The Ute Cup
The Ute Cup is a unique test of your physical and mental abilities. The format is different than most modern-day trials; 2-days, 20 sections per loop, 2 loops per day, for a grand total of 80 sections and usually around 100 miles. All riders compete on the same line, most of which are Intermediate to Advanced in difficulty. The Ute is held in the mountains at elevation, just furthering the fun.
Wiltz Wagner riding a creek section Photo:
Courtesy of AMA Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame
The Ute Cup was born from a “good idea” some Colorado trials riders smoked up. Wiltz Wagner, founder of the Ute Cup summed it up “The first goal was just to find and ride the Ute Trail”. That progressed to deer and elk trails on rocky shelves with the goal of riding a 25 mile loop twice, then the second day another 25-mile loop that you rode twice. “There was no logic other than, this will be cool.” Their goal was to navigate the Ute trail system as a test of manhood. You had to be able to ride, work on your bike, exist well in the mountains, and have a strong mind.
The Ute Trail was established by The Ute people for travelling between hunting areas, trading with other tribes, and migration between winter and summer living. The routes span the Rockies between 5,000’ and 12,000’+ elevation. The Ute Trail became known as the Spanish Trail used by Spanish explorers as early as the fifteenth century.
The drive from Western Nevada to Central Colorado isn’t short, about 18 hours. We followed the Pony Express (HWY 50) for most of the way. We found some fun rockcrawling around Moab. Exceptionally beneficial as a “rest day” activity for observed trials. Picking lines, playing with traction, mild exercise, a stellar travel day!
The Ute Cup this year was held in LaGarita, CO Embargo Creek area, in the Rio Grande National Forest. Our camp was situated in a nice meadow at 10,000’. As you look north from our meadow camp Mesa Mountain is the highest point you see. Both days would have us riding sections at the summit of Mesa Mountain at 12,972’. I was concerned my lil 200 would struggle to have enough power for the notoriously long hills at that elevation.
We arrived a day early to get acclimated and scope out the trails around the area, we’ve heard they are rowdy singletracks. Indeed they were right, I made a mental note to come back with the dirtbikes. In prepping our bikes for a shakedown ride with our SactoPITS crew Mike noticed that my gear oil was milky. Gear oil change #1. We assumed this was due to the massive storm cell we drove through just before Moab. A huge aspect of the Ute Cup is motorcycle maintenance, which if you aren’t on a new bike, requires the art of zen. We delegated duties appropriately. Mike would handle all motorcycle maintenance, and I would bring the good attitude and snacks.
Full disclosure, I had been riding trials for a year at this point, and was NOT even close to an Intermediate level rider. That being said, I enjoy a physical and mental challenge, am comfortable with navigating mountain terrain at altitude from years of non-motorized mountain climbing. So I figured mountain climbing with wheels and an engine should be no problem.
There was a great variety of sections; trees, logs, rocks, mountain sides, and deep creeks, it was a great representation of mountainous terrain.
Day 1
Energy was high, the morning was cold, and my gear oil looked fresh from our shakedown ride. We were ready to hit it. The loop was about 35 miles. When you’re stoked you don’t notice how hard everything is, you just paddle through the tough stuff, and keep your head up. Sounds a bit like a metaphor for life? From the mile long dusty hill climbs to nearly 13,000’ to creeks that were thigh deep, the lil ‘06 GasGas 200 held up. We made it back to camp after the first loop. Changed air filters, ensured everything was working, and checked the oil. MILK! He quickly changed the oil, refilled gas tanks, refilled the 1 gallon gas bag, and we pushed on for lap 2. A storm was threatening, we were getting close on time, and we really wanted to enjoy our time in the mountains, so we sat up high, just before the last few sections and took it all in. We made it back, turned in our score cards, and went back to work. I prepared dinner while Mike got zen with it. Milk again!? This was the third oil change in 24 hours. Knowing we had another full day of new challenges ahead of us we retired early, hoping for plenty of rest. Sleep at altitude is illusive.
Day 2 sections started off with a bang, they were rocky, technical, and lots of fun. The single track between sections was excellent, they egged you on, you wanted to rip, but you had to exercise self-control, trying to conserve energy for the long day. Two of the best sections were set at the summit of Mesa Mountain, the pros put on a show, while us mortals dabbered our way through. The deep creek sections nearly ate me alive. By the mid-point of day two I was physically tired from struggling through sections, and mentally stoked to be nearly done. Two of the more impressive competitors were Ryon Land(10) and Royce Arneson (9) yes because of their age, also because they could really ride some of these sections and just ripped on the trails. Seeing these kids full of energy blasted some wind into my sails. I finished, I wasn’t last, and I had earned my Thunderbird pin. The top 40% of riders get a special Navajo Rug, Mike missed out by only a few points. This awesome considering the competition, and the short time he’s been riding trials. We had a stellar time in the mountains, now for the long drive home.
Learn more about Rocky Mountain Trials
Participate in Trials. https://www.mototrials.com/links.html
