In 2011 my buddy Chuck and I rode a dual sport loop on KLR's up over the mesa behind Colorado National Monument. We had started in Creede, Co, rode Stoney Pass to Ouray, then up through Uncompahgre National Forest through Gunnison over McClure Pass to Marble, where we camped for four days. From there we went over Grand Mesa, then down the Lands End Forest Service road, and through the Colorado National Monument.
Out the backside of Colorado National Monument there is a road to get to Glade Park, where it turns to dirt (see the map). We kept going west into Utah. Our plan was to make it to Moab and ride the White Rim trail. We had mapped a "road" that turned and went down into Gateway and then a road that went from Gateway, across the Dolores River into Moab. When we got to where the "X" is on the map, I got off to open a cattle gate and let Chuck through. Got back on my bike and it wouldn't crank. It was downhill, so I tried to bump start it. It started, barely, but no way would it keep running. After a little investigation, figured out the battery was dead. So, it was decided I would take Chuck's bike (we agreed I was the better rider), ride down into Gateway (it was only 17 miles) and get a battery.
I took off with no idea that the remaining part of the ride to Gateway was the WORST road I have ever ridden in my entire life. The 60 miles of road up to the "X" was no piece of cake, with sand, rocks and lots of obstacles, but the road after the "X" got ridiculous. In dozens of areas, the forest service had brought in huge rocks to reduce erosion. These rocks were probably 1 to 3 feet and stuck up like icebergs in the Atlantic. The only way I could get across was to aim the bike in a straight line, through the rocks and give it the beans. Hoping to ride the top of the tips. I still don't know how I made it.
After 10 miles of this I reached a set of switchbacks to get off the mesa. Chuck had "adjusted" his clutch so it didn't fully disengage when completely pulled in. I couldn't see to make an adjustment to change that. So, going down the switchbacks, I couldn't disengage the clutch, which made for a lively couple turns. Until I figured out that just turning the bike off and using the clutch as a brake worked pretty well. By this time I was exhausted. I made a turn, tried to stop and ended up allowing the bike to fall over against the uphill side of the road. I checked my phone and miraculously had cell service, so I called my wife, sitting at work in Houston. I told her the situation, I was exhausted and to call someone in Gateway to come rescue Chuck, because there was ABSOLUTELY no way I was riding back up this road to bring a battery.
My wife contacted the assistant manager of the Gateway Resort, and told her the story. It just so happened that her husband was the fire chief, the handyman for the resort and search and rescue for Gateway. My wife called back and said he was on the way. I would meet him where the main road intersected the road I was on. It took me another hour to get off the mesa and to the intersection, where he sat waiting in his jeep. His 17 year old son was there on an ATV with a single saddle (important point). I told the dad where Chuck was, and he was going up to get him in the Jeep. His son said, there is no way the Jeep would make it back up to where Chuck was (apparently he rode up there all the time), that he would go on the ATV to get him.
The father told me to just go into Gateway and get a room (it was getting late) he would wait for his son and Chuck. I decided it was better to wait with Dad. Three hours later his son returned, and NO CHUCK! According to Chuck, there was a brief exchange of words with Chuck saying he would just stay the night because he knew I would come back in the morning. And he didn't want to ride down on the back of the ATV with a 17 year old in control. The kid just shrugged and took off. When the kid got back to the jeep, he had blisters on both his hands from holding the handlebars and throttle. So, Chuck spent the night on the mesa, eating dried RTE's and with little to drink. He did say he would have totally enjoyed the night had he had a little more water. The kid had a few bottles of water but apparently neither of them spent anytime talking.
On the other hand, I did go into Gateway and rent a room at the resort. That night I watched Monday night football, had a big steak and drank a couple glasses of wine. Everyone gives me grief about living in the lap of luxury while Chuck suffered. But I figured there was nothing I could do for Chuck and I might as well enjoy my evening. And I did.
The next day, early in the morning (it was cold), I got up and rode Hwy 141 back to Grand Junction. I got a battery at an auto parts store. Laced it onto Chuck's bike and headed back up the original road we took from Colorado National Monument. When I got to Chuck it was about noon. Chuck was getting ready to walk out on the route to Gateway. We put in the new battery and my bike cranked right up. I turned to go back the way I had just come and Chuck asked, why aren't we going this way (pointing at the road to Gateway). I said, you are welcome to go that way, but I will never ride that road again!!! We went back the way I came.
After that we decided it was time to head home.
Next spring my wife and I went and spent three days at Gateway Resort to thank them for helping. We toured the motor museum and walked many of the trails around the resort. We really enjoyed it, although it was about $300 a night.
Thanks for letting me tell my story!
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