Torrey - As the story goes....

[Kris]

Torrey, Utah – May 2002

 

2700 miles – “the smiles, food, roads, wind, flat tire, snow, rain, detours, and smiles tour”

 

As the story goes, it all started a year ago – same time, same place. It was so good that we had to do it again in October, and again this past weekend. And it’s still so good that it will happen again and again and again. Creatures of habit? Think not, more like creatures that know heaven when they find it…

 

Who’s on the matching K12RS Dick?

So the secret is now out. I changed my mind, and now own a K1200RS (and a K1200LT that’s for sale… anyone?) and didn’t want anyone to know till I showed up in Torrey. The dealmakers were sworn to secrecy, and only one person outside of the dealership knew what was sitting in the garage for the trip…

 

Thursday morning begins at 1:30am, I am determined to be in Mojave at 8a to meet up with Dick, Laney, and Russell so that I can ride with them to Las Vegas for lunch. This is so similar to the first Torrey, and I want, excuse me, I NEED a repeat of that first trip. I’m out of the driveway at 2:00am on the nose, headed to the bank for a little spending money and the post office to send the insurance check for the new bike. We’re ready to start the tour.

 

No music, no heated seats, no full sized windshield, I don’t need those things. I’m in heaven with earplugs in, wind speeding around the helmet, engine hummmin along at 85-90 mph. Once on the I-5 I settle into 90mph and move my way towards Bakersfield. Those in California know that I-5 isn’t the most exciting road to travel, in fact, I think it’s best traveled in the early morning hours – so that it’s not so congested with traffic. There’s hardly any wind, just me, the RS, and the road ahead.

 

I spend many miles with songs repeating through my head, those songs I’ve listened to on so many other trips. I really don’t need that stereo. Thoughts of why this trip is so important right now purge all the other thoughts out. I hear familiar voices warming my thoughts, urging me to take life to the next level. I talk into the darkness to Louie, looking for his smile, asking whether he likes the RS better than the LT. I get the typical, “you know I’m scared of the bike” and “be careful on the bike” responses.

 

This is the first big trip since January’s roller coaster ride through life; I’ve been all over the map since then. New truck, new LT, hate job, quit job, new RS, need job… focus, who needs focus, I’ve know someone in heaven, he’ll point me. Right? I need 2000 miles of silence to map out the framework for the future. I definitely don’t need music this weekend. I need to be with myself.

 

7:00am and I’m rolling into Mojave, early, waaay early. I run down 14 to see the mothballed planes, naming out airlines, airplanes, ages, whether I’ve flown on “that one” and so on. Since September 11th, there’s a sea of old and new planes, some were barely even put into service before they were no longer needed.

 

I head back into town to the Chevron meeting spot, I see Dick just pulling the nozzle off the gas station. I figure he’d been there a whole 30 seconds. As I pull up beside him and shut down the RS’s motor… he says, “you’re crazy, boy”. That yellow helmet always gives me away! No surprise, no shock, just more talk about how I can ride the new RS better, things to look for, what I should focus on during the weekend rides. 8:00am quickly approaches and there’s no sign of Laney and Russell. 8:05am we depart, figuring they’re running behind and went directly to Barstow to meet.

 

As we’re turning onto 58 I point to two RTs at another gas station… that’s, that’s Laney and Russell. They’re strolling over to their bikes as we roll in. Laney gives me the look and a big hug, she too knows that helmet too well. Russell looks at me and when I opened my mouth his eyes went into full shock mode. Why? What? When? But… But… but.

 

Okay, let’s ride.

 

Zoom to Barstow, stop, gas, chat, ride.

 

Zoom to Baker, stop, gas, chat, laugh… ride.

 

Zoom through Vegas and to the Iron Skillet to meet Gene and his R1150R (bitchin bike Gene!). We enjoy a good meal, well, a meal. I feel the “ugh” of another Iron Skillet meal – the stomach moans, and moans. But I was smiling the whole time.

