Odes UTV dealer ride in Colorado brings epic scenery

When Powersports Business editor in chief Dave McMahon accepted an invitation to join Odes Industries on a combo dealer ride/press intro in Colorado last week, he expected plenty of Powerpoint presentations and machine walkarounds. But the day-long ride of 2019 Odes side-by-side models on an off-the-map ORV trail in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness provided a close look at the majestic scenery from atop Cottonwood Peak. It also proved that you’ll want to keep an eye on Odes for 2019 and beyond.

The launch date for the 2019 models is Sept. 15, so you can check back then to take a look. In the meantime, here are some photos from the ride to the Cloverdale copper and iron mine that has roots with Odes CEO Mike Smith. Smith recalled joining his father and grandfather on visits to mine caretaker Billy Humble, a friend of his grandfather’s, during Billy’s nearly three-decades of living at the mine site. Essentially, Billy trekked up the mountain in the van you can see below and never left, save a few to town annually for foodstuffs. He built many of the structures near the mining facility and enjoyed the landscape’s serenity until his death about a decade ago. Forest rangers discovered that he had passed away in his sleep in one of the very cabins that we visited.

Now, the location is an outdoor museum of sorts that provided a step back in time that most of us on the trip likely will never again experience. And didn’t feel a rock the entire way up or down. But more on that later! — Dave