Today was the first day of true adventure riding. Leaving Eagle this morning, it wasn't long on the paved roads before we got off onto the dirt. While it started out easy it soon got a bit more technical and rough. It was the first these guys had been on some truly rocky stuff, and that was just the beginning.

 

 

The trail soon got steeper and rougher and we climbed up over a small pass then descended again, crossed a rec area with a couple decent water challenges to reach the paved road leading to the beginning of the climb up to the start of Hagerman Pass. Arriving at the rocky start of the pass road one of the bikes (KTM 690) had developed clutch problems.  We spent a few minutes arranging to have the company van waiting for us on the other side of the pass with the spare bike, a KTM 500.

 

 

The true adventure began as we started up the challenging Hagerman Pass road. Some carnage ensued on the steep and rocky terrain. There were numerous crashes, nobody injured, but a GS 1200 suffered fork damage so bad it will have to be retired. It was rideable enough to complete the day but no more, now we are short one bike.

 

 

Once over Hagerman Pass we turned towards Leadville for lunch. Hoping to avoid the crowds, we'd planned to eat at a large gas station just out of town, but it had no food today. We had to go into Leadville and it took quite some time to get lunch.

 

 

After lunch we set out for Weston Pass. It's a longer ride but not as technical as Hagerman Pass. There were a few issues including a flat tire which I had to fix. Afterwards we deviated through an ORV park which has some really nice dirt bike trails, a challenge for the already tired riders. We got into Buena Vista and found our rooms at the Surf Hotel later than expected.

 

 

Buena Vista was busy, as expected, and we walked into town to find dinner. It was also busy in town. We waited quite a while to get into a restaurant and then much longer to get our food.

 

 

Afterwards, while the clients went to their rooms, Ash, Ben (van driver), and I, loaded up the broken bikes, unpacking then repacking the van, to prepare for tomorrow. We've found a replacement bike at the only other off road motorcycle rental company in Colorado which serendipitously is in Buena Vista.

 

 

It was the first day of me having to really earn my keep as a guide. My duties included coaching, picking up bikes, chasing down lost riders, patching flats, and generally encouraging and helping these guys get through the challenges. The late night extra was a bonus.

We have an early day tomorrow, a long ride to Lake City.