Road Less Traveled - A Documentary by James Beatty

Day-24

July 30, 2006

Today, the White Rim Trail would be conquered...

Adamant about avoiding the desert heat, Britton was up at O’dawn-thirty and ready to get out on the trail. The White Rim Trail is an amazing 100-mile 4x4 trail that follows the white rock rim of several canyons around Canyonlands National Park. Mathew and Chris would setup to film the riders from the “Island in the Sky”, a huge plateau overlooking the trail from more than a thousand feet above. It was to be an exciting day.

But, as seems to be customary with us on this trip, we had some challenges that delayed our departure time. This morning, Michael’s BMW was acting up. “It just isn’t going to run” says a concerned James. “It’s so weird - it started right up a second ago and then just died” said a frustrated Michael.

The guys spent all morning trouble-shooting the beemer and finally found that resetting the internal computer, by disconnecting the battery terminals, solved the problem and the beemer was back and running. But by the time they where ready to go, it was late-morning and Britton strongly advised against starting a long ride like the White Rim Trail this late in the morning. The desert heat was a serious factor, as was the amount of remaining daylight. Tremendously disappointed, James had to listen to Britton’s wisdom as Britton had ridden the White Rim Trail and other trails like it, several times before. “I was looking forward to riding this trail more than anything else on this trip” says a heartbroken James. But after a quick pep talk and some tough decision-making Chris and James reviewed their schedule for the trip and decided to sacrifice a planned event in Nevada to stay around Moab one more day to ride the White Rim Trail.

Britton offered to take the guys on some local trails like the Kokopelli Trail and others, so that the day wasn’t a complete bust. Britton, the self proclaimed “Lost Guide” lead them on several local trails. “I have no sense of direction” he laughs. Britton is a great guide and often gives guided rides all through Eastern Utah. He’s been riding this area for many years and knows the trails like the back of his hand, but ask him which direction he’s heading and he’ll give you that guilty smile that says “I have no idea.” Great views, fast terrain, jumping and stream crossings made today’s local trail riding an exciting experience. “I’ve never ridden on trails like the ones around Moab” exclaims James. They’re absolutely incredible!”

During this exciting day of riding the Moab area the riders had climbed significantly in elevation, so at the end of the ride they had a magnificent view of the town of Moab below. Unfortunately, they also had a view of the fast moving storm coming in their direction. There was lightening in the distance, and after James’ recent encounter with lightening, nobody wanted to mess with Mother Nature and so the riders cranked it up a notch to quickly get out of the oncoming storm. Now off the trails and onto pavement, knobby tires offer little traction on wet smooth pavement. At one point Britton’s back tire slid out on the slick pavement but he was somehow able regain control. Soon after, Michael almost lost control of his 450 pound bike but was able to ride it out and he regained control. A couple of close calls kept the boys on edge, but we all made it back to Moab safely. The riders met up with the waiting Chase vehicle and we all headed back into town and had a big spaghetti dinner at Pasta Jay’s. So, after another full day we headed back to the motel, excited for the White Rim Trail tomorrow.

Photography Copyright © 2006 Motorrad Media. All Rights Reserved.

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