Get Ride Ready
15 days. Mountain passes over 12,000ft. Altitude changes everything.
Live Weather Along the Route
Denver
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Check forecastLive data via Open-Meteo. Cached for 10 minutes. Falls back to seasonal guidance when unavailable.
Seasonal Guidance
Temperature Range
5–30°C | Extreme daily variation at altitude
Best Season
June – September (passes close in winter)
Watch Out For
Altitude sickness above 10,000ft, afternoon lightning storms, sudden temperature drops, deer/elk on roads at dawn/dusk
Colorado altitude is the big variable. Passes above 11,000ft can see snow even in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are almost daily July–August.
What You'll Need
Altitude changes everything. Layers, sun protection, storm readiness.
Helmets
Ventilated Adventure
High altitude means intense sun and thin air. Good ventilation is still important, but thermal capability matters more here than on the desert routes.
Shoei Hornet ADV
Adventure Full-Face
Mountain-ready, sun-peak option, great ventilation for altitude riding.
Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS
Adventure Touring
Excellent protection for mountain roads. Sun peak reduces glare at altitude.
Jackets
Waterproof with Thermal Liner
Rocky Mountain afternoon storms are almost daily in July–August. Combined with 30°C temperature drops from valley to summit, you need a fully waterproof jacket with real thermal capability.
Klim Traverse
3-in-1 Adventure
Built for mountain riding. Waterproof, thermal liner, excellent armour.
Rev'it Dominator 3 GTX
Adventure Gore-Tex
Handles the altitude temperature swings and afternoon thunderstorms equally well.
Gloves
Waterproof for Mountain Sections
Storm gloves are mandatory for mountain sections. Bring mesh gloves for valley riding and swap when you start climbing.
Held Sambia 2-in-1
All-Season Waterproof
For the passes and afternoon storm sections.
Boots
Waterproof Adventure Boots
Mountain trails and national park stops mean boots that work on uneven terrain as well as on the pegs.
Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex
Adventure Touring
Equally good on the mountain passes and walking the Yellowstone boardwalks.
Alpinestars Corozal Adventure Drystar
Adventure Boot
Mountain-ready, waterproof, comfortable for long hiking stops.
Andy's Ride Setup for Colorado Rockies Loop
Shoei Hornet ADV
Sun peak for high-altitude glare. Good ventilation for valley sections.
Klim Traverse
Mountain-specific jacket. The afternoon storms are real — this handles them.
Mesh + waterproof
Swap at the base of each climb. Don't skip this.
Sidi Adventure 2
National park boardwalks + mountain passes. Same boots.
Acclimatise first day
Don't ride the high passes on day one. Altitude sickness is no joke.
What to Pack
Colorado altitude is the big variable. Passes above 11,000ft can see snow even in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are almost daily July–August.
- 01Thermal base layers (temperature drops 10–15°C summit vs valley)
- 02Fleece mid-layer
- 03Waterproof over-trousers for storm sections
- 04High-SPF sunscreen (altitude UV is intense)
- 05Polarised sunglasses
- 06Altitude sickness remedy (consult your doctor before flying)
- 07Hydration pack — 2L minimum
- 08Rain gear always accessible, not packed deep
- 09US travel insurance with medical evacuation cover
- 10Altitude sickness remedy (consult doctor)
- 11Rain gear for daily afternoon storms
Ready to Ride?
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Andy's Picks for Colorado Rockies Loop — Buy on Amazon
The specific helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots I recommend for this tour. All available on Amazon UK.
Shoei GT-Air III
Sport Touring Full-Face
Integrated sun visor. Quiet at motorway speeds. The touring helmet for warmer climates.
Rev'it Airwave 3
Mesh Touring Jacket
Maximum airflow for desert and summer riding. Add the liner for altitude sections.
Alpinestars Andes V3 Drystar Gloves
Waterproof Touring Gloves
Full waterproofing without losing feel on technical roads.
TCX Infinity 3 Waterproof
Waterproof Touring Boot
Excellent value, comfortable for long days, CE Level 2.
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Kit Up for Colorado Rockies Loop
MaximoMoto carry a full range of touring and adventure gear — jackets, helmets, gloves, boots and more — at competitive UK prices with free shipping over £69.
Gear for American Long-Haul Touring
Comfort over distance matters most on US tours. Mesh ventilation for heat, quality gloves for long days in the saddle.
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Shop GhostbikeSome links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we believe are useful for riders.
We only recommend gear we'd use ourselves. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you purchase, at no extra cost to you. This never influences what we recommend.