The Return of a Legend: Riding the 2025 Checkers River Run

The Department of Wander crew set out to take on something truly special this season — the legendary Checkers River Run, newly resurrected in 2025 after decades of dormancy. Hosted by the iconic Checkers MC, this is more than just a race; it’s a rite of passage for desert riders — a brutal, beautiful test of endurance that stretches across the vast Mojave Desert.

6:00am getting the bikes ready for action

From Barstow to the Colorado River

The route begins just outside Barstow, winding through open desert, volcanic fields, sandy washes, and rocky climbs before finally reaching the banks of the Colorado River near Needles, California. Riders can choose between GPS navigation or the purist’s roadbook route, with three gas stops along the way to keep bikes — and spirits — fueled.

A well deserved break after some sandy hill climbs

This is a self-guided adventure that demands focus, stamina, and a strong sense of self-reliance. Out here, there’s no cheering crowd — just the endless hum of your engine and the whisper of desert wind.

This years route ran south of Route 66

Early Mishaps and Hard Lessons

Our crew’s challenge began almost immediately. A crash took out a shifter early on, creating mechanical issues that haunted us for the rest of the route and cost valuable time. But that’s all part of the desert’s character — it tests not only your machine but your resolve.

Trail side emergency repairs - watching riders slip away

The Checkers River Run is an endurance race through and through. Over 200 miles of constantly changing terrain keeps you on your toes — open desert, narrow single track, hard-packed two-track, sandy washes, and rocky hill climbs. Then there’s the infamous 20-mile sandy straight, a soul-testing section where you lock into fifth gear and hang on as the landscape blurs into heat shimmer.

Endless freight trains snake their way through the Mojave

Through Lava Fields and Forgotten Highways

The scenery along the way is breathtaking. The route skirts the Pisgah Lavic Lake volcanic field, crosses historic Route 66 at Amboy, and passes by the otherworldly Amboy Crater. It’s a landscape both haunting and hypnotic — silent, remote, and endlessly vast.

Roy’s in Amboy for a quick refill

For miles at a time, you won’t see another rider or a single sign of civilization. The remoteness of the Mojave is humbling — a place where you quickly realize how small you really are. Even with sweep riders covering the course, help can take hours to reach you.

The Mojave wilderness is incredibly vast

The Finish Line at Sunset

By the time the sun began to dip behind the horizon, our team finally rolled into Needles, exhausted, filthy, and grinning from ear to ear. The sense of accomplishment was indescribable — 200 miles of desert behind us, the Colorado River glowing gold in the fading light.

The Checkers River Run isn’t just a race — it’s a story written in dust, sweat, and sunset light across the Mojave.

We’re already counting down the days until we can do it all over again next year.