 

This is where I break from the group and head to Gleno’s house. Dick, Laney, Russell, and Gene will head through Zion to Mt. Carmel Junction. Meanwhile I grab a little nap at Glen’s and get ready to eat this world’s finest ribs… the smells that come out of that house are like no other. I’m salivating while napping. Glen… I don’t care what anyone else says…. I think you are DA MAN!! There’s no one else that compares to you. Thanks for the most excellent hugs and laughs. Oh, yeah, thanks for the food. Oh, and thanks for marrying that wonderful woman… she’s DA BOMB!!

 

Happily, everyone is accounted for, stuffed, and ready to snore the night away. Dtool escorted (slowly) Brian and Meghan with their old “fast leaker” tire… I was getting ready to call the Highway Patrol just when they pulled in the driveway. Phew!

 

Break’in out early

Intentions are good, plan is solid, emotions are high, body is slow.

 

With little guilt I took off a couple hours before the rest of the crowd, bottom-line, I wasn’t in the mood to ride in a group. Needed some time to be with myself, run through Zion alone, see what I wanted to see, run at my pace, and so on. Glad I did. Zion is a beautiful place, doesn’t matter the time of day, the light plays on different parts of the park and is always highlighting something with great amounts of color and beauty. Love running through there in the morning light… but really need to get in there for sunrise one day.

 

 

After Zion, it all starts to become real. Torrey 2002 is here. I’m riding through the roads that I know, I’ve seen these same bumps, tar snakes, towns, etc. I’m feeling like it’s another home. After passing Bryce I’m dreaming of taking a break in the upcoming town of Tropic, I remember stopping here last time, nice little spot to spend a break getting ready for the upcoming roads.

 

Hey, this town is occupied by a bunch of hooligans. Dick, Laney, Russell, and Gene are performing their own style of rest in Tropic. We share laughs, get caught up, have some ice cream, and set out on the ride. I’m riding my own ride, learning more about the RS as the miles as on… and so I stay at the back where I feel no pressure, and enjoy the ride on my terms. This is the way riding through Utah is supposed to be.

 

We stop to smell the roses, see the beauty, calm from the last set of twisties, and map out our plan for the next set. I experiment on each set of curves, trying new body positions, using my body to steer the RS, almost like flying, relaxing the arms, dropping the shoulder, leaning the body, urging the bike to follow me hey, this stuff werks. I’m becoming one with this bike.

 

 

 

The infamous stop sign where route 12 ends. Means we’ve hit Torrey!!

 

Because I wasn’t planning on the Torrey trip until I quit my job, I was too late getting a room at the Chuckwagon. I ended up staying East of Torrey at the Best Western, the view of the red rocks is remarkable!! I ooooh and aaaaawe for a few minutes before heading off to town for a burger at Brinks Burgers, followed by a full session of “sit and bullshit” with the others. Around sunset I determine my body is done for the day and I retire to a hot shower and warm bed. Slept in heaven for 10 hours, woke ready to ride somewhere, not sure where… but somewhere.

 

Saturday: Ride, Moab, Eat, Heat, Ride, Torrey, 7pm, EAT!!

So it’s a little colder than I first anticipated. Torrey always tricks me that way, but it will be over 80 degrees soon enough. I decide to head off with the group heading to Moab – Howard, Laney, Denny, Brian & Meghan, and Luky. It’s an aggressive day, some 400+ miles and we need to be back by 7:00pm to eat at the Diablo. So, let’s ride, and ride fast, and eat quick, and ride fast.

 

The RS’s take up the rear of the pack. I’m still getting to know mine, and Denny’s back there watching my ass wiggle through the corners. If he just wasn’t married, I think he would have asked me out on a date… I think he liked watching my butt.

 

First stop is the Lake Powell overlook for some pictures, but there’s already another hooligan group that’s taken ½ the parking… oh heck, who cares about parking for cars. We’ll just join in with all these other RTs!! Laughs are shared, beauty is digested, dinosaurs and sock monkeys demand pictures be taken.

