This is roughly a 35 mile loop that traverses some of the same roads as the Rist Canyon/Buckhorn Rd loop. This ride is therefore also on some great foothill canyon roads and can be attacked in either direction. Let's start and end this one in Laporte, Colorado (a small town NW of Fort Collins) at Vern's Place (A), a great place for breakfast. The 40+ Motorcycle Club occasionally eats here for breakfast. Vern's is located on Larimer County Rd 54G, just west of the "center of town". Immediately west of Vern's is W Co Rd 52E, also known as Mountain Ave (not to be confused with Mountain Ave in Fort Collins) which forks left off the main road Vern's is on. This road (known locally as Rist Canyon Rd) will take you straight through Bellvue, Colorado and right up Rist Canyon. At the top of Rist Canyon you'll crest the ridge and head straight down for about a mile to a T at Stove Prairie Canyon Road and the Stove Prairie School (B). At this point, you can either head south to Masonville or north to the Poudre Canyon. This loop is intended to go North. Heading North from the Stove Prairie School you'll follow Stove Prairie Canyon to it's junction with the Poudre Canyon and CO Rt 14. (C). At this point turn right or east and head back down Poudre Canyon to Ted's Place (D) where CO Rt 14 connects with US 287. Turn right/south on US 287 and head back to Laporte or head home to Fort Collins. This loop has some cattle guards and some interesting turns, so make sure you are riding within your abilities. CO Rt 14 for several miles west of Ted's Place is heavily patroled. Keep your eyes open for the fence made of skiis!
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