Since the dawn of consciousness, bipedal creatures have sought rhythm and balance, first to the heartbeat-inspired pounding of primitive drums and shuffling, stomp of early dance. It's in the blood. While it's truly remarkable that such humble beginnings led to orchestras and ballet, let's not forget the challenge of two-wheel, single track dynamics and musical beat of a ninety degree V-twin. It's all rhythm and dance. Now add adventure and one has pretty much defined basic human needs beyond sustenance. 8th Annual Winter Ride to Navajo country, January 8-9, 2011 Day 1: Meet at Delta CO then Whitewater CO, Gateway CO, Naturita CO, Monticello UT, Bluff UT, Gouldings at Monument Valley.
I've said it often: "I like winter riding." Traffic is light on secondary roads and there are no bugs, no tourists. It's easier to keep warm in the winter than both cool and protected in the summer. Proper winter gear is a must, though. A warm, breathable, waterproof riding suit and full face helmet is a given. Loose-fitting waterproof boots with cotton or wool socks work for me. A heated vest or jacket liner, worn over a long-sleeve cotton T-shirt and under a fleece or insulated liner for extra warmth and backup if electrics fail, keeps body core temperature warm. Heated gloves ensure the fingers are warm and nimble. A scarf or neck gaiter blocks cold air from chin and eyes. A fog-free face shield, although expensive, is almost mandatory especially in rain. Equipped thusly, a rider with at least a minimal fairing, maybe hand shields and enough windscreen to deflect airflow above the bottom of helmet should be good for morning departure in the single digits or teens and all day riding at 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Obviously, the suitability of winter gear must be proven before departing on a long, cold ride. My advice: dress for survival, use heated gear for comfort. Mountain roads can be treacherous in the winter and mountains are all around us here in western Colorado but mostly to the north, east and south. The one area we can usually ride safely, barring an active or recent winter storm, is eastern and southern Utah. We can get there without crossing a mountain pass. Consequently, I've made it kind of a tradition to take an overnight mid-winter trip to Monument Valley. During January and February, rooms at the Goulding's Lodge are less than half the peak-season rates. Even better, they offer a 4-bedroom house, 3-bedroom house and several 2 or 3-bedroom apartments at very reasonable winter rates. While reserving accommodations in advance can be risky, these are often available on short notice in January or February. Billy and I met in Delta at 9:30 Saturday morning, January 8, 2011. The 8th annual winter Monument Valley ride was underway in weak sunshine and a promise of temperatures in the lower thirties. The dance was on; adventure was a possibility. NOAA/National Weather Service offered an ominous report: "...ANOTHER WINTER STORM TAKES AIM AT THE NORTHWEST MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT... "AN UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE WILL SINK THROUGH THE NORTHERN ROCKIES TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT. AN ASSOCIATED STRONG COLD FRONT WILL ALSO DROP INTO NORTHWEST COLORADO LATE THIS EVENING THEN THROUGH SOUTHWEST COLORADO SUNDAY NIGHT. SNOWFALL WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES AS THE FRONT PASSES AND ACCUMULATING SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE BEHIND THE FRONT AS COLD UNSETTLED AIR WORKS INTO THE REGION. TEMPERATURES WILL PLUNGE SUNDAY NIGHT WITH MOST LOCATIONS REACHING BELOW ZERO."
That could have discouraged us but I'm glad it didn't as it turned out to be one of the best winter rides to Monument valley — not one of the prettiest as the bleak winter washed out color but a fun ride, especially upon the return, due to moderately winterish road conditions and warnings of worse.
Evening view from apartment Window.
We had reserved a two-bedroom apartment at Goulding's and it did not disappoint, offering comfort, utility and an expansive view from the living room. Billy is an excellent and imaginative amateur chef and prepared a delightful meal of prawns, rice with broth and seasoning and scallions. A memorable bread was sliced, toasted and topped with feta cheese, Calamata olives and spices. This was accompanied by a fine Merlot. The remainder of the evening was spent enjoying conversation and Single Malt Scotch.
We left at first light under mostly clear skies, riding to the Twin Rocks Cafe in Bluff for breakfast and a chance to use their Wifi to check weather and road reports. The weather reports had not improved; CDOT reported any route we might choose as snowy and icy; Billy got repeated text messages from friends advising fresh snow overnight in Montrose and elsewhere. Billy was somewhat unconcerned, having stated earlier we would trust in "Billy Luck." This we did and I'm happy to report Billy's reputation for good luck has suffered no blemish. As stated elsewhere, the roads were winterish and there was some snow, some ice, wet roads, hidden Mag Chloride and lots of sand. We slowed often but our overall pace was not far off a normal winter pace and we were both home around 2:00PM on very dirty motorcycles. Thank you Billy for wanting to go, for preparing the meal and for the lively conversation. We had a memorable 655 mile round-trip winter adventure without a bobble (to paraphrase something you said), using our DL650 motorcycles in a manner that should make Suzuki proud. In the end, what good were the CDOT road condition maps? My deepest and most consistent snow was all in the last 10 miles, especially the unplowed street in front of my house and my own unshoveled driveway. But the V-Strom is now safely drying in the garage." I'm almost sorry I won't be doing it again tomorrow but perhaps I shouldn't without "Billy's Luck." —Verle Nelson, Cedaredge Colorado
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