 

 

 

 

 

Time for some serious miles, onward to Blanding. I forgot how good the curves get beyond Lake Powell, for some reason I thought things started to get boring after the overlook. How wrong I was. Watching the bikes dance through the canyons was awesome, remembering back to last October when Bill Mensch and I ran those corners at 100-110mph!! Oh… goodness. I’m feeling slightly more controlled, running at 90-100mph… oh my. We come into a group of slower corners, sets of 25-35mph (marked) twisties. Always scares me after running 100+ to head into tight technical curves, this is where accidents happen. On a right-hander littered with tar snakes I went into a target panic, really, I saw snakes and no route, saw the cement wall, and laid on the brakes until I had crossed the other lane. Frozen like a grape Popsicle. Stiff as a board, couldn’t have leaned even if I wanted… besides the fact that I wasn’t looking anywhere close to where I should have been. Denny thought I found a great view and wanted to follow, until I looked back at him with disgust in my eyes. I blew it. It would have hurt. FRIGGIN TAR SNAKES. Okay, can’t really blame it on them, as all other riders made it through the corner just fine. I just froze, used the brakes and just couldn’t (wouldn’t) lean. No pictures taken at that over look!!

 

 

Denny trying to pull the... "Hey, which one's mine again?"

 

Blanding comes, gas fills the tanks, and off to Moab for Lunch. Hurry, it’s 2:00pm and I’m starving, not to mention it’s hot. In Moab we laugh, eat, laugh, drink, and laugh. I laughed about the corner I blew, Denny laughs when he tells everyone he thought I was seeing something beautiful to take a picture of… so he was going to follow. And so on. These folks are fun.

 

Now it’s getting late, we need to get moving, there’s 200 miles between us and Café Diablo. From Moab we take route 128 along the Colorado River and up to I-70. 128 is a great scenic route, nice twisty road, but mostly beautiful scenery along the Colorado. Well worth the detour. I-70 takes us West back toward Torrey, down 24 back to Hanksville and then the short 40 mile hop into Torrey. We pull into Torrey as Dick and others are mounting up to head off to the food. I just whip behind them and follow, while others spend some time to freshen up. I’m ready to eat… again.

 

As always, the food is remarkable.

 

Sock Monkey, or “Socko” as some of his closer friends call him, makes an appearance. He talks with the Chef, handing out compliments and gaining attention like he was a crowned prince. Of course everyone enjoyed his antics, though when the Drunken Monkey Ice Cream showed up… he stopped his socializing and devoured it like no other Monkey could.

 

Dick demanding that Sock Monkey be at his table NOW!!

 

Russell and Dick... does Russell look like he's missing Lisa yet?

 

 

Russell getting a lecture about being a cheap bastard, from his buddy Socko

 

The drunken Sock Monkey... eating the Drunken Monkey Ice Cream

 

The 1400 mile return

Originally I had planned on heading down to Monument Valley and towards Sedona for the night, then home on Monday. After thinking further I really felt that I could use the extra day at home, after all, I leave for Kona on Thursday and need to get a few things in motion (like selling the LT). I head off with Russell, Laney, Brian & Meghan, and Luky – we share the roads from Torrey, breakfast in Panguitch, views through Cedar Breaks and a final gas stop together in Cedar City. It was cold through Cedar Breaks, but now it’s looking warm for the entire route home. I do remember seeing a little rain forecast for the NorCal area… we can handle that, right? No problem.

 

 

 

 

After hugs and waves, I’m off, determined to be home by 9pm. From Cedar City I head West across the remains of Utah and into Nevada, headed to the Extraterrestrial Highway. The winds are brisk. Just before the ET Highway a Nevada LEO crests a hill and turns on his lights. NOOOooo… I can’t get another ticket. The Honda Civic in front of me practically slams on her brakes. We were only doing 75 in a 65, no need to show him that we know how to do 45! The LEO never turns around… duly warned. I start doing 70. Gas and GO at the start of the ET, it’s 140 miles to Tonopah, with the winds picking up and my desire to maintain 80-90… to 100, we’re going to be needing gas around 145 miles.

