Thoughts about my recent trip (w/pics)

[cactusjack]

After the Western Rally, I rode up to Salt Lake City for a few days, then started my two-day return trip to Phoenix yesterday. I spent 8 days total on this trip, and here are some random musings about my experience...

Enough has already been said about the Western Rally, but I would ride through that heat again to hang out with the group that attended the rally, no questions asked.

Why do they install shower heads in motel rooms 4' from the floor?

Don't go to BLANDing Utah if you want a beer. You won't find any there. Moab is a much better choice.

You know you're in trouble when the finest motel in town is the Super 8.

I was at a filling station this morning, thinking about the dreaded ride back to Phoenix and I saw a guy sitting at an outdoor table munching on a burrito or bagel or something. He was dressed in cycling clothes and I saw a bicycle with a loaded trailer nearby. I asked him where he was headed. "San Francisco" was his reply. I then asked him where he was coming from. "New York City" he answered, "today makes 67 days on the road". My ride to Phoenix didn't seem too difficult at that point. I wished him luck and he told me to ride safe.

Southern Utah is unbelievably beautiful, and I have the pictures to prove it...

Mexican Hat Rock, just outside Mexican Hat, UT:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/hosted_photos/IMG_1057_RSZ02.jpg

Remember when Forrest Gump stopped running and wanted to go home? This is the place:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/hosted_photos/IMG_1065_RSZ10.jpg

More from Monument Valley:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/hosted_photos/IMG_1076_RSZ21.jpg

My beloved Nomad in Monument Valley:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/hosted_photos/IMG_1086_RSZ31.jpg

An action (b&w) shot my son took of the old man in Monument Valley:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/Monument%20Valley/IMG_2009_RSZ54.jpg

Here's a link (http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/Monument%20Valley/) to all my Monument Valley pics. You really have to see it in person, though. The massive scale of these rock formations against the blue sky really has to be seen to be believed. I was listening to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" as I rode through the area. Awesome. Please enjoy the photos.

This was the first motorcycle ride I've ever done that was more than just a day ride. My only regret is that it took me 48 years to find out how great it is. I have decided I am going to make an annual extended trip on the Nomad, to a different destination each year. I'll ride alone if I have to. This years trip was 2012 miles total, average MPG was 36.58.

For a first trip ya done real good CJ. Over 2000 miles is nothing to sneeze at. People who don't ride have no idea of the huge difference between that and just riding 2000 miles in a car.

We only did about 1250 miles, but that was plenty for my wife. I almost pushed her to go around the Grand Canyon after we left Mesquite, but I didn't want her to get heat stroke & I had to be back at work Tuesday.

We WILL do Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, and Painted Desert, as well as Bryce. Probably not this year though. ;)

[blowndodge]

I would have never know it was your first "adventure" on the road Scott.

I used to take two weeks 25 years ago with 3 of my buddies and ride up north to Idaho, Montana, Oregon and just toss a tent on the ground! Some of the funnest times of my life. Those memories are bright and clear in my head still to this day!

I promised myself that when I got back in the saddle again after a long layoff from riding I was going to start traveling on motorcycles again and this is the first multi-day trip for me and the longest ride I've been on since buying the Nomad two years ago. You rode twice as far as me on this vacation.

It only gets better and don't regret waiting 48 years! You on your way now!! I'd also do the Mesquite trip over again in a heartbeat!

[cactusjack]

I think I am going to build/buy myself a little trailer to haul my crap around the country. If I can afford gasoline, of course http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

I really had a lot of fun. The ride home from Flagstaff was great. My son suggested we take a different route than the "usual" I-17 death ride. We went east of I-17 and rode past Lake Mary, very scenic (sorry, no pictures), Mormon Lake (more like Mormon mud hole - not much water), and then hooked up on AZ87 through Payson. By going the way we did, we stayed up at around 7000' where it was much cooler than the big drop down I-17. I highly recommend this route, especially if you don't need to go through Phoenix itself. If I had gone down I-17, when I hit the Phx city limts, I'm still about 70 miles from home through nasty traffic. AZ87 is only about 25 miles from my house.

I'm trying to persuade my son to get a bike so I have a riding buddy, but I don't know if he's that serious about it.

[jussmatt]

CJ...that's awesome bud!!! I'm very envious.....More than you could possibly know!!! I'm glad all you guys had a great time on the Rally....and more important, made it SAFELY back home!!

Thank you for sharing thoughts, stories, and photos.... it definitely helps those of us who can't be there!!

[cactusjack]

Those memories are bright and clear in my head still to this day!


BD, I'm surprised anything is bright and clear in that head of yours. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Don't ever leave me an opening like that. Bada bing!

