Thunder Valley worth the trip?

Knobbyjake
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Knobbyjake
Edited Date/Time 6/2/2019 6:58am
Thinking of flying to Colorado from Pennsylvania this coming weekend to see my daughter in Estes Park. Plane tickets are seriously cheap. Was thinking she could pick me up in Denver on Friday, get dinner, spend the night somewhere, go to the race Saturday then to her place after. Are there any issues with Thunder Valley? Traffic in, parking, track view, etc. Thanks for any advice or tips!
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HighPlainsSquid 5/27/2019 7:56am
5/27/2019 7:56am Edited Date/Time 5/27/2019 7:57am
It's the only National I've been too so no comparison, but here's what I know.

Traffic in is easy... Interstate exit, around the corner, there ya are. HUGE field to park in, then you take a shuttle or you can walk between 1/2-1 mile to the track. Me... I pay $30 for close-in parking and leave before the last 450 moto (which I'll watch on NBC Gold on the way home).

Viewing is great- be prepared to hike up some hills in altitude. Wear sturdy shoes- I wear the Danner boots that I elk hunt in- and bring a water bladder if you can. Hat or sunscreen... CO sun is fierce if you're not used to it.

Two of my favorite spots are way up on the hill near the Thunder Valley letters, and then the bowl on the south where you can see a lot of the track (and where I got to see RC pass KW back then). I pretty much just sit for 10-15 minutes and hike to a new spot.

As far as lodging, I come up from the south and stay in Castle Rock on Friday and then drive home on Saturday. Can't help you with any other direction.

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plowboy
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plowboy 5/27/2019 8:00am
5/27/2019 8:00am
Go to this race. You won't be disappointed.

Hints: Just like any other race...arrive early and plan on a little traffic getting out. If you aren't used to altitude and climbing hills...it can be tiring. You can't see the whole track from any one place but there are some areas where you can see a large part. Drink lots of water.

I like to get on the fence behind the tower (first turn) for each start. It's unbelievable to see those madmen explode into view and then rocket off the other side.

Go to this race.

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Bike Rat
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Bike Rat 5/27/2019 8:38am
5/27/2019 8:38am
It’s a no-brainer! Do it! Here was my view last night in Estes park.
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Forty
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Forty 5/27/2019 8:56am
5/27/2019 8:56am
Sunscreen

Awesome track

Great vibe

Always good racing.

kr
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kr 5/27/2019 11:04am
5/27/2019 11:04am
Strongly recommend, I drove 16 hours one way and would do it again. Can view most of track, easy in and out, very friendly people and usually great racing. The scenery is amazing in that part of the country.
powertrip456 5/27/2019 11:16am
5/27/2019 11:16am
Haven’t been to the national there, but it’s a no-brainer to me! The race is just a bonus in this case, as stated above.
colintrax
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colintrax 5/27/2019 11:23am
5/27/2019 11:23am
If you got the money swing for the baller ticket. You can meet Short, and your daughter wont have to walk miles to sit in the sun. Win win


OLDMOTO
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OLDMOTO 5/27/2019 11:27am
5/27/2019 11:27am
I've been there for a national and the MXDN. Had a great time. Great track for viewing. Good food in downtown Denver.
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mb60
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mb60 5/27/2019 11:32am
5/27/2019 11:32am
The track and race was surprisingly good. Denver and the weather were nice as well.
Mr. Info
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Mr. Info 5/27/2019 11:53am
5/27/2019 11:53am
It’s a great site to watch. Great place to visit. It’s so beautiful if there still snow on the mountains and it stays around 70 degrees. Great fans and if your out of shape you will feel the altitude. They seem to always have great racing maybe because the bikes use to loose some horsepower from the altitude. Have fun if you go.
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gambler8
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gambler8 5/27/2019 2:44pm
5/27/2019 2:44pm
Wow so glad to hear these reviews..heading out tomorrow on Goldwing for Denver to go to this race. Just decided to see another one of the nationals I have not been to.
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mx317
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mx317 5/27/2019 3:15pm
5/27/2019 3:15pm
I'm heading out Wednesday. I have a friend working near Denver and will stay with him. I thought about racing the amateur day, but decided to carry my dual sport bike instead. We plan to ride up Pike's Peak on Sunday after the race.
avidchimp
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avidchimp 5/27/2019 3:18pm
5/27/2019 3:18pm
mx317 wrote:
I'm heading out Wednesday. I have a friend working near Denver and will stay with him. I thought about racing the amateur day, but decided to...
I'm heading out Wednesday. I have a friend working near Denver and will stay with him. I thought about racing the amateur day, but decided to carry my dual sport bike instead. We plan to ride up Pike's Peak on Sunday after the race.
Unless the weather sucks, you'll love that ride up Pikes. It's crazy to ride up it and think about how fast some of those dudes go up that road.
mx317
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mx317 5/27/2019 3:35pm
5/27/2019 3:35pm
mx317 wrote:
I'm heading out Wednesday. I have a friend working near Denver and will stay with him. I thought about racing the amateur day, but decided to...
I'm heading out Wednesday. I have a friend working near Denver and will stay with him. I thought about racing the amateur day, but decided to carry my dual sport bike instead. We plan to ride up Pike's Peak on Sunday after the race.
avidchimp wrote:
Unless the weather sucks, you'll love that ride up Pikes. It's crazy to ride up it and think about how fast some of those dudes go...
Unless the weather sucks, you'll love that ride up Pikes. It's crazy to ride up it and think about how fast some of those dudes go up that road.
Long range forecast looks like about 40 degrees on top. I'm coming prepared with plenty of clothes! I also have the info line that gives conditions. Last week had one day at 17 degrees and winter storm watch, so it looks like it can change quickly.
GuyB
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GuyB 5/27/2019 3:38pm
5/27/2019 3:38pm
I always enjoy the annual trip up there. I'll be there early Friday.

