Stage 10 of the Motorcycle TransAm took riders 272 miles from Trinidad, CO to Durango, CO. The day started brisk at 50 degrees, so the riders layered up in everything from leathers to snowmobile coats. We rolled out of Trinidad in style with the mayor waving the green flag and a full police escort leading us out of town. When I say Trinidad knows how to host, I mean it. They were truly the best.
From there the riders headed into the mountains to take on some of the toughest terrain yet. First up was Cuchara Pass, and then the legendary Wolf Creek Pass. Wolf Creek is a high mountain pass on the Continental Divide in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It is the route that carries U.S. Highway 160 from the San Luis Valley into southwest Colorado on the way to New Mexico and Arizona. The pass is steep, with a maximum grade of 6.8 percent, which makes it a challenge even for modern motorcycles. Imagine doing this on a century-old machine.
These riders showed real skill and bravery today. Some even had to push their bikes up and over the hill, but every single rider made it across. The sweep truck was empty once again. Woo hoo!
One of the most impressive stories of the day was Bart Grelinger. He had a late start after changing out a generator that Team Butts so generously loaned him. The crew all pitched in to help get him back on the road, and Bart showed incredible determination. He rode hard all day without breaks, stopping only to pump gas, and still made it to the finish line in Durango on time. That is the TransAm spirit.
The finish line today was Durango Harley-Davidson, where the riders were welcomed by a big crowd of enthusiasts young and old who came out to see the antique bikes. Tonight the parking lot is buzzing as teams work late into the night to get machines ready for tomorrow’s challenge. The Continental Divide has been crossed and the adventure continues.
Photos by: Ed Harriger, Olivier Touron
Sponsored by: Legends Motorcycles, Sinless Cycles, Competition Distributing, Veritas Vintage, Antique Motorcycle Club of America
