The accident we saw was North of Cedaredge on Hwy 65. It runs over the Grand Mesa. It was near the base of the Mesa just where the road starts to get twisty. The person I saw going into the back of the ambulance was a 50-60ish looking male with grey hair. I also saw an undamaged 1200 GS parked a short bit down hill from the ambulance, but did not see a second bike or rider. The corner was nothing special or challenging. So I suspect the rider must have been going REALLY fast and lost control or perhaps there was another vehicle/animal involved?
The incident with the helicopter was when we were coming down Cinnamon Pass toward Lake City. I never figured out what that was all about.
On any of the passes around Ouray, Silverton, Telluride, and Lake City, there are TONS of people. When I was sitting on high on the West side of Imogene Pass with no rear brake, I was not real worried. I figured one way or another, someone would be along that could help me get the bike down even if it meant strapping it to the back of a jeep or something. Worst case, I'd leave it, ride down with someone, then have to hire someone to retrieve it (which would no doubt have been VERY expensive!).
I would be more worried about riding the single track stuff alone. In the event of an injury or going off the trail from loss of control, you might not be seen or found for quite some time, if at all. I think I'd be carrying one of those personal locator devices... Just in case. Cell service was present on many of the major passes, but not everywhere.
While having lunch in Gateway on Hwy 141, I visited with a retired Sheriff. He had many stories of riders going missing, including one where a rider went off and landed on a bike/rider that had been missing for a long time. Neither the later or past rider survived. However, the later rider had a personal locator device which made it possible to find him. The medical examiner determined that he crashed because of some medical issue and was likely dead or dying before going off the road. They determined the first guy had died from injuries and exposure after the crash. So you never know...
Riding smart is a BIG issue in places like this, or any other remote areas. You have to know your limits. You have to be willing to turn around. You just have to be smart about it. There is no guarantee, but you can definitely stack the odds in your favor with good preparation. Even so, there is always a risk of injury and even death. However, I think that is part of what makes it so attractive. It is that which makes you feel so alive while you are doing this kind of activity. Here in the safety and comfort of my office... I don't feel so alive
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