Stay hydrated...the elevation and sun there will take it out of you. Note: that doesn't mean drinking extra beers. Wink

As others have mentioned, bring sunscreen. The boosted elevation means there's less junk between you and the sun.

My girlfriend and I went to Estes Park last summer after the race. It's awesome up there.
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Forty
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Forty 5/27/2019 4:02pm
5/27/2019 4:02pm
Wish I was going this year. Damn.
Knobbyjake
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Knobbyjake 5/27/2019 4:05pm
5/27/2019 4:05pm
I had to pass. Sad I'm having a few heart issues and was told the elevation and mountains aren't in my best interest right now. My daughter just told me they are under a snow warning tomorrow, expecting 14+ inches where she lives. Thanks for all the advice guys, hopefully next year.
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plowboy
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plowboy 5/27/2019 4:18pm
5/27/2019 4:18pm
Knobbyjake wrote:
I had to pass. :( I'm having a few heart issues and was told the elevation and mountains aren't in my best interest right now. My...
I had to pass. Sad I'm having a few heart issues and was told the elevation and mountains aren't in my best interest right now. My daughter just told me they are under a snow warning tomorrow, expecting 14+ inches where she lives. Thanks for all the advice guys, hopefully next year.
Well crap. That sucks but a good call on your part. Get that stuff sorted out. And tell your daughter to move close to Ironman. No altitude worries, plenty of shade, and another great track.
SWOHIO GUY
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SWOHIO GUY 5/27/2019 6:54pm
5/27/2019 6:54pm
Flying from Ohio to soak it in. Trying to stuff everything I can into a backpack so I don’t have to fork over $30 a bag. Staying about a mile from the track and went ahead and got the VIP. First time in Colorado, how much does the altitude take out of you?
plowboy
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plowboy 5/27/2019 7:00pm
5/27/2019 7:00pm
SWOHIO GUY wrote:
Flying from Ohio to soak it in. Trying to stuff everything I can into a backpack so I don’t have to fork over $30 a bag...
Flying from Ohio to soak it in. Trying to stuff everything I can into a backpack so I don’t have to fork over $30 a bag. Staying about a mile from the track and went ahead and got the VIP. First time in Colorado, how much does the altitude take out of you?
If you ride and are fairly fit...you won't notice it very much. The sun and dryness will hit you no matter what. Slather on more sunscreen than you think you need and drink tons of water. This is not the place to drink beer. Have fun.
adastramx
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adastramx 5/27/2019 7:13pm
5/27/2019 7:13pm
Flying in myself for the 1st time. Still waiting to see what the weather is going to do, if it's raining I'm thinking VIP for the covered seating, right? Can anyone confirm that there will be less expensive pit passes the day of? I already have a RacerX subscription...
gambler8
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gambler8 5/27/2019 7:35pm
5/27/2019 7:35pm
Hey MX317 I will look for you out there. Rode up Pikes Peak several years ago. Probably would have been better on dual sport than Goldwing. We plan to ride over to Aspen then spend a couple of days in Estes Park before heading back. John
pancake
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pancake 5/29/2019 7:47am
5/29/2019 7:47am
14+ might hit the high country, but there's no way it'll hit the front range. Weather all week in Denver shows mid 70's with a chance of thundershowers Saturday and Sunday. The track looks like it'll be epic.. It looks like they've put a ton of mulch down and there's a big roller before the whopper now.

pancake
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pancake 5/29/2019 7:49am
5/29/2019 7:49am
gambler8 wrote:
Hey MX317 I will look for you out there. Rode up Pikes Peak several years ago. Probably would have been better on dual sport than Goldwing...
Hey MX317 I will look for you out there. Rode up Pikes Peak several years ago. Probably would have been better on dual sport than Goldwing. We plan to ride over to Aspen then spend a couple of days in Estes Park before heading back. John
Pikes is paved to the peak now... :-(
disbanded
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disbanded 5/29/2019 8:56am
5/29/2019 8:56am
adastramx wrote:
Flying in myself for the 1st time. Still waiting to see what the weather is going to do, if it's raining I'm thinking VIP for the...
Flying in myself for the 1st time. Still waiting to see what the weather is going to do, if it's raining I'm thinking VIP for the covered seating, right? Can anyone confirm that there will be less expensive pit passes the day of? I already have a RacerX subscription...
I can not confirm the less expensive pit passes, I don't remember that being the case.
MotoCoUSA
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MotoCoUSA 5/29/2019 9:14am
5/29/2019 9:14am
like everyone has said, expect a hike, drink water, sunscreen, and have fun! We go every year and its a blast. On your walk out be careful... loose rocks downhill and it never fails you see people going down left and right. This year we just decided to watch from the close-in lot because you can pretty much see the entire track and grill food all day. I would recommend going in though and get up close and personal, plenty of good spots to see most of the track.

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