. The two-day adventure motorcycle ride originates out of RawHyde’s Colorado off-road training center in Park County. The full-service facility sits on a high grassy plateau with commanding views of the 14,000-foot peaks looming off in the distance.

RawHyde Colorado is right in the heart of it all, with the Continental Divide trail, Trans-Am Trail and Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route all within an hour’s ride. Training obstacles can be found all around the 40-acre property and at 9,500 feet elevation, it’s a great place to beat the Summer heat when you are working hard practicing technique in the infamous “Gorge of Death!”

Often, students use the High Rockies Adventure Ride as a way to solidify their new skills after a weekend of off-road training. For others, it’s just a quick getaway ride, a taste of the High Rockies and an introduction to some of the best Colorado off-road trails.

During the ride, we covered roughly 150-200 miles per day traveling mostly on dirt. While it’s only two days, it crosses some of Colorado’s most famous high mountain passes like Boreas, Cottonwood, Cumberland and Monarch. Riding along the cliffs at 12,000 feet elevation definitely got the pucker factor going, and we also took a ride back in time, passing by many relics and historic towns of the old mining days.

The terrain ranged from scenic riding on fairly-easy dirt roads, to fun rocky trails. For part of the trip, we were able to break away with some of the more advanced riders in the group to ride challenging double track trails that really got the adrenaline pumping. But it’s the incredible beauty of the landscape that’s the most alluring part of the ride. We had plenty of time to just soak it in as we traveled through green pastures accentuated by white aspen trees, meandering streams and rustic ranches.

Few places stimulate the senses quite like the Colorado Rockies. If you haven’t ridden there before, it’s a place you really have to visit. The High Rockies Adventure Ride occurs six times a year. Learn more about it by visiting the RawHyde Adventures website.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.