Day 5
Telluride to....Telluride
Miles: Technically 0, but traveled 20 or so
Ya know....if you sit around a gas station long enough, you can meet the nicest people.
The day started out great. Actually up and mobile prior to 10am ::012::
The bikes were loaded and we were getting our caffeine fix at the Bean in Telluride by 8am. With a double espresso in shotgun position, we headed to Section 2 of the COBDR. What started out on nice gravel roads, were were soon greeted by the cool town of Ophir, with Ophir pass looking down upon us. Up, Up, and AWAY!
The pass started out good. Steeper than Section 1, but solid. Some light water crossing, but nothing to worry about. Then....then came the fun part. The pass continued to climb and the rocks became larger and looser. I was rolling fairly well. Eyes forward, weight balanced, as constant throttle as I could. After passing a jeep, I came upon the steepest...and loosest part of the trail. The Tenere rolled strong until I hit one rock that tossed me into the cliff, and a subsuquent ditch, in combination with a rock flipping me into neutral, I found the Tenere taking a nap and me out of breath.
After a couple of attempts, I waited for Raw to ride up. We hoisted my sleeping beauty and assessed a WTF to do. The bike was in the deep, big rocks and was not happy to rock forward or backward. Eventually, we were able to get it to a "flatter" part and attempt the start. However, after one attempt with TCS1, she stalled. No problem. Restart and turn of the TCS. Slowly letting the clutch out, the bike did not move....but the engine revved. RUT ROOO!!!!
Two more attempts resulted in the same outcome. As they say, do the same thing twice with the same result...... ::002::
Now with traffic backing up on the pass, two Jeeps came down to assess the situation as well. It was decided (as though we had options :norton ) to turn it around and roll back down. Rawhyde Adventures training engaging, we rocked the front wheel to and fro...and to again until she turned. Rolling back down the hill, I found a relatively flat spot and hiked back up to help Raw.
I limped back to Ophir, with the bike seeming to respond (however, I was going down hill).
Love my panniers...but I do not think my panniers love me. A little dent
We decided to head back into Telluride to re-evaluate our route, as some other guys on 650's, 300's, and 450's were rolling by us stating that part was the worst. We got back to Route 145 and I attempted to give it some throttle. It was a lack luster response and the bike revved like a razor scooter with a lawnmower motor attached. The acceleration was the same result..NOTHING. Anything remotely aggressive with the throttle resulted in lots of engine noise, but not so much rear tire response. We got back to the Conoco and made some calls. The shop in Montrose could not fit us in until Wednesday. The shop in Grand Junction said bring it on up and if you get here, we will get it in today, if not tomorrow morning. GREAT! Well, went to get back on the road and limp it to Grand Junction, and I swear a turtle passed me going up a wheelchair ramp-like slope. I knew this because both my feet were on the ground, I was in first gear, and my clutch lever was fully released. Bye bye clutch!:eek1
We turned back to the gas station (luckily downhill) and called AAA. By now, it was 1 PM. After some back and forth, they said they will be there at 4:30pm. :lol3 Nice people and everyone did state (at least you are in an awesome place to break down. Which, I would normally agree, but I was still 3 miles outside of Telluride, at a gas station.
Turns out, you meet the nicest people at a gas station if you sit there long enough. Peter rolled in on his XR650 (stopped on the pass to offer his truck services). Then met two Brits on some BMW X challenges that started out in SC and have been riding the TAT for the past month. 4:30 came and went. At this time, I start thinking that I will be renting a Uhaul and going home with my tail tucked..defeated by the beast and Ophir.
Then a call from the tow truck company. He is in Montrose and will be there in an hour (this at 5:30). I told him I will give him a call back in 5 minutes nd go get my shop manual. Looks like the clutch is like most that I have replaced and look at Raw.
Options:
Wait an hour, drive 2.5 hours to Grand Junction, and let a shop fix it...but we are in Grand Junction, away from the BDR, and the mountain views
Or
Moto-tow the bike to the camp ground, order a clutch, and do the work ourselves.
As we pondered this, up comes Stu. "You guys need some directions?" He sees we are viewing the manual and gives me his card. He has a garage, a backyard, and friends with tools. All just 1/2 mile away.
Option C!!!! Stu runs to get a tow strap and an interesting first for me. Nothing like water skiing on asphalt while riding a 700 pound beast. Video to follow:clap
So, now we are truly in an adventure like I always read about on these ride reports. Stranded, 2000 miles from home, in an area with no moto shops. A stranger offered his garage, beer, food, and even car to us with no question ask.
And this is my view tonight
After getting in late the night previous, and the delicious Mexican food, the early start, turned into a mid morning packing event followed by a noonish depart time. 
