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Plan to ride the lower COBDR second week of July. Original plan is to trailer to Buena Vista area and run the route in reverse to Four Corners. I am wondering from people who have run the route if there are passes that would be too rough going in the opposite direction. We will be on 500-600cc bikes.
The reason for wanting to run it in reverse is mostly for time mg and to save our tires for the dirt and rock.
Also if there are other riders that would be interested in coming hit me up. We may have room for one more on the trailer.

I dont know anything about the cobdr but a buddy just returned from colorado and said there is still a ton of snow. Said he couldnt get half way up some passes that normally this time a year he can easily get over. I guess you got time.

Sean (moridin) and I rode the COBDR last year. I rode my F800GS. I don't think the route was designed for a specific direction--they just had to pick one end to start. The route works fine North to South or South to North. We rode it S to N, but passed hundreds of riders doing the other direction.

Good riders on 500 to 600cc bikes will not have any problems anywhere on the route UNLESS it is muddy. It was the lower grounds with pure dirt roads that caused folks issues when muddy. When not muddy, very easy. Sean and I lucked out with weather, but folks just 1 day before and 2 days after us got stranded in mud and even had to be "rescued". For weather reasons and potentially impassable roads, I recommend having camping gear along even if you don't plan to camp. That way, if you have to camp for a day or 2 while roads dry out, you can---rather than have to call rescue.

As for passes, my memory says going up the South side of Ophir Pass was the roughest, scariest. Big, loose rocks to bounce off of and a narrow, steep trail with a drop-off ledge that would end in death.

Starting in Buena Vista would allow for a nice ride South. However, the section just to the NE of Buena Vista was really cool and unique. It might be worth running up there and back before heading South. The route takes you N on pavement out of BV and then you take a right turn into a sandy road...it gets really beautiful and fun for the next several miles. Also, just before you turn, there are some cool mountain tunnels ahead you can go ride through and take some pics.

Thanks Stimmer it is actually the third week in july--not that that will be any different but hopfully we will be able to get through.
Troy thanks for the input but i felt so deflated when you said you saw a "hundreds" of riders. I am picturing riding the majestic back roads with only nature and a couple other riders. I have read stories of big bikes getting trapped in the mud and lots of trouble to the local ems bailing them out. Sounds like Colorado is probably tempted to close those roads to keep us city folk out.
I remember a similar pass to your Ophir that I attempted on a kawi versys (when I had just started riding--it did have TKC 80's so what the heck) to only get stuck and had to pay two hikers to drag me out. Hopefully I will be well prepared this time.
Also heard from another rider today that the area north of BV is awesome. Will have to check it out esp now since we added a couple of days.