Loop-Telluride, CO to Silverton to Mancos to Telluride

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San Miguel County, CO, US

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Route Overview

kbee

No specialty ride road and mountain.

232 mi.

17,430 ft.

230 mile loop that incorporates The Million Dollar Highway from Silverton, CO to Durango and Mancos. A terrific ride with 4 passes giving you plenty of climbing and altitude.

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Route Details

This is a great ride out of and returning to Telluride with plenty of climbing a nice downhills to follow.  Do it in three days as I do, or ride it in two as some of my local friends do annually.

The three day ride:
Day One:
* Start in @point[Telluride](d,373183.05)
* Climb @slice[Dallas Divide](d,26235.93,46515.93) then down hill to @point[Ridgway](d,62764.53) and another @slice[slight climb up](d,63998.23,81467.76) the valley to @point[Ouray](d,79927.58)
*  Lunch in Ouray - My favorite is @point[Backstreet Bistro](d,79825.03)
*  Stayed overnight at Silverton's @poi[Villa Dellavalle](1517476) and loved it.  See [Trip Advisor reviews](http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g33646-d74727-Reviews-Villa_Dallavalle-Silverton_Colorado.html). https://goo.gl/maps/V3Xz2vZQQdA2
*  Dinner at @poi[Teller House](1517475)

Day Two:
* Leave Silverton, climb @slice[Molas Pass](d,116698.91,127534.59) and stop for the view.
* Climb @slice[Coal Bank pass](d,133831.09,139106.17) and have fun on the long down hill
* There is usually a head wind when you get onto the flats headed into @point[Durango](d,193357.82).
* Lunch at @poi[Harvest Grill and Greens](1512162) before you get into Durango.  https://goo.gl/maps/w65aAqHY2eT2
*  Going the rest of the way into @point[Durango](d,193357.82) and up the @slice[climb onto the mesa](d,193904.53,211735.7) headed to @point[Mancos](d,238321.25) is usually hot.  Keep plenty of water.
* Climb out of Durango and then it is mostly rolling downhill to Mancos.  Then a slight climb up to @poi[Sundance Bear Lodge](1500103) for the last night.  https://goo.gl/maps/nFJZ37GsTMm

Day Three:
*  It is 14 miles into @point[Dolores](d,269285.17) where you turn right on CO145 toward Rico, then 37 miles to Rico.  Grab a snack in Dolores then head on to Rico for a late lunch at the @poi[coffee shop](1507150) on your left just past the Mountain Top Fuel and Market just as you start into town.  It usually closes by 2pm, so plan to have food with you if you can't make that time.  There are not many options in Rico.
* Leaving Rico you start the climb up @slice[Lizard Head Pass](d,329783.81,347604.72) and then continue down to the village of @point[Ophir](d,355578.97) and on to Telluride, with a bit more climbing from Ophir up to the Alta Lakes road.  Lizard head is 10,222 ft. so be prepared for possible rain and much cooler temperatures.  You will normally have a slight tail wind on the climb.
*  You will pass the entrance to Mountain Village on your right as you start down @slice[Lawson Hill](d,364015.78,367506.91).  At the bottom of the hill and about 1/4 mile before you get to the round about, veer off the highway through a dirt parking area and get on the bike path which will take you into downtown Telluride.

# More resources

* @poi[Box Canyon Cycles](1517477)-Telluride:  Best LBS in the area if you need repairs.  Also a BMC dealer.  http://boxcanyonbicycle.com/
* @poi[Boot Doctors and Paragon Sports-Telluride](1517478) (same company) also have bike shops and are dealers for Specialized and Giant

# Important Reminders

Ride this route in good weather.  And note that during summer riding in the area you will often encounter afternoon thunder storms and temperatures can drop 20 degrees or more.  The high passes, Red Mountain, Molas and Lizard Head can get cold and nasty pretty fast.

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Loop-Telluride, CO to Silverton to Mancos to Telluride

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