- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Last weekend I attended the Rocky Mountain Adventure Riders Meeker, Colorado Rally.... it's a bit of an informal gathering of like-minded adventure riders, held in the neat, small town of Meeker, CO. The neat thing about Meeker is the location and the very different landscapes not far from town. I decided to load the KTM 990 Adventure up on the trailer and haul it up, since I could be more comfortable and bring more clothing for the 3 day stay.
The first day's ride started at 8 AM was a 250 mile loop that was 90% dirt. It was supposed to be 'big bike friendly', but the leader hadn't ridden all of it and the end was a crap shoot.
There ended up being some very challenging hills that we had to climb... and I had the biggest bike in the group! I was the only one to ride it without assistance, too... :greg: We rolled into Yampa, CO for 'lunch' at 7 PM, but not before I flatted a front tube. I had it repaired in about 10 min, then ride into town to get gas.... while the fuel light had been on for over 30 miles! I did have the 2 gallon Rotopax just in case. We still had 80 miles to go, over a dirt mountain road that just had fresh gravel dumped on it. We ended getting back to the hotel at 10:30 PM.
[video=youtube;Zigo03zNMYk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zigo03zNMYk[/video]
The 2nd day we headed West, out to the desert. Less than 15 miles on the pavement and we hit the dirt, headed towards Dinosaur Natl. Monument, Echo Park and the Gates of Lodore. We rode some amazing dirt roads, crossed into Utah at one point and found some amazing sights, so different from the day before. The riding was much easier and quicker, no problems despite some sand and mossy water crossings. On the way back we ride high into the hills for some cool weather and pine trees and got back into town about 8:30 PM with right at 300 miles on the bikes. The trail leader still had a 80 mile ride home! I would say we were in the dirt 90% of the time, once again.
[video=youtube;6naX-6LjBAY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6naX-6LjBAY[/video]
After 550 miles offroad in 2 days, I was spent... I slept long and hard and like most everyone else, decided to pack up on Sunday morning and head home rather than ride again. It was a fun event, great to meet new people and make more riding friends as well as see new territory. I had a blast and can't wait for the next RMAR event!
The first day's ride started at 8 AM was a 250 mile loop that was 90% dirt. It was supposed to be 'big bike friendly', but the leader hadn't ridden all of it and the end was a crap shoot.
There ended up being some very challenging hills that we had to climb... and I had the biggest bike in the group! I was the only one to ride it without assistance, too... :greg: We rolled into Yampa, CO for 'lunch' at 7 PM, but not before I flatted a front tube. I had it repaired in about 10 min, then ride into town to get gas.... while the fuel light had been on for over 30 miles! I did have the 2 gallon Rotopax just in case. We still had 80 miles to go, over a dirt mountain road that just had fresh gravel dumped on it. We ended getting back to the hotel at 10:30 PM.
[video=youtube;Zigo03zNMYk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zigo03zNMYk[/video]
The 2nd day we headed West, out to the desert. Less than 15 miles on the pavement and we hit the dirt, headed towards Dinosaur Natl. Monument, Echo Park and the Gates of Lodore. We rode some amazing dirt roads, crossed into Utah at one point and found some amazing sights, so different from the day before. The riding was much easier and quicker, no problems despite some sand and mossy water crossings. On the way back we ride high into the hills for some cool weather and pine trees and got back into town about 8:30 PM with right at 300 miles on the bikes. The trail leader still had a 80 mile ride home! I would say we were in the dirt 90% of the time, once again.
[video=youtube;6naX-6LjBAY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6naX-6LjBAY[/video]
After 550 miles offroad in 2 days, I was spent... I slept long and hard and like most everyone else, decided to pack up on Sunday morning and head home rather than ride again. It was a fun event, great to meet new people and make more riding friends as well as see new territory. I had a blast and can't wait for the next RMAR event!
