CSC Motorcycles 2019 Owners’ Rally, Moab, UT | Rally Recap

Great Riding, Challenging Weather, Unbeatable Scenery, Dependable CSC Motorcycles!

By Randy Reek

The first CSC Owners’ Rally in Moab, Utah is history. The Rally included a variety of CSC bikes, owners attending from across the country, and demo rides on all the CSC Motorcycles models. Friends of CSC owners also attended and participated in the rides with other brand bikes. Prospective CSC Motorcycle owners talked to experienced riders and examined the new models up close.

Then, we had huge swings in the weather. The days prior to the Rally included above-average rainfall. A cold front before the Rally turned the rain to snow above 6,000-feet. Unfortunately, Steve, Wade, and Joey (from CSC in California) got caught in a blizzard that closed I-70 in Colorado for three hours.

Stuck for three hours!

They missed the Tuesday night gathering at Zax Pizza in Moab – but we carried on without them!

Sorry you missed Supper on Tuesday, Steve and CSC Crew!

All the CSC riders chose the easier ride planned for Wednesday, May 22. The riders headed out of Moab and turned north into the LaSal Mountains. Normally, this is a very scenic ride high above the Moab valley. But as the LaSal Mountain Loop Road rose to over 8,100-feet, the misty rain turned to sleet and then snow as the temperatures dropped below freezing.

COLD and snow at 8,100-feet!

Thankfully, our route quickly descended back into Castle Valley. Next stop was Onion Creek Road. This is a great dual-sport route on a dirt road that crosses little Onion Creek about 20 times. Again, the misty rain turned to snow and riders were cautioned about the dirt road turning to greasy mud. This was an in-and-out ride on Onion Creek Road and we soon all turned around as the creek crossings got muddier and deeper.

Here is a short video of the muddy ride along Onion Creek:

Once back on Highway 128, we rode north a few miles to Fisher Towers. The overcast shielded the dramatic bluffs, but everyone agreed it was a fabulous view of the rock formations and the Colorado River valley. Then it was a fast ride back to Moab, where the CSC trailer was stationed with the demo bikes. We rode about 85 total miles.

Michael and his CSC RX3 above Castle Valley

Demo rides were possible on all the CSC models: TT250 Enduro and SG250 San Gabriel. RX3 Adventure and the new 2020 RX4. Even the CSC City Slicker electric bike was available for test rides.

CSC braved a blizzard to bring demo bikes to Moab!

Clearly the “star of the show” was the new CSC RX4. As it turned out, all of the CSC owners in attendance had RX3’s. (A few had more than one! Several also owned TT250’s.) Everyone wanted to look at and compare the larger and more powerful RX4. Thanks to Steve and the CSC Crew for making the long trip to Moab to provide these demos.

2020 CSC RX4 decked out for Moab with Shinko knobbies!

Thursday, May 23rd began again with hard rain. It had thundered during the night and the high elevations had “thunder snow”! The riders met in the morning, then agreed to gather at noon with the promise of clearing skies. After noon, we headed south towards a patch of blue sky. No sooner did we leave Moab it poured in town, again.

The group of CSC riders fought tremendous head winds for 20-miles on Highway 191 south of town before turning off onto the dirt, Looking Glass Arch Road. We endured long stretches of greasy, muddy road before reaching Looking Glass Arch.

Looking Glass Arch

After some photos, we continued on the planned route – but encountered continuous mud. Taking a vote, we agreed to “adapt and overcome” and retrace our steps, rather than fight the mud for 10 or 12 more miles. We still had to fight the head winds but made our way to the Needles Overlook. This is a bluff above the Colorado River south of Moab. In the distance are the bluffs of the White Rim (our destination on Friday.)

CSC riders at Needles Overlook

The White Rim in the distance

More rain and snow approaching

More rain and snow were all around us as we headed north towards Moab. We made a quick stop at Wilson Arch, and then got pummeled by 40 mph crosswinds and driving sleet and rain. By the time we got back to Moab we had ridden about 110 miles and were ready for a hot shower and the promise of some BBQ for supper.

Wilson Arch, along Hwy 191 just before MORE rain!

Friday dawned clear and sunny – finally! The CSC riders headed south along the Colorado River before entering Canyonlands National Park. Along the way, we stopped for photos at “Thelma and Louise Point”. This is where the scene was filmed of the actresses driving off into the Grand Canyon – except Moab was the actual filming location.

Thelma & Louise Point, below Deadhorse Park (above and behind)

The Colorado River, looking into Canyonlands Nat’l Park

The group reached the White Rim Trail and turned to ride to Musselman Arch. (We were told we would get fined for walking on the Arch!)

Musselman Arch on the White Rim Trail

Posing at Musselman Arch

Close to the Arch is another dramatic overlook of the lower Colorado River. We all took plenty of pictures (notice the snow on the mountains in the background – where we rode on Wednesday.)

High above the Colorado River

Pete riding his CSC RX3

Patrick riding his CSC TT250

My CSC RX3 Adventure

Then it was time to climb the Shafer Switchbacks as we concluded our trail ride. The White Rim Trail and the ride up the Switchbacks is dual-sport riding at its best! Here are more photos and a video of the climb:

Shafer Switchbacks, climbing up the White Rim Trail

At the top of the trail, some riders elected to explore Canyonlands further. Others turned towards town with the goal of riding into Arches National Park. The rest of us continued to Moab and loaded up for our drives home. My total mileage was 77 miles for the day.

Each day we had about 10 riders participate. CSC owners came from Utah, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico – plus a gypsy from Florida (Lynn.) Many had never had the chance to ride in the Moab area previously. Everyone had a good time – despite the challenging weather.

Among the CSC owners, we had several RX3’s with over 5,000, 10,000, and more than 15,000 miles. We experienced no mechanical issues, not even a flat tire during the three days of challenging dual-sport riding.

The consensus was that Moab would be a great place for another CSC Owners’ Rally. But please nominate YOUR choice for a rally next year! (Fall in the Appalachians? Winter in Florida or Texas? Spring in Oregon?)

Thanks again to CSC Motorcycles for supporting its owners and building a community of riders with similar riding goals.