 

I set my eyes for Warm Springs for a break, which will leave me with a little over 50 miles to Tonopah. Before reaching Warm Springs the winds are intense, I went through 2 dust storms, one that was near impossible to see through and was eerie once I entered the 1-mile wide storm. As I progressed towards Warm Springs the RS started reacting weird to the wind, the handle bars were reacting to each gust. Weird, I thought. Then visions of what the rear end would do if the tire was going flat entered my mind. When I reached my stop, I checked and sure enough, the tire had a screw through the tread. It had been picked up on the left side of the tread, which meant we came into contact with the accused along the ET, where I was primarily riding on the left side of the tires due to the heavy winds. UGH. Well, it wasn’t flat and I think I’ll see if I can make it to Tonopah on remaining air – the wind helped me make that decision. I just didn’t want to be learning how to plug a tire in those conditions.

 

FIVE MILES to Tonopah… There’s no more riding the tire. I start pulling off my belongings, digging into the tool kit, reading the instructions, praying, hearing the voices of those more experienced saying, “make sure you really bore out the hole first”. Okay. A nice guy stops, he looks like he’s in worse shape than I am, teeth missing, car is older than him, but nice that he stopped. I send him on his way, but take the message that everything is going to be fine. I’ll conquer this problem and get home.

 

Tire is plugged and used 2 of the 3 air canisters, knowing that a gas station is only 5 miles away and I’d rather save that last one in case I need it later. The wind has definitely worn me down, but it won’t defeat me right now. I gas up, air the tire, and water check the plug for leaks – find there’s a small leak in the plug. So, I grab a can of that tire goop in case it goes flat again and head off to Lee Vining. Did I mention there was going to be some rain in NorCal? Now I’m a good hour behind schedule, was hoping to be clear of the Sierras by sundown, now I’ll be lucky to hit them as the sun is starting to settle onto the other side.

 

Tire is holding air pretty well. Lose a couple pounds every tank of gas.

 

YeeeHAaaaa.. California!! I enter one of our fine Agriculture Check Points… Oh, Tioga Pass isn’t open yet? Okay, I’ll just jump up to Sonora Pass, no problemo. I turn onto route 120 in Benton and declare the final leg home as begun. Oh, now it’s cold. I stop and add layers, electrics, heavy gloves, and moto off to Lee Vining. After changing shields and gassing up I’m off to Sonora Pass, it’s open but the weather isn’t looking very inviting. I did mention it was going to rain in NorCal, right? A little over an hour later I’m heading up the tiny, twisty, tight road that crosses the Sierras. Spurts of rain have greeted me, I’m hoping that’s not snow in the higher elevations, which I’m looking right at with every turn. I get about ½ way up and it’s wet and snowy, cars are coming down with snow accumulated on the roofs… I’m not playing this game. Open pass or not, this is ridiculous. Back down I go, decide I have 2 choices… either South to Bakersfield and around (Loooong way), or up to Reno and across I-80. Yeah, I’m going North! Back into Nevada I go, get up towards Carson City and I run out of gas, me, not the bike. I’m toast, been on the road too long… it’s okay, I’ll sleep, get up early and get home by early afternoon.

 

I go to check in with my contact person, cell phone is dead. No problemo, I’ll charge it up and check in later. Okay, so when my phone gets that dead all the contacts go into cell phone heaven… and since I have all my contact numbers on computers and not in my brain, all I can do is listen to voice mail and knock my head against the wall.

 

Let’s try this again, and again, and again

6:15am, turn on the Weather Channel, local news, and anything else that will give me info. Find out Sonora Pass is now closed, I-80 has chain controls, and it’s looking nasty for the whole day. After looking at the maps, trying to find a new route it comes down to staying in Minden, NV or going South to Bakersfield. UGH!

 

As I re-enter California, stopping again, at yet another Agriculture Check Point, I talk with the agent and ask about options. None. I ask about the road ahead and was warned of snow before I hit Bridgeport, beyond that all looked okay.

