Memorable Ride
   Jon Yarrington, Triumph Daytona 675   |   Phil Hypes, Triumph Daytona 955             

Chance Encounters. Motorcyclists can share an easy camaraderie. It occasionally happens that motorcyclists who have never met before chance to meet on the road, exchange introductions, ride together for an hour or two, share their enjoyment in conversation and perhaps never meet again. Saturday, September 15, 2007, was such a ride, made all the more memorable by great roads, beautiful scenery and exciting motorcycles.


Unaweep Canyon
Phil Hypes, rider-photographer.
Jon Yarrington, Triumph Daytona.
Verle Nelson, new arrival.
 
While riding CO141, the Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway in western Colorado, local rider Verle on a KTM 690SM encountered New Mexico riders Jon and Phil on Triumph Datona's. Such is fate that these three riders were to share the beautiful narrows of Unaweep Canyon in a spirited, sporty ride which paused for introductions and fuel at Gateway Canyons Resort. Jon and Phil had not been on this road before; Verle had ridden it uncountable times. By mutual consent, it was decided to continue the scenic byway together as it continued south along first the Dolores River, then the San Miguel River and finally over Dallas Divide to Ridgeway, Colorado where Jon and Phil would head south to their planned evening stop at Ouray, Colorado and Verle would head north to his home in Cedaredge, Colorado.

Unaweep Canyon
Phil Hypes, rider-photographer.
Jon Yarrington, Triumph Daytona.
Unaweep Canyon: Unaweep Canyon is always a lovely ride. Geologists tell us the Colorado River used to flow through this canyon until the Uncompahgre Plateau pushed its way up through shale 8 million years ago, causing the river to find a new route far to the north. Consequently, this canyon now has a divide. Water flows both directions from a high point near equal distance from either end, thus the name Unaweep, Ute for "divided waters." Westbound near Gateway, the precipitous granite cliffs give way to colorful sandstone bluffs which open up to a lovely view of Utah's La Sal Mountains.

Gateway Canyons
Photo by Phil Hypes.
Gateway Canyons: a few years back the Discovery Channel founder, John S. Hendricks, bought a ranch in Unaweep Canyon near the tiny, remote town of Gateway, Colorado and built a palatial home, barely visible from the highway. His vison was bigger than a ranch and home. It wasn't long before construction equipment moved in just west of the Dolores River at Gateway and worked steadily building a huge complex now known as Gateway Canyons which as of this writing consists of two hotels, a chapel, automobile museum, restaurant, grocery store, deli, filling station, outfitting store, employee housing and more. Before Gateway Canyons, local residents were driving 50 miles in either direction for gasoline or a loaf of bread.

Phil Hypes, photographer.
Jon Yarrington, on Daytona.
Verle Nelson, standing.

Dolores Canyon
Phil Hypes, rider-photographer.
Verle Nelson, KTM 690SM.
 
More great canyon: the 52-mile stretch of canyon along the Dolores and San Miguel rivers from Gateway to Naturita consists of uncountable twists and turns, fast sweepers, horseshoe bends and even a couple seemingly endless, double-apex carousel turns, all nestled between towering sandstone canyon walls. It's no wonder this is a favorite motorcycle road in western Colorado, ideal for Triumph Daytona and KTM 690SM alike.

Two swans and
something different.
Photo by Jon Yarrington.
 

Approaching Dallas Divide.
Phil Hypes, rider-photographer.
Jon Yarrington, Triumph Daytona.
Verle Nelson, KTM 690SM.
Even more canyon: on CO145 from Norwood Hill to the junction with CO62, another pretty canyon on up the San Miguel River.

Dallas Divide: CO62. As mountain passes go, this one might not be memorable except for the stunning view of Mt. Sniffles and the San Juan Mountains to the south.

Ridgway, Colorado: A little known, small Colorado town until the filming of True Grit with John Wayne in 1969, Ridgway is now surrounded by expensive homes.

September 2007, Verle Nelson, Cedaredge Colorado