Three friends take on the legendary 2026 Checkers River Run: 200 miles of rugged desert trails from Newberry Springs to the Colorado River near Topock. It's a full day of dust, demanding terrain, mechanical uncertainty and plenty of adventure across the Mojave. Will we make it to the river before dark, or will last year's mechanical gremlins make an unwelcome return? One epic ride, three bikes and two hundred miles of desert wilderness
Two hundred miles. Three friends. One very long day in the Mojave Desert.
Somewhere beyond Newberry Springs, the Colorado River is waiting. Between here and there lies a vast stretch of desert, rugged trails, rocky washes, sandy tracks and enough opportunities for mechanical disaster to keep things interesting.
Welcome to the 2026 Checkers River Run.
It's become something of an annual tradition for us. A proper test of endurance that takes you from the small desert community of Newberry Springs all the way to the Colorado River near Topock. Two hundred miles of off-road riding, spread across some of the most spectacular and unforgiving terrain in the American Southwest.
And if that sounds like a long day in the saddle, that's because it is.
The LONG WAY TO THE RIVER
The Checkers Motorcycle Club has been putting on this ride for two years now in its current form. The ride has deep roots in desert races dating back to the 1970s. In its current form, its a dual sport rally - and one of the things that makes it special is that no two editions are quite the same.
The organizers change the route every year, offering both an easier and a harder option. Whichever you choose, there's no shortage of variety. Fast desert tracks give way to rocky sections, sandy washes and technical terrain that demand constant attention.
It's a route designed to keep you honest.
Two hundred miles might not sound like an extraordinary distance on a motorcycle, but covering that kind of ground off-road is an entirely different proposition. Hours in the saddle, constantly shifting terrain, navigation, fuel stops and the accumulated fatigue of riding all day make this a genuine endurance challenge. Especially if you’re a new rider - or just old and out of shape like me.
And then there's the clock.
The goal is to reach the river before darkness settles over the desert. Nobody particularly wants to be navigating unfamiliar trails in the Mojave after sunset.
MECHANICAL GREMLINS: THE SEQUEL?
Last year taught us that finishing the ride is only part of the challenge.
Mechanical gremlins have a habit of appearing at precisely the wrong moment, and the Checkers River Run offers plenty of opportunities for things to go sideways. A damaged shifter or an unexpected mechanical failure can turn a perfectly good day into a roadside repair session.
So this year, three friends set out with a fairly straightforward objective: make it all the way to the river.
No unnecessary drama. No mechanical surprises. Just two hundred miles of desert riding.
Of course, motorcycles rarely subscribe to the best-laid plans.
There's always that little voice in the back of your head wondering what might break next, particularly when you're a long way from anywhere.
But that's part of the adventure.
The Finish Line Is Only Half the Story
Eventually, after hours of riding through the desert, the landscape suddenly changes. You can actually smell the water before you see it. The dry washes and endless desert tracks give way to the distant promise of the Colorado River.
Reaching the river is a special feeling. There's something deeply satisfying about knowing you've crossed a substantial piece of the Mojave under your own power.
But there's one small detail.
How exactly do we get back? The same way we came of course.
WHY WE DO THIS
The Checkers River Run is one of those rides that reminds you why we do this in the first place.
It's not about getting somewhere quickly. It's about the journey, the terrain, the people you ride with and the shared experience of taking on something that demands a little more from you.
There are easier ways to spend a Saturday.
But there probably aren't many more memorable ones.
Three friends. Two hundred miles. The Mojave Desert. And a finish line somewhere beside the Colorado River.
Join us onboard for the 2026 Checkers River Run — an epic ride through the American Southwest, where the only certainty is that the desert always has a few surprises waiting.
