CLUB RIDE OVERVIEW
We work to minimize pavement mileage, maximize scenery and fun, and generally only use paved roads as necessary to tie dirt loops together and access amenities.
- Exit Tours MC uses a “High Adventure, No Hassle“ approach where you can share the experience with like-minded enthusiasts’ and experience what the Rocky Mountains have to offer.
- Our rides cover routes you could not put together on a map.
- If you could put the routes on a map, you couldn’t follow the map as trail markings in the Rocky Mountains are, even in designated riding areas, often missing, non-existent, outdated, have been stolen, misplaced or confusing.
- GPS NAVIGATION & SAFETY – LINK
Chaffee County, Colorado should truly be called a ‘Mecca’ for off-road motorcyclist’s.
mecca – noun
1) A place that is regarded as the center of an activity or interest.
2) A goal to visit which adherents of a religious faith or practice fervently aspire.
- The Arkansas River starts to the North in Leadville and exits the Rocky Mountains to the East through Salida, which means ‘Exit’ in Spanish.
- Which is where we got the name ‘Exit Tours’.
- The headwaters of the Rio Grande river are the Southern boundary.
- The Continental Divide of the Colorado is the western boundary of Chaffee County.
- There are more 14 thousand foot peaks in Chaffee County than in any other County in the Continental U.S.
- There are hundreds of miles of old mining roads, railroad right of ways and singletrack trails in the area.
- Plus, one of the only portions of the Continental Divide trail open to motorcycles.
There is no qualifying or probation period to become an Exit Tours Motorcycle Club member and there are no required meetings or work days associated with your membership — Just join and ride!
- Most rides have a riders meeting each morning at 7 and at 8 am where we discuss the day’s rides.
- You only need attend one meeting.
- Riders start the ride whenever they want and ride at their own pace with whoever they want, although we discourage riding in large groups.
- Everyone should be on the route by 9 am.
- GPS Tracks will be emailed along with your Ride With GPS Club Membership.
- Navigation is by Phone Compatible GPS Tracks
- Fuel Stops will be at approximately 80 miles at fuel stations where you can also purchase food and beverages.
- Routes are self-guided.
- We do not provide guides.
Hazards DO exist on our routes, such as downed trees, washouts, rocks, etc. and will NOT be marked in any fashion.
- All routes are publicly-accessible, so you may encounter other riders and traffic.
- Riders need to use caution and common sense at all times and stay to the right when possible, particularly around blind turns.
- Remember vehicles heading uphill have the right-of-way.
We discourage you from riding alone and encourage everyone to use the buddy system and pair up with at least one other rider so that you can look after each other.
- Your ride will be enhanced if you ride with others who are of the same skill level, are riding similar motorcycles, and have compatible desires for the ride (speed of travel, how often to stop for a rest and pictures, etc.).
- We won’t have any checkpoints throughout the day or sweep riders to keep track of you.
Motorcycles we recommend:
- 250-690cc Dual Sport or a plated dirt bikes for those up to the challenge.
- Skilled riders will be able to complete the loops on a well-equipped 600-700cc dual-sport, such as a XR 650.
- Larger-displacement (800+ cc) Adventure bikes are Not Recommended for the Dual Sport Routes.
- Smaller play bikes or KLR 650s are not recommended.
- Adventure Routes are Suitable for for any properly Set-up ADV Motorcycle. Including KLR 650s.
MORE INFO HERE on ADVENTURE LOOPS:
- Your bike should have new DOT knobbies and we recommend a Hybrid knobby rear tire.
- Do not show up in the Rocky Mountains with 50/50 tires.
- Your motorcycle should be capable of going at least 80-miles before needing a fill-up.
- If your bike doesn’t have the necessary range you should carry extra gas with you – our gas stops are scheduled at gas stations along the route.
IMPORTANT: Have your motorcycle geared for at least 70 mph, so that you can keep up with traffic on highway sections.
- You will ride through remote, rugged locations that are often inaccessible by truck.
- You should carry your own tube, plug kit, tool kit, air, lighter, first aid, water, snacks, tow strap, etc.
- Carry a cell phone and we highly recommend the use of a satellite-operated tracking and rescue device such as a SPOT – you will often be out of cell phone range.
- We also recommend you obtain appropriate healthcare insurance before participating in any rides.