[audiogooroo]

I'm trying to persuade my son to get a bike so I have a riding buddy, but I don't know if he's that serious about it.
Move closer to the mountains and you'll have a riding buddy! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

CJ wrote:
"This was the first motorcycle ride I've ever done that was more than just a day ride. My only regret is that it took me 48 years to find out how great it is. I have decided I am going to make an annual extended trip on the Nomad, to a different destination each year. I'll ride alone if I have to."


You won't have to if I have anything to say about it!! I feel the exact same way.

[ponch]

Reminds me of the scenery in Electraglide in Blue with Robert Blake.



After the Western Rally, I rode up to Salt Lake City for a few days, then started my two-day return trip to Phoenix yesterday. I spent 8 days total on this trip, and here are some random musings about my experience...

Enough has already been said about the Western Rally, but I would ride through that heat again to hang out with the group that attended the rally, no questions asked.

Why do they install shower heads in motel rooms 4' from the floor?

Don't go to BLANDing Utah if you want a beer. You won't find any there. Moab is a much better choice.

You know you're in trouble when the finest motel in town is the Super 8.

I was at a filling station this morning, thinking about the dreaded ride back to Phoenix and I saw a guy sitting at an outdoor table munching on a burrito or bagel or something. He was dressed in cycling clothes and I saw a bicycle with a loaded trailer nearby. I asked him where he was headed. "San Francisco" was his reply. I then asked him where he was coming from. "New York City" he answered, "today makes 67 days on the road". My ride to Phoenix didn't seem too difficult at that point. I wished him luck and he told me to ride safe.

Southern Utah is unbelievably beautiful, and I have the pictures to prove it...

Mexican Hat Rock, just outside Mexican Hat, UT:


Remember when Forrest Gump stopped running and wanted to go home? This is the place:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/hosted_photos/IMG_1065_RSZ10.jpg

[cactusjack]

Reminds me of the scenery in Electraglide in Blue with Robert Blake.

You have a keen eye, some of the movie was filmed in Monument Valley, other parts were filmed in the Phoenix area.

I'll have to rent that movie. I've never seen it.

[ponch]

I haven't seen it in about 20 years, but it is a very good movie.



I'll have to rent that movie. I've never seen it.

[beezer]

I never saw it either Cadd. Send it to me after you're done with it.

Have you seen Choppertown ? That's kind of a cool flick.

[jmorrow]

Remember when Forrest Gump stopped running and wanted to go home? This is the place:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/hosted_photos/IMG_1065_RSZ10.jpg




CJ, What is the highway number in Utah where that the Forest Gump scene was filmed? Some really nice pic's you shot...

[cactusjack]

Remember when Forrest Gump stopped running and wanted to go home? This is the place:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/hosted_photos/IMG_1065_RSZ10.jpg






CJ, What is the highway number in Utah where that the Forest Gump scene was filmed? Some really nice pic's you shot...

That's US Highway 163 in UT and AZ. I will add that the highway surface improved considerably the second I crossed into AZ. Utah's roads are very rough and in poor condition in many areas.

That would probably be HWY 163 in the SE corner of Utah?

I'm already planning a trip up through Montana and northern Idaho for next summer. I'm gonna ride Hwy 93 north to missoula and then head west on 12 and south on 95.

If that tickles your fancy you can come or if your passing through on your way to custer I'll ride with you then too.

[ringadingh]

Those are some really nice pics CJ, The Eastern rally is the farthest Ive ever travelled on a bike also. Ive been riding 38 years and have never been more than 3 hours from home until last week. Bike trips are something that I will try to do on a more regular basis.

[cactusjack]

That would probably be HWY 163 in the SE corner of Utah?

I'm already planning a trip up through Montana and northern Idaho for next summer. I'm gonna ride Hwy 93 north to missoula and then head west on 12 and south on 95.

If that tickles your fancy you can come or if your passing through on your way to custer I'll ride with you then too.

No matter where I go, I have to drive across a damn desert to get there. I went for a short ride today down to Casa Grande and back, about 45 miles, RT. It was 113 out there, like riding into a blast furnace. I kept thinking I was going to catch fire.

[tomk]

You probably did. You just kept extinguishing it before you could see the flames.

[audiogooroo]

That would probably be HWY 163 in the SE corner of Utah?

I'm already planning a trip up through Montana and northern Idaho for next summer. I'm gonna ride Hwy 93 north to missoula and then head west on 12 and south on 95.

If that tickles your fancy you can come or if your passing through on your way to custer I'll ride with you then too.
Wolfman, you have GOT to do Custer next year. It's not that far from you and there are amazing roads to ride. I wouldn't miss it.
Even have my wife coming to that rally.

ya I want to do Custer and Northern Idaho. I usually plan 2 big rides every year.