It’s March 2021 and there is a foot of snow outside. The unexpected snowfall had altered my riding plans. As owner of RockyTrax, I was planning to scout a ride that would eventually become a route in a self-guided bike tour. The interruption, however, gave me time to reflect upon a special dual-sport ride I shared with my daughter two springtimes back.

Kaci on the Kokopelli

It was the spring of 2019 and my daughter, Kaci, was nearing her high school graduation and would soon head off to college. To celebrate, we planned a four-day dual-sport ride through western Colorado and eastern Utah. Kaci grew up riding dirt bikes and at the time was riding an ‘89 Honda XR250R she had lovingly named “Hank.” She had just obtained her motorcycle endorsement, and it was the perfect time for a semi-long-distance off-road adventure. Unfortunately, ol’ Hank wasn’t street legal, so she had to take her maiden journey on one of my RockyTrax rental bikes, a 2017 Honda CRF250L.

On Day One, we headed out from our small ranch in Glade Park, Colorado, Kaci on the CRF250L and me on a DR-Z400. Both bikes were loaded with gear, tools, extra fuel, and overnight bags. We would be staying in hotels, so no need for camping gear. Glade Park is a rural community nestled in the foothills above the Colorado National Monument and Grand Junction, CO. The plan was to ride about 150 miles from to Moab, UT, using only dirt roads, two-track and, on occasion, some very rare rural pavement. Part of the route would be on the famous Kokopelli Trail, an off-road and overlanding Jeep trail that connects Fruita, CO to Moab, UT.

Just minutes into our ride, we entered the Colorado National Monument and began a 2,500-foot descent into red rock canyons on some incredible twisty blacktop. I was delighted to be following Kaci, watching her lean into the curves while trying to catch a glimpse of the 500-foot red rock canyon only a few feet from my right foot peg… eyes back on the road! It’s amazing what beautiful countryside we live in. Some will ride for hours, or even days, to reach such destinations. We’re able to ride through epic landscapes from the moment we leave home and every mile thereafter.

We dropped into Fruita to top off our gas. The DR-Z would give me about a 200-mile range, but the stock tank on the 250L would tap out at around 126 miles. The single-gallon RotopaX gas container would take us all the way, but it was easier to hit the fuel pump one last time before heading into the backcountry.

The first 25 miles were blacktop but, within minutes, we were traveling through vast open country with no structures in sight. The nearby interstate soaks up most of the westbound traffic, so the old highway eased its way into dilapidation, with grass growing up through the cracks and asphalt crumbling away at the edges. The road felt apocalyptic, as if we’d been transported into a Mad Max movie.

Soon we were on the Kokopelli heading west through the high desert. The route is a mixture of gravel, light sand, rocky outcroppings, and red-dirt two-track through rolling hills and rocky buttes. About an hour in, I stopped to check our gear and see how Kaci was doing. She was still so excited. Just before leaving the pavement, we passed another rider coming from the opposite direction who obliged Kaci with her first motorcycle wave. Now, she belonged to an elite group who choose to explore the roads less traveled on two wheels.

After a few more hours, we made our way out of the desert, toward the La Sal Mountains. Late spring snows made it look impassable, so we backtracked a little and made the last 45 minutes into Moab on blacktop. Not what we were hoping to do, but it was still a great first day. The snowy La Sals loomed in the distance.

On Day Two, we decided to stay in Moab, leave our luggage at the hotel, and tour the area for a day trip. I’ve ridden the Moab area many times and knew most of the places, but being able to experience this ride through the eyes and excitement of my daughter made it new again.

We’d ridden through such isolated and unpopulated areas that we joked about it being the “end of the days.” This led my imaginative daughter to create a running storyline, which went something like this: “We were battle-worn soldiers from the days of the rebellion. Now, we spent our days riding the desolate lands looking for survivors and trying to avoid zombies and marauders.” Just when I thought dual-sporting couldn’t become more fun, my daughter added a whole new level of excitement. Checking the map to avoid zombies, of course.

Moab canyons never disappoint. On the third day, we loaded our gear onto the bikes and made our way north through the desert to Green River, UT. There were some good gravel roads that could make the journey only a couple of hours long, but we wanted more adventure, so we stuck mostly to Jeep trails with lots of slickrock features and sand. Oh, the sand! Kaci had experienced it before, but it had been on her much lighter XR250R. Now she was on an overweight, under-powered CRF250L loaded with gear and luggage. After several miles of riding the “struggle bus,” I could tell she was wearing out and growing frustrated. Finally, she dumped it hard in the sand.

Years before, if she were struggling too much, she would have a pre-teen, drama-filled meltdown right in the middle of the trail. But this time, with maturity and years of learning to overcome hard things (the many lessons taught by a dirt bike) produced a different result. She needed a moment to sit, catch her breath, and regain composure. But she worked through it and was determined to finish the ride. I was so proud.

Not long after, we found hard-pack and were moving more quickly on easier roads. To make things even more rewarding, we stopped to talk to a lone rider from Canada who was impressed to see a young lady out there tackling the terrain. His praise really lifted her spirits. Plus, she thought his French-Canadian accent was pretty cool. With our new friend’s encouraging words, Kaci was raring to get back on the trail. We rode into Green River exhausted but feeling a high only backcountry riders understand. A big burger at the local favorite, Ray’s Tavern, topped off a challenging but rewarding day.

Day Four had us heading home. We stuck to well-maintained gravel roads and some of the old highway we had started out on, making good time. Not wanting to call it a day too early, we stopped in Fruita again and checked out The Hot Tomato, another favorite hang-out with an outdoor vibe, for some pizza before heading back up through the Colorado National Monument and home.

Kaci later wrote, “Getting the opportunity to spend time with dad doing something we both love was incredible, and not everyone can say that. He’s taught me so much and I’ve become the rider I am because of him. Without his seemingly endless patience when pre-teen Kaci threw hissy fits on the side of the trail, I likely would not be riding today. I couldn’t stop talking about it with my friends at school.”

This trip was many things: an unforgettable experience for a father and daughter full of fun and bonding, a chance to build character (for both of us), and an opportunity to see dual-sport adventure through the enthusiastic eyes of a young female explorer. If this trip were nothing more than an occasion to create memories, it would have all been worth it. But as it turned out, I’ve been blessed that this and other similar trips have become so significant. They have become part of her psyche’s DNA and have encouraged a lifestyle that is shaping her future.

Kaci is in college now and pursuing a degree in outdoor education, with the hopes of a career in an outdoor field—maybe even becoming an adventure guide someday. In fact, as I write this story, she’s called me excitedly to share that she just finished top of her class as a certified Wilderness First Responder.

The opportunity for a parent to create lasting bonds with their children, and help shape their worldview in the open air, is invaluable. I’m so grateful that some of that has been accomplished from the back of a dirt bike!

Andy Hanks left the corporate world in 2017 to be a stay-at-home dad for an adult special needs child and establish RockyTrax, an outdoor adventure company providing camper, overlanding, and dual-sport rentals, as well as base camp lodging, off-road riding lessons, and self-guided tour support. His wife, Kristi, and their four grown kids all enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. RockyTrax.com.