 

Got to Bridgeport, through light snow, wet roads, and lots of slowing in any corners. Met another RT rider in Bridgeport, heading to San Francisco. He want’s to head North… I tell him to give up and follow me. So he does. We run at 5+ the limit and watch for ice on the road, we encounter a lot of snow dropping on us around Mammoth. Once we drop into Bishop it appears we’re home free. Appears.

 

We motor on down to the Lake Isabella turn-off and smiles start appearing from beneath the helmet again. Of course, now we’re running straight into the rain, it’s fierce, it actually hurts my neck where there is that little gap between helmet and jacket. Neither one of us had been on 155, thought it was a nice short cut to highway 99 and would get us out of hitting Bakersfield. I’m sure it’s nice, in the summer. The road is nice and twisty, then it was slushy, and then it was snowing wildly and the road was snow covered. YeeeeHAAA. Back down we go. Just stick with the plan, let’s get to Bakersfield and go home.

 

There were 2 signs that I really enjoyed reading. First, the one that said Elevation, 1000 ft. and second the next one that said Bakersfield!!

 

From there we filled up, I stated my course was heading over to I-5 and across Pacheco Pass to come into San Jose from the South. He was heading up 99 to 580 and into San Francisco from the East. We parted ways shook hands and were happy that we didn’t have to ride that all alone.

 

I-5 was a bit windy, and at my last gas stop, a couple asked if riding in the wind was hard – I laughed and said “today I’ve seen rain, snow, ice, wind, and have had to ride 2 days to get home in what typically will take 1… this wind is a piece of cake!”

 

As I crested Pacheco Pass an intense rain cloud let out its contents. I found it to be a refreshing welcome home. I hit 101 with 45 minutes to the garage, enough gas in the tank, air in the tire, I was cleared direct to Mountain View. Pulled into the garage at 8:15pm. 2700+ miles on the new RS… luvin it, learned a lot. Did some soul searching, found out a couple new things about myself… but all in all…. Life is good.

 

In Pursuit of Happiness… kris

[russell_bynum]

Kris,

Awesome pics and report as usual. Did I mention that it was your ride tale and pics from the Pied Piper run that got me off my *ss and into these rides? You are an inspiration.

 

It was great riding with you.

 

When do we go again?

[Kris]

Oh Russell... yer too nice, really. I thank you for the compliments, I appreciate them.

 

Hey, can you be ready in 2 weeks? My buddy is riding a R1200C from Caleeefornia to Baaahston and he's wanting me to take him through the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Moab... starting to sound like I'm going to have to stay at the Chuckwagon again!!

 

kris

[90%angel]

Kris,

 

Great story! LOVE the pictures! You are a very talented photographer. Thanks for sharing with us!!!

 

"Socko" and "Bob" look like great pals, as do the humans in the group! Moms (Megan and Laney) good job raising those two!

[David]

Great story, Kris. I read every word. Now for the question, prompted by this phrase:

 

In Pursuit of Happiness… kriscolor=red>

 

How far along that path are you? Some of us bought the KHippoLT and then the KJaguarRS vicariously with you, and if those didn't bring happiness, it's kind of nice to know now before we try the same thing!

[Kris]

David.

 

The pursuit of happiness... always in progress, definitely a process, requires constant management. With improper management, decisions are made with the wrong desire in mind... without constant communication with what's really at the core of your heart... decisions are made for the wrong reason and you end up simply skirting the line of happiness.

 

All that said. I'm doing okay in my pursuit of happiness. I've opened my life up to all those on the bbs with my photos, stories, good times, and bad... I have spoken to many about what I'm feeling on daily and weekly basis... but somewhere in there I forgot Tom Roe's lesson #1. Listen to my heart. Well, I didn't forget, I just wasn't listening very well, a little sidetracked with everything else.

 

I have awoken. It was at Marin BMW's Open House... when I met up with everyone again. I kept saying nice to meet you, or haven't seen you in a while... and folks kept telling me they saw me at the Christmas Party, which is where life's wild turn started. I honestly barely remember being there, it was a great diversion to what was going on, but I only remember talking with a couple people and I honestly don't know what was said beyond "hello". It bothered me that I had missed really enjoying time with those I enjoy spending time with... and I miss spending time with you all, while my heart has been focused elsewhere.

