The hard-core Elephant Riders arrived the night before and camped
A snow-drifted mountain pass is not something to ride on motorcycles in February. Of course, Hannibal crossing the Alps, with elephants no less, was not something anyone ought to consider trying either. But he did it and so do they, on the Elephant Ride. (See the slideshow below for more photos.)
"They," in this case, being a bunch of fun-loving bikers who tackled Guanella Pass, from Grant, CO, to Georgetown this morning. This ride has been going on for about 30 years.
Flocked around a blazing campfire last night, Vern, one of the originals, told the tale of the Elephant Ride's origin. It seems a ground of BMW riders ran into a bunch of Harley riders at Grant one February day and the Harley riders were giving the beemer boys some crap.
"Oh yeah," they said, "We challenge you guys to run up over the pass here to Georgetown." The Harleys didn't go to Georgetown but the beemers did, and a tradition was born.
For the truly hard-core, the way to go is to camp the night before. This year there were about 25 staying in four or five tents and a collection of campers. In the morning another 15-20 bikes arrived, plus a contingent of four Ural sidecar rigs. Among them all were also five Rokon bikes, which, with their wide tires and two-wheel drive, are the Jeeps of the motorcycle world.
Despite the boldest intentions, however, Mother Nature always holds the trump card, and this year, as in many other years, the obstacles dominate the machines. About two-thirds of the way up the pass the howling winds had built, and were continuing to build deep drifts across the road. Some bikes forced their way through, as did the Rokons, but a short distance ahead bigger and deeper drifts pushed back even those stalwarts. Only a very few made it to the top of the pass, and nobody went to Georgetown. Hey, you don't accomplish anything if you don't try.
And there's always next year.
Comments
What a trip! The thorough fact finding coverage and pictures were awesome. Thanks.
Winter and snow motorcyclists are much like the people who jump into a frozen body of water for a Polar Bear Swim; I admire them but would not even be a little tempted to join them.
Great story. Love the pics. And, I love adventures, and adventurous people, as you well know.
great post Ken, glad you came along as the monkey! Good research on the origin of the ride, it checks out with what I've learned about it. I especially like the fact that Beemers made it up to the pass but not the Harleys. : ) But then again, I am biased.
Hey Ken , It was great to meet you and I`m sorry I didnt get more time to hang out W/ ya----- I guess hosting has it`s costs---- anyway , Thanks for coming out and hope to see ya again next year on the second sunday in Feb . !------ also , The final results of the ride was that only 3 bikes actually made the summit , FIRST to the top was Zach Hodges on an `04 YZ 250 , screwed but not chained , FOLLOWED by 2 Rokons , Riders unknown
Good article Ken. A true lover of motorcycling knows that Brand name doesn't make a bit of difference. Harley, Honda, BMW, or Rokon, they all have their chosen purpose and they are all fun. It is the ego, not the motorcycle manufacturer that makes for poor judgement. A bad day on the motorcycle, any motorcycle, is still better than a good day at work!
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