 

Those I know from this bbs are terrific, as are those I don't know. I can't name names, but there are many on this bbs that have showed what true friendship and love is... their actions will never be forgotten.

 

Is everyday wonderful... not even close. I am just trying to set a goal line and walk in the right direction. Little steps make big progress, sometimes you have to take the 1700 mile route to get home, and you just keep on doing until you hit the goal.

 

As for the LT purchase. Great bike, not all for me right now. I stopped riding after I bought it... it spent more time in the garage and only was brought out for the weekend. At the open house, I said to Dick Frantz that I was forcing change so that I would have to snap out of it and adjust to the change. I adjusted. I adjusted right over to the RS. It's what was truly in my heart, what I really desired, what made my toes tingle. The change to the LT wasn't wrong, it just was not right.

 

Instead of saying all the reasons why I wanted the RS, I went into all the reasons why I shouldn't have it... and why the LT was the right choice. Bad move, I'll fix that.

 

Problem 1/2 solved... anyone want to buy a LT?

 

So, hope this answers your question(s)... life is good... now, get outta my hair... I got to run. Have a date and I don't want to be LATE!! Sorry, no rides on the RS for the first date... gotta be a little more serious than that. SOoooo, I'll be driving the truck (yeah Meghan, with my hot dog on a stick antenna ball!!).

 

kris

[Kathy R]

Kris,

 

I have a kink in my neck and noticed a drool puddle on the desk. What a great read.

[Gleno]

Why yes Kris, it was just one short year ago, for last springs Torrey ride, you were calling me an "unsavory type", who "prolly wanted to steal your wallet". Remember that mister?? And now you accuse me of being DaMan?? You Krazy Kid!!

 

Killer write bro. One of the best yet. Wish I coulda been there, but I'm glad I got to be a part of it in some way.

[Airtire]

Great Story! It feels like I was there.

 

I should have listened to Denny and went with you guys.

[PhillyFlash]

Kris,

Thanks for the great ride report and pictures. Made me feel like I was back on US 95 again, carving through those canyons at those unmentionable speeds, just searching for a place to have lunch. Wish I could hook up with you up there again in a couple of weeks, but schedules are not always flexible enough. Hope we can ride again at Gunnison, or sooner if possible. It was a great time. Ride safe.

[WURTY]

Been waiting for you to fess up to the RS/LT trade.

I feel derelict in my duties to not have been able to ride with you on this last trip to Torrey.

Now more than ever I want to attend these rides but family matters seem just a bit more important now that my children know when daddy is gone.

Thanks for your words Kris I really felt like I was there.

Hope to watch your butt on the way to Gunnison.

[SageRider]

Great trip!

Great ride!

Great report!

 

I've got to ask: Did you use the cruise control???

 

 

[Kris]

Thanks Mike.

 

The cruise control still isn't working right... only works over 80 degrees!! So, I have one sore wrist. But I love it anyway!!

 

kris

[PhillyFlash]

In reply to:

---

The cruise control still isn't working right... only works over 80 degrees!!

---

Kris, I keep telling ya, head to Phoenix!

[PhillyFlash]

In reply to:

---

The cruise control still isn't working right... only works over 80 degrees!!

---

Kris, I keep telling ya, head to Phoenix! Cruise will work continually for the next 5 months.

[algover]

Thanks for the account and pics, Kris. Excellent, as usual!

[tbloomq]

Kris, Great write up! Thanks for sharing. Why did you switch to the RS? What was it about the LT that didn't resonate with you?

[Luky]

Nice write up Kris.

 

So you really had to post the picture of my butt ???

 

It was great to seeing you again. Until Gunnison...

[swmckinley]

Hey great read buddy - and great pics as usual. Glad to hear that the right bike has come along for you, you can plan on miles of smiles.

Steve